National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-09-17


But, Mr.. Lincoln, l thought you
would feel for me-
'Feel for you Good God! l have
to feel for five hundred thousand
more unfortunate than you. We
are at war, sir; don't you know we
are at war Sorrow is the lot of all
bear your share like man and
soldier
Il try to, Mr.. President, but it
seems hard. My devoted wife lost
her life for coming to nurse me III
my sickness and cannot take her
body home to my children
'Well she ought not to have come
to the army. She should have stayed
at home. That is the place for wo-
men. But if they will 90 tearing
round the coun try, in such times hs
these, and running into all sorts OF
danger, they must take the conse-
quences AS for your wife, she's at
rest and | wish WERE
Saying this, the President leaned
back YEARLY in his chair,and closed
his eyes, not noticing. except by a
slight wave OF his hand, the depart
ure Of his visitors.
| am not ashamed to confess that
my hero tossed restlessly that night
upon a pillow wet with tears, that
he was desperate and resenttul,
utterly unresigned to the DEGREES of
Providence and the war department,
and that he thought Abraham Lin
coin as hard as he was ugly. and as
: inhuman as he was ungainly.
Toward morning he fell asleep,and
, slept late. Before he was fully
dressed, there came a quick knock
at the door of his chamber, and he
| opened it to President Lincoln !
f The good man came forward, pale
3, and eager, tears glistening in his
f., eyes, and grasped the colonel'>
/ hand, saying, Il treated you brutally
last night. | ask your pardon.
e was utterly tired out, badgered tC
n death. ! generally become abou
l. as savage as a wild cat by Saturda,
; night, drained dry of the milk o
l. human Kindness | must hav,
/ seemed to YOU the very gorilla tn
y rebels paint me. was sorry enough
o for it when you were gone. coul'
o not sleep a moment last night, Sc
V thought | would drive into town i
the cool of the morning, and max
r. it all right. Fortunately, had littl
e difficulty in finding you.'
1t This is very kind in you, NJ
N President said the colonel, deepl
cs moved.
Il no, it isn't; but that was vel
~ bad of me last night. new
H. should have forgiven myself if
IL had let that uglypiece Of work stan'
5. That was Il noble wife of yours, co
is oncl. You were happy man
he have such a noble woman to loN
YOU and YOU must be a good iclloy
d. or such a woman would never hay
,rt riSked so much for you. And VIII;
IN grand women there are III the
al. times, colonel ! What angels
,e. devotion and mercy, and how bra
er- and plucky going everywhere
the call OF duty. facing every dang'
er. | tell YOU. if it were not for Il
he women,w we should all 90 to the dev
ful and should deserve to. They are
nd salvation of the nation. Now, ,con
hy colonel my carriage is at the do,
I'll drive YOU to the wal departmel
pc. and we'll see Stanton about Il
ian natter
his Even at that early hour they fou
the secretary at his post. 1
at President pleaded the case of {
lad Scott, and not only requested Il
rr's leave of absence should he giN
was him. but that steamer should
the sent down the river expressly
ro- bring up the body of his wife. 4
lim manity, Mr.. Stanton,' said the g
President. his homely face trans
,l;or ured with a glow of earnest. ten,
and feeling, humanity should overr
Ia. considerations Of policy, and e'
:. a military necessity, III matters
thc this
hon The secretary was touched, and
thn said something of his regret at
nsv. having felt himself at liberty
holt grant Col. SCOTS request III the
inst place.
anne no, no, Mr.. Stanton said
his President you did right in adj
Ious ing to your rules you are the II
? by man for this place. If we had $
a soft hearted fool as here, Il
,he would be no rules and rcgulat
Tho that the army or country could
das pend upon. But this is pccu
lie case. Only think of that
one. womann
,sely OF course, the 'imp6 ssible'
ting accomplished. TO the surpris
slip. the Colonel the President insi
,ugh on driving him to the navy.yar
long see that the ,,ccretary's order
shirt carried ou, immediately ; secmii
Eng. have n nervous fear that som,
nkcc staclc might be thrown in the
of the pious expedition. He WI
look at the landing till all was ready,
here charged the officers of the ste;
lSant to give every assistance anu u
some. ton 10 MS lllcnu boI' pcot''
rried him he shook hands warmly ut
ing, saying, God bless you my
testify lellow. ! hopeSou WI, MN nav n1 nv
idcnt trouo,e II, .','s s''' ~, una, -, L"'
lucly, ohci' "S W 'o.R'' ,"'' "'S".'
ness Away up in New lIamp
ident, c. urchyard there Is u certain
, carefully watched and tendc'