The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-07-30

him. but not with that ternsl-reachinR wl.a-
ness OF love his was for her.
For the purpose Of our recital we must draw
aside a curtain to reveal glimpse of family
picture, - 'lll' ~ 80
Booth loyed her for her worth, virtue. purity
and goodness. But he was reputed o gay man
OF the world, and she feared TO trust her heart
and destinies into his keeping, though we have
reason to believe she greatly admired him,
And her father, looking to the happiness Of
his daughter. as he thought was not quite
willing the alliance Booth desired should be
formed. But, for the gifted genius, he had a
liking and an admiration. l.i .fh f.
One night in Washington, after Beall was
doomed. John Wilkes Booth and John Z. Hale
called on q. w. Mclean, OF Cincinnati who
was then in Washington. They wanted Nc
Lean to go with them to find Colonel John w
fotney, and, with him In company, call upon
Lincoln.
Mclean was unusually intimate with Lin
coln, and had more influence with him than
any other Western Democrat And he was
cheek by iowl with Forney. Mclean was 10
vouch for Booth, with Hale and Forney 10 join
In asking Executive oiemency for Beail.
II was past midnight when the carriage con-
where the latter was stopping and was driven
TO Forney's residence. Forney was in bed
under the influence Of liquor
After some little talk and explanations he
arose, bathed his head in ice water, made q
hasty toilet, and took seat in the carriage
The parties were then driven TO the White
House, reaching there about o'clock in the
morning. They were admitted past the guards,
and found President Lincoln in his room, not
yet retired.
Then came an explanation OF the object Of
the visit.
President Lincoln sat by the side of Senator
Hale. and listened to the particulars. Booth
Ns.t1 +
scheme 10 abduct the President not TO iujure
him. but to aid in the release Of certain friends
who could not be exchanged. He told that all
that was OF the past, so fur rs he was concerned.
And hen he asked for the reprieve OF Beal!,
promising on his honor as a man to ever after
be as good friend to Lincoln as IA man could
be 10 one who had rendered such favor-to
warn the President, if it came to his knowl-
edge that his lite WAS in danger. and TO hold
himself personally responsible for the ood
behavior Of Beall. ever after.
1t was question Of life or death Beall
was doomed. No power save the Executive
could save him. Booth pleaded with all the
thousands upon thousands know what that
was.
Senator Hale asked the pardon Of Beall as a
favor 10 himself aud his family.
Forney asked il for reasons then and there
given, rs did Mclean, and the reasons we can
give at the proper time.
Booth told the President Of their long es-
ta6lished friendship, of his love for the brave.
adventurous spIrit-of his love for the young
man who was doing for his people in the South
Just what n patriot in the North would have
done for the cause and the people dear to him.
President Lincoln was greatly moved. even
TO tears. and gave to Booth his word Of honor
ss man that Beall should be pnrdoned.
Then there was JOY and happiness in that
room. Booth kissed the hand OF the Presi-
dent, and thanked him with fearful eyes aud
choked voice, even after his friends had taken
their hats to leave tho presence Of the Chief
Magistrate Of the nation, who had promised,
and whose promise was by Booth relied upon
But alas for human promises! Beal was
hung. The President did not keep his word
did not pardon him. Seward, the infamous
tyTant and Secretary of State, whose tinkling
bell sent his betters TO bastiles said il would
not do-that Lincoln's duty to the Republican
party demanded the execution of Beall 10 keep
tinted the sentiment Of the North for such
blood. H. ...... .-....
| Lincoln said Beall must be pardoned, for he
had promised il. o..
Seward said he must not be pardoued, or
there would be strange revealmentsl Oh
And so the President weakened, withheld
his pardon--and poor BeRll suffered for his
patriotic devotion with his life. .hE
| When Booth learned that Lincoln bad lied
to him, and not kept his sacred promise his
face turned to the pallor of death, his lips be.
came white. his eyes seemed ready to burst
| from their sockets, and he swore by the Eternal
! God that he would kill the man who had lied
! 10 him, and that his own right hand, then
raised to Heaven, should avoDge the death OF
| his comTade. dnd Il did!
| Booth called to his counsel but few friends,
soms of whom were in Washington, two OF
whom were not. He marked the President
! for his own ayenging, and to others was given
in charge to kill Seward at the same hour, fol-
| his interference.
As wo believe, under the Directing Power OF
another world. Booths hand did avenge the
death of Beall. lie was the martyr TO private
feelings for he knew that almost certain death
awaited him, but he cared not for that.
1nnnmed by reyengo--going like bolt o
wrath to the President, he fired the shot which
sciit echo after echo down the long lane reach
ing TO the future. .... -.
He kept his word-ho avenged the death o
his friend, end a wondrous Providence deal
thon with him rs the world knows Of. y
But Seward lived. There was not tha
" lightning in tho hearts Of those who wer
deputed to aid Booth in his ayonging that file,
the sonl Of the Sone who settled so terribly II
full with tho President. ....... ... ...........
And so died Abraham Lincoln, not by tn
hand OF ono who struck in behalf Of a nation
but by the hand OF fiery impotuous, stago
walking tenement Of chivalry. Had he KEEP
his word. no would not then and there hay
died, 10 matter what his fato atterward,
=. ... ..
/. THE lightning recently struck tho powde
| Il r a. II