The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-05-07
New Anecdotes of Mr.. Lincoln.

acquaintance With that great Souled man,
was yet often made aware, through private
sources, of incidents in his life at the White
House, and heard many of those "little
stories y which are believed to be offered to
the public now fer the first time.
One evening, during the last winter of
his life, when extremely busy, and weary
as well, after the many duties of the day,
he was called to the receptien-room to see
Mr.. Speed, then Attorney General The
latter had called to introduce friend and,
seeing the weary look on the Presidents
face, he at once began to apologize for in
terrupting him. 81 am very sorry" said
Mr.. Speed-"very sorry, Mr.. President, to
disturb you" "Speed," he replied, "you
remind me of story of Henry Ward
Beecher. One Sunday, as he was going to
preach, he saw some boys playing marbles
in the street. He stopped and looked at
them hard. Boys he said, presently
boys, I'm scared; yes, scared Then
why in h-ll don't you run?" answered
the boys. If you are sorry, Speed, why
did you Gomez
When talking with Kentucky friend
one day, he recalled this incident of his
early life, which had occurred thirty years
before. His friend had forgotten the cir
cumstances until they were revived in his
recollection by Mr.. Lincoln. He spoke of
one dark afternoon, when they two, after
long days ride on horseback, had finally
lost themselves in the depths OF Kentucky
forest. They were on their way to visit
some young ladies at a country house.
When nearly exhausted with cold, wet,
and fatigue, they met colored boy, also
on horseback and, catching at the hope
suggested Of securing guide, Mr.. Lincoln,
with characteristic humor, thus accosted
him care you friend to suffering hui
manity?" The boy CAPPED with amaze
ment, and s;ammered out: "My names
Obediah, an [ long to marster.' Mr..
Lincoln related this, and many other occur
rences in the same connection, witheu:
once hesitating for moment, not even to
recall the name of the boy he had so be-
wildered.
He said once that the best story he ever
read in the papers of himself was this -
Two Quakeresses were travelling on the
railroad, and were heard discussing the
probable termination of the war. 81
think" said the first, "that Jefferson will
succeed" "Why does thee think sop
asked the other. because jefferson is
praying man." "And so is Abraham a
praying man. objected the second. eyes :;
but the Lord will think Abraham is iok-
ing" the first replied conclusively.
In this connection might be mentioned
what is also supposed never before to have
been namely, the singular like
ness and unlikeness of the wounds which
caused the death of Mr.. Lincoln and Of his
assassin. The facts concerning both were
given the writer by a physician who was
present at the autopsy of each. Without
using medical terms, Booths wound was
about four inches distant from the spot On
his own skull corresponding to the point at
which the ball entered his victims brain.
This seemingly slight difference in the loca-
| ton of the two wounds made all the differ
ence in the sufferings of the two men which
can exist between supreme agony and utter
deafness to pain. Mr.. Lincoln was deprived
of all sensation from the moment he was
struck, while Booth suffered the torture of
man broken on the wheel. In reference
to the autopsies, the same physician remarks
that while much has been said as to the
treatment of Booths remains being revolt
ing in the extreme, he can testify that the
examination in the enc case was conducted
| with the same degree of dscency as the
other.
One thing moro in connection with the
| sad hours of five years ago is remembered
Mr.. James Speed spoke on the day follow
ing the assassination, and often referred
afterward to the singular presentiments, if
such be the correct term. which beset him
on that fatal night He had been walking
during the evening, and watching the torch
light procession which serenaded Mr.. STAN
ton. He retired about half past ten clock.
His family were not then with him, and he
was occupying suite of rooms on l street.
Twice during the hour and a half which
passed after his retiring to his bedroom be-
fore he received the awful news he was
awakened by what he thought was the
moving about of some one in his parlor.-
He rose each time, searched the room, and
found no one. He said he was sure no one
was there, or had been there, and equally
sure he had never imagined such thing
before. The dream or foreboding, which
ever it may have been, was certainly singu-
lar, taken in connection with what was oe-
curing elsewhere at that very time.-Ind.
Died Poor.
at was a sad funeral to me-" said the
speaker; 90 the saddest one l have attended