Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-12-28


But his countenance gave no indication o
bis thoughts. lie folded the letter carefully
slowly he handed it back again, saying:
] q am satisfied with it. l believe you
I story. / shall pardon your busband.'
The baby looked up steadily at him, th'
woman rose, as she exclaimed:
4" oh, Mr.. President, how can l thank
you -
:" Take this note to the War department,
and they will give you paper OF release foI
your husband from the charge of desertion
1t viii make your journey home more COM
Portable. Good night -
:" God bless you - she answered, and WAS
gone.
The President struck the little bell, and a
tall usher opened wide the door until the
room was filled. Some of these petitioners
were insolent beyond human endurance
some were silly to excess some were ludi-
crous in their pompousness, displaying piles
OF letters of introduction, which the Presi-
,.-zzs- =. Il ~ lools a. They would, how
ever, persist in theAE e.sortsSso ~ mako him
Sock at such ferteis 1I0m 50 ca and such( (per-
sons.
TIE PresideoG soOn became exasperated, as
be listened to one and another. In vain be
shook his head and stamped his feet and
brought his hands down violently on the
table, telling them shat he would not and
could not listen, to such petitions. They,
with an assurance never to be imagined,
would still 20 on.
Men with defiant faces, men whining and
pleading, and forward women grasped his
arm TO arrest his attention. Ills patience
with such rudeness was wonderful. If he
expressed contempt for alfectatiOn, he also
did not forget to respect modesty and real
sorrow when he met it.
Again the little bell was rung, and again
the room was filed. Those who had Just
gone out muttered their dislike for the good
man Who listened from early morning until
late at night to people of every grade
Often the President was grave to sadness.
For hours in succession be presented no an
ger, no mirth. Petition after petition was
presented in rapid succession. Il was the
same story Of s0rrow-of fathers, brothers,
and husbands in prison, each pleading for
theirs to be the first released in the exchange
of prisoners Some had dear ones dying in
camp. beyond the lines they were begging
to 90 To them. Hundreds had made the same
request.
= Oh. let US 20 10 them-only let US 20 -
There were bands Of poor, oppressed sew
ing women stating their wrong, Peace Com
missioners and Southern refugees.
Many times the President started to 20 to
his private room but sad faces pressing up
the stairway stopped him as he was crossing
the hall, and he went back again.
- Do, kind President, grant my request
The wOman's voice was very plaintive,
and large tears were falling, but she n ade
no sound Of crying.
Z. No, no, cannot l might grant such
a thousand day. | can't turn the
government inside out aud upside over
can't please everybody. | must do my duty
stern duty as / see 1t. Nobody wants
their friends drafted-nohody wants them
taken as deserters lie should not have
been absent so long he should not have
;erter. How do know-hOw docs anybody
Snow-how does the War department. know
..that he did not intend to star n-~~ -
Joat WHERE the suIdIcrs rUuud MIN nov
loes anybody know that hc did { think
about his furlough being ended Did NJ
.hink That was bis business to think
I'M sorry. Everybody ought to be sorry for
hose who do wrong W hen he knew the
avs why did he break them vs. hen be
knew the penalty why did lie bring 1t upon
himself? You plead for him, and tell me
now upright he t. That's all very well. 1t
IS easy for us to estimate the goodness Of
hose we love You are his neighbor. Ii Is
-ery kind in you to come 80 far and plead 50
can't-I can't do anything for
-Ou'
:. Please. President Lincoln
- No. no no, no / can't won tt
won't " and he sprang 70 his feet, but in an
Instant resumed his former position in hIs
hair and leaned forward 70 strike the lit
lie bell.
- Oh oh
It was sound Of intense grief, disap-
1ointment and surprise, all mingled together.
joining up from the heart as this peculiar
ound did, il arrested the hand upon the
)ell, lifted the eyes that were growing cold
md stern to the pleading face Of the woman
,efore him. She had left Ter chair, and
tood so near that her clothes brushed
Lgainst him Heavy were the lines upon
Ter face-lines OF care and sorrow earnest
we're the tear -dimmed eyes
- Do, kind sir, consider my case moment
- oh, President Lincoln Remember you
we're poor once-and- and
- Had no friends, DO you mean p he in
-errupted, almost scornfuHy.
" No-oh, no-had few friends-tried
md true friends, who would never fOrsake
you Only one of them ! know-one who
s alike friend to you and to me. For his
AXE for our dear lords sake-grant my
petition '''
There was a striking solemnity in her
whole attitude and the President turned
-ery pale, his eyes misty, sad and then
adder, as he repeated, slowly and rever-
,ntly:
..For our dear Lords sake r.
" Here are three hundred dollars 1t was
made up by his neighbors. Could mt you
ave him from an ignominious death, which
le docs not deserve no, he does not de-
erve l''
. Take back the money Z" cried the Pre-
dent. throwing away from him her extended
Only an Instant bis hand ana az vSics Sss We're
-aised, and then he resumed kindly:
. shall not have your money, good wo-
nan the War department Will not have it.
Take it back where it came from, and you
shall take back his release Your petition
shall be wholly granted
"Oh, President Lincoln believe you
ire Christian. [ will pray for you every
lay with my whole heart .
- l have need of your prayers | have
leed of all the prayers that can be offered
OF me-
.Oh, Mr.. Lincoln. that is the Christian
pirit-that is faith in Jesus Oh. let me
rear you cay that you believe in him ?''
- do, was his solemn answer. :" be-
ieve in my Saviour
And when she arose TO depart, the Presi-
lent also rose and opened the door for her,
md led her through the outer room and
cSoss the hall to the head Of the staircase,
nd shaking hands said . good by to re-
Give more and still more petitioners.
A great bother in railroad travelling is the
requent change which one meets in going
ny distance east or west. Each railroad has
is own standard of time, and no two agree
cry naturally. An ingenious man has in
ented plan, which be thinks viii obviate
ronble if only it is generally adopted. 1t