St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-01-06
Mr. LiHcO{H's Petitioners.
A RECORD FROM TIE EXECUTIVE CHAM
BER.

during the latter years of the rebellion
day, from all who chose to present then
to him-the formality of an introduc-
ton from some member OF Congress be-
ing the condition ON which they entered
the Executive Chamber.
i The writer OF this record pleaded for
the discharge from military service of n
brother who had entered the army at
fifteen years of age. The petition was
granted, and the President kindly asked
ii hc could do any thing more for her.
She asked if she might be present at
some of these public interviews, and
write notes of them for publication. He
answered that she could do so.
/ OF many hundred petitioners she has
selected a few only, and has cndeavored
10 present Il faithful record Of hat she
actually saw and heard on the occasion
described.
All day long President Lincoln had
received petitions, and still they came.
lie could hear the murmur Of voices i'll
the outer room, as they were anxious to
be admitted, Yet he must rest for Il few
moments.
Tad, my dear son, 90 to your moth
er, you must he tired here
NO, 10, papa; don't want to 90
now-I want to stay and see the people
And hc forced his hands down deep int
his pockets, threw himself Oh the floor
under writing desk which stood near
his father, and resting his head on a cu~l
ion continued: CANT you tired OF folks,
pa -
The little bell which the President
SDumded-a signal for the doors to he
opcurl-rrmaIned unrung, and he sat
with his hands cla>ped together anl hi>
head dropping forward.
HIS little son moved softly from the
room. returning in Il few moments with
u sad faced woman. who had All infant
in her arms The President motioncd
her to chair, and she modcsily stated
that she had come from a town i'll the
far West to plead for the lite of her
husband, who was sentenced 10 die in
six weeks for descrtion.
lie ran away from his regiment
then ?''
NO. ,ir, but they think he did"
The President trowned ard shook H.
head rapidly from side to side.
''Ol course, madam, YOU think that
he did not"
"Ou. -ir - and she began to cry
aloud. the baby .oining the chorus.
rh, President seemed much annoyed.
but turning 10 her kindly sad:
III you can prove TO me that your
husband drl not run away from uor de-
,srt his r,.,ment, | will have him par
i ned. viii you 90 on with Your stony,
and stop your crying ,
How kind YOU are, sir"
\ faint smile played upon the Pre>i
dents face, ~ he answered. "PIca,e =,
on with your story"
She told him she was dangerously sick,
auI her husband, hearing it from coia-
radr, went home, about three miles from
,he camp. The next day he WAS seized
a. a dcscrter and dragged away. As
soon a she could walk Il little she had
zone TO the officers to plead for him, but
they would not listen to her. She was
~ick after .hat Ion. walk, and a> soon as
~hc could yet up. again she had started
Tor Washington.
at was 4 long and tiresome journey"
H. s,,.l y alphabetically.
'G,-, SIR; but somehow, | felt il |
r,uld only oye you and tell you, tha.
sou would believe my story. | have no
letters 10 speak for me, only this one,
MOVING her hand towards her pocket
The President shook his lead. lie
was twisting u pilce of paper over and
over through his fingers. Lifting his
eyes suIdenly to her face, he asked:
WHO is th"t letter from ,"
''It Is from kind minister asked
him 10 write ii. He said you did not
know him, and would in I'LL probability
not read the letter; yet if it would he
any comfort to me, he would write IT,"
LET me see il.
As he bent forward TO take the letter,
The infant seized his hand. The Presi-
dent patted the little hands and face, and
then leaned toward the light to read. .
How anxiously the woman watched
him, But his cCuntcnancc gave no in
dcation OF his thoughts. lie folded the .
letter carefully slowly lie handed it back .
again, saying:
Il am satisfied with it. l believe
your story. | shall pardon your hus-
band
The baby looked up steadily at him;
the woman rose, As she exclaimed:
"Oh, Mr.. President, how can L thank |
you :"
Take this note to the War depart
ment, and they will give you paper OF
release for your husband from the charge
of dcsertion. 1t will make your journey |.
home more comfortable. Good nigh:."
God bless you.'' she answered, and
was gone.
The President struck the little bell,
and tail usher opened wide the door
until the room was filled. Some Ot
these petitioners were lnsolent beyond
human endurance some were silly 10
excess some were Iulicrous III their
pompousness, displaying pills OF letters
of introduction, which the President
would not look at. They would, how
ever, persist in their efforts TO make him
look at such letters from such and such
persons.
The President soon became eXaspera-
ted, as he li~lenel 10 one and another.
In vain he shook Iii, head and stamp, d
his feet ; and brought his II n,nds down
he would not and could not listen 10