Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-09-28
Little ssTad" and the Maimed Soldier

Twas in Washington the day President
Lincoln was shot. l went to the White
House in the forenoon, with crowd of
psrsons who were anxious to see the
President The large ante room was lit
erally crowded with officers and civilians
Judges, Senators and members OF Con-
gress, soldiers and citizens. Wal ing for an
interview. There were no seats in the
room and men passed the weary hours In
standing as best they could.
Those who passed up to the Presidents
room that morning, saw standing, near the
stairs, maimed soldi<r. He appeared
stricken with poverty and sorrow. His
uniform was soiled and torn. He had but
one leg, and looked frien dless and for
saken he said nothing; no one spoke to
hum, but even the young, vigorous and
hopeful cast look on the tattered boy in
blue, evidently anxious, and yet afraid to
mount the stairs. He had some message
that lay heavy on his heart, some great
wrong to be redressed, or some great boon
to ask at the hands of the President
Pushed aside, like the pcor man at the
pool, he had no lends at court, and no
influential arm to lead him up. He main-
tanned his position through most of the
forenoon, standing wearily on his crutches.
for there was no place to sit, and he eyed
the thrcng as they drifled up and down
the Presidential stairs.
About eleven o'clock, "little Tad," the
Presidents son, entered the crowded ante
room, leading the manned soldier, whom
he had picked up below. The soldier
paused on the threshold in disMay He
seemed appalled, at the sight before him.
Generals, Judges, and Senators were wait
ing for an audience, and what could he
hope in such a crowd? Shame seemed to
mantle his face like veil when he looked
at his tattered, untidy garb among the
grand persons that surrounded him. Not
so his little usher. Pulling his companion
forward, with words of encouragement
and smiles, he beckoned him on till he
reached the door before which the grim
The President is engaged, sir; you must
wait" The privileged pet of the White
House was disgusted with the check put
upon his freedom. He insisted upon lead
ing the soldier directly into the presence
of his father. He attempted to force his
way through, but his puDy strength could
not resist the man alarms. The young
soldier desired to withdraw from the
contest. He quailed under the eyes of q
hundred men, some of them the first Gen
erals of the land. He attempted to re-
treat, but little Tad held him to his posi-.
ton He resorted to tactics often tried,
and said never to have failed. He screamed
at the top sof his voice, " Father, father,
they won't let me come in" The we'll
known voice struck the ear of Mr. Lin
coin in the midst of his discussions He
arose, pen in hand, and went to the door.
AS the well-known form appeared, little
Tad pushed the soldier in. and the door
closed. Taking him aside, Mr.. Lincoln
learned the necessities of the case. The
wounded man told his complaints to one
who, if he heard at all, heard the story
through. At once he granted bis request
and little Tad, with face radiant with
smiles, led the soldier back to the stairway
gave loud whistle, threw up his heels
and disappeared through the doors of the
private library of the President. Shortly
after, the private secretary appeared at the
door of Mr.. Lincoln's room, and said:
Gentlemen, the President will receive
no more to-day"
| With that proclamation Mr.. Lincoln'i
public levees ended. Almost his last off
cial act was to hear the sad story, anl
| afford relief to friendless boy. Tha
| night he left the White House, never tt
return !-Neao York Ledger.