The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-05-04

All day long President Lincoln had
received petitioners, and still they caine
He could hear the murmers OF voices in
the outer rooms, rs they were anxious
to be admitted; yet he must rest for u
few moments.
"rad, my dear son, 60 to you mother;
you must he tired here"
mo, no, papa; don't want to go
now-I want to stay and see the peo-
ple."
And he forced his hands down deep
into his pockets, threw himself on the
floor under a writing desk which stood
Fear his father, and settling his head on
cushion, continues: "Ain't you tired
of folks, pa?"
The little bell which the President
sounded-a signal for the doors to be
opcned-re manning unrung, and he sat
with his hands cla.ped together aud his
head dropping forward.
His little son moved softly from the
room, returning in u few moments with
sad faced woman, who held an infant
in her arms. The President motioned
her 10 a chair, and she modestIy stated
that she had come from town in the
far West to plead for the life Of her hus
band, whr was sentenced to die in six
weeks for desertion.
He ran away from his regiment,
then? ?'
mo sir, but they think lie did"
The President frowned and shook his
head rapidly from side to side.
"Of course, madam, you think that lie
did not"
"Oh, sir! oh -" And she begun
to cry aloud, the baby joining in the
chorus.
The President seemed much annoyed
but, turning to her, kindly said:
"If you can prove to me that your
husband did not run away from nor de
sert his regiment, will have him par.
doned. Will you go on with your sto.
ry, and stop your crying ?"
How kind you are sir ~
"A laitIe shIiie Pia. Gu ou tHc I-Tesluent
face, as he answered, please 60 on with
your story
She told him she was dangerously
sick, aud her husband, hearing it from
comrade, went home, about three
miles from the camp. The next day he
was seized as deserter, and dragged
away. AS soon as she could walk lit
tie, she had gone to the officers ia
plead for him, but they would not listen
to her. She was sick aner that long
walk, and as soon as she could get VI
again she had started as weak as she wa:
for Washington.
"It was long and tiresome Journey
he said, sympathetically.
"Yes, sir; but, someway. / felt, if
could only see you and tell you, thai
you would believe my story. l have nc
tiers to speak for me, only this one
moving her trembling hand towards hel
pocket.
The President shook his head. Ht
was twisting piece of paper over anl
over through his fingers. Lifting his
eyes suddenly to her face, he asked:
"Who is that letter from?"
ut is from kind minister; I asked
him to write it. He said you did not
know him, and would In all prohabilit,
not read the letter; yet, if it would b
any comfort to me, he would Willingly
write it,
."Let me see it," aa-a
As he bent forward to take the letter
the infant seized his hand. The Presi
dent patted the little hands and face
aud then leaned toward the light t.
read.
/ How anxiously the woman watchc,
him. But his countenance gave 40 in
dication of his thoughts. He folded tn
letter carefully; slowly he handed i
back again, saying:
II am sati sled with It. ! believ
| your story. l shall pardon your hus
band"
The baby look steadily up at him th
woman aroee, as she exclaimed.