Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-01-19

The writer of this record pleaded for
the discharge from military service Of
brother who had entered the service at
fifteen years of age. The petition was
granted, and the President kindly asked
If he could d. anything. 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 hundreds OF petitions she has
selected a few only, and has endeavorcd
To present faithful record of what she
actually saw and heard on the occasion
described.s
All day long President Lincoln had re-
ceived petitioners, and still they came.
He would hear the murmur of voices ir
the outer rooms, as they were anxious to
be admitted yet he must rest Tor u few
moments.
Tad, my dear son, 60 to your mother
you must be tired Eere."
''No. no, papa; / don't want To 60 now
i want 10 stay and see the people. And
be forced his hands down deep into his
pockets, threw himself on the ficor under
a wiring desk which stood near his Ia.
Their. and settling his head on cushion.
continued: Amt you tired Of folks,
papa?"
The little bell which the Presiden;
sOundcd-a signal for the doors 10 be
opened-remalned unrung, and he sal
with his hands clasped together and his
hesd dropping forward.
Ills little son moved softly from The
room, returning in few moments with
sad-faced woman. VINO had are inf ant in
her arms The President moiioned her
to clair, and she modesily stated that
she had come from town in The Ear
West to plead for the life of Der husband,
who assenler ced 10 die in six weeks for
dcseriiOn.
''ie ran away from his regiment, ,hen2"
mo, sir; but they think he did,
Tue President frowned. and shook his
head rapidly from ide to side.
"Of course, madam, you think he did
not"
''Oh. sir, OH" And she began to cry
aloud, the baby Joining the c'ipris.
The President seemed much annoyed,
but, turning TO her, kindly said:
IF You can prove To me that your hus-
band did not run away from or desert his
regiment, / will have him pardoned. VIII
you 90 ON with your sto"y, sGd step your
crying
How kind you arc sir"
A faint smile played upon the PEesi- |
DENIS face. as he answered, please 70 on !
with yonr story"
She told him she was dangerously sick. |
and her husband hearing il IRON COM
rade. went hons, about three miles from |
the camp. Tbs next day he was seized /
as deserter, and dragged away. As sonn |
as she could walk little, she had gone !
TO the officers &c plead Tor him, but they |
would not listen 10 her. She was sick /
after The long walk, and az soon as she /
could get up again she had started for |
" ashIngfon
ut was long and iireSome journey
he sald, sympaihetically-
Yes. sir; but someway, / felt, il /
could only see you and tell you. that .yOu
would believe my story. have no letters
|" speak I r me, only this one moving
her hand towards her pocket.
The President shook his head He was
twisting piece al paper over and over
through hts fingers. Lifting HE eyes sud
denly to her face, he asked:
WHO is that letter frnm!'
at IS from IA kind minister; / asked him
10 write IL. He said you did no. know
him. and would IN ali probability not read
he letter; yet, ii il would be of auy COLE
Ort To me. he would write H."
Let me see IT.
As he bent forward 10 take the letter
he infant seized his hind rae President
patted the little hands and face. and then
eared toward The light TO read.
How auyiously The wulnan watched
him. But his countenance gave no indi
;at on OF his thoughts He folded tie
tlier; slowly he handed it buck again,
saying:
Il am satisfied with it. 1 believe your
story. ! snail pardou your husband
The baby Looked up steadily ut him:
he WOMAN arose as she exclaimed:
"Oh, Mr.. President, bow can | thank
,ou?'
Take this note to the War Derart
ncnt, and they win give you a paper of
'elease for your husband from the charge ,
,f deSertion. LIZ will make your iourne, |
home more comfortable. Good night" /:
'Goo bless you.' she answered, and
vas gone.
he President struck a little bell. an I ,
al usner opened wide the door. until the
room WAS i.ed. Some OF these petit |
.ioners were inspleni beyond human en-.
lurarcc; some were silly TO excess; some
were ludicrous in their pompousness, de-
paying piles of letters OF iutroduciions {
which the President wonld not look at
They would. however, persist in their en-
ieavors Ia mai him look at such lette s
rom such persons.
The President soon became exasperated ,
IS lie listened to one and another. In
rain he shook his head and stamped his {
eet, aud brought his hands violently ! ,
Town upon the tabe. telling them that he ]
youlc pot and could not listen TO such
petitions They, with an assurance never :
~ he ina ined, would still 20 on.
Men with def mt fac 5, men whining |
md pleading, and forward women.
yrasped his arms to arrest his attention.
dis patience with such ru1eness was won
leriul. Ii he expressed contempt for af-
ectations, he also lid not for. ct tn re- ]
'pect modesiy and real SORROW when he .
net IL.
Again the little hell was rung, and again {
he room was filed. Til ,se who had lust
conc out muttered their dislike for .the |
good man who listened FROM early morn |.
ng uniil late at night 10 people of every ]
trade.
Often the President was grave TO sad
hess. For hours in succession he ex ,
pressed no anger, no mirth. Petition af
er petition was presented in rapid sue
session II was the same story of sorrnw
OF fathers. brothers aud husbands in
prison, each pleading for theirs to b. the
first released in the exchange of prisoners.
Some bad dear ones dying in Camp, be-
vond the lines; they were begging to 20
20 them. Hundreds had made the same
request
.Oh, let us go to them-only let us go.n
There were bands of poor, oppressed
sewing women stating their wrongs.
Peace Commissioners and Southern refu-
gees.
Many times the President started to GO
70 his private room, but sal faces press-
srhs aash.ati.Ity e these ..no.e., Is roach.d