Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-03-05
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

/ -ase ro ABRAHAM LINCOLN ass .
In = recent trip 10, Washipgson, a.
walked past the White House, looked
up at the window over the entrance dop,
with profound interest. Il was there tia,
SO Mr.. Lincoln for the last time. I,
vas bstkeen 8 end 10 o'clock in the even.
Ing stood BY him IN the upper hall
and heard him make . speech few scn-
tcnces long to . crowd Of men Who came
to represent something Or oi5er-I forget
phsk- ! aap the only one NTH Hin. And
be closed his sew remarks " anaeencinx
suddenly that would make speech. ol
which had not the remotest intention.
Bus he seemed to enjoy getting me into q
scrape from which there was no ex,rac-
tion except BY making few remarks. ="
Il vas near the close Of the war. but be-
fore the very last campaign. If I remem-
Der rightly. Blair. Sr., had been South.
With the Presidents leave, as q volunteer
mediator. hoping that. in their desperate
fortunes. the Southern managers might
be induced to bring matters to au end.
Mr.. Alexander Stephens will well remcm-
ber the abortive attempts ut neso' iaiing
which followed. But the movement gave
no inconsiderable uueasiness in the North.
It was feared that the anguishful longing
for peace might lead the President to con-
sent to terms which would make the cost
and suffering Of the war less fruitful of
liberty and future security than should
be. was stirred up to seek an inter-
view with the President by Mr. Stanton.
Accordingly. on appointment. went
about 8 o'clock to the White House, and
was shown into the reception room at
once. The whole house was as still as If
deserted. One servant at the entrance
and one at or near the Presidents room,
and both half asleep. we're the only per-
sons saw. A wood ere had burned it.
self out on the hearth; only the brands
fallen over on either side yet gave any
signs Of activity.
Soon Mr.. Lincoln entered in a dres-
sing-gown Of faded stuff. with his feet in
slippers. and his head flying wild with
hair. each particular hair asserting its
own individuality. His face was worn.
his air that of fatigue. and his greeting
that Of one who hardly thought Of what
be was doing.
apo!ogized for adding another visitor,
explained the reason of coming. and ex-
pressed the great uneasiness Of his friends
as to the meaning and possible results Of
the negotiations supposed to be going on.
the hearth. his hands clasped upon his
head. tho very picture Of man en- dis
hdJilie; and l was in doubt for minute
whether he had heard me. or was not fal-
len asleep Bat after moments silence
he dropped his hands from his head. and
turned little toward me. yet lookin: into
the ashes. as if hesi'ating to carry out
purpose. Iu moment he said:
"Well. I've half mind to show you all
the papers"
If you think i. best. Mr.. President. l
should be glad to see them"
Ho rose aud shufiicd to bis desk. near
the door through which he first c,terel. :.
and took from pigeon hole small pack
age Of papers. and sitting down by me he
opened the mess. for they seemed to be
in confusion-a letter or two, half.writ-
ten sheet of torn paper, and one or two
other things that looked like bills.
'.rm hunting for Blair's commission, :"
be said. which just then he espicd. 1t
was the smallest size of visiting card. say
three inches long and little over an inch
wide. On j. was written, as near as
remember:
Pass the bearer through our lines.
a LINCOLN"
This ridiculous little strap. he assured
me. was all the commission which Mr..
Blair had received. lie said that Blair
thought that something Nigh. be done.
and so the President had no objection to
letting him try. If anything should
come eff it, why the Government could
then judge what it would be bcs, to do.
A considerable conversation followed. in
which he pointed ou, the situation of af-
fairs just then. and it was while in the
midst of the talk that band was heard
approaching aud the tramp Of feet.
He rose and said Il believe there's to
be deputation or something coming. and
they expect me to say something. Come
along" He laid his hand in a kindly
way on my shoulder. as il to keep me
from Sinking. and went to the front win
dow. and addressed few kind and home
IL words to the crowd. l babe him good
night. as it turned out. forever; I never
again saw him.-Heary Hard BeeeLer.