The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-04-07
ASEcDorE OF MR.. LINCOLN.


As the President was passing through tn,
wards of hospital near Washington upof
one occasion, he observed in one of the bedI
a young soldier whose paid countenance ant
expressionless CLASSY eyes betokened grea'
mental and physical prostration, and he IN
quired Of the attending sureeon If there WA
any prospect Of his ultimate recovery.
Not the slightest, /" replied the doctor. :
His vital powers are rapidly ebbing and
will soon be exhausted
II am heartily sorry for the poor boy, I
said Mr., Lincoln, and should like to dc
something to make his last hours comfortable
Would there be any harm in my speaking tc
him?" added he.
Upon being assured there would not, he sat
down by the beadside, and taking the young
mans hand, in the kindest possible tone Of
voice said
"My young friend, am the President Of
the United States, and am informed by the
doctor that you cannot possibly live but a
short time. Now if there is any request that
you would like to make in regard to your
family, it will afford me very great satisfaction
to comply with it"
The youth turned his dim eyes toward the
President, but made no response until the
question was repeated, when with great effort
he succeeded in giving articulation to his
thanks, and expressed an earnest desire to
see his aged grandmother, who, he said, was
then living in Bangor, Maine.
The President, after assuring him that ev-
cry effort should be made SC s.... CRAFTY; his 'w;s.:
babe him a kind adieu, and calling the officer
aside, asked if there was any prospect of the
young mans surviving until the old lady
could be telegraphed to and come to Wash
ington, and he seemed good deal perplexed
on being told there was no hope of this but
after moments reflection, he said that the
only expedient that occurred to him under the
circumstances was the exercise Of a little of
that harmless strategy which was always al
lowable in war times that if he could only
| find some old woman who would consent to
personate the grandmother, the boy was in
such state of lethargy that he would not
probably detect the deception, and would die
with the consoling belief that he had received
the parting benediction Of his aged rela-
tive.
"That would certainly be a perfectly justi-
fable Device" replied the surgeon but where
will you find the elderly female to enact the
part of the grandmother
ssLet me see,' soliloquized Mr.. Lincoln,
holding up his left hand while he enumerated
with the index finger of the right hand
srhare H. cid MRS. B----r, old Mrs. SIX,
aud old Mrs. Ms they are all most be-
neyolent ladies, but I am apprehensive they
could not be prevailed upon to undertake any
thing which involved the faintest shadow Of
deception. No, MOI continued he, there
is no hope from that direction but If | could
only prevail upon my venerable friend Gideon
Welles to personate the old lady, in suitable
costume, the object would be attained and no
body harmed"
"But,n remarked the doctor, Mr.. Welles
| long white beard would at once expose the ar
tifice."
"That can all be obviated by his wearing Q
night-cap, tied down SO as to cover up the
beard" said the President.
Accordingly he sat down at once and adj
dressed note to the Secretary of the Navy
begging him as special favor, to comply with
the request at as early moment as practi
cable, as the boys hours were numbered.
Now it SO happened when the Secretary ro
ceived this communication he was busily en-
gagged in official transactions, which, in hi
opinion, were of so much consequence thai
they could not be postponed for anything elst
and he replied that he entertained high ap
probation of the honor conferred upon hin
to perform the chief role in the sad LITTLE
drama indicated, but unfortunately he was a
that very moment deeply absorbed in the SO
luton Of Tire difficult problem as to whethc
Noah's ark or the new model gunboat wa
best adapted TO tie purposes Of modern war
fare.--Edtor's Drd@er,in Harpcr's Magdsie
for April.