National Republican., 1878-12-21

even now the two survivors will suck with
the greatest apparent pleasure. Until a
little more than year ago they remained
in the room with her, and were there ex-
hibited In the presence Of visitors but at
the request of the city authorities she then
shut them up In the apartment described.
Four of the original lot died at various
ages, leaving a survivor Of each litter.
Their names, to which they readily respond,
are Willie and Martha Willie weighs
about 1895 pounds, and his companion will
probably tip the beam at 275. For several
months past Willie's name has been darken-
ing, and will soon be very nearly black
Mrs. Lincoln gossips about her children
with all the freedom and interest of q
natural mother, often pausing to answer
the inquiring look Of Willie, or to speak
to Martha AZ che stands at the grated
door. They both know her voice, and give
ready sign of recognition. The simple
question, spoken In the most quiet manner,
Willie, do you want some water?" is
responded to, If he is thirsty, by jumping
in glee about his room If he is not dry he
pays no heed to the inquiry. Mrs. Lincoln
goes into the cage with them armed with
nothing but little wand hardly more than
a foot in length, which she seldom uses
except to pat them affectionately. At the
word Of command, spoken firmly but
quietly, they will lie prostrate, roll over,
place their paws in her hand. stand at full
height, aud even put their faces to hers,
and kiss her in as afiectionate manner as
would dog.
Martha is less active than her male COM
panion, and is always silent, while he
growls good -naturately at the mastery
which Mrs. Lincoln exercises over him.
Both seem to cultivate the society of ac-
quaintances, but take no notice whatever
Of strangers except to stare at them. So
keen is their sense that they instantly rec
ognize the step of the boy who brings for
each the six pounds of raw beef which is
their allowance, upon every day but Sun
day. On this day they fast, and so accus-
toned have they become to this that they
manifest no impatience, nor even desire
for food when the noon Of that day ar
rived. Some two hours is occupiedin their
eating, the bones being picked as clean as
though the flesh was boiled from them.
Once in every day, when the weather is
suitable, Mrs. Lincoln takes her "chil-
dren," as she calls them, through the sit
ting room to an open yard, inclosed by the
high walls of adjoining buildings, where
they remain for an hour or more, enjoying
air and exercise. Here, last summer, they
were photographed, without the interven-
tion Of any bars or other screen between
the artist and themselves. Here, too. are
several of the Art school students have
made studies fromnature, and to some of
these, particularly one lady who spent some
time in painting the portrait of Willie, they
have become much attached. All these Pc
culiarities are the result of kindness. No
threatening gesture, no angry word, no blow
and no exhibition of unkind feeling is ever
allowed In their presence. Their every wish
is gratified by their mistress, so far as her
careful and practiced eye can detect their
desires. They are shielded from oold and
from the rays Of the sun. neither of which
they can bear, with relig care. Their
room or cage is kept scrupuIously neat,
and they are petted from morning until
night. SO fond are they of Mrs. Lincoln
that they will exhibit the greatest sorrow
at her absence, and Willie actually cries
for her. Last summer she was in the coun-
try for several weeks and upon her return
large company gathered to see the meet
ing between her and her pets. The ami
mails seemed to vie with each other in the
effort to show joy at her return. They
pushed each other aside in the fear that
one would bestow or get more attention
than the other, and fawned upon her with
the playfulness Of young spaniels.
Outside the grating is an ordinary door
which opens into the sitting room, and, un-
less this is bolted, Willie will not allow it to
remain closed, but with his paw he raises
the latch and pushes open the door, so that
he may watch his mistress. When the door
bell rings they both approach and watch
for the entrance Of the visitor, but quietly
retreat II it happens to be one they have
never seen before. Visitors come by thou
sands in the course of a twelve-month, and
although no price is charged, Mrs. Lincoln
reaps small income from the gifts of those
who come to this novel exhibition. She has
not as yet any plan for the future in regard
to them. She has had some offers to pur-
chase them, but she has become so attached
to them that it is probable that she will not
part with them.