St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-06-13
Another Anecdote of Lincoln.
[From the Quincy Qll.J whig,l

A correspondent of The Springfield
(Mass.) Republican has lately been tell
ing some anecdotes of President Lin
coin, in one of which he uses the ''bad
egg" phrase. To the same purpose Col.
X. X. Jones relates the following: In
April, 1862, was in Washington, and
in company with o. H. Browning of
this city, then senator from Illinois,
and l. N Arnold of Chicago, then a
member of the House of Representa-
tives, called at the White House. 1.-THE
president said the door-keeper, sis
over at the war office will be back
soon; walk up stairs, gentlemen" In
few minutes Mr.. Lincoln came into
his private office (where we were seat
ed) with paper in his hand, that as
soon as he pleasantly greeted US he an
nOunced was a telegram that Gen.
Mitchell had captured and held Hunts
vile, Ala. The president seemed
elated at the news, and said, "Why,
Browning, this is our astronomer
Mitchell. We must keep an eye on
him" Then stepping up to a map
hanging on frame across the north
west corner of the room, and reaching
to the floor, he began tracing down with
his finger to find the location. In do
ing so he gradually dropped on to one
knee, saying, "Where is Huntsville,
anyhow? All, here it is"-and for a
little time he silently studied the loca-
ton and surroundings. Presently he
stood up and some pleasant cOnversa-
ton was carried on between the presi-
dent, Senator Browning and Mr.. Arnold
AS this was the first and only time |
saw Mr.. Lincoln alive after his cleo
tiOn, l noticed that preOccupied and
far-Otf look so often written about af-
terward. And the cares of his great
office were visible in every action, but
the merry old twinkle of the eyes show
ed he still could enjoy a good story.
AS he walked toward his chair Mr.. Ar
mold said: 'Mr. President, there is
constituent of mine, whom / believe
you know, and who has been in the
service and desires pass to go to For
tTess Monroe, and with the Burnside
expedition as a volunteer without rank
or pay or" The president, who had
been standing between the table and
his chair with that peculiar listening at
titude so well remembered of us Illi-
noisians, interrupted little impatient
ly, "Who is it, ArnOld7 Out with it
What's his name ?" "Mr. President"
replied Mr.. Arnold very impressively,
''it is Col. Thomas B., of Illinois,"
Mr.. Lincoln sort of wilted and Topped
down into his chair, and as happened
to be seated Immediately in front of
him caught his eye. Leaning back
wards he said in a sort of confidential
tone, and that "Old Abe" look when a
good thing was coming, so Lord !"
Turning to Mr.. Arnold, he said: Gar
mold, somehow / have got the impress
sion that Col. Tom B of Illinois is
a bad egg" And he began to talk
about something else. Mr.. Arnold
looked very solemn. Senator Brown
ing wanted to laugh and so did 1.
"Laugh if you want tor said the presi-
dent, "he is a bad egg" Turning to
me, he asked: "How is your father |?
Give him my regards. We waxed 'em
in that sand case finally anyhow" Re-
ferring to the case of johnson VS. Jones
for what is now known as the Pestigo
property along the north pier, Chicago.
"Mr- President, my father desired me
to present his respects and the assn
rance of his entire confidence, and the
first thing he will ask me on nv return
to Chicago will be, Did you see the-'n
"Oh yes, yes; tell him you saw the
same Old Abe" On our way out we
met United States Marshal w. H. La
mon on the pOrtico, and of course we
stopped to fraternize. "Hill,n noticing
that we were chatting Arnold about his
"bad egg," asked for particulars. He
laughed and said, isIt's the best and
truest thing the president has said since
ne came to Washington. For months
that bad egg has been the dread OF
everybody about the White House,
But Col. Tom B. of Illinois did not
get that pass.