The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1880-10-27
CAPITAL REMEaIsCENCE
pres1sasnnt Li,eoln,s Lest nay On Eartn.

me to accompany Mrs. Lincoln and himself
to the theater that night, adding:
General Grant intended to go with me.
but has started North to visit his wife, and I
suppose I must go, or the people will be
disappointed"
But, having to see two Cabinet Ministers,
Messrs. Dennison and Stanton, that evening
on some Western matters they desired meto
look into, while ~ my proposed stage-ride
across the continent. / asked 10 be excused
which I have never ceased since then to re-
greet, as my habit Of looking up, when doors
are opened, might have saved his life, SO
precious to the nation and to mankind.
AS left the executive chamber Mr.. Lincoln
asked me to come up in the evening at half
past seven, for a half-honr's talk before he
would have to go to the theater.
Mr.. Lincoln Walkedinto the parlor of the
White House that evening with his wife, o
few minutes before the time he had himself
suggested. And remember, as if it were
bat yesterday, how buoyant were his spirits,
how firm his step, and that he seemed to
have Strengthened out Of the stoop in his
tall form, for which the heavy weight of
public cares in recent years had seemed re-
sponsible. Mr.. Ashmur, of Massachusetts,
(the president OF the Chicago convention of
1860, which nominated him for President,O
had stepped in to see him on business, for
which Mr.. A. was the attorney, and Mr..
Lincoln greeted both of us with more than
usual cordially, and in Q tone that indicated
a thoroughly happy frame Of mind.
Ageneral conversation Of nearly forty
minutes ensued, Of which the most striking
feature was a %satirical aid severe common
tary on 'the tribe Of claim agents, +" which
Mr.. Lincoln illustrated with a story. Seeing
however, that Mr.. Ashmun's face flushed,
and that he seemed displeased, Mr.. Lincoln
said, quickly:
ssWhv, Ashmun, Ibid not mean it to be
as you have taken it, and if I have offended
you, let me take it al back, and apologize
Which, of course, drove the frown from
Mr.. Ashmun's brow, and showed how, III
the Presidents very last hours, he tried to
avoid ~wounding a valued friends feelings.
Promising Mr.. Ashmun a special interview
on his business ''early to-morroW"-the to-
morrow that, alas! was to find him return
ing to the White House cold and lifeless-
he discussed several immaterial subjects in a
viyacious manner, which illustrated what a
load Of care had been lifted from his mind
and heart by the suspicious condition Of the
national cause.
The clock on the mantel-piece had struck
eight, the theater hour, and the President
still continued talking. But, IN g few mo-
ments, he rose and said:
tMother,." as he often called his wife,
II suppose it's time to 60, thought would
rather stay"
And then asked me:
"What kind of a play is Our American
as he had apparently never seen it,
although often going to the %theater, as is
well known, to have a couple Of hours free
dom from the ceaseless calls and care of the
White House.
We all rose, Mr.. A. offered his aim to
Mrs. Lincoln, and / walked by the side of
the President, who still continued talking,
till he reached that outside threshold Of the
White House he was never again to pass
alive. Arrived there. he abruptly stopped
his conversation, and standing still, said:
"Ashmun, I gave Colfax this morning a
message to the miners he will meet on his
trip, and / want to tell you the
points in it to see what you think Of them"
He then repeated rapidly an exact abstract
of the speech to the miners he had given me
u the morning, showing now strongly these
points fixed in his mind, which Mr.. Ashmun
approved heartily. He then seated himself
~ bis Wife's side in the carriage, and writ
ng q line in pencil, said
ssThat will admit you, Ashmun, to the ex-
,cutiye chamber tomorrow mornil-g before
he crowd arrives. Come early
He then turned to me, and referring to q
promise in the morning that he would tele-
,raph me promptly if be concluded an extra
ession Of Congress would be necessary, said
Q q CHEEKY tone:
Pheasant journeyto you. I'll telegraph
GU at San Francisco. Goodby."
And that was his last goodbye on earth.
Pope commemorated The virtues Of Harley,
of Oxford, q priVy Counselor Of Queen
.nna, who himself narrowly escaped assas-
nation, il lines that seemed prophetic OF
Ir. Lincoln s remarkable characteristics:
"A soul supreme, IL each hard instance tried,
"A hove all main. all anrer. and all pride.