Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
Lincoln at an Informal Reception.

The Rev. G. Van Santvoord describes in
the February Century GA Reception by
President Lincoln" at which he was spec
tator, and of which the following are char.
acteristic paragraphs: About twice week,
after the official and other privileged visit
ors had taken their departure, the doors Of
the presidents reception room would be
thrown open to wbomsoever might be with.
out. Happening to be there on one OF these
occasions, entered with about a score Of
these expectants; and curious to observe
the character. and process of this informal
audience given TO the people, | stationed
myself in corner near the president, where
could see and hear all that was going on.
The notes referred to were jotted down soon
after the interview. President Lincoln's sp.
pearance is too wellknown to need particu
lar description. The tall, thin, wiry form,
which no burdens seemed able TO bend, and
re amount OF lat or to deprive of elasticity;
the calm, rugged, honest face, grave and
deeply melancholy when in repo'e yet wont
to be lighted up under the influence of some
humorous sally-these are familiar TO the
world. lie was clad plainly, but becomingly,
in black broadcloth suit, nothing in all his
dress betokening disregarded of convention
atty, save, perhaps, his neat cloth slippers,
which were doubtless worn for comfort. He
was seated beside a plain, cloth-covered
table, in commodious arm chair. When
this visitor had Withdrawn, an immense
specimen of man presented himself.
Broadshouldered, robust, with thews and
sinews 10 match his great height, and withal
an honest, good-natured conference.-the
seemed TO mark him as belonging to the
hardy yeomanry of the west He sided up
awkwardly to the president, seeming almost
afraid to accost him, but after some hesita-
ton contrived to say, that being on visit
to Washington, he simply wanted, befors
leaving, to see the president, and have the
honor Of shaking hands with him. He
found kindly reception; and after some
Introductory civilities, Mr.. Lincoln ran his
eye curiousiy over his huge caller, surveying
him from head to foot, and then saying with
a humorous look aud accent it would be
hard TO describe, al rather think you have
little the advantage of me in height; you
are taller man than am" al guess OF,
Mr.. President" replied the visitor, with the
sef-sbnegating air of one who seemed to re-
gard any claim on his part, of possessing
an advantage over the chief magistrate, as
an otfense little short of treason" the ad-
vantage cannot be on my side" Eyes, it
u.s." was the rejoinder, al have a pretty
good eye for distances, and think | can't
be mistaken 10 the fact of the advantage be-
ing slightly with you. l measure six feet
three and half inches in my stockings,
and you 60, think, little beyond that"
The man still demurred, insisting very re-
specially that the precedence in the matter
lay on the presidents side. 1t is very easily
tested" said the president, and rising
briskly from his chair, and taking book
from the table, he placed it edgewise against
the WALL just hie her than his head. Then,
turning to his doubling competitor for the
Donce, he babe him "Come under" This
the man did no. do at once, pausing, with
flushed face and irresolute look, as If not
certain how far he might venture to trust
the lion in his playful mood-his counte-
nance the while wearing bewildered, half
frightened, and yet half-smiling expression
that was really comical TO see. Come un-
der, say" repeated the president, in more
peremptory tone, and then the visitor slowly
complied. snow straighten yourself up,
and move your head in this way "-suiting
the action to the word. This being done.
Mr.. Lincoln added, snow you hold the
book, and be sure not to let it slip down
hair-breadth, and | will try" Planting
himself accordingly underneath the book,
and moving his head from right to left, it
was found that he fell trifle short Of the
others measurement. "There," said he,
ait is as told you. | knew couldn't be
mistaken. l rarely fail in taking mans
true altitude by the eye" eyes, but Mr..
President" said the man, his courage, amid
the merriment of the company, beginning
to return, "you have slippers on and boots,
and that makes difference" Not enough
to amount to anything in this reckoning"
was the reply. You ought, at least, to be
satisfied, my honest friend, with the proof
given that you actually stand higher to-day
than your president"