The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-04-19

ears on several faces. Lincoln rang
bell, looked at his watch, and then
srayely said "Gentlcmen, need not
lsk you to excuse me for few min-
ties He hastily wrote few words
N the first piece of blank paperwithin
Ms reach, and handing it to the ut
.endNnt who replied to his summons,
Sindly caressed the child upon his
knee, and cheerily said; "There, Lit
tie Sweet as a Peach, that bad man
down stairs cannot keep your mother
away from seeing Mr. LincoP now
In few moments Mrs. Robertson was
before the President, who still retained |
the little girl on his knee. She soon
told, in a voice broken with emotion,
her sad story, and showed Lincoln the
dispatch received by her in Pittsburg
the previous day. Soon all the neces-
sary facts were placed before the Pres
ident, and then, without a moments
hesitation, he wrote a telegram, signed
it with that wondrous signature, which
then possessed such potent power.
Quick" he explained to an orderly,
as he gave it to him, "have that rushed
through at once" Then he glanced
at his watch; it was eleven o'clock,
and the soldier was to be shot prompt
ly at twelve noon. "Madam," he
gravely said to the woman--almost
frantic with joy-before him, while
little Sweet as a Peach" who at
once comprehended the whole result
almost, Notwithstanding the place and
august company present, shouted with
boistcrous childish mcrriment 81
have saved your husband. We have
fortunately an hour to spare, and he
will not be shot. In pardoning him,
diSobey the dictates OF my judgement
and comply with the promptings Of
my heart, and the only reason that
do it is because Little Sweet rs {
Peach begged me to do it," And the
commander-in-chief of million mer
kissed the child tenderly, and kindly
dismissed both. The now exultan
and joyful mother with little "Swee
as Il Peach" FASTENED from the Execu
tive Mansion to the nearest telegraph
Office, where she sent the followin.
dispatch to her husband:
"My darling, your life has been say
ed by our noble President. Thanl
God and him for his great kindnes
and mercy Little Sweet as Il Peacl
did it all. Answer by dispatch, car
OF this Office, so l will feel positive 20,
are alive and safe"
After sending the above telegram
Mrs. Robertson began the seemingl
long, impatient wait for the repl,
She remained in the office until tire
. of its surroundings, she went to tn
nearest candy stand on the street an
: purchased from the delighted Italia
owner enough candies and cakes t
keep "Little Sweet as Peach" sic
!, for a whole month. Then she wal
dered aimlessly through the street
varying matters occasionly by return
ing to the telegraph office and askin
the clerk if he had received any repl
for her. At last, completely dishear
ened at the delay, she sank down e.
!, hausted in chair in the Office, whic
had been there only few momen
y when the following telegram was pla
ed in her hand;
+ "Your dispatch to your huSbal
4 Just received, and, under the circui
4 stances, opened it. | am sorry
d tell you that Lincoln's telegram can
4 fifteen minutes too late.
# Delayed in some way. Your hu
= band is dead. Will send the remain
II wherever you request.
&, ROBERT N. VAUGHN"
e As the poor woman gazed at til
d terrible message, so shocked and owe
lie whelmod by its contents that she W
T. scarcely conscious, another dispatc
Il was handed her, containing earne
N expressions of sympathy and regr
lie for the unfortunate circumstances ST
Is rounding the case, from the genel
x who had, in strict conformity wi
nl the stern mandates of modern W.
is superintended the execution of h
IL husband. While "Little Sweet as
O. Peach" greatly alarmed at her mot
a er's strange and altered demean,
cried: Mamma, mamma, what
I'd the matter? Has anything happen
lie to papa?' she fell to the floor, utter
Mt unconscious from the terribly unt
st pected shock. She was at once
ly moved to place Of safety and kline
ne cared for by newly made friends, |
II it was months before she fully rec,
ed cred from the fearful shock"
e. Little Sweet rs Peach" to-day
pa little no longer. She is a tall, dig
tn fled, beautiful young woman living
IL this city. She is happily marie
II. with a Little Sweet as Peach"
i" her own, who is almost an exact
In plicate of what her mother was at |
err aye and Young son. who reioicps