The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-04-19
..SNyEET AS A PEACH"



Recently ain old lady died in Balti-
more whose romantic life history por-
trays a series OF the saddest and most
dramatic events which could be eVolv-
ed from the brain of romancer, and
which also graphically illustrates the
kind nature and noble heart Of Abra-
ham Lincoln, sixteenth President of
the United States. In'the earlier part
of the year 1868, just at the time when
the great American civil conflict was
at its very height, this old lady, Mrs.
Emily Robertson, lived in Pittsburg
with her only child, sweet little girl
aged five years The husband and
father was private III the Northern
Army OF the Potomac. One spring
morning that year the wires flashed
terrible. news to this lady sitting in
her quiet home praying that God
would spare her loved one, and the
father of her child. The message was
signed by one of his comrades, and
read:
Your husband was found sleeping
while on picket duty last night He
will be shot tomorrow. Condition OF
affairs at this time in the army such
that no one can save him but Presi-
dent Lincoln, #v.
ROBERT N. VAUGHN.
The first express train. which left
Pittsburg for Washington after that
telegram had been delivered, bore q
sad-faced, weeping woman, ACCOMPANY
led by rosy checked, laughing child
who could not imagine why ''mamma'
had started so soon on such long
journey. The next morning this la
dy's request to see Lincoln at the Elk
ecutive Mansion met with peremto
ry and emphatic refusal. The Presi
dent would be engaged with very i'm
portant business all that day, and sht
could not see him until the next day
This was all the reply vouchsafed he
to all her tears and earnest pleadings
In the supreme agony and importance
of the moment, the broken hearted
mother forgot the presence of he
child ceased to think of all else saw
the life she came to save
Unnoticed, the little girl passed on
OF the open door of the apartment
and strayed at will through the Whit
House. The halls were thronged wit
rushing orderlies and messengers. n
one paid any attention to the chill
until she accosted one of the old co
ored house servants, who was enjoy
ing aquiet stolen nap in an obscure
out ofthe way recess.
81 want to see Lincol she coul
not speak plain--she said to hin
The old negro woke up, and locke
aghast with amazement. "Dar he an
honey" he replied, "in dat big rooi
oher dar But, chile, you mustn't 6
in dar, honey; he am inspectin' ma
tiers, an am mighty busy" Withol
another word the little girl pushe
open-the doorindicated by the age
darkey and entered. The Presidel
was engaged i'll grave and importal
consultation with number of gent
men, now dead, but whose names wi
forever adorn the pages of America
history. So deeply interested We
they all that not one Of them notice
the brave little maiden until 81
caught bold of the knees OF the nes
est gentlemen present, and cried;
want to see LincoP. May II" Tho
all eyes were turned upon the lit
girl with her flushed face, bright ey
andslong, slight ringlets. Lincoln e
claimed: "Why, hello, little ON
where did you come from? What
your .name@ For moment on
the child was abashed, and timidly /
piled: "My name is Little Sweet as
Peach"
For brief period the interests al
destinies of fifty millions Of peoE
were forgotten. Every one prcse
laughed heartily-even in the mid
of their gloomy acknowledgement on
at the words of the answer, but at t
accent and shy manner of the dimi
utive speaker. When she perceiv
the mirth she had unintentionly q
ated, she cried "That is what pa
always tailed me before he went wi
the boom-aIaddies, and mamma
ways tails me that since. Is you \
LincoP?" 81 am that same MAJ
laughingly replied the President.
second she was in his lap, with i
arms around his neck and te,
streaming down her checks TIL
she told her story with a passion'
outburst Of childish eagerness. az
bad man down. stairs won't let I
mamma see you, and she's down Tho
tryin' lots of big tears and a prayi
but he won't let her tum up. You
save my papa, know. And you "
won'ty you, please, Mr.. Lincol? Plea
please, please do, and | will dive y
million. tisscs. Mamma will tiss y