The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-03-19
aBRAHAM LINCOLN.
some "reminiscences of an in'inna't'
prirnd-HIs rsirh in the Bieie-

A handsome pamphlet published
at Louisville, KY, by Morton q Co;'
contains a sketch Of Joshua r. Speed,
lifelong friend of Abraham LIN
coin. Mr. Speed gives his recollec-
tions of Mr.. Lincoln, and they are
more animated and natural than any
we have read. He writes:
The last time / saw him was
obont two weeks before his assassin
alton. He sent me word by my
brother James, then in hls Cabinet,
that he desired to see me before
went home. | went into his ofhce
about II o'clock. He looked JFded
and weary. staid in his room IN
m his hour for callers was over. he
ordered the door closed, and, looking
ovar 10 where | was sitting, asked me
TO draw up my chair. But instead
of being alone, as he supposed, IN
the opposite direction irom where
al and across the fireplace irom hlm
sat two humble looking women.
Seeing them there seemed TO pro'oAe
him, and he said:
We'll. ladies, what can | do Tor
you?' n.hou
One was an old woman, the other
young. They both commenced t@lk-
ing at once. The President soon
comprehended them.
L suppose, said be, that your
son and your husband are in prison
for resisting the draft in Western
Pennsylvania. Where is your petl-
ZION ?"
The old lady replied Mr.. Lin
coin, I've got no petition; L went 10
a LAWYER to have one drawn, and /
had not the money to have one
drawn end come here too SO l
thought would just come and ask
YOU to let me Gave my boy.
And it's your husband you
want? ?" said he, turning to the
young woman.
Yes said she.
He rang his bell and called hls
servant. and bade him to 90 and tell
General Dana to bring him the list
OF prisoners for resisting the draft In
Western Pennsylvania.
The General soon came, bringing
a package of papers. The President
opened it. and counting the names,
said:
General, there are twenty-seven
OF these men. Is there any differ
ence in the degree OF their guilt?"
No, said the General, it is a bad
case and a merciful finding
Well, said the President, looking
out of the window and seemingly
talking to himself, these poor fel-
lows have, | think. suffered enough ;
they have been in prison fifteen
months. | have been thinking SO
for some time, and have so said to
Stanton, and he always threatened
to resign if they are released. But
he has said so about other matters,
and meyer did. So now, while |
have the paper in my hand, | will
turn out the flock So he wrote
Let the prisoners named in the
within paper be discharged, and
signed il. The General made his
bow and left. Then, turning to the
ladies, he said: Now, ladies, you
can 90. Your son. madam, and
your husband, madam, are free.
The young woman ran across te
him and began to kneel. He took
her by the elbow and said, impatient
ly: Get up, get up; none Of this.
But the old woman walked to him,
wiping with her apron the tears that
were coursing down her cheeks. She
gave him her hand, and looking into
her face, said Goodbye, Mr.. Lin.
coin we will never meet again un'
til we meet in Heaven A change
came over his sad and weary
face. He clasped her hand in both
of his, and followed her to the door
saying as he went: With all that
have to cross me here, / an afraid
that | will never get there but youl
wish that you will meet me there has
fully paid for all | have done fol-
you.
We were then alone. He drew
his chair to the fire and said: Speed
am a little alarmed about myself
Just feel my hand 1t was cold anc
ciammy. He pulled off his boots
and putting his feet to the fire, The
heat made them steam. | said over
work was producing nervousness
No. said he, | am not tired
said: Such a scene as | have jus
witnessed is enough to make yol
nervous How much YOU are mis-
taken. said he. | have made tw,
people happy to-day have giver
mother her son, and a wife her hus
band. That young woman is a coun
terfeit, but the old woman is tru
mother
Lincoln was fond of anec
dotes. and told them well. Take, 70
instance, his conversation with w
c. Reeves, of Virginia, whom b
greatly admired. Reeves came wit
other gentlemen from Richmon
soon after his Inauguration. A con
ventioh was in session in RichmoDr
to decide whether Virginia should 9
out or stay in the Union. Nj
Reeves was a Union man. and pro
ceeded to advise the President. Ill
advice was TO surrender Forts SumE
ter and Pickens, and all the propel
ty of the Government in the Soutl
ern States. Mr.. Lincoln asked hin
Il he remembered the fable of tn
Lion and the Woodsman's Daughte
Mr. Reeves said that he did no
'Esop' said the President tells that
lion was very much in love with
woOdsman's daughter. The fai
maid, afraid to say no, referred hin
TO her father. The lion applied fC
the girl. The father replied, you
teeth are too long. The lion went |
a dentist and had them extractet
Returning, he asked for his brid
No, said the woodsman. your CLAW
are too long. Going back to tt
dentist, he had them drawn. Ther
returning TO claim his bride, Il
woodsman, seeing that he was di
armed, beat out his brains. May
4