The Wilmingtonian., 1885-07-04

with pleasant smile, that he was going
home by the next train, and merely dropped
in en- route to say good-by. Neither the
business he came upon nor his interview
with the President was alluded to. AS soon
as could see Lincoln said: "Mr. President,
am very axious to learn how you disposed
of Governor. He went to your Office
from tile War Department in a towering
rage. suppose you found it necessary to
make large concessions to him, as he return
from you entirely satisfied"
'Oh, no" he replied, II did not concede
anything. You know how that Illinois
farmer managed the big log that lay in the
middle of his field! To the inquiries of his
neighbors one Sunday he announced that
he had got rid of the big log. Got rid of
| it!' said they. How did you do itP 1t
was too big TO haul out, too knotty to split
and too wet and soggy to burn; what did
you doP We'll, now, boys, replied the
farmer, if you don't divulge the secret
I'll tell you how got rid of it-I ploughed
around it," Now" said Lincoln, 'dont
tell anybody, but that's how | got rid of
Governor. ploughed around him,
but it took me three mortal hours to do it,
and was afraid every minute he'd see what
| was at"
AMAN WHO NEVER BORROWED TROUBLE.
Lincoln was a good judge of men and
| quickly learned the peculiar traits of
character in those be had to deal with.
| recall an anecdote by which he pointed
out marked trait in one of our Northern
governors. This governor was earnest, able
and untiring in keeping up the war spirit
in his state, and in raising and equpping
troops; but he always wanted his own way,
and i'll brooked the restraints imposed by
the necessity of conforming to a general
system.
Though devoted to the cause, he was at
times overbearng and exactinv in his in
tercourse with the general Government
Upon one occasion he complained and
protested more bitterly than usual, and
warned those in authority that the execu-
tion of their order in his state would be
beset by difficulties and dangers. The
tone of his dispatches gave rise to an appre-
henson that he might cooperate fully in
the enterprise in hand The Secretary of
War, therefore, laid the dispatches before,
the President for advice or instructions.
They did not disturb Lincoln in the
least In fact they rather amused him.
After reading all the the papers lie said, in
IA cheerful and reassuring tone: "Never
mind, never mind, those dispatches don't
mean anything; just go right ahead. The
Governor is like boy | saw once at the
launching Of a ship. When everything
was ready they picked out a boy and sent
him under the ship to knock away the
trigger and let her go,
At the critical moment everything dept nd.
ed on the boy. He had to do the Job well
by direct, vigorous blow, and then lie
flat end keep still while the ship slid over
him. The boy did everything right, but he
yelled as if he was being murdered from the
time he got under the keel until he got out.
I thought the hide was all scraped off of his
back; but lie wasn't hurt at all.
The master of the yard told me that this
boy was always chosen for that job; that he
did his work well; he never had been hurt
but he always squealed in that way. That's
Just the Nay with Geyerner===-=. Make
up your minds that he is not hurt and that
he is doiugSthe work right, aud lay no
attention to his squealiug. He only wants
to make you understand how hard his task
is, and that he is on hand performing it,
Time proved that the Presidents estimate
of Governor was correct.
READING dEN'L MEADE's GETTYYsBuRG
ORDER.
Lincoln watched the operations of the
armies in the field with deepest interest,
the keenest insight and the widest com.
prehcnsion The congratulatory order
which General Meade published to his
troops after the battle of Gettysburg was
telegraphed to the War Department. Dur.
ing those days and nights of anxiety,
Lincoln clung to the War Office, and devour-
ed every scrap of news as il came over the
telegraph wires.
He hoped for and expected substantial
fruits from our dearly bought victory al
Gettisburg. | saw him read Genera
Meade's c"ngratulatory order. When h,
invaders from our SOIL" an expression
disappointment settled upon hi. hand
dropped upon his knees, aud in tones o.
!, anguish he exclaimed: Drive the invaders
from our spt! My God! Is that all?
= was designated by the Secretary OF
War as sort of special escort to accom-
i pany the President from Washington tC
Geti ysburg upon the occasion of the iirs
anniversary of tue battle at that place Al
the appointed time l went to the Whit
House, where | found the President
= carriage at the door to take him to th
station; but ho was not ready. When Ii,
: appeared il was rather late ard remarked
that we had no time to lose in going t,
the train, "Wel, said he, II felt abon
> that as the convict id one of our Ilinoi
towne felt when he was going to the going
: to the gallows.
AS lie passed along the road in custud,
of the sheriff, the people, eager to see tn
execution, kept crowdmg and pushing pas
y him. AT last lie called OUT Boys, yor
= needn't be in such hurry to get ahead
there won't be any fun till get there
1t has been sail, | believe, that L.ucoll
u wrote in ihc year en- route to Gettysbur,
> the celebrated speech which he delivere,
u Upon that historic Battle-Ground. an
quite sure that is an error. | have II,
u recollection Of seeing him writing or evei
reading his speech during the journey. Il
% fact there was han div any onnnrtunitv fo