St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-06-29
A STORY OF ''OLD ABE"
How the President Once Ofaoiated
as q Pension Agent.
Ne Laborx Arduously On . Hot Day n
Behalf Of . Poor Irish widow, aud
Learns the Dignity Attached
to an Once Holder.

General Schuyler Hamilton relates
the following amusing story of Abra-
ham Lincoln:
1T was a roasting-hot day in the
early part of July, 1861. at the Ma
tional capital. fortnight, probably.
before the frs: battle of Bull Run was
fought Pennsylvania avenue was ankle
deep with red dust, which arose in
great clouds in the wake Of arriving
regiments and batteries hurried for
ward by the local Governors for the ex-
pectod fight. TwO-wheeled ambulances
were making trips between the city
and the neighboring camps, and lum-
bering army wagons were jammed in
among the omn:buses. which ran be-
tween Georgetown and the capital. for
1t was before the days Of street-cars
and herdics in Washington. All seemed
to have one object that sweltering day.
and that was to kick up the dust. suf-
locating pedestrians and making life
unbcarable. The humidity must have
ranked high that day. and every body
felt sweaty and sticky and out of tenn
per- At least. that was about the way
those at the headquarters OF the army
seemed to feel. from General Scott
down to the body servants. l was then
holding the position of military secre-
tary to General Scott, with the rank OF
Licutenant-C Colonel.
Il. was nearly three o'clock in the
afternoon. l think, when the tall,
gaunt form of the President of the
United States entered the Office OF the
Attorney-in- Chief. He looked tired
and jaded out-the very picture Of ex-
hausted energy and disgust His long.
linen dus;er. evidently no recent ac-
3uaiI.tance of the wash-tub, was wet
with stains OF perspiration under the
arms. reaching almost to the pockets;
his d;ngy- looking vest was unbuttOned.
and his russct pantaloOns of pioneer
ru. dangled at least a couple of inches
above an expanse OF dust-covered shoe
leather. Before General Scott had
sime 10 arise and welcome his visitor
Mr.. Lincoln threw his limp figure into
the nearest chair and. removing his
lilapidated old slouch hat, he began
mopping his perspiring brow. General
Scott was so astonished by the Presi-
dents sudden and peculiar appearance
that, although the old hero had man.
eyed to get upon his feet and bow to
sAe Chief Magistrate, he was unable to
express any thing except surprise. and
that not in words. but by looks He
afterward explained his perturbation
py saying that he feared some dire
misfortune had befallen the Union
cause to bring the President to army
aeadq uarters i'm such state.
...Sit down, General said Mr.. Lin
.oln, in his considerate way. still wip-
ing the accumulations of dust and
moisture from his face. this is too
hot day for ceremony. dropped in
10 tell you that have learned some-
.hiDg to-day
".What is that. Mr.. President"
asked the General, somewhat reas-
Sured.
1.-The dignity of being an Office
holder, General Since nine o'clock
this morning l have been trying to
get hearing from some clerk in the
Pension Bureau. Ibelieve that have
tried them all, but in vain. They
have sent me up and down those stairs
from the ground floor to the attic and
back again until am about tired out
There were no elevators in the Gov.
srnment buildings then and the Presi-
dents exuding frame gave evidence of
their absence
Excuse me. Mr. President Gen.
eral Scott replied. with q courteous
gesture. ''but it is hardly becoming in
the President of the United States to
he a solicitor of pensions. fyou have
.ny matters of that kind to attend to
send them to me and Colonel Hamilton
NJ my staff will be pleased to look after
them without delay.
~ haven't doubt that the claim is
e Just one.' went on Mr.. Lincoln. TAX
ing no apparent notice Of the Gener-
airs criticism. for have examined it
carefully and ne took a package of
napers from the pocket OF his duster
and having adjusted his steel-rimmed
snec.ac!es went over them one by one.
You see, General. the poor woman
who makes this application for PEN
s;op lost her husband. who was a cor
80, i'm the -th infantry, a: the hands
~ some bloody Indians twenty-five
wears ago. Nobody seems 70 have