Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1889-04-18
A STORY ABOUT LINCOLN.
The President as a Pension Agcnt.

Comrades" spoke out General Schuy-
Ter Hamilton. in voice that attracted
every-body's attention, if We had Pres
idcnl who took as much interest in our
pensions as old Abe Lincoln once did in
getting a pension for poor old Irish
woman, whose husband fell in the Semi.
mole war, the thing would be done sooner
than it appears likely, as matters look at
present"
GLOW was that, General p dozen
graybeards ASKED Let US know how
old Abe managed it"
eff you'll keep still, and ask no ques-
tions until get through, l will, answer
ed General Hamilton.
A story of Abraham Lincoln never
wants for listeners in an audience of old
soldiers, and with the exception Of the
occasional scratching Of a match when a
fresh cigar or another pipelul Of tobacco
was lighted, the order preserved must have
wholly satisfied the narrator. The sol
diers gathered round him and the Gen
eral began:
III was a roasting hot day in the early
part of July, 1861, at the National Cap
ital, a fortnight, probably before the first
battle of Bull Run was ought. Penn
sylvania Avenue was ankle deep with red
dust, which arose in great clouds in the
wake Of arriving regiments and batteries
hurried forward by the loyal Governors
for the expected fight Two wheeled am
balances we're making trips between the
city and The neighboling camps, and the
numbering army wagons were jammed in
among the omnibuses which ran between
Georgetown and the Capital, for 1t was
before the days Of street cars and herdics
in Washington. All seemed to have one
object on that sweltering day, and that
was to kick up the dust, sufiocating pc
destrians and making life unbearahle.
The humidity must have ranked high
that day, and everybody felt sweaiy aud
sticky and out of temper. At least that
was about the way those at the headquar-
lers of the army seemed to feel, from Gen
eral Scott down to the body servants. !
was then holding the position Of military
secretary to General Scott, with the rank
Of Lieuienant-Colonel.
at was nearly o'clock in the after
noon, I think, when the tall, gaunt form
of the President Of the United States en-
tered the Office Of the GeneraI-Chief. He
looked tired aud jaded out-the very pic
ture OF exhausted energy and disgust.
His long, linen duster, evidently 10 recent
acquaintance of the wash-lub, was wet
with stains Of per,piraiion under the arms
reaching almost to the pockets his dingy
looking vest was unbuuoncd, and his rus
-et paulaloous Of pioneer cut dangled at
least a couple Of inches above an expanse
of du>tcoycred >hoe-leather Before Gen.
Scott had lime 10 arise and welcome his
visitor, Mr.. Lincoln threw his limp figure
into the nearest chair, and removing his
dilapidated old slouch hat, he began mop
ping his perspiring brow. General Scott
was so astonished ~ the Presidents sud-
den and peculiar appearance that, altho'
the old hero had managed 10 get upon hi
feet and bow to the Chief Magistrate, he
was unable 10 express anything except
surprise. and that not IN words but by
looks. lie allerward explained his per-
turbaiion by saving that he feared some
Dire misffJrture lad BesaIfSn TIE Uttn