The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-01-16
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
An Interesting Account of His
Goodness.


Will the world ever know what depth
of tenderness there was in the heart Of
Abraham Lincoln2 An anecdote
which has never been published, brings
out one more instance in which his
sympathies awakened by little child,
nobly controlled his action. In one of
the first skirmishes of the civil war, q
young Union soldier was SO severely
wounded in the legthat the limb had to be
amputated. On leaving the hospital the
young soldier by the aid of influential
gentlemen, obtained a position as a
government weigher Of hay and grain.
Not long after he had entered upon his
duties his superior officer said to him !:
"See here, Mr.. NJ, this hay
weighs so much on these scales: but to
the government it weighs so much
more"
81 do not understand. sir, that way of
doing business. / can enter but one
weight, and that is the correct one"
answered the young weigher
His superior walked away, 3uttering
threats. The young man from that day
suffered many petty prosecutions sfor
his honesty, and it was not long before
he received notice that the government
had no further need for his service. The
summary dismissal made him 80 down
hearted that when he told the story to
his family he seemed a man without
hope.
Father. replied the oldest daughter,
a girl of 19, "cheer up! l am going
to see Presidect Lincoln. 1 know he
will make it all right"
Her father and mother tried to turn
her purp, Sc, saying that it would be
useless to see the President, as he would
not attend to such petty matter as
the dismissal of a weigher Uf grain. But
her faith in the Presidents sense of
justice was 80 strong that she went to
the White House, and, after three days
patient waiting in the anteroom, was
admitted to Mr.. Lincoln's presence.
The hour for receiving visitors had
hardly expired, and as she entered the
room the President. throwing himself
on lounge, said YEARLY: "Well my
little girl, what can do for your"
She told her artless story. Mr.. Lincoln
listened attentively, and with a smile
asked. "But how, my dear, do 1 know
that your statement is true?"
"Mr. President" answered the girl,
with energy. you must take my word
for it."
81 do" replied the President, In ris-
ing and taking her hand. Come, with
me to Mr., Stanton"
Stanton" said Mr.. Lincoln as they
entered the Office of the great war
secretary. II wish you would hear this
child's story"
81 have no time" answered the over
worked man.
But you must" replied Mr.. Lincoln.
81 have not moment to spare to-day
Mr.. President"
"Come again, my dear, tomorrow,
aud Mr.. Stanton will hear you, then,''
said the President, leading her away.
The next day she vas admitted at once
to the President, who took her over to
Mr.. Stanton's Office. The secretary
listened to the chiId's simple story, and
was so moved by it that he Indignantly
exclaimed before she had finished:
1.-The Internal rascalW He went to his
desk and wrote an order for the i'm
mediate dismissal of the dishonest
official, and appoll ing the little girls
father to the vacau place.
Mr.. Lincoln never forgot the child.
He told her story to several congress-
men and through their influence her
two brothers were enrolled among the
pages of the House Representatives.
Youths Companion.