The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-08-08
NUMBER 20.
IN the case and have them ready for me
tomorrow.

1t was ten o'clock of dreary Novem-
Der day and President Lincoln sat at his
desk, hastily but wearily glancing over
a pile of cards sent in by the waiting
host in the ante-cham6er. Presently
one caught his eye, and he turned to the
doorkeeper:
"John, show in Governor Plerpont."
"a minute later the Governor entered.
leading little, shrinking, bIack-robed
figure. There was cordial greeting be-
tween the two gentlemen, aud then the
Governor said, cheerily-
"Mr. Lincoln, you have asked me for
great many men, now l am going to
just ask one boy of you. Miss Daisy, will
you tell the President who he is, and
why we want him."
"Until now Daisy had been too fright
ened TO raise her eyes from the floor, but
when pleasant voice said kindly
"Well, sissy, who is this boy the Gov
ernOr wants." she looked up and her
fear fled.
1t did not seen possible at first that the
quiet gentleman sitting opposite her and
patiently waiting for her to speak, could
be the great Mr.. Lincoln, the dreadful
Yankee President, but as she gazed at
him almost fascinated, the Governors
voice reminded her of her errand.
'Mss Daisy, tell him about that, and
with little silent prayer, "Oh, mamma,
in heaven, if you are your children's
guardian angel, put words into my
mouth to save your boy" she began her
story.
She told him how she and Roy had
been left to Aunt Eva, how careful they
had been never to give either army any
information, of their plans for keeping
Thanksgiving day, of the sudden APP
proach of the troops and the boys un-
guarded answer; then she described
their hurried parting, and the lonely
days at the farmhouse since; she told
them of their efforts to see Roy in prison
"but we only saw him once again." she
said. SIT was when they were taking
him away, and Aunt Eva and l got as
close 10 the car as we could but not near
enough to speak; we saw him, though,
and | waved my hands. He saw US too,
and tried to smile, but his eyes were full
of tears. Then l threw him kisses, but
he could not throw us any because
the child's head dropped and her voice
choked "his hands we're fastened"
"She stopped, and silence fell on the
little group for moment; then the Gov.
ernor, hastily passing his hand over his
eyes, glanced at the President. He had
risen and stood with HE hand on Daisy's
shoulder, while two tear drops were
slowly moving down his cheek.
at this true story, Governor ?" he
asked at last.
ut is true. have here the necessary
papers to prove every item"
Twill you endorse them ?"
with the greatest pleasure, Mr.. Lin
colu."
"Then, sissy, you may go home and
tell Aunt Eva that Roy will help you to
keep Thanksgiving day."
"Ob, Mr., Lincoln"
But Daisy could go no farther; she
could only seize the hand that was al
ready writing the order for Roy's re
lease, and kiss it over and over.
After a few minutes she took some
coins from well worn purse, and hold
ing them out said, timidly-
"Will you please tell me how to send
these to Roy Mamma gave each one
, as a keepsake, but thought she would
, want me TO spend it to bring Roy home,
/ he has no money, you know"
J The Presidsnt extended his land.
"Give me your money" he said, 81
will send it to him myself"
Daisy laughed happy little laugh.
"Oh, thank you, over and over" she
cried. "Now I'll be sure he will get 1t,
and, dear Mr.. President, are you sure he
will be at home for Thanksgiving p
} ~ am as sure as l am that there is no
Thanksgiving day in old Virginia, and
never has been, has there Governor ?"
NO." laughed that gentleman, but as
} sure as am Governor next year, there
shall be one, Mr.. President"
} And then, after heartily shaking the
: Governor and Daisy returned to Alexan-
, dria.
Thanksgiving at the Willoughby farm
: came at last. "Oh, how gladly we shall
keep it if he only comes |" Aunt Eva
said over and over.
, II he only comes !" All day long
Daisy's eager, impatient feet had carried
her up aud down the path to the farm
gate All day long Aunt Eva's sweet face
had turned toward the door at the slight
est sound outside.
All day long Nanny Minty had been
! adding one dainty to another until even
her skill had been exhausted in their
composition.
"Dey'll taste mighty good to dat pore
honey, arter de prisons cooking, bress
his heart"
But patient or impatient waiting will
not bring our loved ones any sooner, and
/ at last 1.-THE day died sobbing on the
3 Western hills" Aunt Eva would not
light the candle just yet,
81 will make the day last just as long
Ioa I ,In khAtrhN. hn inh uyil
be so long and hard"
3 Daisy had ceased her journeys to the
3 gate and sat with her heart growing
faint and sick as the lengthening shad-
} ows fell"
5 "The President had so many cares, "
she thought. 'What wonder If he for
got homesick boy in his far-away pen
. itentiary, or perhaps, he did neglect to
! send the money and Roy is now alone
and penniless in a distant Northern
{! city"
3 Roy Roy r' she cried at last as the
last CLEAN of daylight faded, as she
, started to her feet: II shall die II you
3 do not come to night y
"Then I'm here, Daisy !"
There was a rush of boyish feet, and
Daisy felt her brothers arms around her,
WnlIe aunt EVh'S arms were dIOunu
, them both, and Nanny Minty, standing
in the doorway clapped her hands softly
as she sobbed over and over
"Bress de Lord Bress the Lord and
Massa Lincum ~
Surely if Thanksgiving day is kept by
! the giving of thanks, it was never more
devoutly observed than by the Willough-
by household that night How eagerly
Daisy told her story and Roy his. How
breathlessly be listened as Daisy related
) word for word "just what our dear
J President said y
} Wasn't it good Of him, Roy!" she
J concluded "to take the trouble TO send
even the money to bring you home, him
self -
yes" Roy assented, "and there it is /;
for when the paper came to let me re-
turn there was private note from the
President himself, inclosing the money
and saying l was to be sent free Of
charge"
! DLisy took the two pieces of gold in
her hand
: at seems as If mamma had helped
} too, dear" she said, "and can't think
of anything to say except what Aunt
Minty dOes-Bress de Lord, Bress de
Lord and Massa Liucum p