The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-04-06
A ASTORYABOUTLINC

A STORY ABOUT LINCOLN.
Comrades" spoke out General
Schuyler Hamilton, in voice that at
tracted everybody's attention, eff we
had President who took as much in
terest in our pensions as old Abe Lin
coin once did in getting pension for
a poor Irish woman, whose husband
fell in the Seminole war, the thing would
be done much sooner that it appears
likely, as matters look at present."
"How was that, General?" dozen
graybeards asked. "Let us know how
old Abe managed it."
eff you'll keep still, and ask no
questions until | get through, l will, }"
answered General Hamilton.
A story of Abraham Lincoln never
wants tor listeners In an audience of
old soldiers and with the exception of
the occasional scratching of a match
when fresh cigar or another pipeful Of
tobacco was lighted, the order preserved
must have wholly satisfied the narrator
The soldiers gathered around him and
the General began:
1T was a roasting hot day in the
early part of July, 1861, at the National
capital. fortnight probably, before the
first 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 ; regiments and batteries
hurried forward by the loyal Governors
for the expected fight. Two wheeled
ambulanches were making trips be
tween the city and the neighboring
camps, and numbering army wagons
were jammed in among the omnibusses
which ran between Georgetown and
the capital, for it 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, sufocating pedestrians and
making life unbearable. The humidity
must have ranked high that day, and
everybody felt sweaty and sticky and
out of temper. 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. |
was then holding the position OF mill
tary secretary to General Scott, with the
rank of Lieutenant Colonel"
1t was nearly 3 o'clock iii the after
noon, l think, when the tall, gaunt form
of the President OF the United States
entered the office of the General-1n-
Chief. He looked tired and jaded out
the very picture of exhausted energy
and disgust. His long, linen duster,
evidently no recent acquaintance of the
wash tub, was wet with stains of pers
piration under the arms, reaching al
most to the pockets his dingy-looking
vest was unbuttoned, and his russell
pantaloons of pioneer cut dangled at
least a couple of inches above an ex-
| panse of dust covered shoe-leather
Before General Scott had time to arise
and welcome his visitor, MIR. Lincoln
threw his limp figure into the nearest
chair, and removing his dllapidated old
slouch hat, he began mopping his per
spring brow. General Scott was SC
dstonished by the Presidents sudder
and peculiar appearance that, although
the old hero had managed to get upor
his feet and bow to the Chief Magis
trate, he was unable to express any
thing except surprise, and that not ii
words, but by looks. He afterward:
explained his perturbation by saying
that he feared some dire misfortune
had befallen the Union cause to bring
the President to army headquarters il
such state.
Sit down, General said Mr.. Lin
coin, in his considerate way, still wiplnl
the accumulations of dust and moisture
from his face: this is too hot a day
for ceremony. l dropped in to tel
you that | have learned something to-
day.
"'What is that, Mr.. President?
asked the General. Since 9 O'CLOCK
this morning | have been trying to ge
a hearing from some clerk in the Pen
sion Bureau. believe that | have
| lIlCu tllCul oil, Dut III Ndlu lllef ndVt
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 Govern
ment buildings then, and the President:
exlding frame gave evidence OF theil
absence.
Excuse me, Mr.. President Gen
eral Scott replied, with courteous ges
ture. but it is hardly becoming in the
President of the United States to be {
solicitor of pensions. If you have an,
matters of that kind to attend TO, seno
them to me, and Colonel Hamilton, o
my staff will be pleased to look aftel
them without delay.
"' haven't doubt that the claim
is Just one,' went on Mr.. Lincoln
| IL ~