The state herald., 1890-11-07
AesL,NooLN.s MAIL,
ne Presidential Casdids,s and His Absence Of
s'Blg. Head"


"You see." said tho middle.aged
man, n was born 10 Springfield, ILL.,.
and lived there until after the war.
From my earliest boy hood Abe Lincoln
was to me IN impressive figure. He
used 10 come to m fathers store. stick
his feet on the counter and talk about
the affairs OF the nation. I was pres
ent one night when Abe came In, look
ing as melancholy as man whose
hens won't lay.
Whats the matter Lincolnp" my
father asked.
"'Oh. nothing much. I'm disoour-
aged bit l fear my tilt with Douglas
was not very successful
"'Nonsense, Abe, replied my father.
Your words have electrified the coun-
try. They will boar rich fruit for you.
Your reputation has merely been local
heretofore; now 1t is national"
:" DO you think SOP Well, hope
you're right Then the future presi-
dent stalked out into the night, lonk.
ing more cheerful than when he on.
tered.
will never forget the first few day .
after he was nominated. At that time
Springfield had no postal delivery. aud
we were In the habit Of going to the
postoffice late In the afternoon for our
mail. Sometimes 200 people would
gather 10 and near the postoffice. Tho
evening after he was chosen presiden-
tial candidate by his party Abe came
rs usual to the postofiice after his let
terA He waadressed In the homely
fashion Of the time and place and
greeted his neighbors in his usual
democratic way. He found his box
full OF letters and newspapers.
THE next afternoon he came again.
This time his mail filed three boxes.
He was dressed with more care than
he had been the day before. On the
third day after his nomination he APP
peared ut the Office with a basket on
his arm. He went away with his
basket, pockets and hat Overlooking
with envelopes, newspapers, campaign
documents, etc.
After that he was obliged to en-
ploy the services OF secretary. who
collected his mail. and we saw but lit
tie OF the great man. Whenever he
appeared In public, however. we no
ticed that he wore what gossips called
his Sunday best
"Those were lively times in SPRING
field. The town was ovorrun with
prominent men from all parts OF the
country. It was my privilege TO attend
the reception given to his fellow.
townsmen by Lincoln after his cleo
ton. will never forget the picture
he presented as he lowered above his
wife and greeted his old friend 8.
There was not In his manner tho
slightest indication OF what Is now
called the big head Mrs. Lincoln
was very gracious and made fine i'm
preston that night l heard Abe say
to my father in the hallway as we
were about to leive:
eel guess Mary will carry herself
right we'll in Washington. old man.
"Speaking Of Mrs Lincoln no minds
mo OF an episode that to1t place some
years before Abe became national
hero. There was II well-to-do tailor
10 Springfield who owned hands ono
house just across tho street from the
Lincolns. Mrs. Lincoln did not feel
pleased that tailor should live In a
finer residence than that occupied by
a leading lawyer. Whom Abe was on
on circuit. therefore, she had u story
added TO their house. The job was
nearly finished when Abe returned.
He strobe down the street. gazed ut
his house In surprise. and then crossed
70 the tailor's side Of the road.
80 who lives In that palatial man
sion over thereP he asked OF his neigh.
Dor.
Z" Tho widow Lincoln, answered
tho smiling tailor. Then wins hoard 4
voice from the top story OF the Lincoln
house:
Abe, Abe; come to dinner You no
late.' IN. Y. World.