Daily Yellowstone journal., 1890-11-01

ABE llNcoLN's MAIL.
~ Presidential Cssdidass and His A.
sence Of "Big Head"

- Hreeiuenttnt Noout0eso omu uIb ~
.ence Of "Big Head"
'You see." said the middle aged
man. Il was born In Springfield. Ills,
and lived there until after the war.
From my earliest boyhood Abe Lin.
coin was to me an impressive figure.
He used to come to my fathers store,
stick his feet on the counter and talk
about the affairs Of the nation. | wa
present one night when Abe came in,
looking Ms melancholy as a ma whose
hens won't lay,
Whats the matter. Lincolnr my
father asked,
"'Oh. nothing much I'm dis.
couraged a bit. fear my tilt with
Douglas was not very successful
"'Nonsense. Abe remarked my
father. Your words have electrified
the country. They will bear a rich
fruit for you Your reputation has
been merely local heretofore, o it is
national
"'Do you think sol Well. | hope
you're right Then the future presi.
dent stalked out into the night, look
ing more cheerful than when he en-.
tered.
Il will never forget the first few
days after he was nominated. AT that
time Springfield had nc postal deliv.
cry, and we were in the habit of going
to the postofice late In the afternoon
for our mail. Sometimes 200 people
would gather In and near the postofilce.
The evening after he was chosen presi-
Dental candidate b, his party Abe
came to the postoffice rs usual for his
letters. He was dressed in the homely
fashion OF the time and place, ana
greeted his neighbors in his usual
democratic way. lie found his box
full of letters and newspapers.
The next Afternoon he caIne 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 mis- nomination he APP
peared AZ the postoffice with a basket
on his arIn lie went away with his
basket. pockets and hat Overlooking
with envelopes. newspapers, campaign
documents. otc.
after that he was obliged to EN-.
ploy the services Of a secretary. who
collected his mail. and We saw but little
of the great man. Whenever he ap-
peared In public, however. We noticed
that he were what gossips called his
Sunday best
Those were lively times in Spring
field. The town was overrun with
prominent men from all parts of the
country. 1t was my privilege to at
tend the reception given TO his fellow.
tcwnsinen by Lincoln after bis election
] will never forget the picture he pre-
scented as he lowered above his wife
and greeted his old friends. There was
not in his manner the slightest indica-
ton Of what is now called the big
head. Mrs, Lincoln was very gracious
and made a fine impression that night.
] heard Abe say to my father in the
hallway As we were about to leave:
81 guess Mary will carry herself
right well in Washington. old man.
Speaking Of Mrs. Lincoln reminds
me Of Al episode that took place some
years before Abe became a national
hero. There was a well to do tailor in
Springfield who owned a handsome
house just across the street from the
Lincolns. Mrs. Lincoln did not feel
pleased that a tailor should live in q
finer residence than that occupied by a
leading lawyer When Abe was of on
circuit therefor she had a story added
to their house. The job was nearly
finished when Abe returned. lie strobe
down the street. gazed at his house in
surprise. and then crossed TO the tailor's
side OF the road.
"'Who lives in that palatial man
sion over theref he asked Of his neigh.
Dor.
"'The widow Lincoln answered the
smiling tailor. Then was heard a voice
from the top story OF the Lincoln
house
".Abe. Abe. come to dinner. You're
late.'"-New York World.