Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-11-15
ABE LlNcoLN,s MAIL
The Presidential Candidate and ms Alb
sence OF s.Big Head"

The Presidential Candidate and ms Alb
sence OF "Big Head"
%You see, said the middle-aged man,
II was born in Springfield, ILL.,, and
lived there until after the war. From
my earliest boyhood Abe Lincoln 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. I was present one night
when Abe came in, looking as melan-
choly as q man whose hens won't lay.
What's the matter, Lincoln? my
father asked.
ooh, nothing much. I'm discouraged
bit. [ fear my tilt with Douglas was
not very successful
Nonsense, Abe remarked my
father. Your words have electrified
the country. They Will bear rich fruit
for you. Your reputation has been
merely local heretofore; now it is
National
do you think so? Well, hope
you're right Then the future Presi-
dent stalked out into the night, looking
more cheerful than when he entered.
4 viii never forget the first few
days after he was nominated. At that
time Springfield had no postal delivery
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 postofice. The
evening after he was chosen Presi-
dental candidate by his party Abe came
to the postofice as usual for his letters.
He was dressed 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 appeared at
the postoffice with 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 noticed
that he wore 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 attend
the reception given to his fellow-towns-
men by Lincoln after his election. I
will never forget the picture he pre-
sented as he lowered above his wife and
greeted his old friends. There was not
in his manner the slightest indication
of what is now called the big head.
Mrs. Lincoln was very gracious and
made fine impression that night I
heard Abe say to my father in the hall
way as we we're about to leave:
Z guess Mary will carry herself
right well in Washington, old man.
Speaking of Mrs. Lincoln reminds
me of an 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 tailor should live in q I
finer residence than that occupied by a
leading lawyer. When Abe was off on cir
cult. therefore, she had story added to
their house. The job was nearly finished |
when Abe returned. He strobe down
the street, gazed at his house in sur
prise, and then crossed to the tailor's
side of the road.
Who lives in that palatial mansion
over thereY he asked of his neigh |
Dor.
"'The widow Lincoln answered the |
smiling tailor. Then was heard voice
from the top story of the Lincoln
house:
Abe, Abe; come tu dinner. You're
late.'"