Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-11-13
ABE LINcOLN'S MAE.



''Bis. 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. was pres
ent one night when Abe came in. look
ing as melancholy Us man whose
hens won't lay.
| What's the matter Lincoln?" my
father asked.
"'Oh, nothing much. I'm discour-
aged a bit fear my tilt with Douglas
was not very successful
"'Nonsense, Abe.' replied my father.
Your words have electrified the coun-
try. They will bear rich fruit for you.
Your reputation has merely been local
here tofore; now it is national"
".Do you think SO? Well, / hope
you're right Then the future presi-
dent stalked out into the night look
Ling more cheerful than when he en-
tered.
will 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
postOffice late in the afternoon for our
mail. Sometimes 200 people would
gather in and near the postoffice. The
evening after he was chosen presiden-
tial candidate by his party Abe came
as usual to the postoffice after his let
tiers. 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 APP
peared at the Office with basket on
his arm. He went away with his
basket, pockets and hat overhowing
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
u field. The town was overrun with
g prominent men from all parts OF tn,
d country. It was my privilege to attens
10 the reception given to his fellow
IL townsmen by Lincoln after his cleo
ton. l will never forget the pictur
:, he presented Us he lowered above hi
~ wife and greeted his old friend s
" There was not in his manner thu
r. slightest indication Of what is no,
70 called the big head Mrs. Lincol
10 was very gracious and made fine i'm
Is preston that night l heard Abe sa
to my father in the hallway as W
~ ~ were about to leave: ...
n al guess Mary will carry hersel
Or right we'll in Washington, old man.
le Speaking of Mrs. Lincoln remind
I'd me Of an episode that took place som
years before Abe became a nations
ID hero. There was a well-to-do tailo
~ in Springfield who owned a handsom
~ house just across the street frcm tn
~ Lincolns. Mrs. Lincoln did not fe.
10 pleased that a tailor should live in
h. finer residence than that occupied b
e. a leading lawyer. When Abe was o
On on circuit, therefore, she had stor
no added to their house. The job W,
ne nearly finished when Abe returne,
He strobe down the street, gazed ,
his house in surprise, and then crosse
to the tailor's side Of the road.
who lives in that palatial mar
sion over there?' he asked Of his neigl
Dor.
/" The widow Lincoln answe r,
the smiling tailor. Then was heard
voice from the top story of the Linco
house,:
Abe, Abe; come to dinner. You
; late IN. Y. World.
Nav Navirn Ouvv