The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-11-12
MR.. LNcoLN's MAI,
He Received Lots of 1t After He Had Be.
come u Presidential Candidate.


'You see" said the middle-aged man,
Il 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
OH the counter and talk about the af-
fairs OF the Nation. / was present one
night when Abe came in, looking as
melancholy as man whose hens won't
lay.
What's the matter, Lincoln? my
father asked.
oh, nothing much. Pm discour-
aged bit. fear my tilt with Douglas
was not very successful
Nonsense. Abe,' remarked my
father. Your words have electrified tho
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 stall1ed out into the night, looking
more cheerful than when he entered.
81 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
post-ofiice late in the afternoon for our
mail. Sometimes two hundred people
would gather in and near the post
office The evening after he was chosen
presidential candidate by his party Abe
came to the post-otiice as usual for his
letters. He was dressed in the homely
fashion of the time and place and
greeted his neighbors in his usual dem
ocratic way. He found his box full of
letters and newspapers.
'The next afternoon he came again.
This time his mail filled 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 post-ofice with basket on his arm.
lie went away with his basket. pockets
and hat overflowing with envelopes,
newspapers, campaign documents, etc.
AFTER that he was obliged to employ
the services of secretary, who col
lected 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 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 indica-
ton of what is now called the big
head Mrs. Lincoln was very gracious
and made ffno impression that night.
heard Abe say to my father in the hall
way as we were about to leave:
81 guess Mary will carry herself
right we'll in Washington, old man.
Speaking of Mrs. Lincoln reminds
me of an episode that took place some
years before Abe became National
Hcft HttC W do q WOti-tO~uO tet tVt tH
Springfield who owned handsome
house just across the street from the
Lincolns. Mrs. Lincoln did not feel
pleased that tailor should live in
finer residence than that occupied by
leading lawyer. When Abe was off on
circuit therefore, she had a story added
to their house. The job was nearly
finished when Abe returned. He strobe
down the street, gazed at his house in
surprise, and then crossed to the tail
or's side of the road.
who lives in that palatial mansion
over Thereof he asked of his neighbor.
1.-The widow Lincoln answered
the smiling tailor. Then was heard
voice from the top story of the Lincoln
house:
Abe, Abe; come to dinner. You,
late IN. Y. World.