Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-14

But I-I-wen, jess thought you was
Albumin me. -
"No, don't fun anybody. tell you
to go to school. -
IAN right, IN go sure this time, if
you say so. -
"wen, I SAY So Go to school, at
once, anywhere you like.'
Not another word was exchanged on
the subject. But the General left
the road; first located at Hamilton COL
lege, Virginia; changed from this TO
Wilberforce college, near Xenia, Ohio;
where he remained six years, leaving the
same we | educated man, and, as he
says, "with no airs to be preacher or
an editor, in the summer of 1888; and
at once secured a car on the ''congres-
sionaI limited - between New York and
Washington. During all those six years,
and to this day, Mr.. Armour's tremen
dous interests have never interfered with
his writing this black man, at least once
a month, letters containing expressions of
friendship, encouragement, approval and
drafts ranging from $50 to $50. He has
expended fully $4,000 on General Forrest S
education and support; has made an
educated and sensible man of him; keeps
his picture on his desk in his office; both
he aud his son, who the General says,
is as 'plain as q shoe, - treat him with
the greatest friendship aud esteem, and
have neither ever asked so much of the
General as to brush their clothing or
clean their boots. Every story should
have happy ending. THIS one will be
so provided on the 18th of June. On that
day General Forrest will wed one of
the colored bellies of Wilberforce. Their
bridal trip will be to Chicago for their
benefactor's blessing; and l would like
to be one TO see them ascend the great
marble stairs which lead to the Million
aire as La Sale street office, and witness
the handsome reception when General
Forrest and bride are announced within.
While in Paris few days since a mem
Der of the present French cabinet, anX-
iOus to secure any sort of intimation as
to American presidential possibilities for
1892, pressed me so closely upon the sub
ject that out of politeness, as a make
shift, l combined a "Reminiscences with
the best guesses l could make upon
matter subject to such deep complica-
tons. The result of the conjuring may
have interest TO others. Along IN the
last half of the fifties such IllinOisans as
Abraham Lincoln, E. B. Washburne,
dIeS ~ d uuu CLSpuSu -.
Hulburt and my own father, had GUS
tom of frequently coming together at the
old fremont house, Dearborn street,
Chicago, for political consultation. My
father had an odd habit of taking me
with him to these meetings; seating me
in a huge arm chair, and becoming ut
terly oblivlous of my presence, while the
political wisdom and cigar smoke of these
affairs regularly forced me into half
sea-sick, sodden sleep. On one occasion,
think it was In the summer of
1858, when had attained the advanced
age of ten years, was in this usual COM
atose condition, when l awoke and found
myself in Mr.. Lincoln 8 arms. He held
one of my hands with his left hand, and
while discussing certain plans which
were about concluded, with his right
hand was stroking my head in a gentle,
fatherly way. Startled at engrossing so
much attention from so great a person.
age, and blushing confusion at being
found asleep, L made effort to escape,
my father meanwhile offering ample ir-
relevant excuses for my sOmnOlent con-
ditiOn. Mr.. Lincoln held me closely,
and at once quoted me with his simple,
tender words. Among his reassur-
ing expressions were these: 'Don t
be ashamed to sleep anywhere,
my boy. Sleepy boys make the
greatest men. Why, now, we've got
boy down home about your age. That
boy of mine just sleeps all the time. We
call him "Slespy Bob, - to fun him
little. But 1 often tell him, Bob, sleep
all you like. II you IL sleep hard enough
you re bound to be president of the
United States some day! Who knows,
Bob?' - 1 stopped my story to the
French cabinet officer right there where
Lincoln stopped his kindly prattle to me;
but l have thought of what he said
million times since: and l told the Curl
Gus Frenohman that it was possible, as
the West must hereafter set the pace in
these things, and would doubtless insist
on controlling nominating conventions,
that there could be many less available
Republican tickets named than Rob-
ert 7. Lincoln of Illinois for first
place, aud Chauncey NJ. Depew of
New York, for second. Then as to the
possible Democratic nominees, told him
l thought there was just one man in that
party III the West impregnable from any
previous doubtful associations; q man
who would, if any Democrat could, Sc
cure large and sympathetic following
tons; aud who was as nearly as possible
the one man the Democratic party could
regard as an inviucible leader. That
man was x-Postmaster-Genera William
F. Villas of Wisconsin. With him a
wise political management would mate
Governor Hill of New York. While
the friends of Mr.. Cleveland would never
permit either the nomination or election
of Governor Hill at the head of the
ticket at thIs time, they would be easily
recoucIled to giving Governor Hill second
place; and with such a ticket a tremen-
dous Western and Eastern enthusiasm,
efIecting UNITED Democracy in re-
sIity, would result; while the South, as
usual, could be relied upon to take care
of itself. True this is but quick con-
lecture, impelled by foreign curiosity in
a high place, making obligatory the best
answer possible from an American. But
it will do no harm 10 put these conjec-
tural tickets into ''smau caps and let
people look at, and think about, them
little:
PRESIDENTIAL TICKET FOR 1872. -
REPUBLICAN
For President,
ROBERT TODD LINCOLN OF Illinois
For President
cHAuScY MITCHELL DEPEw, of New York