, 1890-12-21
ABE MAIL
tn. Presidential caHala.t. and HI.

N6e MAIL
Tbs Presidential Candidate and His Alb
senee of big Head"
SsYou see" said the middle aged
man, Il was bonn 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 10 my fathers store,
stick his feet on the counter and talk
about the affairs of the nation. / was
present one night when Abe came in,
looking as melancholy a a man whose
hens won't lay.
Whats the matter, LincolnY nv
father asked.
"'oh, nothing much I'm dis
couraged a bit / fear my tilt with
Douglas wa not very successful
Nonsense, Abe remarked my
father. Your words have electrified
the country. They win bear a rich
fruit for you. Your reputation has
been merely local heretofore, nov it is
rational
DO you think sol Well, hope
you're right Then the future presi.
don't stalked out into the night, look
ing more cheerful than when he en-
tened.
Il viii never forget the tinst few
lays after he was nominated At that
time Springfield had no postal deliv-
cry, and we were in the habit OF going
- the postofice late in the afternoon
i3r our mail. Sometimes 200 people
t.ould gather in and neal the postofice.
he evening after he was chosen presi-
iential 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
F7eeted his neighboH in his usual
democratic way. He found his box
iun Of letters and newspapers.
THE NEXT afternoon he came again.
This time his mail filed three boxes.
lie was dressed with moro care than
J 8 had been the day before. On the
. iird day after his nomination no ap-
AIRED at the postofice with n 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 n secretary, who
collected his mail. and we saw but little
Of the great la Whenever he ap-
peared in public, however, we noticed
that he wore what gossips called his
Sunday best
Those were lively times in Spring
Held The town was overrun with
prominent men from all parts OF the
country. Il was my privilege to at
tend tho reception given TO his fellow.
fownsnen by Lincoln after his election.
will never forget the picture he pre-
euted as he lowered above his wife
AID greeted his old friends. There was
not in his manner the slightest indicn-
lion of what Is now called the big
head Mrs. Lincoln was very gracious
and made a fine impression that night.
| heard Abe say 10 my father In the
hallway as we were about TO leave:
81 guess Mary will carry herself
light well in Washington. old man.'
Speaking Of Mrs. Lincoln reminds
Inc 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
Iincolns. Mrs Lincoln did not feel
pleased that n tailor should live in n
liner residence than hat occupied by a
leading lawyer. When Abe was OIL on
circuit therefor she had a story added
TO their house. The Job was nearly
finished when Abe returned. lie strodo
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 owe therer no asked Of his neigh.
Dor.
The widow Lincoln answered the
tailor, Then was heard a voice
from the top story Of the Lincoln
"'Abe, Abe, come to dinner. You're
late. New York World.