Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1891-05-25
PRESIDENT LINCOLN Ar HOME.

Ruskin says: the home lives of all
great men and women are simple.
Abraham Lincoln, in the White
House was a wonderful example of
the truth of this saying.
From his humble home in the West
he brought into public life the notions
of plain, frugal living, and to the day of
his death adhered to them strictly.
The discouraged steward complained
bitterly of his utter lack of apprecia-
ton of his finest work, and never
quite forgave him for saying to Mr..
Lovejoy, who was dining with him one
day: ''None of this hummery goes to
the tired spot. And once was heard to
say to his wife I do wonder why we
never get such good meat and pota-
toes in Washington as we used to have
in Illinois! Do you know, Mary?"
During the later years of his life he
ate so little and so irregularly that Of
ten noon time found his breakfast I'M
tasted, and Secretary Stanton one day
remarked: ''DIr Lincoln, whose dim
ner is this, / wonder, covered up SO
nicely? 1t will be cold very soon!"
Dinner? Why that's my breakfast!
What time is it, Stanton? 1 do feel
kind of empty!"
Through the influence of Hon. Owen
Lovejoy Miss Alice tombstone of Chi
cago was appointed to a desk in the
post-office. During the first winter in
Washington she slipped on an icy
pavement, and for three months was
confined to herroom. Ill and discour-
aged, she determined to return to the
West, and give up her office Mr.. Love-
joy spoke to Mr.. Lincoln or her sad
condition, and said in his great heart
ed way:
eff 1 hadn't five girls of my own I'd
adopt Alice! My wife always has room
for one more at home"
''See here, Lovejoy, we need just
such a grill I'n speak to Mary at
once.''
So, to make long story short, Alice
became a member of the presidents
family. Her capabilities were quickly
discovered by all; her work admired
and commented on by guests and ser
wants. She proved perfect comfort
to the lonely, sorrowful man, weighed
down with the nations fate and to the
busy woman, in the whirl of fashion
able life, a constant treasure.
Tad remarked to his father one day:
''We are having better times since
Allie came, because, you see, L can
have all the boys [ want to now. She
don't mind our parties and can get
anything of the cook! .
Alice was deeply attached to the
family, and especially impressed with
the gentle domestic life of the presi-
dent She said:
''Should 1 live to be 100 years old,
the kind, quiet good morning of the
sadfaced, tired man whom I saw ev-
cry day will never cease to thrill my
heartl / used to watch him standing
with his arms folded, looking steadily
from the south window, across the Po-
tomac, toward the battle fields, so
pale, not at all rested from the work
of yesterday, and yet up since day
break, looking over his maps. Ilong-
ed to help him!
Mr. Lincoln ate little and slept less;
ne grew more gaunt and worn as the
last year crept on. The servant went
to Mrs. Lincoln with complaints; they
served lunch up stairs, to save time;
but hours afterward left it untouched
"Alice!'' Mrs. Lincoln exclaimed
one morning. ''Do you know how to
make an old-fashioned fricasseed
chicken? Not on toast as we have it
howard days, but with small cream
biscuits, and thick cream gravy pour
ed over them, all served on large
platter. / used to cook chicken that
way when we were first married, and
my husband would say: Mary, that is
fit for kingl' Do you think you could
do it exactly so?''
''Oh, let me tryl'' Alice said. cit
would be so good to see Mr.. Lincoln
eat!'
She had no trouble with the entire
force below stairs. The cook, stew
ard, walters, and the use of the shin
ing range-combined to perfect the
dish.
A table was lain in Mrs. Lincoln's
private sitting room; oldfashioned
pinks glorified the quaint meal; at
tendants and walters were dismissed.
Little Tad was sent to the office for
his father. Twice he came back with
a long face. Father says he is too
busy. Secretary Stanton is there!''
But the third imperative visit brought
''Father." Tad rushed in dragging his
his father by the hand and shouting: