The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-10-17
GOOD OLD TIMES.
A Story Of Lincoln's Favorite Dish
of Old Fashioned Fricassed
Chicken.

From his humble home in the West,
Lincoln brought into public life his
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 appreciation OF his finest
work, and never quite forgave him
for saying to Mr.. Lovejoy, who was
dining with him one day, None OF
this fiummery goes to the tired spot
And once he was heard to say to his
wife, II do wonder why we do not get
such good meat and potatoes in Wash
ington as we used to have in Illinois!
Dc you know, Mary?"
During the latter years OF his life he
ate so little and so irregularly that
often noontime found his breakfast
untasted, and Secretary Stanton n
day remarked:-''Mr. Lincoln, whose
dinner is this, / wonder, covered up
SO nicely? 1t will be cold very soon!'
DINNER? Why, that's my break
fast! What time is it, Stanton? l do
feel kind of empty"
Through the influence OF Owen
Lovejoy, Miss Alice tombstone OF Chi
cago was appointed to a desk in the
p~ostoffce. During her first winter in
Washington she slipped on an icy
pavement and for three months she
was confied to her room. Ill and dis
couraged, she determined to return to
the West and give up her office. Mr..
Lovejoy spoke to Mr.. Lincoln of her
sad condition and said in his great
hearted way -.
IF | hadn't five girls of my W I'd
adopt Alice. My wife always has room
for one more at home" .
"See here. Lovejoy, we need just
such a girl. I'll speak to Mary at
once.n
So, ito make a long story short
Alice became a member of the Presl-
dents family. Her capabilities were
quickly discovered by all; her work
admired and commented on by guests
and servants. She proved a perfect
comfort" to the lonely, sorrowful
man, weighed down with the Ma
tion's fate" and to the busy woman,
in the whirl Of fashionable life, "a
constant treasure" =
Tad remarked to his father n
day:-"We are having better times
since Allie came, because, you see, l
san have all the boys | want 20 now.
She don't mind u parties. and Gan
get anything of the cook"
Alice was deeply attached to the
family, and especially impressed Win
the gentle, domestic life OF the Presl-
dent. She said
s.Should | live to be one hundred
years old. the kind, quiet, good morn
ings of the sad-faced, tired man whom
| saw every day, will never cease to
thrill my heari! l used to watch him
standing with his arms folded, look
ing steadily from the south window,
across the Potomac, 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. | longed to help himf'
He grew more gaunt and worn as
the wear crept on. The servants went
to Mrs. Lincoln with complaints
they served lunch up stairs to ave his
time; but hours afterward would find
it untouched.
"Alice!" Mrs. Lincoln exclaimed one
morning, do you know how to make
an old fashioned fricassed chicken
Not on toast, as we have it nova
DAYS. but with small cream biscuit!
and thick cream gravy poured owe
them, all served on a large platter.
used to cook chicken that way wher
we were first married, and my hus
band would say:-'Mary, that is fit TO
a kingp Do you think you could do j
exactly sO?"
.Oh, let me tryi" Alice said. II
would be so good to see Mr.. Lincoln
eat!"
She had no trouble with the force
below stairs. The cook, steward
walters, and the use of shining range
combined to perfect the dish.
A table was laid in Mrs. Lincoln'
private sitting-room, old-fashionet
pinks gloriied the quaint meal
attendants and walters were dis
missed.
Little Tad was SEN to the Office 70,
his father. Twice he came back will
a long face. Father says he is too
busy. Secretary Stanton is there!
But the third imperative visit brough
Father" Tad rushed in, draggin:
his father by the hand and shouting
1--we got him-Tve got him! Hurr,
up the dinner!'
l would like to give Alice's owl
words, as she sent them in q letter tt
Chicago.
III you could have seen Mr.. Lin
coins face! You could have cried
He stood in the doorway, silent, tiret
and distracted. Tad tugged ant
pushed him along. while Mrs. Lin
coin looked up to him and said:-
You will eat dinner with us today
we have something You like.
"The surprise and pleasure dawnet
slowly into his eyes. He sat dow
opposite his wife, with Tad between
them. He seemed to understand i
all-his little family, the old fashione,
home dish, the loving attention.. Be