Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-05-06
ABE LlncoLn,s MAIL.
the Presidential Candidate and his Alb
sence Of "Rtg Head"

sepce Of pig Head"
fou see," said the middle aged |
man. Il was born In Springfield. Ills,
and lived there until after the war.
From my earliest boyhood Abe Lin
coin was to inc nm impressive figure. |
he used to come to my fathers store.
stick his feet on the counter and talk |
about the affairs Of the nation. I was
present one night when Abe came in,
looking as melancholy as man whose
hens won't lay.
WHATS the matter, LincolnT my
father asked.
oh, nothing much. I'm dis
couraged a bit. ! fear my tilt with
Douglas was not very successful
Nonsense. Abe. remarked my
father. Your words have electrified
the country They will bear a rich
fruit for you. Your reputation has
been merely local heretofore, now it is
national
do you think sol Well, hope
you're right. Then the future presi-
dent stalked out into the night, look
ing more cheerful than when he en-
| tered
y will never forget the first few
days after lie was nominated At that
time Springfield had no postal deliv-
cry, and we were in the habit of going
to the pOstofiice late in the afternoon
for our mail. Sometimes 200 people
would gather in and near the postoffice.
The evening after he was chosen presi
dental candidate by his party Abe
came to the postoffice as usual for his
letters. He was dressed in the homely
fashion Of the time and place. and
greeted his neighbors in his usual
full Of letters and newspapers.
THE next afternoon he came again.
This time his mail filed three boxes.
He was dressed with more care than
lie had been the day before. On the
third day after his nomination he ap-
peared at the postoffice with 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 secretary, who
collected his mail. and we saw but little
: OF the great man. Whenever he ap
peared in public, however, we noticed
that he wore what gossips called hi
Sunday best
Those were lively times in Spring
field The town was overrun witt
prominent men from all parts of tn
country. 1t was my privilege to at
! tend the reception given to his fellow
townslnen by Lincoln after his election
will never forget the picture he pre-
sented as he lowered above his wifi
and greeted his old friends. There wa
not in his manner the slightest indica
!, ton of what is now called the bi
head. Mrs. Lincoln was very graciou
. and made a fine impression that night
= heard Abe say to my father in tn
hallway as we were about to leave:
: al guess Mary will carry herse
;, right well in Washington, old man.
= Speaking of Mrs. Lincoln remind
Inc of an episode that took place som
> years before Abe became a nations
hero. There was well to do tailor |
-. Springfield who owned a handsom
= house just across the street from tn
. Lincolns. Mrs Lincoln did not fe
= pleased that tailor should live in
I. finer residence than that occupied by
leading lawyer When Abe was off c
. circuit therefor she had a story adde
= to their house. The job was near
:, finished when Abe returned. He strot
i down the street. gazed at his house
y surprise. and then crossed to the tailor
side of the road.
WHO lives in that palatial ma
sion over thereT he asked of his neig
Dor
10 1.-The widow Lincoln. answered t
m smiling tailor. Then was heard vol
N from the top story of the inco
m house;
"a "'Abe, Abe, come to dinner. You
10 late. New York World.