The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-06
might, and surrounded by admiring sol

! ulor6.
Secretary Chase pointed him out to /.
by: who would think that little urchin
in blue. making all that racket up there,
was tho son OF our PRESIDENT"
At other times the two boys would 90
about from cot to cot visiting one after
another of the sick soldiers. Jamie wonld
would read aloud the war news from the
daily papers. and tell what his father
would do If he were only d general instead
of president. 'And my father could wipe
out the whole rebel army with only just
his ax!' Master Tad was wont to declare.
And oh, I do wish he could bs 4 general!
He'd finish up this old war;"
The beautiful summer nights generally
found the Lincoln cottage full of visitors,
friends, and busy people. TIL separate
members of the cabinet, officers, and men
with "plans," came to sit on the quiet, cool
pinzzas, and often spent hours walking,
and talking over things under tho shady
trees.
Mr.. Lincoln was frequently to be seen
alone, leaning wearily against the pillars of
the porch, with his deep, sad eyes turned
toward the great city. no doubt thinking
upon the battlofelds beyond, with a heart
ache that probably no other president will
ever know.
Taking the crowds of evening visitors
into his reokoninRs, Tad made known an
other of his happy thoughts to his
mother.
Why couldn't he organize a splendid the
atrical company ont of the aoldiors! The
biggest tent could be the theater! Ono
hospital tent was empty! The guard. COR
porals, d'ummers. cooks-they all had
given their solemn promise to learn their
parts right away.
Mrs. Lincoln not replying the boys took
her consent for granted. and Tad was over
joyed-"Jamie," he said, "tun over to your
mother, and get her Shakespeare; father
ask Mr.. Seward for his! 1t takes u good
many to 90 round; l know lots out of some
plays, for father and l reoite it together
nights"
Now. Tad, you are not to get up an
other thing! Your poor father is tired out
with you,' exclaimed Mrs. Lincoln, aud
denly.
II know, mother, this won't tire him
he's awfully interested in playa"
Here Tad spied his father ON the piazza.
just getting homo from q long, tiresome
day. With his small face against the
presidents shoulder. he began: Father.
ii you'll help us-Jamio and get up a
hrst-class thoater in camp, You and all the
cabinet. shall como in everv night for Is
cents! And itll be % cents for all tho others.
even mothsr!'
Mr.. Lincoln stroked Tad's head and an
sweted slowly: "W.ll-that is quito M
object! What plays do you give, my son?'
"Wel!," said Tad, 'if they got TIE parts
frst-rate, we'll give Hamlet first
Now that's q fair price Tor Hamlst'-15
cents! Yes-I think Chase and Seward will
DO glad to give thnt!!' said NV. Lincoln.
But fatller-don't laugh! 1t would cost
them more than that to go to a common
%circus!!"
A week afterward Mrs. Lincoln said to
some friends: ''Ihi theater business OF
Tnd's beats his Company ID fever. am
countermanding orders all the time. The
servants lenve their work to take pats
l met Isaac just now dscked out in cos.
tune And who should | sec this minutp,
AS | sent for tho carriage. but John. the
%conchman, i'll long robes, trailing behind
Jamie and Tad, going to rehearsal There
never was such n boy! He screams out,
Wait n minute. mother! John won't be
long! This il the very last rehearsal before
Tonight"
The best camp chairs were taken off the
p%inzzas. tho bsst table cloth was for tho
ghost, the guard changed off an hour earlier
to practice, while u kind OF high art color
WAS painted on the back Of the tont to make
it more effective by cnndls light.
la was sorely trieu. Father was no
busy, and no two of tho cabinet over came
out Mt once"
At last it proved Il success. Tad az Ham
let. Jamie M the ghost.
The proud father and Mr.. Stanton and
MIR. Seward occupied front seata. The tent
failed to hold half. Tho sides were turned
mp that the crowds outside might enjoy the
scene.