Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-30

the cabinet reckon well have to try to
do without him."
Just about that time" Gen. Palmer
went on with a laugh, Senator Sumner
said to me one day: Palmer. what sort
OF woman is Mrs. Lincoln
said"
We'll. do you know he said, we hear
IN New York the other day she came down
dress
oh said /, I'm sure Mrs Lincoln
wouldn't do that She would make her
toilet before breakfast and not come down
in her night robe
Senator Sumner looked shocked at my
ignorance and suppose he always thought
understood him to mean a night robe.
after that"
in a Springfield woman who happened to
De present. why, the story always was
that she finally decided to marry Mr. Lin
com SO suddenly that the wedding cake
was cut while II was still warm. I saw her
one muddy spring day in Springfield most
elegantly attired going out to make calls.
me streets were almost impossible and
there were no public conveyances OF any
hno' SO what do you suppose Mrs. Lin
coin did, Why, she called a dray that was
passing and went calling in that"
she became believer in spiritualism
before she died" said Mrs. Palmer in her
gentle way. and fancied Mr.. Lincoln was
communicating with her. Don't you hear
him knocking" she would say. But / do
not believe that Mr.. Lincoln was ever a
spiritualist. as has been claimed. He al
ways attended the Presbyterian Church
In Springfield. and continued in that
church, 1 believe. till his death"
the Springfield woman remarked further:
Mrs. Lincoln. you know. died at the house
OF her sister in Springfield. She had sixty
boxes and trunks, and the floors Of the
house had to be strengthened 10 hold them.
One trunk was full Of Grape bonuets.
| another of-what do you suppose? hassocks,
and there were at least a dozen Cashmere
shawls."
This was interesting, but It diverted The
Star woman from what Senator Palmer was
saying to the inquisitive newspaper man
about Lincoln's policy.
No Policy hut Duty.
II came to Washington In 'e5," he said.
ION mission from Gov. Oglesby. Some
mistake had been made. We thought. in
the apportionment of troops, and we had
been credited with several thousand men
less than the state had furnished. After
losing my temper with the provost marshal
found from Mr.. Lincoln himself that he
was cognizant Of the mistake, but had TAX
en- the men from Illinois because he could
get them more easily there than elsewhere
AS had resigned my commission TO come
TO washington L asked Mr.. Lincoln TO as-
sign me to duty. He proposed to send me
10 KENTUCKY and told me to come up the
next day and talk IL over
Il went and sat in the ante room while
people passed In and out of the President
office. Finally the doorkeeper came out and
told me to come in. Mr.. Lincoln was In the
hands of the barber. and had his face lath-
cred ready for shaving.
You're home folks, Palmer he said
I had to shave some time and I couldn't
do 1t before the Others We talked awhile
and finally said, If had known that we
were going to have a big war; I should
never have thought of going to Springfield
and getting a one-horse lawyer for Presi.
dent"
Mr.. Lincoln wheeled about in his chair
and thought he was mad.
Neither would /, Palmer he said
Neither would i. A man with a pollcy-a
great man-would have ruined u.s. II
have helped to save the country, and &c
bring the rebellion to a conclusion. il has
been because / have had no policy. / have
simply tried to do my duty every day. hop
ing that when tomorrow came / should bt
equal to it
He was a self-contained man." concluded
the Senator. land so tender-hearted hs
would not have had a court martial sen
tence carried out, so that Congress wa.
obliged to pass law taking the matter out
of his hands. He read the people he came
in contact with by a marvellous instinct
and he had the kindest heart that ever bea,
In q human breast"