The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-23
One OF LincoIn,s Deeds of Mercy.

One of LincoIn's Deeds of Mercy.
"The last time [ saw him was about two
weeks before his assassination. He sen
| me word by my brother James, then in his
Cabinet, that he desired to see me before
went home. 1 went into his Office abou
II o'clock. He looked iaded and weary
/ stayed in the room till his hour for call
ers was over; he ordered the door closed
and looking over to where was sittine
asked me to draw up my chair. But in
stead of being alone, as he supposed, in the
opposite direction from where sat anG
| across the fireplace from him, sat two
manufacturing women. Seeing them
there seemed to provoke him and he said
We'll, ladies, what can do for you2 One
was an old woman, the other young. They
both commenced talking at once The
President soon comprehended them. i
suppose said he, that your son and your
husband is in prison for resisting the draft
In Western Pennsylvania. Where is your
petition?
"The old lady replied: Mr.. Lincoln, l
have no petition; I went to a lawyer to get
one drawn and | had not the money to
pay him and come here, too, so | thought
| would just come and ask you to let me
have my boy
And it is vour husband you wanr?' said
he, turning to the young woman.
Yes said she.
HE rang his bell and called his servant
and babe him to go and tell General Dana
to bring him the list Of prisoners for resist
ing the draft in Western Pennsylvania
THE general soon came, bringing a pack
age OF papers The President opened it,
and counting the names said General
there are twenty-seven of these men. Is
fbpra a 6i ffnrnrpp ho of ho;r
guilt?
mo, said the general; it is bad case
and meroiful finding.
"'Well, said the President, looking out
of the window and seemingly talking to
himself, these poor fellows have, l think,
suffered enough; they have been in prison
fifteen months. | have been thinking so
for some time and have said so to Stanton,
and he always threatened to resign if they
were released. But he has said so about
other matters and never did, so now while
l have the paper in my hand l will turn
out the flock So he wrote, Let the pris-
oners named in the within page be dis.
charged, and signed it. The general made
his bow and left. Then turning to the Ia
dies he said, Now, ladies, you can go.
Your son, madam, and your husband,
madam, is free
The young woman ran across to him
and began to kneel. He took her by the
elbow ana SAID 1mpatlently. Get up, get
up; none of this But the old woman
walked to him, wiping with her apron the
tears that were coursing down her cheeks.
She gave him her hand and looking into
his face, said, Good by, Mr.. Lincoln We
will never meet again till we meet in
heaven
"a change came over his sad and weary
face. He clasped her hand in both of his
and followed her to the door, saying as he
went, with all l have to cross me here,
am afraid l will never get there, but your
wish that you will meet me there has fully
paid me for all have done for YOU
ave were then alone He drew his chair
to the fire and saj6 Speed, I am a little
alarmed about myseV; just feel my hand
1t was cold and clammy He pulled off his
boots, and putting his feet to the fire the
heat made them steam. l said overwork
was producing nervousness. No, said he,
i am not tired. l said, Such scene as /
have just witnessed is enough to make YOU
nervous How much you are mistaken,
said he, I have made two people happy
to-day. / have given mother her son and
wife her husband. That young woman
is counterfeit, but the old woman is
true mother"
Copyright, 1895, by S. S. Mcclure, limited.