The herald., 1895-06-29
SKETCHES FROM THE LIFE OF LINCOLN

then passed through the door into tho mar
row hallway. l accompanied him down
stairs On the way he spoke of tho un-
pleasant features surrounding the presi.
dc1tia Office Il am sick of otficeholding
already" he complained, ',and shudder
when l think of the tasks that are still
ahead "
He said the sorrow of parting from his
old associations was deeper than most per-
sons would imagine, but it was moro
marked in his cnse because of the feeling
which had become irrepressible that he
would never return alive. Iargued against
the thought, characterizing it as. an illu-
sorry notion not in harmony or keeping
with the popular ideal of a president
But it is in keeping with my philos-
ophy, was his quick retort. Our CONVEX
sation was frequently broken in upon by
the interruptions of passersby, who, each
in succession, seemed desirous of claiming
his attention. At length he broke away
from them all. Grasping my hand warm
ly and with a fervent 'Goodby," he disap-
peared down tho street and never came
back to the office again
A Metamorphosis.
One who witnessed the impressive scene
iSiD Vi1t iOiioN ing SidputC QcSCTlIJulOH Ol
tho inauguration and its principal Incl
dents: Near noon 1 found myself mem
Der Of the motley crowd gathered about
the side entrance to Willard hotel Soon
an open barouche drove up, and the only
occupant stepped out. A large, heavy,
awkward moving man, far advanced in
years, short and thin gray hair, full face
plentifully scanned and wrinklcd, head
curiously inclined to the left shoulder, q
low crowned, broad brimmed silk hat
an immense white cravat like a poultice
thrusting the old fashioned standing col
lar up to the ears, dressed in black through
out, with swallowtail coat not of the
newest style. Itwas President Buchanan,
calling to take his successor to the capitol.
In few minutes he reappeared, with Mr..
Lincoln on his arm. The two took seats
sido by side, and the carriage rolled away,
followed by rather disorderly and certain
ly not very imposing procession l had
ample time to walk to the capitol and no
difficulty in securing place where every
thing could bo seen and heard to the best
advantage. The attendance at the inau-
guration was, they told me, unusually
small many being kept away by antici-
pated disturbance, rs it had been rumored
truly, too--that General Scott himself
was fearful of an outbreak and had made
all possible military preparations to meet
the emergency. A square platform had
been built out from the steps to the east
ern portico, with benches for distinguished
spectators on three sides.
Douglas, the only one recognized, sat
at the extreme end of the scat on the right
of the narrow passage leading from the
steps There was no delay, and the gaunt
form Of tho r,rpcidpDt elpct Uos conn yiSi-
Bile, slowly making his way to the front.
To me at least he was completely meta
morphosed, partly by his own fault and
partly through the efforts of injudicious
friends and ambitious tailors He was
raising-to crafty a very young lady, 1t
is said-a crop of whskers of the backing
brush variety, coarse, stiff and ungraco-
ful, and in so doing spoiled, or at least
seriously impaired, face which, though
never handsome, had in it's original state
peculiar power and pathos. On the pres
ent occasion the whiskers were re-enforced
by brand new clothes from top to toe,
black dress coat, instead of tho usual frock,
black cloth or satin vest, black pantaloons
and glossy hat evidently just out of the
box. To cap the climax of novelty, he
carried huge ebony cane with a gold
head the size Of an egg. In these, to him,
strange habiliments he looked so miserably
uncomfortable that could not holp pity
ing him.
Douglas Holds His Hat.
Reaching the platform, his discomfort
was visibly increased by not knowing
what to do with hat and cane, and SO he
stood there the target for 10000 eyes,
holding cane in one hand and hat in the
other, the very picture of helpless embar
l, H. l. 1
the cane into corner of the railing, but
could not find place for tho hat except
on the floor, where l could see he did not
like to risk it. Douglas, who fully took in
the situation, came to the rescue of his
old friend and rival and held the precious
hat until the owner needed it again, a
service which, if predicted two years be-
fore, would probably have astonished him.
Tho oath of office was administered by
Chief Justice Taney, whose black robes
attenuated figure and cadaverous coun-
tenance reminded me of galvanized
corpse. Then the president came forward
and read his inaugural address in clear
and distinct voice. 1t was attentively lis
tened to by all, but the closest listener was
Douglas, who leaned forward as if to catch
every word nodding his head emphatically
at those passages which most pleased him.
There was some applause, not very much
nor very enthusiastic. Unjust not forget
to mention the presence of a Mephistoph-
eles in the person of Senator Wigfall of
Texas who stood with folded arms lean
ing against the doorway of the capitol,
looking down upon the crowd and the
ceremony with contemptuous air, which
sufficiently indicated his opinion Of the
whole performance. To him the southern
| Confederacy was already an accomplished
fact. He lived to see it the saddest of
fictions."