Omaha daily bee., 1895-11-10

believing that | had done all that could be
done until the morrow, | turned my steps
homeward. Some eTrand, the nature Of
which | have now forgotten, caused me TO
pause for a few moments in the office Of
the Metropolitan hotel, and here, to my sur
prise, | again came face to face with Colonel
Lane. He drew me aside and said that he
had been looking for me for some time. He
had mentioned the Luckett case to his wife
at dinner, and had been thinking of 1t since.
Il do not feel satisfied said he, "and if
you will come with me to my room we will
talk the matter over" When we reached
his room he carefully examined the papers
Mr.. Bullitt had given me, and declared
with emphasis that he would join in an
appeal to the president for clemency.
Two carriages containing our party of
six drove up to the white house entrance
at 10 o'clock the next morning. Senators
Lane and Hendricks and Colonel Morrison
were in one carriage, and Mr.. and Mrs.
Bullitt and myself in the other. The
president received us without delay. Senator
Lane, who had been selected as spokesman
Of the party, briefly but feelingly explained
the occasion Of our call. When he had fin
ished there was an awkward pause, and
then Mrs. Bullitt, addressing the president
as MIR. Lincoln" broke in with an earnest
and moving appeal for her fathers life.
Until this time the president had listened
patiently, but without apparent feeling, to
our appeals. Now, however, he turned
quickly to Senator Lane and inquired:
Lane, what did you say this mans name
was"
'Luckett," replied the senator.
"Not Henry NJ. Luckett?" asked the presi-
Yes Mrs. Bullltt broke in. my
fathers name is Henry NJ. Luckett."
Didn't he preach in Springfield years
ago. asked Mr.. Lincoln, a look Of the keen
est interest now animating his sad and rug
ged face.
Yes, my father once preached in Spring
ield,' was Mrs. Bullitt's reply.
well, this is wonderful" Mr., Lincoln
went on. Il knew this man well and have
often heard him preach. He is tail and dark
like l am, and l have been mistaken for him
on the street. And he is to be shot day after
tomorrow? No, no! There will be no shoot
ing or hanging in this case. There must be
something wrong with him or he would not
be in such a scrape as this. l do not know
what more | can do for him, but you can rest
assured, my child" turning to Mrs. Bullitt,
that your fathers life is safe
He touched a bell on the table and a tele-
graph operator appeared from an adjoining
room, To him Mr.. Lincoln dictated a dis
patch to General Hurlbut, directing him to
suspend the execution of Henry NJ. Luckett
and await further orders in the case. As we
thanked him and took our leave, Mrs, Bullitt
sobbing and laughing by turns and the others
with tears in their eyes, the president re-
peated, as if TO himself:
Henry NJ. Luckett! No, no; there will be
no shooting nor hanging In this case
A few weeks later Mr.. Luckett was re-
leased and rejoined his friends in the north.
Without delay and poor as he was he jour
neyed to Washington to express his gratitude
for his rescue from a violent and ignoble
death. He called ne from my seat in the
mousse and met me exactly where l had met
those who came TO plead for his life a few
weeks before. He wanted to call and thank
the president In person for his great kind
ness. but the circumstances at the time were
not favorable to such a call and 1t was not
made. He remained with me only a few
minutes, and then, in the hurried manner OF
one who has much to do and whose time is
short, moved away and / saw him no more,
He died soon after, and nearly all the other
actors in the incident / have related have
since followed him. RUFUS WILSON,