The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-11-28
n STORY OF LINCOLN,
An Incident of His Unsclflshncss and
Warm-IIcartcd Generosity.

An Incident of His UnscIflshncss and
Wnrm-Hcartcd Generosity.
Tho following story of Abraham
Lincoln's gentle, generous conduct is
narrated by Gen. Schuyler Hamilton,
and is worthy Of preservation:
1t was clustering day in the hot mid
summer of 1861, fortnight before the
first shock Of arms at Bull Run.
The Washington streets, ankle deep
with dust, resounded with the tramp
of arriving regiments and batteries
hurried forward by tho loyal governors
for the coming conflict, and over all
hung q palatable, OminOus fOrebOding,
felt nowhere more kneely than at the
headquarters of the army, where
then held the position of military sec
rotary to Gen. Scott with the rank Of
lioutonunt-colonel. About throe o'clock
in the afternoon Of tho day in question
the doorway was darkoned by the
shadow of u tall, gaunt form, and
President Lincoln entered the Office Of
the genoral-in chief. He wOro q long
linen DIP tor sOiled by dust and stained
with -weat, his vest was un5uttoncd,
his pantalOUns hung limp about his
long, angular legs, and a. thick coating
OF dust covered his shoes. All in all.
he looked tho very picture of weari-
ness aud disgust Without weiting
for Gen. Scott to rise TO welcome him,
he sank wearily into the first chair to
which he cauc, and, taking off his
battered SlOuch hat, began wiping his
face with u huge bandanna handker-
chief. Gen. Scott meanwhile had
gained his feet and bowed courtcously
to the Chief Magistrate, but his fine
old face showed plainly his surprise if
not dismay ut the presidents unex-
pccted appearance.
"Sit down, general, sit down." said
President Lincoln, kindly, as he wiped
the dust and moisture from his face
." 1t Is too hot to stand on ceremony.
have only dropped in to tell you that
| have learned something new to-day"
What is that, Mr.. Prcssdont ?"
asked Gen. Scott, his composure grad
ually returning.
That it is u great thing to be On
otliccholder," President Lincoln went
on. "Since nine o'clock this morning
[ have been trying my best to get an
audience with some clerk in the Pom
sion ollice, hut without success. have
been up stairs and down stairs, from
the ground iloor to the attic half q
dozeh times, and am tagged out"
Pardon me, Mr.. Prcsidcnt," Con.
Scott broke in, with gentle wave Of
the hand, but it is rather an uncom-
mon thing for tho President of tho
United States to become u solicitor OF
pensions. When you l""a any bust
ness OF that kind deman ling attention
send it to me, and Col. Hamilton will
attend to it without delay"
al am sure that tho claim is Just
one" tho president continued, without
noticing the generals interruption,
" for [ have gone over tho papers in
the case with care" Here he drew II
bulky package OF papers from one OF
his pockets, and adjusting his steel
trimmed spcctaclos, won't over them
one by ono. "You see. general, the
applicant is the widow Of u corporal of
infantry who was killed by tho Indians
somc twenty five years ago. She would
havo had her money long ago, but no.
body seems to have taken any interest
In tho case. She has been haunting
tho White House almost daily for
weeks, until between you and me, |
am afraid that Mrs. Lincoln is getting
q triflc Jealous. | am resolved to wind
tho matter up one way or another to-
day, and [ have promised the Door
woman an answer at + o'clock. She is
waiting over at the White House now.
Between the two Of them, am afraid
to go home without having finished
the job" and the presidents eyes
twinklcd merrily.
/ had been an Interested listener to
this conversation, and when Gen.
Scott called, "Col. Hamilton" 1 was
instantly at his elbow.
How long do you think it would
take you, colonel, to get this through
the pension Office, asked the president.
1T should be done in half an hour,
Mr.. President" L replied, as I glanced
over the papers to sec if they wore III
proper form. Wait hcre,h added,
and [ will return in twenty minutes,
or, if you wish it, | will take the GER
tiiicate to you at the White House
and save you that much time"
No, no, my son." Mr.. Lincoln broke
in. Bring them back here and will
wait (or YOU"
At that time the pension Office was To-
Gated in Seventeenth street, q little way
from war the department, and in five
minutes after leaving the president
was in the Office Of the commissioners. |
dad not arrived a moment too soon, for
the officials and clerks wcro cleaning
their desks and preparing to quit work
for the day. The commissioner DO
litelyasked what he could do for me.
Did you see u tall, dark complex
iOncd gentleman here to-day ?" | an
swored. He wore u linen auster and
sluch hat, and was Interested in the
pension OF a woman who lost her hus-
band in the Seminole war"
"Oh, yes, remember the man." tho
commissioners replied carelessly. "Ho
said he was q lawyer from tho West,
and has been bothering US all day"
WeH," said | dryly, you have got
yourself in a pretty fix. That man is !
President Lincoln, and I have Just
promised him that | would bring him
an answer from you inside of hulf an
hour. He is waiting for it now in Gen.
Sc0tt's Office"
Tho change worked in tho pension
Office by this brief announcement was
nothing loss than marvellous. Bells
were rung, heads Of divisions sent for,
and desks hastily unlocked, while
Clerks and messengers ran here ana
there at the pcril of life and limb. a
dozen times, while, giving orders to
bis subordinatcs, tho commissioner
paused to apologize for the shabby
t. eatmcnt the president had received,
and to beg me to explain to him that
1t was all Il mistake. Within twenty
minutes all tho statements ana atlida-