, 1896-03-20
LINCOLN'S GREAT HEART.
He was Never Too Busy to Hear APP
peals for Help.

There came a time in the dark days
OF the war when Mr.. Lincoln's close
friends feared for his lne-not from
the assassin bullet, but from loss Of
sleep and overwork. He worked inces-
sanity. He seemed never to rest or
sleep. He was accessible to everybody
at all hours. He attended to details
that should have devolved Upon clerks.
He turned from consultation with the
head OF the army or navy to listen to
the story OF the woman whose hus-
band was in Jail for resisting the draft.
and he nearly always sent her away
happy. Those close to him in Wash
ington could not understand how he
stood up under the load he carried. and
daily anticipated the breakdown they
felt was inevitable. Appeals were sent
to his old friends in Illinois to come to
Washington and compel him to rest.
They came and labored with him and
went away convinced that what he was
doing he would continue to the end.
Nearly every man in Illinois who
had personal influence with Lincoln
came to Washington in the hope OF re-
forming his method of living. Among
these were William G. Greene. his
closest friend in Salem; Joshua Speed.
his confidant and adviser at the time
of his marriage, and Rollin Diller, his
neighbor and friend in Springfield.
Mr.. Speeds experience has been told
in Herndon's history, and what he
saw, in general, was seen by all the
others. The last day he was with Lin
coin was one unceasing labor with the
president. and near its close two wo-
men were granted audience with him.
They wanted pardon for a husband
and son. 1t was granted and the wo-
men wanted to kneel at his feet and
kiss his hands. He hurried them out
of the ROOM, while they showered
blessings upon him and the fervent
hope that they would meet him in
heaven.
GREAT STRAIN.
I'VE are now alone" said Speed. II
said to him. Lincoln, with my knowl-
edge Of your nervous sensibility, 1t is a
wonder that such scenes as this don't
kill you He Thought for a moment
and then answered, in a languid voice.
Yes. you are to a certain degree right.
l ought not to undergo what l so often
do. l am very unwell now; my feet
and hands OF late seem to be always
cold. ard l ought, perhaps. to be in
bed: but things of the sort you have
just seer don't hurt me, for, too tell
you the truth, that scene is the only
thing today that has made me forget
my condition or given me any pleas
ure. have. In that order, made two
people happy, and alleviated the dis
trees Of many a poor soul whom l
never expect to lex That old lady, he
continued, was no counterfeit. The
mother spoke out in all the features
Of her face. It Is more than one can
often say that in doing right one has
made two people happy in one day.
Speed, die when I may. l want 1t said
OF me by those who knew me best that
l always plucked a thistle and planted
q flower when l thought q flower would
grow"
Mr.. Diller-"Uncle Rolly Diller," as
everybody knows him now-told me
last winter his experience with Mr..
Lincoln in Washington. He had gone
with the determination of p~ersuading
Mr.. Lincoln to take better care Of him
self. He went to the white house and
waited his opportunity for a private
talk. 1t came along after midnight,
with Lincoln terribly exhausted. Mr..
Diller approached the subject with the
earnestness OF a friend In a case of
great extremity. II told him." said
Uncle Rolly," that he must take
more rest or he would die. l told him
how thin and hollow-eyed and weak
he looked, and that he couldn't go on
this way long without serious result.
I told him 1t vas criminal foolishness;
that he owed 1t to himself and his fam
lily, and especially to the country that
he husband his strength and take no
chances Of breaking down. 1 told him
to work IA or 16 hours a day II he
must. but to have some definite and
regular time In which to rest, when he
would be absolutely alone. l argued
with him and scolded him until he
had promised me something definite
about It, and when l had finished he
smiled YEARLY and said: Yes, Rolly.
l know that all you say about It is
true. / should take more rest and
sleep. and 1t may kill me, but It can't
be helped.
ALWAYS READY.
Now let me tell you what happened
only hast night, and then you can tell
me what you would have done under
the same circumstances. I was worn
Out and had determined to rest. I
gave orders that l would see NO one.
but q guard told me that there was an
old woman outside WHO had been wait
Ing to . me for . long time. l had
her brought in. and she told me her
story while wrinGfng her hands, and
n . voice 20 full Of tears she could
scarcely spsak. Her son was q union
soldier. He lad bsen south for several
noAtAs. and had bsen In battle. His
fuGdnont Nd rekufnnA. and was In