The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-08-08

course of an hour another dirty shabby
little fellow came softly to the door, and
met with the same kindly reception. In
answer to the question as to his namr he
replied Knots Well, said Mr.. Lincoln,
| If here amt another mistake, You are but
one. Your name should be Knott not
Knots, which means more than one
| With a shake Of the hand and Il CHEEKY
goodbye, he resumed his pen, and, with
his left hand, his exercises with his re.
fractory hair"
During the period of which Mr.. Conant
speaks 1t was common thing for poll
tlcians visiting Mr.. Lincoln to bring their
boys with them to see the new President.
Not one of them ever left without some
little attention; sometimes, when there
was crush of people, it "as only ii friendly
nod or pat, but oftener it was an effort to
quiz the young visitor. One boy, now II
man, who tells of going with his father to
see Mr.. Mr.. Lincoln at this time, says
that the President called to him and took
him on his knee. "He asked me some
questions, | remember, seeming instantly
to find, in the turmoil of all the great
questions that must have been heavy upon
| him, the very ones that would 90 to the
thought of child. | answered him with
out hesitation, and after moment he
patted my shoulder and said:
well, you'll be a man before your
mother yet, and put me down.
81 had never before heard the homely
old expression, and it puzzled me for a
time. After Il moment | understood it,
but he looked At me while | was pulling
over it, and seemed to he ii mused AS no
doubt he was
The foundation of I.ircon's love for
children was not, however. by any means
the amusement he got FROM Watching and
quizzing them. 1t was the remarkable
tenderness of his heart towards the weak
and innocent. Mr.. Conant says that after
he had finished Mr.. Lincolns picture in
lS6O and was leaving Springfield for home,
Mr.. Lincoln followed him to the door.
'lIa,ing said goodby to my little daughter
who was with me, taking me by the hand
and drawing me gently back, so that she
could not hear. he asked with unaffected
pathos in his voice. Is her mother living?
On my answering III the affirmative. he
said: i am glad to know it, Somehow
/ l,,,l II, :. L., ~. H.,
and was afraid to ask about her mother
| for fear might hurt her feelings
So tender was he that he could not bear
to see a child in tears without an effort to
relieve it.
My first strong imprc Sson of Mr. Lin
coin says lady of Springfield, was
made by one of his kind deeds. | was go
ing with my little friend for my first trip
alone on the railroad cars. The day | was
to 20 came, but as the hour OF the train
approached the hickman. through some
neglect, failed to call for my trunk. As
the minutes went on realized that should
miss the train was standing by the gate
! sbDilliG as IA NY Htlll NuUltl Dltuk, Nlltn
Mr.. Lincoln came by.
why what's the matter?" he asked.
and poured out all my story.
GLOW big's the trunk? There's still
time if it isn't too big. And he pushed
through the gate and up to the door My
mother and | took him up to my room,
| ,,baya 1itfla aud oil f,. a,
stood, locked and tied. oh, no, he cried
wipe your eyes and come on quick. And
before knew what he was going to do he
had shouldered the trunk gone down stains
was and stridng out of the yard. Down
the street he went, as fast as his long legs
could carry him, | trotting behind, driving
my tears as | went. We reached the
station in time. Mr. Lincoln put me on
the train, kissed me goodby. and told me
to have good time"
Prettier still is the story which some
Neutrality-suspicious. tell. cone day member
of the Presidents official family was much
alarmed on returning to his home to lean
from the nurse that the baby, about
three years of age and two older children
had disappeared. Mr.-started his en-
entire houshold out on the search, and him
self jumped into carriage to drive to the
police station and give a general alarm.
cone of his clerks hcthought him to fol-
low in the footsteps of some troops that
had passed along the street on their way
to the White House, where they We're to be
reviewed by the President, thinking that
with childish love of music they might
have followed the soldiers. His judgement
was confirmed, for as he approached the
executive mansion, the grounds of which
were filled with military, he saw playing
on the steps, the two elder children, and
Struggled up by the Presidents tall, spare
form, with one arm thrown protectingly
about her, was the baby, as happy and
comfortable as if she had been in her
mothers arm
And one might go on almost endlessly
with these instances of the good mans
tenderness for children, for there is scarcely