Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1897-11-29

chair was young and vigorous
man in those days-and quickly open
ed the door To my surprise the call
err was Senator Charles Sumner of
Massachusetts, whom [ knew well by
sight, and he looked pale and worried
as he asked me in rather sharp tone
Of voice whether the president had
yet returned, and when [ said he had
not, whether | had heard that any
thing had happened to him. He look
ed nightly relieved and pleased
when I told him that I had heard
nothing, and said that he had heard
some vague rumor that something had
had befallen Mr.. Lincoln. The people
with him also looked relieved and
pleased, and they were talking cheer
fully among themselves as they went
down the walk.
ssI closed the door and Went back to
my seat by the window more anxious
and nervous than ever. There seemed
to be feeling OF some impending
calamity hanging over me, and when
I heard quick footsteps up the walk
and then a violent ring at the bell, [
ran to the door, feeling sure that
something had happened. The late
caller was Isaac Newton, Commission
er of Agriculture. He was deathly
pale, and his eyes glittered as though
he had fever. His voice had sort Of
strained and hoarse sound in it as he
blurted out: ooh, my God; they've
shot the president!' For few mo-
ments could say Or do nothing. [
was so absolutely horror stricken at
the news that I was unable to think
or realize the situation, or even to
make a move. Mr.. Newton stood
against the door with his hand over
his eyes. and he was shaking and quiv-
ering with excitement and grief. It
must have been nearly minute be-
fore either of US said anything. Then
all at once, it occurred to me that the
other occupants of the house should
be made acquainted with the terrible
news.
"I left Mr.. Newton standing at the
door, and sprang up the front stairs,
skipping two Or three of them at
time in my excitement. fastening
along the upper corridor, [ came to
Capt Robert Lincoln's room, the pres
dents eldest son. He had not gone
to bed, and I remember that he had
spoon in the other, as though he was
out some medicine, and 1t
occurred to me, even in my excite
ment and grief, that he had complain
ed of not feeling well on the day be-
fore. I shall never forget, even to
my dying day, the expression that
his face as [ shrieked out
my fearful news. He had looked up
in surprise as I burst into his room,
and, as I told my errand, he uncon-
let the bottle drop from one
hand and them the spoon from the
other. I could say nothing more, but I
yazed in a sort of fascination as the
medicine slowly gurgled out over the |
carpet. I could only think how thick /
and black it was-my mind refused to
take cognizance of anything else. But
the words kept ringing through my
brain in a low, monotonous song:
sThe president is shot-the president /
is shot!o
CATER minute Capt. Lincoln re-
covered some degree of command and
me to inform Maj Hay, the
presidents military secretary-now
the Ambassador to England-whose
room was further down the corridor. /
Well, I got down there somehow and |
5old him the news. I looked at him |
,uriously as he listened and I remem-
Der that his brilliant color, which [
aad often admired, it was SO curious
~ like a beautiful woman's, faded out
10 quickly that it seemed as though
someone had then and there painted
ais cheeks deathly white. He did
1ot talk much-only rushed into his
jhings ana fastened down stairs with
Capt. Robert. The news spread like
lightning. Soon everybody in the
louse, all the servants came crowding
around me, and with them came little
TAD Lincoln, the presidents baby
md the favorite of every man, woman
Ind child in the White House. The
title fellow-he was only II years old
was half dead with sleep and grief
Is he came up to me, put his little
lrms around my neck and sobbed out
n piteous tones: 20, Tom Pendel,
they've killed my pa-day! They've
zilled my papa -day!' This was pet
lame he had given the president, who