The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-06-17
.LincOln,s Kindness to Children.

ILlQcOlHS hIuuucsS " OhAiuAoh'
Thomas w. Lloyd, of Montoursville,
Pa. relates the following interesting
"Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln
II saw Abraham Lincoln 1or tne
first time in the winter OF 1868, at Que
of his public receptions. L was only
child. but had heard so mucn OF
Abraham Lincoln that I had sort OF
vague idea that he was not mere
man, but some kind Of divinity, anu
naturally, was anxious to see him.
I was therefore permitted to accom-
pany my father, who was then serving
es chief clerk of the House OF Repre-
sentatives, to one of the Presldential
receptions. knew nothing OF puoilc Z
functions at that time, and had some +
sort of notion that we would only %
permitted to gaze upon the great man
| from q distance. When we came 10
him In the line, however, and he mad
greeted my father with few pleasant
words and we were aboGt to pass on,
the President said: wait one mo.
ment; / haven't shaken hands WIN Il
the little man. He took me Dy the 4
hand, patted me on the head, SAID I
few kind words to me and we passed s
on.
him again at my own home IN PENN
Isylvania. At the beginning OF tne 5
war, rs a mere child, was fired Win 4
patriotic spirit and went about the i
streets of my native village making e
speeches. did not then know Whag
the war meant, but knew our side u
was right, simply because it was our
side,' and my appearance on the street
was signal to get me up on q store I,
goods box to make a speech. MY;
father had related this to Lincoln, ana y
asked permission to bring me to the
White House. This was granted, anu (
lone morning we drove there and were
received by the President alone. AZ
he arose from his chair to greet us ~
remember thinking he was the long
lest and most ungainly man bad ever
lseen. When ! was presented to him
he leaned down, and, taking me Dygs
1.-The hand, said :: 80 this is the httles
patriot. Ah, Mr.. Lloyd, in 'snese Z:
ltimes the boy is indeed father 20 the
man. I wish all the men In the n0rthIIs
had his spirit ,s
"As he took me on his knee and q
talked to me of the war. and as look
ed into his face and saw the deep SET,
kindly looking eyes, the hrm mouSn,
|about which smile hovered, ana ns-a
tened to his gentle voice, Z! began Sto
think he was positively handsomes
As I look back upon the scene iGe
brings many tender memories OF tness
Imam, who, amid all the cares and bur-
ldens Of his position, and with the fate
lof mighty nation weighing npons shis 8
lheart could find time enough to say % a@l
few kind words to small boy like N.Y.
lself.
"The following incident is another
ILLUSTRATION of his kindness OF heart.
Father tells the story as follows: y Al
Young boy who had served with Dis
itinction in q naval engagement on
board the gunboat Ottawa, and, In &
lanother as captains messenger vas
recommended to cadetship In the
Naval Academy at Annapolis. tfhlHs
lappointment President Lincoln was
glad to make, and the lad was directed
TO report for examination In t1Iys
Lust as he was about to start from I
home it was discovered that he could; I
not be admitted, because he had NOT I
reached the required age OF i4 nls {
birthday occurring the following sept
EN- Der. I0e DOy was SICaI1y 1AAssts>ksfs =
pointed, and wept bitterly, fearing
chat he would not be able to go at all.55s
He was told however, that he would
be taken to see the president, VINO.
would make it all right Some time
. afterward he was taken to the White
House and presented to the PRESIDENT,
to whom he made a graceful bow
The difficulty was explained and the
president said: 'Why bless me ISL
that the boy who did so gallantly ia :
those two battles? Why, feel as%
Though T should take off my hat t0
him and not be to me- The president
took the papers, and as soon as heSS
learned that postponement until
September would suffice, MADE the
order that the lad should report IA y
THAT month. Then putting his hand 4
lon the lads shoulder, he said Now,
my BOY, 60 home and enjoy yourself
for the next three months, Tor It's (
laboul the last holiday You VIII GEL
THE little fellow bowed himself out,
. feeling that the president, though g
great man, was at the same time 81
most kindly ons. y, ,s
"These simply characteristics Of this
Ilsrge and many-sided man were WHAT
epdeared him TO all with whom he
came in contact, and while we admir-
led the intellect and ability OF the
statesman, we loved the man. 2 "a