The National tribune., 1903-03-26

Representative asked for the pass and
order for the three women, and he slowly
answered:
Judge and ladies. am very sorry that
| shall have to refuse. / sympathize
with You from the bottom of my heart
But you have no idea how Gen. Sherman
storms around about our letting civilians,
or anybody but fighting men come down to
his army: It's perfectly awful. It's al
most as bad as what Gov. Seward there
uses when he gets to talking about Maxi
millian's Peter Funk Empire in Mexico.
OF course. Gen. Sherman. who is only a
soldier, cannot be expected to swear as
hard as churchman. like Gov Seward.
but he makes n good second"
He looked Iuizzically at the Secretary
OF State. to whom Representative Julian
gave a playful nudge.
But. Mr.. President" said Julian earn
estiy. think of what this poor sick boy
has done for his country | know his
father well-one of the best men in his
County, and this boy, who is now at
death's door, has been one of the very
best OF Sherman's men. whove been doing
all these wonderful things I'll save his
life to have his mother come to him."
Il know it: l know it." said the Presi-
dent. YEARLY. Nothing in the world so
potent a life-saver as boys mother.
Would that We could fill every hospital
with them. Each day brings thousand
their urgent need. The fearful letters that
| receive wiring my heart. But Stanton is
like adamant. and Sherman RACES about
our even letting Treasury Agents pass
down"
MIR. President. think how far this lady
has come to see her son." pleaded Julian.
Send her through. l have taken the
deepest personal interest in this matter
Let Stanton's wrath and Sherman's rage
fall on my devoted head. | always had q
taste for martyrdom. 1 haven't been
pilloried and buffeted half as much as
probably deserve"
I'll trust to Hendricks. Dan voorhees,
and their clan to haste You as you de-
serve" said the President, putting on his
spectacies, picking up his pen and reach
ing over for a sheet of paper
Il don't mind them, so long as they go
on as they have" replied Julian. I'm
only afraid that some day they may acct
dentally tell the truth about me. That'H
hurt"
Mr.. President" said Secretary Seward
impatiently. I've here an important
communication from the French Minister
of Foreign Affairs. Came by Yesterdays
steamer
''Oh. let Looey Napoleon wait" said the
President, beginning to write. We've had
to wait pretty anxiously on his good
pleasure. He didn't hurry himself then.
This matter is more pressing"
Mr. Lincoln, can't l go, toO?' eagerly
begged Maria, who had been fretting that
all the attention was being concentrated
on 81 and her mother. Il ought to go
along to take care of mother. and''-
"And?' inquired the President. giving
her teasing look over his glasses. And
what, my dear girl? Is there somebody
that you want to take care of"
Maria blusled fiery red under his pene-
tratIng glance, but this was no time to
falter. Indeed. there is. Mr.. Lincoln"
she said bravely. Hes Sis partner, and
has been from the time they first enlisted.
He's just as good a soldier as 81 dare be,
though 81 is my own brother, and he's Just
as sick now as 81 is. and has no one to care
for him. Mother'll take care of 81, but
l m all that Will has in the world. He's
said so hundred times''
The Presidents face became more seri-
Gus. You have come on from Indiana
with your mother to see this MANI" he
asked.
'.Yes, Mr.. Lincoln. IF 1t was mothers
and Annabers duty to go to ST and do
everything to save his life it was as
clearly mine to go to Will, whom I'll
marry if lie lives, and I'm going to make
him live"
The President took off his glasses and
looked intently at Maria. studying APP
L
It'll have to be Il very good man to be
worthy of YOU" he said at length, "and
I'm going to believe that this man is. You
have selected him yOurself?"
You shall go with your mother" said
the President picking up his pen again.
This awful war is nearly over. and we
must do all we can to get these Young men
back to the women who gave them up to
the country. These two women will not
break down Sherman's army He can
manage to get along, | guess even if they
do come"
There are three, Mr.. President" said
Julian. indicating Annabel. This is
Josiah klegg's young wife. But one more
will not make any difference Three can
get along where two can
Il suppose So" said the President. after
a seconds hesitation. and glance at Ann
abels look of painful anxiety. (which
reminds me of a little story. A man was
out for an evening with the boys. After
while he said he guessed he'd have to
go home. They urged him to stay little
longer. and he finally said I don't know
but l might as well. My wife is just as
mad now as she can get and an hour or
two more won't made no difference Sher-
mans just as mad now as he can get, and
one woman more won't make any differ
ence."
He wrote on the sheet of paper:
Executive Mansion,
Washington, d. G..
"Oficers. sentries and guards will pass
Mrs. klegg and two daughters to Colds
borO and return. and the Commander of
any transport having suitable accommodate
them passage A. LINCOLN"
TIA no continued 4