The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-03

What have they done?" asked my father.
They've shot Lincoln"
My God. they've shot the wrong man.
said father.
Poor Abe. Poor Abe,' they both said to-
what else nave they done?" asked
They've killed Seward, too. and the fool
who shot Lincoln was so drunk that he has
broken his leg"
H hasn't had a mouthfm all day. and
they had TO fill him with liquor and make
him do it: and he fell"
Then they've got him. have they?"
No. they haven't. and they won't"
How can he escape?' said father.
That's all right. Everything Is prepared
all along the line. and once he crosses Har-
per's Ferry he's safe"
What happened to Grant,"
1.-THE coward fed to New York"
How was that?' said father. II though.
he was gong to the theater with him"
Eyes, he was to; but fifteen minutes be-
wa called to New York"
Somebody will have to pay for this"
"Ohi don't worry" said Mr.. Thompson.
They're in hot pursuit. and they will bring
a dummy back"
What do you mean by a dummy"
I mean they won't. get him. but a dead
body will come back"
What has become of Surratt?' asked my
"He is not far. and I'm afraid they'll
get him before morning"
And that poor woman! They'll make her
swing for it,"
yes. and Garfield will do It," said Mr..
Their manner of talk was so tense and
that I sat bolt upright in the next room
and began to sob aloud. and my father.
hearing me. left his companion and came
to quiet me. He questioned me as what ]
had heard. put his head on the pillow
until l went to sleep. and then left me.
bnor fha hnnf haafE NJ the horses nm the
cobblestone pavement up and down Penn
sy.vania avenue. The cries of the people
and the noise in the street rect G pr mn vs snT
wildly. and though 1 did not realize what
had happened l remember Kept say'n:
over to myself while l was dressing:
They've killed him.! They've killed
him."
Before we went dow to breakfast I re-
member my father came to me and. look
ing into my eyes, made me promise tnati
would never tell a soul or even my motheS
or sister what I had. heard the night be-
fore. He said that If 1 ever breathed a
father. And / never have forgotten his
words. and I have never said anything
now I viii not tell who my father was.
AS 1 look back on it, it seems to me that
my father. like many other gentlemen or
that time who were strong Southern SYN.
pathizers. may have been working for the
South and may have been connected with
the first plan Of the conspirators to abduct
Ine neduS OI III dtiOi
but I am sure. Judging from the warnings
of Mr.. Thompson to my father to keep oil
the street or he would be shot by the
drunken ~ruffians in the tavern. that he had
refused to have anything to do with the
conspiracy when 1t proposed to take life
As no one was allowed to leave Washing
ton without a pass from the War Depart
ment. it was three days before my latpef
was able to come to New York. We left
our baggage behind US. and sent for II AFTER
the excitement was over.
A NEW JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
The next thing that I remember was IN
Camden. n. J., four years later. at a hotel
there. During dinner father ENGAGED IN
conversation with a gentleman whom he
knew from the South. l heard the CONVEX
sation.
stand booth is fourishing in Paris"
Indeed replied my father. Who told
my brother Gilbert. the actor. talked
with him there: and You know Gilbert Is
wen" said father. Booth better ia
careful or he will be marched back" ia