The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-02-09
LINCOLN AND CHILDREN.
Instances of the Kindness of the War
President to Little Men.
CNeW Ynrk Trih11ne

N-NcWt Il 1ElOunS-4
Thomas w. Lloyd of MontoursvilIe
Pa, relates the follow ing interesting rem
iniscences of Abraham Lincoln:
4 saw Abraham Lincoln for the first
time in the winter of 1853 at one OF his
public receptions. I was only a child but
mad heard so much of Abraham Lincoln
That had sort of vague idea that he
was not a mere man. but some kind of a
divinity TO be worshiped from afar. and
naturally | was anxious to see him. /
was therefore permitted TO accompany
my father. who was then serving as chief
clerk OF the house of representatives. TO
one OF the presidential receptions. 1
knew nothing OF public functions at that
time, and had some sort of notion that
We would only be permitted to gaze upon
the great man from distance. When we
game to him in the line, however, and he
had greeted my father with a few pleas
ant words and We We're about to pass on,
l haven't shaken hands with the little
man. He took me by the hand. patted
me on the head. said a few Kind words
to me and we passed on.
Later in the same winter met him
again at my own home in PENNSYLVANIA.
At the beginning of the war as a mere
child. was fired with patriotic spirit and
went about the streets of nv native viii
laSe making speeches. urging every man
to enlist l did not then know what the
war meant. but l knew our side was
right, simply because it was our side
and my appearance on the street was a
signal 10 get me up on store goods box
this to Lincoln, and asked permission 10
bring me to the White house. This was
granted, and one morning we drove there
and were received by the president alone.
AS he rose from his chair to greet me 1
remember thinking he was the longest.
ugliest and most ungalnly man had ever
seen. When / was presented to him he
leaned down. and, taking me by the hand.
said: so this is the little patriot. All.
Mr. Lloyd. in these times the boy is in
deed father 10 the man. / wish all the
men in the north had his Spirit
''As he took me on his knee and talked
to me Of the war, all the ugliness was
forgotten. and as L looked into his face
and saw the deep set, kindly, eyes, the
firm mouth. about which a smile lowered
and listened to his gentle voice. began
TO think he was positively handsome. As
/ look back upon the scene il brings many
tender memories of the man who. amid
all the cares and burdens of his position.
and with the fate of a mighty nation
weighing upon his heart. could find time
enough to say few kind words to a
las a stin further illustration of this
Kindness Of heart is the following mel
dent which have heard my father relate
A Dung boy who Lad served with d1stinc-
ton in a naval engagement on board the
gunboat Ottawa. and IN another as cap
tainS messenger, was recommended TO a
cadetship at the naval academy at An
napOlis. This appointment President Linz
coin was glad to make, ana tne iaa Wa
directed 10 report for examination in JULY
Just as he was about to start from nome
ii was discovered that he could not pe
Z
required age of H. his birthday occurring
in the following September The boy was
greatly disappointed and Wept bitterly in
the fear that he would not be able to go
at all He was told. however. that he
would be taken to see the president. VINO
would make it all right Some time att
erWard he was taken to the White House
and presented to the president 70 whom
he made a graceful bow. The dlfticulty
J was explained and the president said;
Why. bless me, is that the boy who did
so calamity in those two battles? why,
I feel as though l should take OIL my nat
to him and not he to me. The preSl-
/ dent took the papers. and as soon as ne
learned that a postponement until Sep
TENDER would suffice made the order thaJ
the lad should report in that month Then.
putting his hand on the lads shoulder ne
said: Now. nay boy. so home ana have
good fun during the two months. Tor they
are about the last holidays you Will get
The little fellow bowed himself out. teel-
ing that the president, though a great
man was at the same time kindly one
1T was these simple chaTacterIstics or
this large and many-sided man that en-
daared him to all with whom he came IN
contact and while we admire the intel
I lect and ability Of the statesman we love
1