Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-02-12

HW SAAAN " A@ASyNc VI ANAAtSh . liz
Penn, relates the following interest
ing ~remiscenees of Abraham Lincoln:
II saw Abraham Lincoln for the
first time in the winter of 1863, at one
OF his public receptions. ! was only
a child, but had heard so much of
Abraham Lincoln that | had q sort of
vague idea that he was not a mere
man, but some kind Of a divinity to be
worshipped from afar, and naturally |
was anxious to see him. / was there
fore permitted 20 accompany my
sather, who was then serving as chief
clerk OF the House of Representatives.
TO one of the presidential receptions. |
knew nothing OF public functions at
that time, and had some sort OF no.
ton that we would only be permitted
to gaze upon the great man from a dis.
tanee. When we came to him in the
line, however, and he had greeted my
father with a few pleasant words and
we were about to pass on, the Presi-
dent said: Wait one moment; I
haven't shaken hands with this little
man He took me by the hand,
patted me on the head, said a few
kind words to me and we passed on.
Latter in the same winter l met
him again at my w home In Penn
s~ylVania- At the beginning of the
war, as a mere child, | was fired with
patriotic spirit and went about the
streets Of my native village making
speeches, urging every man to enlist |
Did not then know what the war
meant, but | knew our side was right.
simply because it was our side,' and
my appearance IN the street was a
Signal to get me up on a store goods
box to make a speech. My father
bad related this to Lincoln and asked
permission to bring me to the White
House. This was granted and one
morning we drove there and were re-
eeived by the President alone. AS he
foCe from his chair to greet us ] re-
member thinking he was the longest,
Ngliest and most ungainly man | had
ever -een. When | was presented to
linn he leaned down, and, taking me
by the hand, said: so this is the
nttle patriot. All, Mr.. Lloyd, in these
Zines the boy Is indeed father to the
nan. / wish all the men in the North
bad his 5pirit.'
"As he took me on his knee and
kalked to me of the war, all the ugli-
ness was forgotten, and as looked
INTO his face and saw the deep set,
Kindly eyes, the firm mouth, about
which a smile lowered, and listened to
bis gentle voice, / began to think he
Fas positively handsome. AS | look
back upon the scene, 1t brings many
lender memories of the man who,
Rmid all the cares and burdens Of his
position and with the fate Of a mighty
Aation weighing upon his heart, could
Ind time enough to say a few kind
Words to a little child.
CAS- a still further Illustration o.
shis kindness of heart is the following
Incident, which I have heard my
father relate. A young boy who had
herved with distinction | n q naval en-
eagement on board the gunboat OF.
Java, and in another as captains mes
Benger, was recommended to a cacet-
bhip at the Naval Academy at Annapo-
is. This appointment PRESIDENT Lin-
coin was glad to make and the lad
was directed to report for examination
n July. Just as he was about to start
from home 1t was discovered that he
could not be admitted, because he a
not reached the required age OF four.
teen, his birthday occurring In the fol-
lowing September. The boy was
greatly disappointed and wept bitterly
Nm the fear that he would not be able
to go at all. He vas told, however,
that he would be taken TO see the
President, who would make 1t all
right Some time afterward he was
taken to the White House and IRE
bented 10 the President, to whom he
made a graceful low. The difficulty
was explained and the President said:
why. bless me. is that the boy who
bid so CALAMITY in those two battlesf
why. I feel as though should take
pf my hat TO him and not he TO me-
The President took the papers, and as
baon as he learned that a postpone