The Springfield herald., 1903-02-13

Thomas w. Lloyd of Montoursville,
Penn, relates the following interest
ing remiscences of Abraham Lincoln:
Il saw Abraham Lincoln for the
first time in the winter of 1868, at one
of his public receptions. | was only
child. but had heard so much of
Abraham Lincoln that had a sort of
vague idea that he was not mere
man. but some kind of divinity to be
worshipped from afar and naturally
was anxious to see him. | was there
fore permitted to accompany my
father. 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 dis
tance. When we came to him in the
line, however, and he had greeted my
father with few pleasant words and
we were about to pass on, the Presi-
dent said: Wait one moment; l
haven't shaken hands with this little
man. He took me by the hand,
patted me on the head. said few
kind words to me and we passed on.
latter in the same winter l met
him again at my own home in Penn
sylvania At the beginning of the
war, as 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 on the street was
signal to get me up on store goods
box to make a speech. My father
had 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-
ceived by the President alone. AS he
rose from his chair to greet us | re-
member thinking he was the longest.
uglest and most ungainly 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 indeed father to the
man. l wish all the men in the North
had his spirit
"As he took me on his I Lee and
ness 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 lie
was positively handsome. AS | look
back upon the scene, it brings many
tender memories of the man who
amid all the cares and burdens of his
position and with the fate of mighty
nation weighing upon his heart, could
find time enough to say few kind
words to a little child.
LAS a still further illustration OF
this kindness of heart is the following
incident which | have heard my
father relate. A young boy who had
served with distinction in a naval en-
gagement on board the gunboat OF
tewa, and in another as captains mes
senger, was recommended to a cadet
ship at the Naval Academy at Annapo-
lis. This appointment President Lin
coin was glad to make and the lad
was directed to report for examination
in July. Just as he was about to start
from home it was discovered that he
could not be admitted, because he had
not reached the required age of four
| teen, his birthday occurring in the fol
| lowing 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, who would make it all
| right Some time afterward he was
| taken to the White House and pre-
sented to the President, to whom he
| made graceful bow. The difficulty
| was explained and the President said:
| Why, bless me. is that the boy who
| did so gallantly in those two battles
| Why, | feel as though | should take
| off my hat to him and not he to me.
| The President took the papers, and as
! soon as he learned that a postpone