The National tribune., 1903-03-26


AT YOU WANT TO TAKE CARE OFF,"
Representative. as the Secretary halted a
minute by them.
Yes; some important communications
came in by the steamer yesterday" an
| swered the Secretary. Particularly one
from His Majesty the Emperor of France.
l wish you were on the Committee on For
eign Relations
Tin very glad to hear that you have
been giving Louis Napoleon good deal
sitter talk about Maximillan and his
bogus empire. Confound the impudent
| frog-e;,ter," said the Representative, in a
manner that indicated he might have used
stronger language if ladies had not been
present.
Yes" answered the Secretary. with
still more of suggestion of profanity
you'll notice that I've been getting more
and more bark on my words ever since
Gettysburg and Vicksburg.'
$50 you have; so you have. But not
half enough. I've been in hopes McCler-
nand would manage 20 pick quarrel with
those fellows down on the Rio Grande."
| We've been holding McClernand back
a good deal, until we were sure that Sher-
man was coming out all right
| ''Well, Grantli make short work of
things now, as soon as the roads will let
| him move. Then we'll send Phil Sheridan
down TO the Rio Grande. There won't be
any mincing about him. Those Farley
Voos down there will have a fight or a
| foot-race on their hands mighty soon after
he reaches Texas"
won't they?" said the Secretary, with
the light of anticipation in his eyes.
| walk right in, Governor. The Presi-
dent wants to see you," said Private Sec
rotary Hay.
You go in first, Judge" said Secretary
Seward, making way. Il want long talk
with the President"
.'Thank you. l will" said the Congress-
man. 1--WE some urgent business, which
won't take long, however Come on,
ladies. Mind those steps. They re abOm-
Unable"
Why such trap as those steps between
| the Presidents reception-roOm and the
| Cabinet-room where he usually receives
visitors was ever made. o: has been al
lowed to remain all these years is one of
the mysteries of the White House. Mr..
Julian succeeded in plotting Mrs. Klegg
and her voluminous hoops down the trap,
but Annabel caught on the corner of the
door. She stumbled, and would have
fallen had it not been for Maria's strong
grasp upon her.
Secretary Seward followed them all
into the Cabinet-room. A tall. gaunt fig
! IRE, sitting at the south end of the Cabinet
table, with his back to the light, rose as
the ladies entered.
To the wOmen's dazed eyes there never
had seemed so tall man. Would he
never stop rising?
They could not see his face, but a voice
of singular sweetness and strength. tinged
with melancholy, greeted them.
Good morning, Judge"
Good morning, Governor"
''Good morning, ladies'
''Some ladies from my State-friends OF
mine, Mr.. Lincoln" said the Representa-
tive, presenting them by name.
Glad to see you, ladies'" said the Presi-
dent. stretching out for Il cordial grasp Il
hand that Maria afterward said seemed as
big as Il wooden hay-fork. Indiana is a
great State. Its men, women. soldiers
and corn cannot be beaten anywhere"
''NOr statesmen, Mr.. President" said
Secretary Seward, with a rallying look at
Representative Julian.
'Nc, nor statesmen" added Mr. Lin
coin. 81 never could have gotten along
without the help that Gov. Morton, Sena-
tor Lane and Representatives Julian, Orth,
Colfax and DumOnt have given me- They
send the right kind of men into the army
and TO Congress from Indiana. Sit down,
ladies'"
He pointed to seats around the table,
where the members of the Cabinet sat at
the meetings, and the ladies sank into
them.
seat placed her where the light fell upon
the Presidents face, took good look at
the strong, hOmely, pathetic countenance
which has become one of the worlds
great faces. 1t was pale, scanned and
drawn by the mountainous sorrows and
cares of the four years of the Nations
travail, but the details of the rugged feat
ures We're quickly forgotten in the wonder
full light from the spell-casting eyes, and |
the sweet, kindly ss.;le that played about |
the wide mouth, especially when he was
addressing the ladies.
Representative Julian stated his errand. |
The Presidents face clouded with sorrow
as he was told about ST Klegy's service
and present condition. Then another