The Columbus journal., 1903-02-11
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 1863, at one
of his public receptions. l was only
q child. but had heard SO much of
Abraham Lincoln that had a sort of
vague idea that he was not a mere
man. but some kind of divinity to be
worshipped from afar. and naturally
was anxious to see him. l 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. l
knew nothing of public functions at
that time. and had some sort of no
tiOn that We would only be permitted
to gaze upon the great man from q dis
tance. When we came to him in the
line. however, and he had greeted my
father with q few pleasant words and
we were about to pass on. the Presi-
dent said: Wait one moment;
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 own home in Penn
sylvania. At the beginning of the
war, as a mere child, l was fred with
patriotic spirit and went about the
streets of my native village making
speeches. urging every man to enlist. l
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 a
signal to get me up on store goods
box to make a speech. My father
had related this to Lincoln and asked
House. This was granted and one
we drove there and were re-
ceived by the President alone. AS he
rose from his chair to greet us l re-
thinking he was the longest.
ugliest and most ungainly man l had
ever seen. When l 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. 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 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
his gentle voice, l began to think he
was positively handsome. As l 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 a few kind
words to q little child.
'As a still further illustration Of
this kindness of heart is the following
incident. which l have heard my
father relate. A young boy who had
served with distinction in a naval en-
gagement on board the gunboat Ot
tawa. and in another as captains mes
senger, was recommended to a cadet
ship at the Naval Academy at Annapc
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 tae fol- |
lowing September. The boy was
greatly disappointed and wept bitterly |
in the fear that he would not be able
10 20 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
aiken to the White House and pre-
,ented to the President. to whom he
made q graceful bow. The difficulty
vas explained and the President said:
Why, bless me, is tnat the boy who
lid SO gallantly in those two battles?
Why, feel as though l should take
If my hat to him ard not he to me-
rhe President took the papers, and as
;oon as he learned that postpone