Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1903-02-06

Thomas w. Lloyd of Montoursville,
Penn, relates the following interest
ing remiscences 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 sort of
vague idea that he was not q 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.
ton that we would only be permitted
to gaze upon the great man from dis
lance. 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;
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 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 got me up on store goods
box to make a speech. My father
had related this to Eincoln 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,
ugliest and most ungainly man ! had
ever seen, When l was presented to
him he leaned down, and, taking me
blythe hand, said: so this is the
little patriot. All, Mr.. Lloyd, ia these
times the boy Ia 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 Il looked
into his face and saw the deep set,
kindly eyes, the firm mouth. about
which smile lowered, and listened to
his gentle voice, began to think he's
was positively handsome. AS l lock
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 a mighty
nation weighing upon his heart, could
find time enough to say a few kind
! words to little child. ~
"As 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 naval en-
gagement on board the gunboat OF;
tswa, and in another as eaptain's mes
senger, was recommended TO a cadet.
ship at the naval Academy atsAnnapo-
lis. This appointment President Lin
coin was glad to make and stbe 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 requiredsage 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 20 at all. He was 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 pre-
sented to the President, to whom he
made a graceful bow. The difficulty
WAS explained and the President said
why. bless me, is that the boy who
did 30 CALAMITY in those two battles?
Whv. 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 postpone !