Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-02-01
ONE l|NCOlN'S BIRTHDAY.
~@%~O~O~~~

GO HE 18th of February, 1865, dawn
ed bright and clear in Washing
= ton. Into a little house on one of
the side streets near Pennsylvania ave-
nue. the rays OF the sun brightly shone,
gladdening the hearts Of those who lived
there, an invalid father and his two lit
tie children, Madge and Bonnie.
"Madge, you'll have to take the bas-
ket out to-day; Bonnie is too SICK" the
father said.
"All right, papa, guess III get along
alone"
Little Madge went to work getting the
basket Of sandwiches, apples and flowers
ready. Such sandwiches as they were,
too. Every messenger boy, page and
Congressman knew Madge and Bonnie
and the sandwiches they sold on Penn
sylvania avenue every day at lunch time
Since their fathers return from the
war, a cripple, Madge and Bonnie had
supported him, and the little basket with
which they started in business had been
changed many times, until very large
one was used now.
Little Madge had become an expert at
making sandwiches; never getting the
Ing just enough meat between them.
She felt rather timid about going out
alone; but what was there to do? Some
body had to go. for they needed the
money; so she buttOned up her coat pull
ed on her gloves and bravely started out.
BY keeping away from the. crowded
streets little Madge soon reached the
place where she and Bonnie always
stood.
She had never seen so many people out
before. Everybody was hurrying along
aud all were talking about the latest
news of the war. 1t seemed as though
nil Washington was expecting to hear
that peace had been declared and the
war over.
Good morning, Madge," deep voice
called, and she looked up to see Con
gresham Chambers close beside her.
waiting for his usual bunch OF violets.
where's the brother?" he asked.
"Sick. sir, but | guess he'll be out
again soon"
buy him something good with this"
the kindly Congressman said. and press
ed some change into her hand.
Thank you. sir: I'll tell Bonnie, and
when he's well he'll thank you himself"
II wish the President would come by
to-day; haven't seen him in two months
and pap always asks about him when
go home: but maybe he's too busy to
walk the way he used to. and" Her
thoughts were interrupted by n Senate
page with terrible appetite. who want
ed two chicken sandwiches in hurry.
Soon the clerks from the different de-
partments began to pass by on their way
home to dinner. Some Of them stopped
to buy a sandwich from Madge and then
passed on, talking and laughing
well. little Madge, where's that
brother of yours to-day? 1t seems
strange to see you here without him."
a tall newspaper correspondent said as
he picked out large apple.
pennies not well. and so I thought
I'd come alone. knew I'd get along
all right and so have" she proudly
said.
For the next half hour she was kept
busy, as all the clerks and messengers
needed waiting on. Then there came a
little rest and Madge looked up and down
the long avenue.
As she looked up a second time she
caught slRnt u thl IOTn coming ner
way. Madgs knew it well, for no other
man in Washington walked like Lincoln.
She kept her eyes fastened on him as
he drew nearer, SO as to have lots to
tell her father when she returned home.
Her little heart was beating with ex-
element. oh. II he would only stop.
just for a minute, so l could speak to
him. He looks so sad. wonder why ?"
Just then boy stopped to buy an APP
pie. He gave her n ten-cent piece and
Madge did not have pennies enough to
make change.
wait a minute, please. and I'll get
IT," she said and started to run across
the street to the news stand for change
She had only covered half the distance
when team Of carriage horses swung
around the corner.
Too late the coachman saw her. There
was a little scream. two horses jerked
hback on their launches an Madgs lay