The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1904-02-11
ONE L|NCOLN'S BIRTHDAY.
NNN~@NON%~
60 HE 10Th of February, 1865, dawn

| ~S<S>~S>N<SN<SS
| 60 HE 18th of February, 1865, dawn
| ed bright and clear in Washing
x ton. Into 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 Bennie.
''Madge, you'll have to take the bas-
ket out to-day; Bennie is too SICK" the
father said.
"All right, papa, guess I'll get along
alone"
Little Madge went to work getting the
basket of sandwiches, apples and flowers
ready. Such sandwiches as they We're,
too. Every messenger boy, page and
Congressman knew Madge and Bennie
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 Bennie had
supported him, and the little basket with
which they started in business had been
changed many times, until a very large
one was used now.
Little Madge had become an expert at
making sandwiches; never getting the
slices Of bread too thick and always hav-
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 Bennie always
stood.
She had never seen so many people out
before. Everybody was hurrying along
and all were talking about the latest
news of the war. 1t seemed as though
all 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-
gressman Chambers close beside her,
waiting for his usual bunch Of violets.
where's the brother?" he asked.
"Sick, sir, but l 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 Bennie, and
Wien he well lie IL Nou Hiluseil.
Il wish the President would come by
to-day; l 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 Senate
page with a terrible appetite, who want
ed two chicken sandwiches in Il 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 a large apple.
"Bennie's not well, and so 1 thought |
I'd come alone. l knew I'd get along |
all right, and so 1 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 second time she |
caught sight of tall form coming her
way. Madge 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 ey-
element "Oh. IL he would only stop.
Just for a minute, so l could speak to
him. He looks so sad. 1 wonder why?"
Just then n boy stopped to buy an ap-
pie. He gave her q ten-cent piece and
NIadge did not have pennies enough to
make change.
Wait minute. please, and I'll get
H." she said, and started to run across
the street to the news stand for change.
She had only covered half the distance
when a team of carriage horses swung
around the corner.
Too late the coachman saw her There
was a little scream, two horses jerked
back on their launches and Madge lay
,n the pavement, unconscious, with one
title arm broken.
Men rushed to pick her up; but one
all form was ahead of them ali. Lin
,oln, with all the tenderness in his great
leart aroused, stopped and picked the lit
lie form up i'll his arms.
where does she live:' he asked. and
man standing at his side, with Madge's
basket in his hand, volunteered to show
he way to her home.
Lincoln could have called an ambu-
ance or sent her home i'll carriage. but
hat was not this great mans way.
Where help was needed lie gave it him
eif. and so it was that those who were
IN Pennsylvania avenue that Lincoln's
birthday saw the President pass along
With little injured girl in his arms
A short walk and they reached the
louise. where Madge's father, steadying
limself on crutches, met them at the
loor
'Your little girl has been injured:
how me bed and I'll place her on it," .
lincoln said.
A doctor was called and soon Madge
pencd her eyes and said.
Papa, the President"
Yes, dear, the President is here and
My waits to know you're all right, be-
ore leaving" !.
Lincoln bent over the bed and placing ,
ne arm around little Madge said: Wont j
ou give the President kiss before he !
oes?'
Madge raised her head and Lincoln, i