Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-10

bald head he said: "Ah, my friend eouf0
lick salt of your head
This was the language of the western
"railspiitter" CHANGING out over the ocean
of upturned faces a cloud of sadness crept-
over the great mans countenanee as. with
the departing train, he realized that ho
was not simply the western "raiispiitter.
but the President-eIect of n great nation
involved in the throes of death strug-
gle.
Corporal at the Reception.
One OF the patriotic sons of western
Pennsylvania was kept. as he thought. un-
der the rigid restraint of a Puritanic Bap-
list minister. Because of this restraint he
enlisted as a private soldier In one of tho
regiments then forming. Within short
time the regiment reached Washington
This miscellaneous boy made good use OF his
wanted freedom. Today he was a non-cou1-
missioned officer; tomorrow he was reduced
to the ranks for some misdemeanor
One day his captain said to him: Loren
go, the President holds reception today.
Brush your shoes and clothes and you may
go with me to the reception" The oppor-
tunity was eagerly embraced. because it
AFFORDED chance 10 enjoy the freedom Of
the city.
When the Executive Mansion was reach
ed It was found that the President was
shaking hands with officers of all ranks in
civil and military life. The atmosphere
was not specially enjoyable TO a corporal
In blue clothes. The soldier would gladly
have sunk through the floor into any place
that would have screened him from the
whitening gaze of thu spectators
The great President finally took the SOL
der by the hand and held IL while no
talked TO him: My boy, aren't you quite
young to he in the army?'' Well" said
the boy. Il can shoot as hard as man."
where are you from?" continued Mr..
Lincoln From western Pennsylvania.
stammered the boy.
We'll. said the President. Pennsylvania
has furnished many good soldiers. | am
convinced that when the young men respond
to their country's CALL we shall succeed.
NOW, my boy, let me say a word or twoad-
ditlonal You have doubtless left good
nome: your mother is praying for her boy.
Let me impress upon you TO heed her adj
monltions. Do nothing that you would be-
unwilling she should know. If you heed this
you VIII exchange those corporafs chew
rons for shoulder straps"
The boy went to his camp under cofiVic-
ton. IF the President of the nation can
talk so to me, should l not heed his adj
vice. The boy did turn over new leaf.
he repaired to his home at the end of the
war the lieutenant colonel In command of
his regiment. the 9th Pennsylvania Volun-
teer Infantry.
the 5Ith Pennsylvania served Col. John
son OF New York regiment. Resigning
before the war closed, he resumed his legal
practice In Brooklyn. One day there ap-
peared at his Office Irish woman under
intense excitement. She said: MIR. John
son. | come to you for help. My boy
deserted from the army ana ran OF 10
Canada I want to have you take the dis
grace from the family"
Col. Johnson assured her that he was pow
erlesS In the case. But she persisted: II
want TO have the disgrace TO the family re-
moved Finally, as means OF shortening
the interview, which he considered profit
less. he suggested that she see Henry Ward
Beecher.
The suggestion was needed The woman
went TO the preachers house but was de-
MED admittance. Evading the servants
-. -
study and related her case. Moved with
compassion, Mr.. Beecher took $50 bill
from his pocket and offered il to her. II
don't want your money" she said; Il want
the disgrace taken from the family
Ultimately Mr.. Beecher said: Madam, I
am going to Washington within few days
and will present your sons case to the
President. Come back at the end OF ten
days, and III report results"
True to his pledge, Mr.. Beecher presented
the to the President with the result
that the President annulled the charge of
desertion against the soldier and ordered
him restored to duty In another regiment
free from the pred4caments which had hith-
erto surrounded him and blessed with
chance to make a new record for himself
His Humorous Side.
recently saw the copy of letter writ
ten during the war, which shows the hui
morous side of Mr.. Lfncolns character and
which did much to mitigate his sadness.
office-holding, is as follows:
Simeon Draper. esq, collector Of the port
of New York.
MY Dear Sir: Your friend, -
called upon me when he arrived in WASH
ington and presented your letter As 1
have no influence with this administration
sent him to Chase. Chase told him to go to
the devil, and he came back to me. Yours
truly, A. LINCOLN.
1t was my fortune to hear, In the city of
Louisville, Ky, an address the day OF
Mr. Lineoln's funeral. The speaker was Ell
der D. Pat Henderson, who sub
sequently was in this city, the pastor OF
DIR. Fred d. Power. Mr.. Henderson was
older than Mr.. Lincoln and had been. in
early life law partner of his. They were
warm personal friends.
Said Mr. Henderson: Last fall | was in
Washington and called to see the President
at the White House question that en-
listed my feelings very deeply. L was
greeted very cordially and at once presented
my case Presenting on old-time friendship.
I said with considerable warmth: MI.
President. why don't you do something to
release our Union prisoners from the death
pens in which they are confined in the
south?'
Extending his long, large hand and
grasping mine firmly, he said with all sin
certify: Mr.. Henderson, what, let me ask,
would you do under existing conditions%
Il was nonplused. did not expect such
a turning of the tables as would compel me
to suggest a remedy for the condition L
complained of. | realized the greatness and
magnaninaity OF the man and felt my own
insufficiency never before | made no
further complaints to affiict great soul al
ready overburdened with cares and respon-
sibilities of governing great nation"
These are but a few snapshots that re-
veal the character of the great war Presl-
dent of whom Schuyler Colfax said: Hay
ing ascended to the topmost round in the
ladder of fame. he stepped into the skies"
Prompted at 1000 Dances.