The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-10-15
LINCOLN THE FATHER.
Memories Of the Presidents AffsetIon
For His Younaeat Son.

Memories Of the Presidents AffsetIom
For His Youngest Son.
Many stories are told Of Tad's mis-
chievous pranks and Of his fathers
close companionship with his favorlte
boy. Tinker records that on one Occa-
sion Lincoln came into the telegraph
Office chuckling to himself over fai-
~ story book that some one had given
to Tad, who was holding his fathers
hand as he entered the room. He
thereupon repeated the story to the
cipher operators. II told how a moth
er hen tried TO raise brood Of chicks,
but was much disturbed over the con-
duct Of sly old fox who ate several
OF the youngsters while still profess
Ing to be an honest fox, so the anxious
mother had serious talk with the old
reynard about his wlckedness. "Weil.
what was the resultT' asked one Of us
when II appeared that Lincoln did not
intend to continue his narrative 'aThe
fox reformed" said Lincoln, his eyes
twinkling, 'and became a highly re-
spected paymaster in the army, and
now l am wondering which one he is"
The Significance of this reference As in
the fact that about that time there
were rumors of fraud in the paymas-
ter's department.
Much has been said about Lincoln
being Influenced by his dreams For
instances It has been stated by good
authorities. including members OF his
cabinet, that before each OF the great
haitian Of tho war anH also t,aeoua 49,
occurrence OF some other specially not
able event In his life he had a vivid
dream which led him to look forward
at such time with great anxiety for
the announcement OF some disaster or
other incident of particularly impor
tant character. II Is related that on
the night before his assassination he
had an unusually exciting dream,
which he thought was a portent OF i'm
pending danger of some sort That he
did have this habit of being deeply af-
fected and influenced by these visions
OF the night is clearly shown by the
following telegram:
washington. u. c.. June Q, 1858.
Mrs. A. lincoln. Philadelphia:
Think you had better put Tad's pistol
away. I had an ugly dream about him.
A. LINCOLN.
Here are two kilograms out OF a
large number in which Lincoln refer
red to his children IN an afKectlonate
manner;
Aug "a. lSSA
Mrs. A. Lincoln, Manchester, Vt:
All reasonably well. Bob not here yet.
How Is dear Tadf A. LINCOLN.
Sept s. 1854
Mrs. A. Lincoln. Manchester Vt:
All we'll. Including Tad's pony and tho
goats A. LINCOLN.
On another occasion Lincoln wrote
TO his wife as follows:
. Tell dear Tad poor Nanny goat
is lost. The day you left Nanny
was found resting herself and chewing
her little eNd on the middle Of Tad's bed
but now she's gone.
A. LINCOLN.
The presidents affection for his
youngest boy WIS such that they were
together much of the time. even while
the father was receiving callers or at
tending to official business In the
White House, and nearly always when
visiting the army at the front or In the
defenses around Washington. They
came to the war department hand In
hand many times.
Lincoln went to City Point in March,
1865. As usual Tad went with him
and remained with his father after
Mrs. Lincoln returned to Washington
n week later. Tad became a great pet
among the officers and men. Each
afternoon during their two weeks stay
the headquarters band marched up to
the open space near the presidents
tent and played popular airs for an
hour or so. Tad enjoyed the music OF
the brass band very greatly and was
on the lookout each afternoon when
- nn..alnA..a 49,. ......---.a