Perth Amboy evening news., 1907-03-07
L1NcoLN's OWN COMMENT.
On One of His Chief and Most Inter-
esting Characteristics.

| On One OF His Cnef ana Most Inter-
esting Characteristics.
(From Col Silas w. Burt's elm
coin on His Own Story Telling in the
Century.)
1t was the face Chat of Lincoln)
that, in every line, told the story of
anxiety and weariness. The droop-
ing eyelids, looking almost swollen;
the dark bags beneath the eyes; the
deep marks about the large and ex-
pressive mouth; the fiaccid muscles
of the jaws, were all so majestically
pitiful, that could almost have fall
len on my knees and begged pardon
for my part in the cruel presumption
and impudence that had thus invaded
his repose. AS we were severally in
troduced, the president shook hands
with us, and then took his seat on a
haircloth covered sofa beside the ma
ior, while we others sat on chairs in
front of him. Con. Van Buren,, in
fitting words, conveyed the message
from Gov. Seymour, asking the pres
ident in Governor Seymour's name, to
pay no attention to newspaper state
ments as to the governors unfriend-
Illness, and assured the president of
the governors fixed intention to full
fill any constitutional call upon him
for funds to support the government.
The president replied that he had at
tached no Importance to the rumors
referred to, and that he needed no
formal assurances that the governor
would do all in his power to aid him.
The merely formal talk being over,
something was said about the critical
condition of military matters, and the
president observed that he had no
fears about the safety of Washing
ton, and was certain that the attempt
ed invasion of the northern states
would be arrested. He said the latest
intelligence from the army of the
Potomac was favorable, but gave no
details, and it was not until the next
day that we learned that Gen. Meade
had succeeded Gen. Hooker.
A little pause in the conversation
ensued. The gaunt figure of the
president had gradually slid lower
on the slippery sofa, and his long legs
were stretched out in front, the loose
slippers half fallen from his feet,
while the drowsy eyelids had almost
closed over his eyes, and his jaded
features had taken on the suggestion
of relaxation in sleep. l repeat that
| never thing of this noble mans per-
sonality without recalling him at that
moment of supreme danger to the re-
public and without seeing again that
sad, worn countenance of the man
who bore with such courage and pa
tience his heavy burdens.
Deeply moved by the presidents
evident fatigue, and by his cordial
treatment of us, in spite of our pre-
sumptuous call, Col. Van Buren and
were about rising to make our
adieux when, to our dismay, the ma
jor slaped the president on the knee
and said:
"Mr. President, tell us one of your
good Stories"
If the floor had opened and drop
ped me out of sight, should have
been happy.
The president drew himself UP, and
turning his gack as far as possible
upon the major, with great dignity
addressed the rest of us, saying: II
believe have the popular reputation
Of being a story teller, but do not
deserve the name in its general sense,
for it is not the story itself, but its
purpose, or effect, that interests me.
often avoid long and useless dis
cussion by others or a laborious ex-
pldudllOn Ou my OWll pdlI ny bnOII
story that illustrates my point of
view. So, too, the sharpness of re-
fusal or the edge of rebuke may be
blunted by an appropriate story, SO as
to save wounded feeling and yet serve
the purpose. No, am not simply
story teller, but story telling as an
emollient saves me much friction
and Distress" These are almost his
exact words, of which l made rec
ord that very night.
When the president finished, we
arose and made our salutations and
our last view of our great
leader being of countenance gra-
cious, but inexpressibly sad.
| have told this adventure to many
friends, some of whom have asked
why did not publish it. For many
years | was 10th to make public
statement of even unconsenting pres
ence at such treatment of one whom
the nation recognizes as ranking as
high as Washington in our political
history and venerates as a martyr.
But | have been persuaded that this
explanation by our beloved president
OF the great solace he derived from
his story telling should now be gen
orally known.