The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1908-06-06
President SDrednl

TO be dedicated here 10 the unfinished
work which they who fought here have
thus far SO nobly advanced"
Then fair young maiden succeeded
the boy, and he heard her rccite in
musical tones. Whatsoever shall tend
'to strengthen Our reliance on the Su-
prcme Being for the final triumph of
the right cannot but be well for Us all.
At length. however, the long-con-
tinued pulsation OF the angels broad
white wings ceased altogether.
The two wanderers were back again
beside the aesk in the White House,
from whence they had started. The
angel stood before the President, and
placed his shining hands upon the
shoulders Of the man whom he had
carried SO far.
Abraham Lincoln" he said, II have
shown you vision OF the manner In
which the men and the women and the
children 81 America will be keeping
your birthday forty years hence. The
pages OF your country's history have
been opened for you before Times
finger had yet been able to turn them.
In an hour ~ deepest detection, God
has granted you a glimpse OF what
yonr travail and tears will one day ac-
complish for the people you love. Take
heart, then. friend, and go on in the
strength OF your manhood through
gloomy days yet 10 comet You have
not done well, Abraham Lincoln, to
dream, even for a moment. that God
would permit your life mission to end
in failure. You have not done well 10
doubt whether or no il was worth
while"
The angels clear voice still seemed
to echo in his ears as the President
slowly lifted his head.
But the beautiful calm face no longer
looked into his
Instead. his own little son. Tad. was
standing before him. in his white night.
dress, and crying, Father. did YOU
forget all about coming to bed be-
cause il was the night Of your birth
aayf ! have lain awake listening for
vorr footsteps so long. so very long,
and al last ! came down 10 see what
ever was the matter. and found you
f.TtNN y ~ a'fNl NtiANl Athl fl1k tNtT
So much happier. now, father. dear!
Did YOU have dream, and was il
good 0nef'
The President gathered the boy in
his long arms. and held him against
hi, breast
Yes, sonny he said. father has
Just had very beautiful. wonderful
dream |, was not bit like the gloomy
ones which he has, some times, and
which depreSs him 50 dreadfully. He
CucsScs this was real birthday gift.
that the Lord dropped down out Of
Heaven TO give him help and COM
inrtr'
Couldn't you tell me about itY
little Tad asked. while his arm stole
lovingly about his fathers neck. and he
9azed into the decp-sc,. tender eyes
I'D Ike To- hear every Bit ~ that
lovely dream and all the pleasant
things YOU saw in itr'
Bnt Lincoln'S face grew gravcr az
he pressed the boy close and slowly
shook his head
No. my son." he answered you
must not ask father to tell even YOU
anything ~ al about that dream. II
:, q kind oi heavenly secret, that he
has to keep quite 70 himself. and guard
forever in the depths 81 his own heart.
He will scarcely dare to let his mind
, dwell much upon the memory 81 il. lest
that recollection should cause him 10
grow vain and cpuceited Ncver,he-
less. father believes that God really
sen, that comforting dream to him to-
night To- give him strength and courage
for future trials. and for the long. hard
pull that is still 70 some. The Lord
mu,, have intended IN this fashion to
show poor. old. discouraged Abe Lin
colin In his birthday. that. after all, il
wa, worth while Yes. Tad. boy It
!, rorth while
With these words the tired Prcsi-
den, lifted hi. little son in his arms,
and slowly mounting the stairway.
went peacefully 90 bed