The Press., 1908-02-12
LINCOLN THE FATHER.
Memories of the Presidents Affection
 For His Youngest Son.

TOT rus Toun9eSt 0ons Many stories are told of Tad's mis- chievous pranks aud of his fathers close companionship with his favorite boy. Tinker records that on one occa- sion Lincoln came into the telegraph office chuckling to himself over a fai- ry 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. It told how n moth. CT 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 a serious talk with the old reynard about his wickedness. Well, what was the reSult?" asked one of us when 1t appeared that Lincoln did not Intend to continue his narrative. "rhe fox reformed" said Lincoln, his eyes twinkling, "and became a highly re- Spected paymaster in the army, and now I am wondering which one he is." The significance of this reference is 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 instance, it has been stated by good authorities, including members of his cabinet, that before each of the great battles of the war and also before the occurrence of some other specially not able event in his life he had a vivid dream which led him to look forward at such a time with great anxiety for the announcement of some disaster or other incident of particularly impor. tant character. 1t Is related that on the night before his assassination he had an unusually exciting dream, which he thought was a portent of inn 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. D. C., June g. 1863. Mrs. A. Lincoln, Philadelphia:
 Think you had better put Tad's pistol away. had an ugly dream about him.
 A. LINCOLN.
 Here are two telegrams out of a large number in whic' 1coln refer red to his children in lffectionate manner:
 Aug. sl. 1864 Mrs A. Lincoln, Manchester, Vt:
 All reasonably well. Bob not here yet. How is dear Tad? A. LINCOLN.
 Sept. 8, 1884 Mrs A. Lincoln, Manchester, Vt.:
 All well. including Tad's pony and the 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 cud on the middle of Tad's bed. ~ ~ A. LINCOLN.
 The presidents affection for his youngest boy was 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 a week later. Tad became 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 the appointed hour approached. As soon as he heard the strains of music in the distance he would jump up and down and shout: There comes our band! There comes our band!-DR- vid Homer Bates in Century.