The Washington herald., 1909-01-24
ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN CONGRESS.

tives, occasioned by the descriptions. By
himself and others Of the Congressional
mess, OF the uproar n the House during
its delivery"
AS a near neighbor 70 Lincoln. there
lived In Duff Green's row, Simon Cam
eron, then Senator from Pennsylvania,
and destined 10 become LincOln's first
Secretary Of War. LiloOlns future poll
teal rival, Stephen A Douglass, then
Senator from Illinois. stayed at Wizards
Hotel. the chief hosiery Of the city.
Andrew johnson. a Representative from
Tennessee; jefferson Davis, q Senator
from Mississippi, and Alexander II.
Stephens, Representative from Georgia.
messed at boarding houses On Capitol
Hill. not far from that Of Mrs. Sprigg.
OF the latter. Lincoln, II February, 1S4S,
wrote 10 his law partner as follows:
I just take my pen 70 say that M-.
Stephens, Of Georgia, a little, slim, pale
faced, consumptive man, with voice Ike
Logan's. has Just concluded the very best
speech Of an hours length. ever heard
My Cid withered dry eyes are full Of tears
Near Duff Green's row there was a
bowling alley that was much frequented
BY the Statesmen on Capitol Hill Not
withstanding Lincoln was a very awk-
ward bowler, he played the game with
great zest and spirit; and. whether sue
cessful or defeated, was always IN good
humoT. At the alley. he often INDUCED
IN his fav6rite pastime OF storytelling.
and he readily gathered around him a
crowd Of eager listeners
Another resort Of Lincoln was the posi-
Office OF the House Here. his favOrite
seat, according to the newspaper CORE
spondent. Ben; Perley POOre. was at tbs
left Of the open fireplace. tilted back IN
his chair. with his long legs reaching over
70 the chimney 1anb he never told Z
stoty twice. but appeared to have an
endless repertoire Of them always ready.
like the successive charges In a magazin :.
gun. and always peTtinently adapted 10
some passing event It was refreshing
70 Us, correspondents, compelled as We
were 20 listen to So much that was prOsy
and tedious. TO hear this bright specimen
Of Western genius tell his inimitable
stories, especially his "reminiscences OF
the Back Hawk war
Carried Books in Handkerchief.
The librarian OF the United stats ST.
preme Court relates an incident that
came 10 his notice, illustrative Of LIN
coins plain, unassuming. backwOods way
Of doing things. One day he came to<Jhe
library and asked for some Law books
which he wished 70 take % his room.
When they were brought 70 him, he tied
them into a bundle by means Of q ban
dana handkerchief. and putting a stick
which he had brought with him through
knot IN the handkerchief, he shOuIdered
It and marched OF from the library 10
his lodgings IN few days he returned
with the books in the same way.
In the first session OF the Thirtieth
Congress. Mrs. Lincoln stayed for e tine
with her husband u MIS- Spriggs She
was very retiring. and was seldom 10
be seen except al her meals She took
little part IN TIE social life o. the Capital
Robert T. her eldest son. was with her
She did not return 10 Washington for the
short session
M Lincoln WIS frequently named as 4
member Of social committees OF semi
Official character appointed 10 give pub
lie dinners or 20 hold patriotic balls. He
was doubtless chosen for such duties
mere often than he would have been had
his party in his State been more numer-
ously represented AZ Washington. de
was the Only Wing member Of Congress
from Illinois. L Is an interesting coin
cidence that Lincoln apd Stephen 4
Douglass were the Representative OF
Illinois among the manager Of the IA
tiOnal Birth-Night Ball advertised 70 be
held on the night OF February - IssS and
also among tie managers o. one Of The
balls given on the evening after President
TaylOr's Inauguration
On February =. ISIS John Quincy
Adams received 2 stroke OF PARALYSIS in
the House Of Representatives. and Two
DAYS later he died. This Melancholy
event led 10 the postponement OF the
birth-night ball until March / Lincoln
was one OF the members Of the House
chosen 70 make arrangements for Adams
funeral. He was one OF the managers
Of President TsyIor-s Inauguration ball
held IN an extensive saloon, newly
built on judiciary Square, near the pres
elt Pension Office.
Attends Inaugural Ball. A
Il was o. this entertainment that In
coins friend. Mr.. E. 3. Washburue wrote.
a small number Of mutual friends-in-
Guiding Mr.. LincOln-made up g party 10
attend the Inauguration ball together. Il
was by far the most brilliant Inaugural
ton bail ever given OF course. 0Ir. Lin
coin had never seen anything OF the
and unpretending persons present he
could not have dreamed that Ike hcnors
were 20 come 10 him almost within a
little more than a decade He was greatly
interested in all that was 10 be seen, and
we did not take cur departure until s OF
o'clock in the morning
when we went 70 the cloak and hat
room. Mr. Lincoln had no trouble IN ind
ing his short cloak. which little more
than covered his shoulders, but after ,
long search. was unable 70 find his hat
After an hour he gave up al idea %
finding it Taking his cloak on his arm
ne walked out in judiciary Square. detjb-
eTately adjusting Il on his shoulders. and
serted OF bareheaGed for his I0dgIngss
II would be hard 10 forget the sight q
that tall and slim man. with his short
cloak thrown over his shoulders. starting
for his long walk home on Capitol HI
II O'Clock in the morning without any
hat on"
Lincolu's career IN Congress ended with
the Inauguration OF Taylor N March.
1919. Twelve years later he returned to
the Capital as President-eleCt OF the
United States