Evening star., 1909-01-24

one Of Gen. Grants aids. Thus the
Presidents wealth of love was lavished
on Tad, ''the pet OF the nation The boy
was passionately affectionate and his
fathers inseparable companion. 4 word
from Mr.. Lincoln would make him laugh
Sleefully or melt him into tears. In the
grave cabinet meetings, he played about,
sometimes falling asleep on the floor or IN
his fathers lap. He accompanied the
President to Fortress Monroe, and clung
to his fathers hand when Lincoln entered
Richmond. While the President was
making his last speech. from the northern
portico of the White House. little Tad
stood by, catching the leaves of his
fathers manuscript as they fioated down
TO him. When they came too slowly 10
suit the boy he demanded in a piping
voice: .Papa-day, give me another
paper" Tad's pet name for his father was
'Papa-day.'
The little fellow had a nervous in1pedi-
ment In his speech and strangers could
not well understand him. But his father
understood his afflicted boy-every word,
no matter who was in conference with
the president, nor what grave matters
might be discussed by Seward. Stanton
or Sumner. If little Tad made a remark
ms fathers fond face bent kindly over
MN. senators and secretaries were often
annoyed by Tad'S Interruptions All these
th1lgS combined to intensity Lincoln's
tenderness for his son. This passionate
aevotlon was far more than mere doting
indulgence.
As for the boy himself, he did not care
1or any other playmate. One of I.ncoln's
ne guard has recorded the statement that
the only times that President Lincoln ever
seemed supremely and genuinely happy
were while romping with Tad through the
stately old rooms of the executive man
sion, both whooping and yelling like void
Indians. playing horse or carrying the
boy pickaback or on his shoulders At
such times Tad's small Gun of iov was
full and he could give no fuller expression
TO 1t than by chuckling and shouting: 20.
apa-day!Pap pa day.
Where Tad had been the night of Lin
com ASSASSINATION no one knew exactly
but Thomas Pendel. the faithful Old door
Keeper at the White House. relates that
the little boy came In at the basement
ooor very late and clambered up the lower
stairway with heartbroken cries of.
TON Pen! Tom Pen! They've killed
papa-day. They've killed papa-dayn'
Poor little Tad was sad and lonely. He
sorey missed his father He would
wander from room to room as if looking
for some one. Many times a day he
murmured:
20. papa-day. Where's my papa-da
I'm tired of playing alone. l want to
play together again. a little while-just
this once-please papa-dayr'
His loneliness seemed to haunt his
dreams. An eVer-Watchful dOorkeeper,
or one of the life guard would lie down
beside the little fellow and try to soothe
and comfort him through the troubled
nights. One moment he seemed in his
dreams to be romping again with his
great playfellow. gurgling and chuck
ling and crying out, 20, papa-day-papa-
day. Then the sense of his great sorrow
pervaded his slumbers. and he would sob.
80. papa-day, Where's papa-day?"
Your papa's gone whispered his wide.
awake companion. brokenly-"gone to
heaven
The little boy listened and opened his
eyes. DO you think papa-day's happy
there?" he asked eagerly.
Yes yes. I'm sure of it. Taddie, dear,
your papa's happy now"
20, I'm glad, SO glad.' sighed the little
boy. ''for papa-day never was happy
here"
Copyright 1909, by Wayne wbipple1