The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-02-13
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Some Chief characteristics of the
Great Emancipation.
70 the editor OF the Banner:

There is always a key to every
character, and in our analysis OF our
revered hero and statesman Abraham
. Lincoln we easily find that key, his
uniform kindness, tender-hearted
ness, always without respect of per-
sons.
Take an instance, which my father
related often, but which has not been
seen much, if at all in print. During
the Civil War my home was at Scran-
ton, Pa. My father Maj. S. W. Brad
ford, veteran of the Mexican war,
recruited two regiments at Scranton,
one for 3 months since-the next for
years during the war, the 18th
Pennsylvania Volunteers infantry
which he led at Shiloh.
Congressman Galusha A. Grow
caused my fathers appointment to
the provost marshals office at Scran-
ton. There was in Scranton, at
that time, a shoemaker, born in Ger
many and named Peter Kahler, pro
nounced Caller. He made boots and
shoes for both myself and my father
or for any who could pay his price
for his price was good-so were his
leather and his work.
Kahler was a stong Lincoln man.
Not only so, but Kahler was worthy
citizen. And, with all ambitions, as
loyal. How proud | would be"
thought Peter Kahler, ito return to
dos fader land and there present my
credentials as the one chosen by our
great Lincoln to represent his gov
eminent at the German court"
My father and quite a number of
the leading citizens signed his papers
certifying to his unimpeachable char
acter, etc. No one, of course, would
presume to suggest to Lincoln he
must appoint p Kahler to that i'm
portant post, but no citizen would
say word to discourage so good and
upright a citizen from so laudable
an ambition.
So to Washington went Peter Kah-
Ter, and here is revealed the magnifi-
cent manhood of Lincoln. Kaher
was admitted at once, and as | re-
member hearing of it, alone with Lin
coin. Mr.. Kahler being announced
came forward and presented his pac
ket of papers which Mr.. Lincoln re-
ceived and laid upon his desk. Then
sitting in his characteristic attitude.
with one leg thrown over the other,
he looked Mr. Kahler kindly in the
eye and said, MIR. Kahler, what is
your business?" to which Mr.. Kahler
replied, I'm shoemaker, Mr.. Lin
coin"
Lincoln looked down at his foot
swinging softly, as he often did, and
quickly glancing up slapped his knee
with one hand, and said Mr. Kah-
Ter you are just the man | want to
see; ! want six pair of boots made at
once Mr. Kahler's breath was
gone for a second and then he STAN.
mered out. why Mr. Lincoln,
have no apparatus for taking your
measure. ! did not come prepared. -
Lincoln replied, You will have no
trouble in getting such apparatus as
you need of some of the shoemakers
here in Washington. Come back
here in one hour and ! will be ready
for you to take my measure"
Kahler returned at the appointed
time, took Mr.. Lincolns measure
for six pair of boots, and proudly re-
turned to Scranton where he became
quite famous as a shoe maker, but
not as a representative to Germany.
Kahler rented shop in property
my father then owned and often
showed the outline of Lincoln's foot,
for he caused each patron to place
the stockinged foot fiat upon strong
paper to get the outline, length. etc,
then there were other measurements
by tape and gauge.
Lincoln could have had his boots
made just as well in Washington, but
no, here was an honest German.
many of whose compatriots were
fighting init sizle," not a few of
them in my fathers regiment. Abra-
ham Lincoln could not be unkind, be-
sides here was an honest tradesman,
an adopted citizen who loved his new
country and the old flag He could not
turn him down" There was way
to make him happy and to show him
that republics are not ungrateful.
Take an other instance. an in
stance which has been quite often
told One day Lincoln looked sharp
ly through the door TO his office and
noticed that a womans dress appear
ed as though she was thrust aside
and kept waiting while senators. con
gressmen and other important per-
sonages were admitted promptly. AZ
ter watching for a few moments Lin
coin called his attendant and asked
If there was a woman out there and
why she was kept waiting. The at
tendant answered: "Only an old
colored woman Mr. Lincoln" He in
stantly replied. Let her in. these
others can wait"
How fine his discernment. Congress
men and senators could come any
time, but the old colored auntie had
been fortunate to even get into the
house.
Whatever her business or trouble
she was assured quickly that Father
Abraham felt her trouble. and burden
as his too, and she went away with
a happy smile. The wisdom of
Solomon had Lincoln.
One more case. There was in New
England a minister of tho vocnal