Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1915-01-29
An Interview, Y i'll | !.
Presiid dent Lincoln. !.
., F. A. michel

b. F. A. michel H.
The aftieth anpiversnry Of the tz.e>
edy that deprtveda nation ofsite head
and at the same time maue:u martyr
win soon be here Those who lived
during Mr.: Lincoln's time remember
him az well tor that kindness. that
humorous pathos, which characterized
him az for the marvellous adrhtness
with which he steered the ship Of state
through the turbulent waters Of fouR
years OF war: His assassination was
one Of the most tragic events Of the
worlds history.
It Was away hack in the autumn Of
1850. 1 was then twenty years Old,
had been graduated from one Of the
large eastern colleges and had selected
Journalism for . profession. When
asked what was my vocation l did not
reply. ri am reporter" but journal
ISM" From this It 10 to be inferred
that had high opinion OF the news-
paper business and q corresp0ndineiy
high opinion Of my own attributes, BE-
Ing In 90 exalted q calling.
Ny work was with . Chicago newe-
paper, and some time after Abraham
Lincoln's election to the presidency Of
the United States / was directed By
the managing editor to 60 to Spring
field, see MI. Lincoln, IL possible, and
get an interview. arrived In Spring
field in the morning and in the after
noon went to MI. Lincoln's home.
was surprised at being admitted with
out any ceremony whatever and was
ushered into living room, wherein
sat the next president in a rocking
chair. There were two little boys, his
sons, with him, the one sitting on his
shoulder, maintaining his position BY
his grip with both hands on the presL
dent elects hair. The other boy vas
climbing up behind with view to dis-
pute his brothers seat and to effect a
similar Judgment on the other shout
der.
Mr.: Lincoln was restrained from ris-
ing with one boy ON his shoulder and
,'anethsr~ holdi0E~on 10 his coat cottar.
He excused himself for not doing ~
and put out biz hand In q very friendly
way. But be made no move to stop
the boys from their athletic amuso-
ment This did not seem to ne quite
in keeping with his dignity % the
coming chief executive Of 4 great m.
t1on-to me. 4 journalistic representa-
tive OF a great newspaper. However.
repressed my feelings and begun the
interview, 1rst drawing forth With 40
much importance as. could assume,
notebook in which to lay down those
remarkable facts which the president
elect would announce through me t.
the nation. =,
"Mr. Lincoln" l said, II shall be
much Obliged to you If yon will give
me the names Ut snch members OF
your cabinet as you may have decided
upon. If any. and what policy you In
tend to pursue. if you have settled
upon a policy"
Mr.. Lincoln looked at NE in so kind
~, so fatherly way that l believed
he would give me such information as
would enable me to astonisb the
world.
II shall be glad" he said. ito do
anything for you in my power"
"Have you settled on your cabinet,
Mr.. Lincoln?'
"Oh. yes. Every member has been
decided upon"
"And your policyT'
''That has been determined too"
There was something in his eye that
puzzled me.
would you have any objection to
giving them to mer
"N0ne whatever. You are welcome
to it all. Nothing would give me more
pleasure than to give"-
He was trying to put his hands in.
bis pocket-a somewhat difficult mat
ter with a boy on each shoulder maui
ing him-to draw forth something. but,
not finding what he wanted, he con
tinued:
1.-THE truth is that a list Of my cabi-
net and an outline of my policy are in.
that desk over there, and l have lost
the key"
cast quick glance at his eye and
saw merry spark in it, while the cor
ners of his mouth were quirked up.
took in the situation at once. Shut
ting my notebook, l arose and, abash-
ed, was about to withdraw when he
stopped me.
''Sit down. young man." be said.
perhaps l may give you some other
points that are not locked up and the
key lost. You have come all the way
from Chicago for facts. and if you
go back empty handed they won't like
it. There may be something can say
to help you out" III
He proceeded to tell me humorous
sro16on<u ~ thu olr,of4Ov, tho< ho.a ~-Svo,