The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-01-21

ting for his picture and hnally heard
of the difficulty.
"Tad, go and unlock that door," he
commanded, mildly.
But mp young man refused, and
instead, nor could the me ncontinue
their work until his father went after
and brought back the desired article
Later, however, Mr.. Lincoln remarked:
"Tad was a peculiar child. He was
violently excittd when 1 went to him.
l said, Tad, do you know you are
making your father great deal of
trouble?' He burst into tears, instant
ly giving me the key"
The little lad was always Mr.. Lin
coins companion on his trips down
the Potomac, and was beside him,
clinging to his hand, when he made
his enthusiastic entry into Richmond.
He was very miserable urchin,
though, when the White House stables
were burned, and the precious ponies
given to him and Willie persisted in
the flames He threw himself, howl
ing upon the floor and refused to be
comforted
Meanwhile, Robert was pursuing
his studies at Cambridge, although he
made frequent visits home, and was
most anxious to leave college and join
the army.
This he evidently did and was given
the rank of captain, and served until
the close of the conflict. He was a
brave youth, of lofty soul, who rather
scorned the follies of fashionable So
ciety and after his fathers tragic
edath. proved his mothers main stay
and comfort.
When Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated
the second time, in 1865, it is said that
a brilliant star was seen at MONDAY,
which appeared bright augurp OF
the peace that RE long descended
upon the land and it was a joyful
moment for the President when the
war was finally pronounced at an end.
On Good Friday morning the Presi-
dent said to Captain Robert:
"Well, my son, you have returned
safely from the front, and now you
must lay aside your uniform and re-
turn to college. l wish you to read
law for three years, and at the end OF
that time l hope you will be able to
tell whether you will make lawyer
or not"
That night the great heart of the
loving considerable patriot was stilled
forever by the assassin's bullet, and
the whole nation stood aghast.
Robert rose manufully to the oc-
casion. but poor little 12-year-old Tad
was almost frantic. For twenty-four
hours he crouched at the foot Of his
mothers bed, world of agony in his
young face, and sobbed inconsolably
But when the Easter sun burst forth
in glorious splendor on Sunday morn
ing, it seemed to bring him ray OF
fort. Of caller, he asked;
do you think my father has gone
to heaven?"
81 have no doubt of it," was the
gentleman's prompt reply.
Then he stammered, in his broken
way:
81 am glad he has gon there, for
he never was happy after mt came
here. This was not a good place for
| him.
From that moment he was calmer,
and was the only one who could quiet
Mrs. Lincoln's wild grief, often pat
tering into her room at night to beg:
Don't cry. mamma! I canont sleep
if you cry. Papa was good, and he
has gone to heaven. He is happy
there"
Five weeks after the assassination
the Lincoln's left the White House
and settled down in a hotel at Hyde
Park, one of the suburbs of Chicago.
1t was great cahnge, hut necessity
knows no law" and the late Presi-
dents family was far from rich. A
pension was later granted Mrs. Lin
coin. but with all her troubles what
wonder that the poor woman's mind
gave way, especially when little Tad,
at IS, also went to be as he once said,
with father and brother Willie in
heaven"