natural dignity which had been assumed laid aside, conversa tion became general. "Mrs. Lin coln will be pleased to see you in the oth er room, gentlemen. You will be thirsty after your long journey. You will find something refreshing in the library." In the library were several hundred volumes ranged upon shelves, two globes (one terrestrial, the MRS. LINCOLN, 1861. [From a photograph in possession of the author.] other celestial), a plain table, a pitcher of cold water and glasses, but no wines nor liquors. "You did not find any great spread of liquors, I take it," the remark of a citizen of Springfield the next morning. "No," my reply. "Thereby hangs a little story: When we knew you were on your way, a number of us called on Mr. Lincoln and said that in all probability some of the members of the committee would need some refreshment, wines or liquors. I haven't any in the house,' he said. 'We will furnish them.' 'Gentlemen, I cannot allow you to do what I will not do myself,' the reply. But that was not the end of it. Some of our good Democratic citizens, feeling that Springfield had been highly honored by the nomination, sent over some baskets of champagne, but Mr. Lincoln sent them back, thanking them for their intended kindness." The birds were singing and building their nests in the trees two mornings later as I crossed the public square and entered the office of Mr. Lincoln. A pine table occupied the centre of the room, a desk one corner. The May sun shone through uncurtained windows upon ranges of shelves filled with law-books, pamphlets, and documents-a helterskelter arrangement. Newspapers littered the floor. Mr. Lincoln was seated at the desk, clad in a linen duster, with a pile of letters and a wooden inkstand before him. He had a hearty welcome for all who came. There was no sign of elation. To friends, neighbors, old acquaintances, and strangers alike he was simply Abraham Lincoln. He saw two tall young men-farmers, he judged by their appearance-bashfully looking into his office. "How do you do, gentlemen? What can I do for you? Won't you come in and take a seat?" "We are much obliged to you, Mr. Lincoln," said one. "You see, we are a little curious to know which is the tallest, you or Jim here. I told him he was as tall as you." DESK UPON WHICH PRESIDENT LINCOLN WROTE HIS FIRST INAUGURAL. Jim stood against the wall of the room, and Mr. Lincoln placed a cane on the top of his head-the end against the plastering. "That is your height. Now, you hold the cane, and let me see what I can do." He steps under the cane, wags his hair against it. "Well, young man, you are good at guessing. We are exactly the same height."() The act was in keeping with his good-nature. Did he lose anything by gratifying their curiosity? Did he not rather gain their friendship? A farmer's wife drove into Springfield, bringing butter and eggs to sell, and called to see the man who had been selected as candidate for the Presidency. "I thought I'd call and shake hands with you once more," she said. Mr. Lincoln tried to remember when and where she had shaken hands with him. "Oh, don't you remember? Why, you've stopped at our house to get something to eat when you've been riding the circuit." "Oh yes. Now I know. Well, I'm right glad to see you once more." "Don't you remember, Mr. Lincoln, that day when you called and I hadn't anything to eat?" "No, I don't remember the time, for you always had a good dinner." "But you called one day when we had finished dinner and eat up every scrap, and I hadn't nothing but some bread-and-milk for you, and you smacked your lips and said it was good enough for the President of the United States, and now you are going to be President. I'm right glad to see you so pert." (') They were not flattering words, but a sincere and honest expression of her regard for him. While the Republican Convention was in session in Chicago, the two Democratic Conventions were reassembling in Baltimore. Mr. LINCOLN & HERNDON'S OFFICE IN THE THIRD BUILDING FROM THE CORNER. [From a photograph taken by the auther in October, 1890.] Douglas's friends nominated him for the Presidency, with Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, for Vice-president. The delegates from the cot ton-producing States nominated John C. Breckinridge, of I remained in the vicinity of Springfield several weeks. Every train brought people to that city to see Mr. Lincoln. Politicians who wanted to be Secretary of War, or of the Navy; who wanted to be made Minister Plenipotentiary or Consul in some foreign country, position in a custom-house, surveyor of lands, Governor or Secretary of a Territory, postmaster somewhere-all thinking to take time by the forelock by making the acquaintance of Mr. Lincoln in advance of his election. So many came that the Governor of the State kindly allowed him the use of the executive chamber in the State-house, where he courteously welcomed all those who wanted office, as well as those who only wished to shake hands with him. THE STATE-HOUSE, SPRINGFIELD, ILL., 1860. [The executive chamber was the corner room of the upper story in line with the cupola.] NOTES TO CHAPTER XI. (1) "Century Magazine," September, 1887. (2) Letter to N. B. Judd, December 9, 1859, quoted in "Century Magazine," September, 1887. (3) I. N. Arnold, "Life of Abraham Lincoln," p. 163. |