One day when President Lincoln was receiving callers a buxom Irish woman
came into the office, and, standing before the President, with her hands
on her hips, said:
“Mr. Lincoln, can’t I sell apples on the railroad?”
President Lincoln replied: “Certainly, madam, you can sell all you
wish.”
“But,” she said, “you must give me a pass, or the soldiers will not let
me.”
President Lincoln then wrote a few lines and gave them to her.
“Thank you, sir; God bless you!” she exclaimed as she departed joyfully.