According to White House etiquette, as a congressman and a senator,
Wilson and Rice, called together on the President, they were admitted
in company. As they were readmitted from the anteroom a boy of about
twelve, on the lookout, slipped in with them. After the salutations the
host became absorbed in the intruder, as he was always interested in
the young.
But the two gentlemen were unable to answer the natural question:
"Who is this little boy?"
But the boy could speak for himself, and instantly said that he was "a
good boy," come to Washington in the hope of becoming a page in the
House of Representatives. The President began to say that Captain
Goodenow, head doorkeeper there, was the proper person to make that
application to, as he had nothing to do with such appointments. But the
good little boy pulled out his credentials, from his folks, the squire,
and the parson and schoolmaster, and they stated not only that he was
good, but good to his widow mother, and wanted to help the needy
family. The President called the boy up to him, studied him, and wrote
on his petition:
"If Captain Goodenow can give this good boy a place,
it will oblige A. LINCOLN."
(Vouched for by Alexander H. Rice, member of Congress, and ex-governor
of Massachusetts.)
* * * * *
HOW McCULLOCH WAS CONSTRAINED TO SERVE.
For two arduous years Hugh McCulloch, banker of Indianapolis, served in
organizing the Currency Control. He was looking forward to release and
repose at the second Administration, when the renewed incumbent begged
him to become secretary of the treasury. He remonstrated.
"But I could not help myself," he confessed to Janet Jennings. "Mr.
Lincoln looked at me with his sad, weary eyes, and throwing his arm
over my shoulder, said:
"'You must; the country needs you!'"
That was a gesture worth all the elegant tones in the elocution-books.
* * * * *