Just after the call for seventy-five thousand ninety-day men to subdue
the outbreak after Sumter was cannonaded, a deputation of loyal
Virginians waited upon the President. They expounded on this levy that
the fair fields of the South would be overrun by the ragamuffins of the
Northern cities, and the hen-roosts and pig-houses ravished, etc.
"But what would you have me do?" asked Lincoln, who did not then
foresee his having to conduct the military movements.
"Mr. President, if you would only lend us your pen a moment--" meaning,
of course, that he should write a line to calm the rising storm.
But the other pretended to misunderstand him, saying: "Lend my pen! my
_pen_? What would you do with that?--keep your hogs safe with that?"
* * * * *
"HURRAH FOR YOU!"
At the Chicago reception, a little boy came into the room, with his
father. No doubt he had been instructed to behave with decorum in the
august presence; but he no sooner saw the tall, prominent figure than
he shouted: "Hurrah for Mist' Lincoln!"
The crowd laughed, and still the more as the object of the ovation
caught up the little fellow, gave him a toss to the ceiling, and, while
he was in the air, shouted out lustily:
"Hurrah for Mister You!" and, catching him, lowered him, red and
panting, to the floor.
* * * * *
"PUT YOUR FEET RIGHT AND STAND FIRM!"
Giving a lift in his carriage to two ladies, to the Soldiers' Home, the
horses were splashing and sliding after a shower in the mire, when Mr.
Lincoln assisted the frightened women to alight. He set three stones
for stepping-stones in the mud, and assisted them to firm ground. He
had cautioned them in making the passage:
"All through life be sure you put your feet in the right place, and
then stand firm!"
Looking down on his muddy boots (Lincoln as a Westerner always stuck to
leg-boots, and was never seen in the effeminate "Congress gaiters," by
the bye), he added: "I have always heard of 'Washington mud,' and now I
shall take home some as a sample!"
* * * * *