The Lowell _Citizen_ editor participated in a presidential reception in
1864, just before the fall of Richmond. The usher giving intimation
that the President would see his audience at once, all were ushered
into the inner room. "Abraham Lincoln's countenance bore that open,
benignant outline expected; but what struck us especially was its
cheerful, wide-awake expressiveness, never met with in the pictures of
our beloved chief. The secret may have been that Secretary
Stanton--middle-aged, well-built, stern-visaged man--had brought in his
budget good news from Grant." After saluting his little circle of
callers, they were seated and attended to in turn.
First in order was a citizen of Washington, praying for pardon in the
case of a deserter.
"Well," said the President, after carefully reading the petition, "it
is only natural for one to want pardon; but I must in that case have a
responsible name that I _know_. I don't know you. Do you live in the
city?"
"Yes."
"Do you know--h'm! the mayor?"
"Yes."
"Well, the _mayor_ is the better horse. Bring me his name and I will
let the boy off."
The soldier was pardoned.
* * * * *