Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1878 — Glimpses of Lincoln. [ARTICLE]

Glimpses of Lincoln.

So much has been written about Lincoln’s private life and personal habits, that it seems unnecessary now to add more than a word. He was simple in all his tastes; liked old songs and old poetry. He was always rieatly, but not finically dressed. He disliked gloves, and once I saw him extract seven or eight pairs of gloves from an overcoat pocket, where they had accumulated after having been furnished him by Mrs. Lincoln. Usually he drank tea and coffee at the table, but he preferred nfilk, or cold water. Wine was never on the table at the White House, except when visitors, other than familiar friends, were present. The President’s glass was always filled, and he usually touched it to his lips. Sometimes he drank a few swallows, but never a whole glass, probably. He was cordial and affable, and his simple-hearted manners made a strong impression upon those who met him for the first time. I have known impressionable women, touched by his sad face and his gentle bearing, to go away in tears. Once I found him sitting in his chair so collapsed and weary that he did not look up or speak when I addressed him. He put out his hand, mechanically, as if to shake hands, when I told him I had come at his bidding. It was several minutes before he was roused enough to say that he “ had had a mighty hard day. ” Once, too, at a reception in the White House, ’I joined the long “queue” of people, shook hands with him, received the usual “ Glad to see you sir,” and passed on. Later in the evening, meeting me, he declared that he had not seen me before, and explained his preoccupation of manner while the people! were shaking hands with him by saying that he was “ thinking of a man down South.” It afterward came out that “ the matt down South” was Sherman. Once, when a visitor used profane language in his presence, he rose and said, “I thought Senator G. had sent me a gentleman. I was mistaken. There is the door, and I wish you goodnight.” At another time a delegation from a distant State waited on him with a written protest against certain appointments. The paper contained some reflections upon the character of Senator Baker, Lincoln’s old and beloved friend. With great dignity, the President said : “This is my paper which you have given me ?” Assured that it was, he added, “To do with as I please ?” “ Certainly, Mr. President.” Lincoln stooped to the fire place behind him, laid it on the burning coals, turned and said, ‘ ‘ Good day, gentlemen. Nbah Brooks, in Scribner jor March.