Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1912 — AROUND THE AMP FIR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AROUND THE AMP FIR

LINCOLN DURING CIVIL WAR Youngster Thought Martyr President the Most Ungainly Man He Had Ever Beheld. Thomas W. Lloyd of Pennsylvania tells the following stories about Lincoln and the children: At the beginning of the war I. WMfj i mere lad. Like all other boys at that time I was fired with patriotic spirit and went about the village streets making speeches and urging every man to enlist I did not then know what the war meant, but I knew our side. My enthusiasm was so great that any appearance on the street was a signal to get me up on a store goods box to make a speech. My father related this to Lincoln and; asked permission to bring me to th* White House. This was granted, and one morning we drove there and were received by the president alone. As he rose to greet us I thought he was the longest, ugliest and most ungainly man I had ever seen. When I was presented to him he leaned down, and taking me by the hand said: "So this is the little patriot? An, Mr. Lloyd, in these times the boy Is indeed father. to the man. I wish all the men In the north had his spirit" He took me on his knee and talked to me about the war, and the ugliness was forgotten. As I looked into his deep set, kindly eyes, the firm mouth, around which a smile hovered, and listened to his gentle voice I began to think be was positively handsome. Mr Lloyd also tells the following Incident, illustrating Lincoln’s kindness of heart: A young boy who had served with distinction in % naval engagement on board the gunboat Ottawa and In another as captain’s messenger was rec-

ommended to a cadetship at the academy at Annapolis. Lincoln was glad to make the appointment, and the lad was directed to report for examination in July. Just before starting from home it was discovered that-tM boy could not be admitted, being under fourteen, the required age—hla birthday not occurring until the September following. The boy was bitterly disappointed and feared he would not be able to go at aIL He was told he would be taken -to see the preeldent, who would make it all right. Some time afterward he was taken to the White House and presented the president, to whom he made » graceful bow. The difficulty was eosplained and the president said: ' "Why, bless me, is that the boy who. aided so gallantly in those two battles? Why, I feel as though I should take off my hat to him and not he to me.” The president took the papers and issued an order that the boy should report in September instead of in July. Then putting his hand on the lad’s shoulder, he said: “♦low. my boy, go home and have good fun during these two months, for they u» about the last holiday you will get” The little /fellow bowed himself out feeling that the president though great man, was at the same time a kindly one.

"I Thought He Was the Most Ungainly Man I Had Ever Seen.”