of the gaunt figure of Mr. Lincoln in the distance, haggardlooking, dressed in black, relieved only by the prescribed white gloves; standing, it seemed to me, solitary and alone, though surrounded by the crowd, bending low now and then in the process of hand shaking, and responding half abstractedly to the well-meant greetings of the miscel laneous assemblage.

"Never shall I forget the electric thrill which went through my whole being at this instant. I seemed to see lines radiating from every part of the globe, converging to a focus at the point where that plain, awkward-looking man stood, and to hear in spirit a million prayers, as the sound of many waters,' ascending in his behalf. Mingled with supplication I could discern a clear symphony of triumph and blessing, swelling with an ever-increasing volume. It was the voice of those who had been bondmen and bondwomen, and the grand diapason swept up from the coming ages.

"It was soon my privilege, in the regular succession, to take that honored hand. Accompanying the act, my name and profession were announced to him in a low tone by one of the assistant private secretaries, who stood by his side. Retaining my hand, he looked at me inquiringly for an instant, and said, 'Oh, yes; I know; this is the painter.' Then straightening himself to his full height, with a twinkle of the eye, he added, playfully, "Do you think, Mr. C– that you can make a handsome picture of me.?' emphasizing strongly the last word. Somewhat confused at this pointblank shot, uttered in a tone so loud as to attract the attention of those in immediate proximity, I made a random reply, and took the occasion to ask if I could see him in his study at the close of the reception. To this he responded in the peculiar vernacular of the West, 'I reckon,' resuming meanwhile the mechanical and traditional exer

cise of the hand which no President has ever yet been able to avoid, and which, severe as is the ordeal, is likely to attach to the position so long as the Republic endures."

An Apt Illustration.

At the White House one day some gentlemen were present from the West, excited and troubled about the commissions or omissions of the Administration. The President heard them patient, and then replied: "Gentlemen, suppose all the property you were worth was in gold, and you had put it in the hands of Blondin to carry across the Niagara River on a rope, would you shake the cable, or keep shouting out to him, Blondin, stand up a little straighter--Blondin, stoop a little more-go a little faster -lean a little more to the north-lean a little more to the south? No! you would hold your breath as well as your tongue, and keep your hands off until he was safe over. The Government is carrying an immense weight. Untold treasures are in their hands. They are doing the very best they can. Don't badger them. Keep silence, and we'll get you safe across."

More Light and Less Noise.

An editorial, in a New York journal, opposing Lincoln's re-nomination, is said to have called out from him the following story: A traveler on the frontier found himself out of his reckoning one night in a most inhospitable region. A terrific thunder-storm came up, to add to his trouble. He floundered along until his horse at length gave out. The lightning afforded him the only clew to his way, but the peals of thunder were frightful. One bolt, which seemed to crash the earth beneath him, brought him to his knees.

By no means a praying man, his petition was short and to the point-" O Lord, if it is all the same to you, give us a little more light and a little less noise!"

How Lincoln Browsed" Around.

A party of gentlemen, among whom was a doctor of divinity of much dignity of manner, calling at the White House one day, was informed by the porter that the President was at dinner, but that he would present their cards. The doctor demurred at this, saying that he would call again. "Edward" assured them that he thought it would make no difference, and went in with the cards. In a few minutes the President walked into the room, with a kindly salutation, and a request that the friends would take seats. The doctor expressed his regret that their visit was so illtimed, and that his Excellency was disturbed while at dinner. "Oh! no consequence at all," said Mr. Lincoln, good-naturedly. "Mrs. Lincoln is absent at present, and when she is away, I generally browse' around."

Lincoln Cutting Red Tape.

"Upon entering the President's office one afternoon,” says a Washington correspondent, "I found Mr. Lincoln' busily counting greenbacks.

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This, sir,' said he, is something out of my usual line; but a President of the United States has a multiplicity of duties not specified in the Constitution or acts of Congress. This is one of them. This money belongs to a poor negro who is a porter in the Treasury Department, at present very bad with the small-pox. He is now in hospital, and could not draw his pay because he could not sign his name. I have been at considerable trouble to overcome the diffi

culty and get it for him, and have at length succeeded in cutting red tape, as you newspaper men say. I am now dividing the money and putting by a portion labelled, in an envelope, with my own hands, according to his wish ;' and he proceeded to indorse the package very carefully."

No one witnessing the transaction could fail to appreciate the goodness of heart which prompted the President of the United States to turn aside for a time from his weighty cares to succor one of the humblest of his fellow-creatures in sickness and sorrow.

One of Lincoln's Drolleries.

Concerning a drollery of President Lincoln, this story is told :

During the Rebellion an Austrian Count applied to President Lincoln for a position in the army. Being introduced by the Austrian Minister, he needed, of course, no further recommendation; but, as if fearing that his importance might not be duly appreciated, he proceeded to explain that he was a Count; that his family were ancient and highly respectable; when Lincoln, with a merry twinkle in his eye, tapping the aristocratic lover of titles on the shoulder, in a fatherly way, as if the man had confessed to some wrong, interrupted in a soothing tone, 'Never mind; you shall be treated with just as much consideration for all that?""

Anecdote Showing the Methods by which Lincoln and Stanton Dismissed Applicants for Office.

A gentleman states in a Chicago journal: In the Winter of 1864, after serving three years in the Union army, and being honorably discharged, I made application for the post

sutlership at Point Lookout. My father being interested, we made application to Mr. Stanton, then Secretary of War. We obtained an audience, and was ushered into the presence of the most pompous man I ever met. As I entered he waved his hand for me to stop at a given distance from him, and then put these questions, viz.:

"Did you serve three years in the army?"

"I did, sir."

"Were you honorably discharged?"

"I was, sir?"

"Let me see your discharge?"

I gave it to him.

He looked it over, and then said: "Were you ever wounded?"

I told him yes, at the battle of Williamsburg, May 5, 1861. He then said: "I think we can give this position to a soldier who has lost an arm or leg, he being more deserving," and he then said that I looked hearty and healthy enough to serve three years more. He would not give me a chance to argue my case. The audience was at an end. He waved his hand to me. I was then dismissed from the august presence of the Honorable Secretary of War.

My father was waiting for me in the hallway, who saw by my countenance that I was not successful. I said to my father, "Let us go over to Mr. Lincoln; he may give us more satisfaction." He said it would do no good, but we went over. Mr. Lincoln's reception room was full of ladies and gentlemen when we entered, and the scene was one I shall never forget. On her knees was a woman in the agonies. of despair, with tears rolling down her cheeks, imploring for the life of her son, who had deserted and had been condemned to be shot. I heard Mr. Lincoln say: "Madam, do not act this way, it is agony to me; I would pardon your son if it was in my power, but there must be an example made, or I will have no army."