Anecdote Of Mr. Lincoln

Here is a story of Mr. Lincoln, which, we believe, has never been in print, and which illustrates his keen sympathy and attention to personal details, even when most oppressed by matters of national irnportance. It was about a year before the fall of Kichmond, when both North and South seemed tottering to min, that a young lady, who had known Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln for years, visited AVashington. She was an exceptionally sensible, warmhearted, refined woman, gifted with a marvelous voice and a graceful figure, but she was very homely. She called at the White House, and, when she had gone with his wife into a private room, Mr. Lincoln expressed his surprise to a friend that "some good man had not been lucky cnough to ry lier." Adding : "L herself would be much happier if she were a wife and mother." A few moments later Maj. C , a volunteer ofiicer, thoroughly respected by the President, and a bachelor, came nto the study. Mr. Lincoln looked at !iim tlioughtfully. "What are you going to do when the war is over, - - 1" he asked, suddenly. "Seek my fortune, I suppose," was the startled reply. "There it is, in that room." A frank, girlish laugh was heard at the moment. "No, you can't go to see it now ; business first. But there it is." That evening there was a reception at the White House. The President beckoned to Maj. C. . "Listen!" he said. A lady, whom they could not see because of the crowd, was singing, in a voice of great beauty and sweetness, some gay song. The Major would have moved forward, but Mr. Lincoln detained him, his eyes twinkling vith shrewd fun. "Wait a bit," he said. "Don't look at her face yet." Presently she sang a bailad with such pathos that the Major's eyes grew dim. "Now go. She's as good and true as her song." The good word of Mr. Lincoln probably influenced both parties. In a few months they were married, and the unión has proved a most happy one. "I did one wise thing in '64," Mr. Lincoln said, rubbing his chin, as was his wont when pleased; "I made that match." - Youth's Cnmpanion.