.' We notified him that he must be prepared for a still greater
crowd in Chicago, as the whole Northwest would come out to shake hands
with him, and told him that a petition for his attendance at the fair,
was in circulation, that would be signed by ten thousand women of
Chicago. 'But,' said he, 'what do you suppose my wife will say, at ten
thousand ladies coming after me in that style?' We assured him that the
invitation included Mrs. Lincoln also, when he laughed heartily, and
promised attendance, if State duties did not absolutely forbid. 'It
would be wearisome,' he said, 'but it would gratify the people of the
Northwest, and so he would try to come--and he thought by that time,
circumstances would permit his undertaking a short tour West.' This was
all that we could ask, or expect.

"We remained for some time, watching the crowds that surged through the
spacious apartments, and the President's reception of them. Where they
entered the room indifferently, and gazed at him as if he were a part of
the furniture, or gave him simply a mechanical nod of the head, he
allowed them to pass on, as they elected. But where he was met by a warm
grasp of the hand, a look of genuine friendliness, of grateful
recognition or of tearful tenderness, the President's look and manner
answered the expression entirely. To the lowly and the humble he was
especially kind; his worn face took on a look of exquisite tenderness,
as he shook hands with soldiers who carried an empty coat sleeve, or
swung themselves on crutches; and not a child was allowed to pass him by
without a kind word from him. A bright boy, about the size and age of
the son he had buried, was going directly by, without appearing even to
see the President. 'Stop, my little man,' said Mr. Lincoln, laying his
hand on his shoulder, 'aren't you going to speak to me?' And stooping
down, he took the child's hands in his own, and looked lovingly in his
face, chatting with him for some moments."

The plans of Mrs. Livermore in regard to the fair were carried out--with
one sad exception. It was a much greater success pecuniarily than the
first. And the war was over, and it was the last time that wounded
soldiers would call for aid. But alas! the great and good man whose
presence she had coveted lay cold in death! She had promised him "days
of rest" when he should come, and long ere then, he had entered his
eternal rest, and all that remained of him had been carried through
those stre