udience, and had at length been ordered away.

The gentleman's feelings were touched. He said to her that he had come
to see the President, but did not know as he should succeed. He told
her, however, to follow him upstairs, and he would see what could be
done for her.

Just before reaching the door, Mr. Lincoln came out, and, meeting his
friend, said good-humoredly, "Are you not ahead of time?" The gentleman
showed him his watch, with the hand upon the hour of six.

"Well," returned Mr. Lincoln, "I have been so busy to-day that I
have not had time to get a lunch. Go in and sit down; I will be back
directly."

The gentleman made the young woman accompany him into the office, and
when they were seated, said to her: "Now, my good girl, I want you to
muster all the courage you have in the world. When the President comes
back, he will sit down in that armchair. I shall get up to speak to him,
and as I do so you must force yourself between us, and insist upon his
examination of your papers, telling him it is a case of life and death,
and admits of no delay." These instructions were carried out to the
letter. Mr. Lincoln was at first somewhat surprised at the apparent
forwardness of the young woman, but observing her distressed appearance,
he ceased conversation with his friend, and commenced an examination of
the document she had placed in his hands.

Glancing from it to the face of the petitioner, whose tears had broken
forth afresh, he studied its expression for a moment, and then his eye
fell upon her scanty but neat dress. Instantly his face lighted up.

"My poor girl," said he, "you have come here with no Governor, or
Senator, or member of Congress to plead your cause. You seem honest and
truthful; and you don't wear hoopskirts--and I will be whipped but I
will pardon your brother." And he did.

LIEUTENANT TAD LINCOLN'S SENTINELS.

President Lincoln's favorite son, Tad, having been sportively
commissioned a lieutenant in the United States Army by Secretary
Stanton, procured several muskets and drilled the men-servants of the
house in the manual of arms without attracting the attention of his
father. And one night, to his consternation, he put them all on duty,
and relieved the regular sentries, who, seeing the lad in full uniform,
or perhaps appreciating the joke, gladly went to their quarters. His
brother objected; but Tad insisted upon his rights as an officer. The
President laughed but declined to inte