and ears, and with brain and soul. When Lincoln
was elected, his wisdom was at once manifest in securing Seward as
Secretary of State. The record of those troublous times and the masterly
way in which Seward served his country are too vivid in the minds of men
to need reviewing here, but the regard of Lincoln for this man, who so
well complemented his own needs, is worthy of our remembrance. Seward was
the only member of Lincoln's first Cabinet who stood by him straight
through and entered the second.

Early in April, Eighteen Hundred Sixty-five, Seward met with a serious
accident by being thrown from his carriage and dashed against the
curbstone. One arm and both jaws were fractured, and besides he was badly
bruised in other parts of his body. On April Thirteenth, Lincoln returned
from his trip to Richmond, where he had had an interview with Grant. That
evening he walked over from the White House to Seward's residence. The
stricken man was totally unable to converse, but Lincoln, sitting on the
edge of the bed and holding the old man's thin hands, told in solemn,
serious monotone of the ending of the war; of what he had seen and heard;
of the plans he had made for sending soldiers home and providing for an
army whipped and vanquished, and of what was best to do to bind up a
nation's wounds.

Five years before, these men had stood before the world as rivals. Then
they joined hands as friends, and during the four years of strife and
blood had met each day and advised and counseled concerning every great
detail. Their opinions often differed widely, but there was always frank
expression and, in the main, their fears and doubts and hopes had all been
one.

But now at last the smoke had cleared away, and they had won. The victory
had been too dearly bought for proud boast or vain exultation, but victory
still it was.

And as the strong and homely Lincoln told the tale the stricken man could
answer back only by pressure of a hand.

At last the presence of the nurse told Lincoln it was time to go; in grave
jest he half-apologized for his long stay, and told of a man in Sangamon
County who used to say there is no medicine like good news. And rumor has
it that he then stooped and kissed the sick man's cheek. And then he went
his way.

The next night at the same hour a man entered the Seward home, saying that
he had been sent with messages by the doctor. Being refused admittance to
the sick-chamber, he drew a pistol and e