incoln in the
distance, haggard-looking, 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 miscellaneous 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 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, swelled 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 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 could make a handsome picture of
_me?_' emphasizing strongly the last word.

"Somewhat confused at this point-blank shot, uttered in a voice 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 replied in the peculiar vernacular of the West, 'I
reckon,' resuming meanwhile the mechanical and traditional exercise 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."

The American Boy's Sports Series

BY MARK OVERTON

12mo Cloth. Illustrated. Price 60c Each.

These stories touch upon nearly every sport in which the active boy is
interested. Baseball, rowing, football, hockey, skating, ice-boating,
sailing, camping and fishing all serve to lend interest to an unusual
series of books. There are the following four titles:

1. Jack Winters' Baseball Team; or, The Mystery of the Diamond.

2. Jack Winters' Campmates; o