h day on passes,
and in the evening we sang songs and "acted" on the stage. Each one who
could recite or do anything did it, and it was appreciated by a deadhead
audience, something unusual nowadays. It was here in this old Beach Street
Theater that my future life was undoubtedly mapped out; from that time I
was impressed with a desire to become an actor, and there is no doubt that
the seed was planted then and grew and increased in after years.

On the 11th of November, we were ordered to Washington, and embarked on
the steamboat train via Fall River, and I shall never forget when we
arrived in New York, the demonstration, the greeting, the cheers, the
God-speeds that we received as we marched through the city to the ferry,
and it seemed to me that I was the one all this was meant for; I thought I
was a hero. It seemed that all eyes were on me, and perhaps they were, for
among all those Maine giants I belied my state, for I was a dot only, a
pigmy beside those mighty woodsmen.

We arrived in Washington without mishap. I was granted permission to go
over the city, and then to report to the commanding officer of the camp at
Alexandria. My first desire when I found myself with a privilege in the
great capital was to visit President Lincoln, have a talk with him and
also with Secretary Stanton. My admiration for those two men was almost
love, and I fancied, now that I was a soldier, that I could easily meet
them; that they would grasp me by the hand, compliment and shower me
with congratulations and advice. It is needless to say that I found out
that I had overestimated my importance; I did not discuss the war
situation with either of those gentlemen. I was a little crestfallen at
not meeting them, but contented myself by looking over the city; and
wherever I went I noticed I was scrutinized by everybody; soldiers on
guard would come to a halt, hesitate and then present arms; some officers
would pass me by, then turn and look me over from head to foot; others
would touch their caps and then turn and watch me with a kind of wondering
gaze, as much as to say, "What is it?"

[Illustration: _Our Troops Passing Through Washington to the Front._]

I forgot to mention that while in Portland I had a tailor make me a very
handsome suit of military clothes. He was as ignorant of the regulation
style as I was. He only knew the colors and knew that I wanted it nice and
handsome. He made it and so covered it over with gold braid