An Agreeable Disappointment

Mr. Lincoln, as the highest public officer of the nation is necessarily very much bored by all sorts of people calling upon him.

As an officer of the government called one day at the White House, and introduced a clerical friend.  “Mr. President,” said he, “allow me to present to you my friend, The Rev. F. of —— has expressed a desire to see you and have some conversation with you, and I am happy to be the means of introducing him.”  The President shook hands with Mr. F., and, desiring him to be seated, took a seat himself.  Then—his countenance having assumed an expression of patient waiting—he said “I am now ready to hear what you have to say.”  “O bless you, sir,” said Mr. F., “I have nothing especially to say.  I merely called to pay my respects to you, and, as one of the million, to assure you of my hearty sympathy and support.”  “My dear sir,” said the president, rising promptly—his face showing instant relief, and with both hands grasping that of is visitor—“I am very glad to see you; and am very glad to see you indeed.  I thought you had come to preach to me.”

SOURCE: New York Daily Herald, New York, New York, Friday, February 19, 1864, p. 5, and copied from the New York Evening Post, New York, New York, Wednesday, February 17, 1864.