“Well, that’s a good enough country without stories,” replied the President, and off he rode.
LINCOLN A MAN OF SIMPLE HABITS.
Lincoln’s habits at the White House were as simple as they were at his old home in Illinois.
He never alluded to himself as “President,” or as occupying “the Presidency.”
His office he always designated as “the place.”
“Call me Lincoln,” said he to a friend; “Mr. President” had become so very tiresome to him.
“If you see a newsboy down the street, send him up this way,” said he to a passenger, as he stood waiting for the morning news at his gate.
Friends cautioned him about exposing himself so openly in the midst of enemies; but he never heeded them.
He frequently walked the streets at night, entirely unprotected; and felt any check upon his movements a great annoyance.