"'John,' said he, 'didn't you promise to let me do all the swearing of the regiment?'
"'Yes I did, Colonel,' he replied, 'but the fact was the swearing had to be done then or not at all, and you were not there to do it.'
"As he told the story, the old man forgot his boy, and both the President and his listener had a hearty laugh together at its conclusion. Then he wrote a few words which the old man read, and in which he found new occasion for tears; but these tears were tears of joy, for the words saved the life of his son."
GETTING RID OF A BORE.
President Lincoln was quite ill one winter at Washington, and was not inclined to listen to all the bores who called at the White House. One day just as one of these pests had seated himself for a long interview, the President's physician happened to enter the room, and Mr. Lincoln said, holding out his hands: "Doctor, what are those blotches?" "That's variloid, or mild small-pox," said the doctor. "They're all over me. It is contagious, I believe?" said Mr. Lincoln. "I just called to see how you were," said the visitor. "Oh, don't be in a hurry sir," placidly remarked the executive. "Thank you sir; I'll call again," replied the visitor, making towards the door. "Do sir," said the President. "Some people said they could not take very well to my proclamation, but now I have something everybody can take." By this time the visitor was quite out of sight.
LITTLE INFLUENCE WITH ADMINISTRATION.
"Judge Baldwin, of California, being in Washington, called one day on General Halleck, and, presuming upon a familiar acquaintance in California a few years before, solicited a pass outside of our lines to see a brother in Virginia, not thinking that he would meet with a refusal, as both his brother and himself were good Union men.
"'We have been deceived too often,' said General Halleck, 'and I regret I can't grant it.'