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FINAL INTERVIEW WITH HERNDON

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in number the desired interview had not taken place. On this occasion we examined our books and arranged for the settlement of all pending and unfinished matters. Going over the record of our business he noted some cases in which he was especially interested and in others certain lines of procedure he thought I should follow. These things disposed of he crossed to the opposite side of the room and lay down on the old office sofa or lounge for a few minutes, his gaze fastened on a certain spot near the ceiling as if in a brown study. Presently he inquired: 'Billy' he always called me by that name- 'how long have we been. together?' 'Over sixteen years,' I answered. 'We've never had a cross word during all that time, have we?' to which I returned an emphatic 'No, indeed.' He began to hark back to the past, recalling the adventures of earlier days, and including the recital of more than one amusing incident. My memory was also stimulated, and although he did most of the talking he still afforded me ample opportunity to recall some of the things to which, otherwise, I would not have alluded. He was never more entertaining and cheerful. At the conclusion of our talk he arose, gathered a bundle of papers, and started to leave, meanwhile suggesting that our partnership should continue indefinitely. 'Give our clients to understand,' he said, 'that the election of a President makes no change in the firm of Lincoln & Herndon; for if I live I'm coming back in due time and then we'll resume practice as if nothing had ever happened.' He paused a moment as if to take a last look at the old quarters and then passed through the door into the narrow hallway. I accompanied him downstairs where we separated. He was never in the office again."

Herndon's account of this meeting with Lincoln is verified by H. B. Rankin, the law student mentioned above. He testifies as follows: "The evening I saw Messrs. Lincoln and Herndon come down the stairs from their office, Mr. Lincoln had just told Herndon that he expected to return to Springfield when his term of office had ended and resume with him their law practice the same as if nothing had happened. He further requested Herndon to let the office sign remain and conduct business in the firm's name until his return, all of which was complied with; for, until the day the bullet of the assassin Booth had done its gruesome and atrocious work, the little sign, 'Lincoln & Herndon, Attorneys at Law,' was still swinging on its rusty hinges at the foot of the stairway."

One incident attending this interview between Lincoln and Herndon, and which was communicated to me by the latter when I collaborated with him, has thus far not been told. Herndon, unfortunately, had a decided and welldeveloped weakness for liquor, a habit which not only militated against his success as a lawyer, but seriously impaired his usefulness in other respects. The appetite which manifested itself at an early day gradually increased, the so-called sprees occurring at more frequent intervals as the days rolled by. Herndon, in the account which he gave me of this period of his life, including the story of his deplorable and bibulous habits, seemed to be anxious to reveal all the facts. Apparently he withheld nothing. In some respects it was a painful recital, but, having told everything, he appeared to experience more or less relief, much after the manner of the man who, being closeted with one of his closest friends, makes a clean breast of his

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FINAL INTERVIEW WITH HERNDON 301 delinquency. He admitted that his conduct frequently was an embarrassment to Lincoln who was in every respect a total abstainer himself. "But although I have nothing to add in extenuation of my offense," he said, “I must insist that in his treatment of me Mr. Lincoln was the most generous, forbearing, and charitable man I ever knew. Often though I yielded to temptation he invariably refrained from joining in the popular denunciation which, though not unmerited, was so frequently heaped upon me. He never chided, never censured, never criticized my conduct more than that, never, save on one occasion, alluded to it. That was the evening we were together in our office for the last time. It was near sunset. We had finished the details of our business and for a while were engaged in the exchange of reminiscences when suddenly, without rising from his seat, he blurted out: 'Billy, there's one thing I have, for some time, wanted you to tell me, but I reckon I ought to apologize for my nerve and curiosity in asking it even now. 'What is it?' I inquired. 'I want you to tell me,' he said, 'how many times you have been drunk.' It was, of course, a rather blunt inquiry, but unexpected though it was I realized that it came from an honest inquirer, one who had a right to the information, and I therefore answered it as promptly and definitely as the limited sources of knowledge at my command would warrant. Meanwhile I felt sure a lecture or moral admonition would follow and prepared myself accordingly, but much to my surprise nothing more was said by him on that subject. Instead he relieved my tension by describing the various efforts that had been made to induce him to drop me from the partnership and substitute certain others, whom he

named, all of which was a surprise to me. He assured me that he invariably declined the intervention of others and admonished those who sought to displace me that, despite my shortcomings, he believed in me and therefore would not desert me."

CHAPTER XX

Last social function at Lincoln's home-He receives threatening letters Sends a friend to Washington to sound General Scott - General Thomas S. Mather returns with his report · Plans for Lincoln's journey to Washington as outlined in the local papers - Personnel of the party selected to accompany him- Leaving the Chenery House - His trunks - Departure from the railway station Lincoln's farewell speech - Story of the two versions - His emotion when the train moved off.

THE Social status of the Lincolns during their last days in Illinois is well indicated by the following letter of a correspondent of the "Missouri Democrat" written at Springfield February 7, 1861:

The first levee given by the President-elect took place last evening at his own residence in this city and it was a grand outpouring of citizens and strangers together with the members of the legislature. Your humble servant was invited to attend. Mr. Lincoln threw open his house for a general reception of all the people who felt disposed to give him and his lady a parting call. The levee lasted from seven to twelve o'clock in the evening and the house was thronged by thousands up to the latest hour. Mr. Lincoln received the guests as they entered and were made known. They then passed on and were introduced to Mrs. Lincoln, who stood near the center of the parlor, and who, I must say, acquitted herself most gracefully and admirably. She was dressed plainly but richly. She wore a beautiful full trail, white moire antique silk, with a small French lace collar. Her neck was ornamented with a string of pearls. Her head-dress was a simple and delicate vine arranged with much taste. She displayed but little jewelry and this was well and appropriately adjusted. She is a lady of fine figure and accomplished address and is well calculated to grace and to do honor at the White House.

She was on this occasion accompanied by four of her sisters - Mrs. W. S. Wallace, Mrs. C. M. Smith, of Springfield, Mrs. Charles Kellogg, of Cincinnati, and a Miss Todd, of Kentucky. They all appeared to be extremely happy and I hope there will be

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