A Man of the People Part 17

I'll bet old Mars wouldn't--Phew!

[_Pauses and turns to_ NICOLAY.]

What do you say. John--let's send her down?

NICOLAY

The strictest orders have been issued to allow no more women to go to the front----

 

LINCOLN

Humph----! Well, I'll tell you what we _can_ do--give her husband a leave of absence, and let _him_ come up here to see _them_!

THE MOTHER

[_Laughing and crying._]

You don't mind my laughing, do you? I just can't help it--I can't stop!

I can't stop laughing!

LINCOLN

Laugh and cry as much as you please--but tell me where are you stopping?

THE MOTHER

Nowhere yet, sir----

LINCOLN

How's that?

THE MOTHER

I went straight from the depot to the War Office and then I just walked the street blind with crying till I made up my mind to come here.

LINCOLN

We'll fix that then! Nicolay will write you an order that will take you and your baby to a good hospital and care for you till your husband comes--and fix it so _he_ can stay here a week with you----

THE MOTHER

[_Laughs._]

I just can't thank you! I'm so happy, all I can do is to laugh!

LINCOLN

Laugh on, little mother--and off with you now--clear out!

[_The mother goes out laughing._]

[NICOLAY _shows the little mother out and returns to_ LINCOLN.]

NICOLAY

The deputation of colored men whom you asked to come this morning are waiting, sir--will you see them now?

LINCOLN

At once----

[LINCOLN _turns to his desk and takes up a doc.u.ment containing his plan of Colonization and examines it as_ NICOLAY _and three well-dressed colored men enter. They are typical Africans._]

FIRST NEGRO

[_Bowing deferentially._]

Mr. President----!

SECOND NEGRO

[_Tenderly._]

_Our_ Father Abraham----

THIRD NEGRO

[_With religious feeling._]

We salute our Savior!

LINCOLN

Welcome, my friends. I have sent for you this morning to place in your hands a copy of my plan for colonization and to ask your help----

FIRST NEGRO

Yes, sir----

[_The ebony faces with their cream white teeth showing in smiles and their wide rolling eyes make a striking contrast to the rugged face and poise of the President._]

LINCOLN

Your race is suffering, in my judgment, the greatest wrong inflicted on any people. But even when you cease to be slaves, you are yet far removed from being placed on an equality with the white race. On this broad continent, not a single man of your race is made the equal of a single man of ours----

FIRST NEGRO

It's so--yes, it's so----!