A Man of the People Part 53

It's the blackest news yet, sir--and it's true.

STEVENS

You must realize that we cannot delay a moment in placing another man at the head of the ticket.

[_There is a moment of dead silence while all watch_ LINCOLN'S _face. Suddenly the sharp click of the telegraph instrument begins to spell the word A-T-lanta._ LINCOLN _starts--his face flas.h.i.+ng with excitement._]

LINCOLN

 

What's _that_?

[_He follows breathlessly the spelling of the full word--his face expressing his joy._]

OPERATOR

Mr. President--It's come! It's here!

[LINCOLN _rushes to the table, the crowd following._]

It's for you, sir!

LINCOLN

Out with it, boy, word for word as you get it!

OPERATOR

[_Click-click._]

Atlanta--

[_Click-click._]

Georgia--

[_Click-click-click._]

September 3, 1864.

LINCOLN

Glory to G.o.d!

OPERATOR

[_Click-click._]

--Atlanta

[_Click-click._]

--is ours--

[_Click--click--click._]

and fairly won--W. T. Sherman----

LINCOLN

O my soul, lift up thy head!

[_To_ BETTY.]

Go tell Mother, quick, tell her to come here!

[BETTY _exits running._]

NICOLAY

Three cheers for General William Tec.u.mseh Sherman!

ALL SHOUT

Sherman! Sherman! Sherman!

[_When the shout dies away_ LINCOLN _lifts his head solemnly and cries._]

LINCOLN

Unto thee, O G.o.d, we give all the praise now and forever more!

[MRS. LINCOLN _enters with_ BETTY _and rushes to meet the President. He takes her in his arms._]

Mother! It's all right!--Uncle Billy's there!

MRS. LINCOLN

You'll never doubt again?

LINCOLN

Never!----

[_Turning to the committee._]

My friends! A poem is singing in my heart!

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord!

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored: He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword-- His truth is marching on!