" No matter," I replied, " Mr. Lincoln will
be re-elected. I am so confident of it, that I am
tempted to ask a favor of you."
" A favor ! Well, if we remain in the White
House I shall be able to do you many favors.
What is the special favor ? "
" Simply this, Mrs. Lincoln I should like for
you to make me a present of the right-hand glove
that the President wears at the first public recep
tion after his second inaugural ."
" You shall have it in welcome. It will be so
filthy when he pulls it off, I shall be tempted to
take the tongs and put it in the fire. I cannot
imagine, Lizabeth, what you want with such a
glove."
"I shall cherish it as a precious memento of
the second inauguration of the man who has done
so much for my race. He has been a Jehovah to
my people has lifted them out of bondage, and
directed their footsteps from darkness into light.
I shall keep the glove, and hand it down to posterity."
" You have some strange ideas, Lizabeth.
Never mind, you shall have the glove ; that is, if
Mr. Lincoln continues President after the 4th of
March next."
I held Mrs. Lincoln to her promise. That
glove is now in my possession, bearing the marks
of the thousands of hands that grasped the honest
hand of Mr. Lincoln on that eventful night.
Alas ! it has become a prouder, sadder memento
than I ever dreamed prior to making the request it
would be.