[152]
House early one morning, just after news of a disaster.
Mr. Lincoln commenced some trifling narration, to which the impulsive congressman was in no mood to listen.
He rose to his feet and said: “Mr. President, I did not come here this morning to hear stories; it is too serious a time.”
Instantly the smile faded from Mr. Lincoln's face.
“Ashley,” said he, “sit down!
I respect you as an earnest, sincere man. You cannot be more anxious than I have been constantly since the beginning of the war; and I say to you now, that were it not for this occasional vent, I should die.”
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