Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House

Upon another occasion, as I was going through the passage, the door of the President's office suddenly opened, and two ladies, one of whom seemed in a towering passion, were unceremoniously ushered out by one of the attendants. As they passed me on their way down the stairs, I overheard the elder remonstrating with her companion upon the violence of her expressions. I afterward asked old Daniel what had happened? “Oh,” he replied, “the younger woman was very saucy to the President. She went one step too far; and he told me to show them out of the house?”

Of a similar character is an incident given by “N. C. J.,” in a letter to the New York Times :--

Among the various applicants, a well-dressed lady came forward, without apparent embarrassment in her air or manner, and addressed the President. Giving her a very close and scrutinizing look, he said, “Well, madam, what can I do for you?” She proceeded to tell him that she lived in Alexandria; that the church where she worshipped had been taken for a hospital. “What church, madam?” Mr. Lincoln asked, in a quick, nervous manner. “The — church,” she replied; “and as there are only two or three wounded soldiers in it, I came to see if you would not let us have it, as we want it very much to worship God in.” “Madam, have you been to see the Post Surgeon at Alexandria about this matter?” “Yes, sir; but we ”