Francis B. Carpenter, Six Months at the White House

Among the applicants received on another occasion by the President, was a woman who had also met with considerable difficulty and delay in getting admission to him. She said that her husband had been arrested some months before and sent to the “Old Capitol” prison; that he had not been “tried,” and could not learn as he was likely to be; and she appealed to the President as a husband and father to interfere and order an immediate trial. Mr. Lincoln said he was sorry this could not be done,--adding that such cases were much like the different sacks of grain at a country grist-mill, all “waiting their turn to be ground,” and that it would be unfair for the “miller” to show any “partiality.” The woman left, but the next day appeared again before him. Recognizing her, Mr. Lincoln asked if anything “new” had happened. “No,” replied the woman; “but I have been thinking, sir, about what you said concerning the ‘grists,’ and I am afraid mine will get ‘mouldy’ and ‘spoil’ before its turn comes around, so I have come to ask, Mr. President, that it may be taken to some other ‘mill’ to be ground.”

Mr. Lincoln was so much amused at the wit and shrewdness of the request, that he instantly gave the woman an unconditional discharge for her husband.