At that point, according to Anna many years later, “occurred what I shall never forget, for Mr. Lincoln, “What does this mean?” After she gave her interpretation of events, he asked “are you sure?” He ordered Tad to turn out his pockets - from which a dime dropped. Lincoln came in the kitchen and asked Mrs. His mother accused him of being a “bad boy” and a “thief” and got a switch which she turned on Tad’s legs. Tad denied that he had used the money on himself and claimed that he had lost it. Lincoln was berating her son Tad for not giving her back a dime in change after going to the store. A Springfield neighbor, Anna Eastman, recalled looking out her kitchen window one summer day when she witnessed a scene in the Lincoln’s kitchen. Lincoln was the more patient parent with the children. As they sat in the parlor, “… all the while, two little boys, his sons, clambered over those legs, patted his cheeks, pulled his nose, and poked their fingers in his eyes, without causing reprimand or even notice.” 5 Without a doubt, Mr. Ohio journalist Don Piatt recalled having dinner at the Lincoln house in the fall of 1860. Lincoln’s toleration of the boys’ antics was not always greeted with approbation by friends and guests. Lincoln followed in, in a beautiful canary-colored satin dress, low neck and short sleeves, and large hoop-skirts, after the manner of the time.” 4 At this he set up another storm, because he ‘couldn’t walk good,’ which his father quieted by a wave of his hand and saying, ‘Remember, now, remember.’ When the little boys were ready, they went ahead with their father, not to the kitchen but to the full reception. They were cleaned up, and in the haste Tad found his short trousers on hind-side before. Lincoln, “I will taken them around the back way, and they can stay in the kitchen.” He then talked to the boys about being good and making no promises that were not to be kept, and it was arranged that the boys should go if Robert and my mother should get them dressed. When people give a party like that it is no place children.” By this time the boys began to listen. “Why, Father, you know that is no place for boys to be. “Mary, if you will let the boys go, I will take care of them.” Their mother was steadfast, and the boys were determined. Lincoln said firmly that they could not go, whereupon the two boys set up a cry. Robert, who at that time was planning to enter Harvard, was to stay at home with the little boys. When they heard of the party they wanted to go, too. They were smeared with molasses candy from head to foot. Willie and Tad came home from a candy-pull. Dubois, the State Auditor, a couple of blocks down on Eighth street. Lincoln were to attend a reception at the home of Mr. Lincoln, in every way, even to carrying his head slightly inclined toward his left shoulder.” 3 The boys could be a handful, according to a young woman who lived across the street: “One evening Mr. They both resembled their mother in looks and actions. They neither one had the slightest personal appearance or deliberate easy manner of Mr. Kent, recalled “that Bob, the elder and Tad the younger, were Mama boys. One young friend of the Lincoln family in Springfield, Joseph R. Two more boys - Willie and Tad - were born in 18. The second son, Eddie, died in 1850 before he reached three years, perhaps of diphtheria. Lincoln’s quiet reply was: ‘I promised to give him the air he was so tired and heated.'” 2 Robert was the oldest of four Lincoln boys. A neighbor called to him one morning: ‘That is pretty business for a lawyer.’ Mr. “During his earlier years of practice in Springfield his wife would have him put their latest baby in its wagon and wheel it on the street until he had to go to his office. Lincoln was always fond of children,” noted one Illinois friend. He said he was having a little season of relaxation with the boys, which he could not always enjoy now, as so many callers and so much correspondence occupied his time.” 1Ĭhildren - his own and others - were a critical part of Mr. Lincoln, as we came in, had just finished adjusting the string for him so it would give the top greater force when it was whirled off on the floor. Lincoln was at the State Capitol where he normally met with visitors, but this day he was alone with Tad and Willie, who were playing on the floor of the Governor’s office. Illinois Editor Jeriah Bonham recalled visiting Abraham Lincoln in Springfield in the summer of 1860.
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