From that day Scott was the most industrious man in the company. He
was always at work, generally helping some other soldier. His arms
and his dress were neat and cleanly; he took charge of policing the
company’s quarters; was never absent at roll-call, unless he was sent
away, and always on hand if there was any work to be done. He was
very strong, and practised feats of strength until he could pick up
a man lying on the ground and carry him away on his shoulders. He
was of great use in the hospital, and in all the serious cases sought
employment as a nurse, because it trained him in night-work and
keeping awake at night. He soon attracted attention. He was offered
promotion, which, for some reason, he declined.
It was a long time before he would speak of his interview with Mr.
Lincoln. One night, when he had received a long letter from home,
Scott opened his heart and told Evans the story.
Scott said: “The President was the kindest man I had ever seen; I
knew him at once by a Lincoln medal I had long worn. I was scared
at first, for I had never before talked with a great man. But Mr.
Lincoln was so easy with me, so gentle, that I soon forgot my fright.
He asked me all about the people at home, the neighbors, the farm,
and where I went to school, and who my school-mates were. Then he
asked me about mother, and how she looked, and I was glad I could
take her photograph from my bosom and show it to him. He said how
thankful I ought to be that my mother still lived, and how, if he
was in my place, he would try to make her a proud mother, and never
cause her a sorrow or a tear. I cannot remember it all, but every
word was so kind.
Illustration: LINCOLN
From the statue by Augustus St. Gaudens, at Lincoln Park,
Chicago
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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