“It could also mean anarchy, outrages, and destruction in that state, calling for more Union troops,” Hay reminded them. “So far we have pushed back the borders of this rebellion, opened the Mississippi, and our Navy has tightened the blockade of all the Southern ports.” “You will not, even under pressure, revoke the Emancipation Proclamation, Mr. President?” The visitor was anxious. “I shall never revoke that Proclamation, sir.” When the meal ended and the guest had taken an obsequious departure, Lincoln stopped at Hay’s desk. “What was that fellow sent here to find out, Johnny? Was he sent by Sumner, you think, to put in a word against my idea of amnesty for any Southern state that wants to come back into the Union? Sumner wants ’em all hung down there and he has some powerful newspapers behind him. Some of ’em are saying I’m having my salary raised to a hundred thousand dollars a year, that I’m drawing it in gold while the Army gets paid in greenbacks, and that I’ve cooked up a scheme to have Congress declare me perpetual president for the rest of my life.” “Why do you let such fantastic rumors disturb you, Mr. Lincoln?” Hay protested. “That New York _World_ editorial saying you’ve done a fine job and that your death would only prolong the war has been reprinted all over the country.” “If my death would end this war, John, I’d give my life gladly,” Lincoln declared solemnly. “That would be a fine Christmas gift for this country.” 3 The soldiers of Company K One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers had become practically a part of the White House family. Abraham Lincoln treated them as though they were his own sons, called most of them by their first names, personally arranged for their passes and furloughs. So when Mary Todd Lincoln had all her shopping purchases carried up to the family sitting room and displayed, Lincoln’s face wore a sober look of disappointment. Mary was tired and on edge but she excitedly showed him, one after another, the toys she had bought for Tad, the gifts for Robert, and a few items for members of the household staff. “Look, Abraham, this gun—it fires like a real cannon! With smoke.” “Nothing for the boys?” he asked, rubbing his long hands over his knees, a characteristic nervous gesture. “Why, I’ve just showed you—the wallet and cuff buttons for Bob and all these—” “I mean _my_ boys. The Company K boys.” Mary stared incredulously. “Good Heavens—you can’t give Christmas presents to a whole company of soldiers! There must be a hundred of them.” “I wish there were,” he said heavily. “I wish every company in our army was full strength but unfortunately they’re far short in numbers. There are less than forty of those boys and they’re far from home and Christmas is a bad time to be homesick.”