THE WAUPACA REPUBICAN

March 21, 1890

 

LINCOLN AND DAN RICE.

 

            Lincoln and Dan Rice were warm personal friends at an early day, when Dan used to show his circus “down in Illinoy,” where Lincoln was practicing law in a humble way.  And singularly enough, this friendship was continued by Mr. Lincoln after he became President of the United States. And when it might be supposed that the pressure of responsibility and care would drive all circus memories out of his mind.

            Whenever Dan Rice visited Washington with his show during the gloomy years from 1861 to 1865, he was invited to the White House after the evening performance, and usually the Presiden-tial carriage was waiting for him, so that he could get there as soon as possible.

            Lincoln received him in his private office, and all ceremony being laid aside, the two humor-ists would exchange jokes and stories, live over by-gone times and scenes in which the humorous predominated, and have a mutually refreshing season of it.

            On one of these occasions, when, as usual, orders had been given to admit nobody, a card was brought up.  Lincoln rebuked the servant for the unwelcome interference, and then looking at the card, said, “Well, Dan, there’s no help for it; we must let him in. He’s a big bug from Massachu-setts, and it won’t do to deny him now that he has sent in his name.  But you stay and I’ll soon get rid of him.”

            When the door opened a dignified representative of the highest respectability of Boston entered, and, saluting the President, announced himself as a committee charged to present a set of resolutions passed at a large Republican meeting in his State.  They were a severe criticism on Mr. Lincoln’s administration, and demanded “a more vigorous prosecution of the war.”

            Mr. Lincoln took the paper without reply and then said, “Beg, pardon Mr. ---; but before we proceed further let me introduce to you my particular friend, Col. Dan Rice.”

            Dan stood up and delivered his best bow, but the gentleman from Boston was struck dumb with amazement and indignation.  To be introduced to a circus clown by the President of the United States was too much for him; he managed to stammer a few words of leave-taking and departed in haste.

            As the door closed upon the committee Lincoln turned to Rice with a hearty laugh, and said:  “Dan, wasn’t that well done?  Didn’t it take the wind out of him nicely?”

            Dan admitted that it was a perfect success, and the interrupted conversation was resumed with renewed zest.

            By the way, Dan Rice, who is living in ease and comfort in New York, ought to collect his recollections of distinguished men in a book.  He has known all the famous men of America who have lived in his day, and the book would make some interesting reading.     – Texas Siftings.