Page:Behind the scenes, or, Thirty years a slave and four years in the White House.djvu/120

118 of arms. In 1863 the Confederates were flushed with victory, and sometimes it looked as if the proud flag of the Union, the glorious old Stars and Stripes, must yield half its nationality to the tri-barred flag that floated grandly over long columns, of gray. These were sad, anxious days to Mr. Lincoln, and those who saw the man in privacy only could tell how much he suffered. One day he came into the room where I was fitting a dress on Mrs. Lincoln. His step was slow and heavy, and his face sad. Like a tired child he threw himself upon a sofa, and shaded his eyes with his hands. He was a complete picture of dejection. Mrs. Lincoln, observing his troubled look, asked: "Where have you been, father?"

"To the War Department," was the brief, almost sullen answer.

"Any news?" "Yes, plenty of news, but no good news. It is dark, dark everywhere."