Page:Lives of the presidents in words of one syllable (1903).djvu/106

 came. Lin-coln stood in the streets of Rich-mond. He heard the cries and thanks from those who once were bought and sold like beasts. The men of the North had brought the war to a close.

Lin-coln's heart was full of love for those who had to give up. He thought much of how to make both sides friends once more. But soon a dread crime made all the land dark. In the midst of joy a great shock came.

Pres-i-dent Lin-coln, with his mind at ease, his heart full of love and peace, with thoughts of how he could best heal the wounds of war, had gone to a play with his wife and two young friends, for it was the wish of men that he should be seen.

A bad man, to whom Lin-coln had done no ill, shot down the great and good Pres-i-dent, and in a few hours the end came.

Grief was deep in the land. Men wept as they heard the sad news. Flags were at half mast. Each house had a badge of woe.

"The old world and the new, from sea to sea, Ut-ter one voice of sym-pa-thy and shame! Sore heart, so stopped when it at last beat high;  Sad life, cut short just as its tri-umph came."

Through all these years the name of A-bra-ham Lin-coln has been held dear. No man has found the way to the hearts of all as he did. He had a sound mind, a true, warm heart, and a firm trust in God. His name stands with that of George Wash-ing-ton on the bright roll of fame.