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| Grace was the little girl who told Lincoln to grow a beard |
Conrad Hyers in his book, And God Created Laughter tells a of an 8 year
old girl who wrote to Abraham Lincoln, who was then running for
President suggesting that he grow a beard. In her opinion, Lincoln
would stand a better chance of election if he grew one to hide the
homeliness of his face. Lincoln could have been offended, but instead
he answered her letter personally and thanked her for her suggestion,
furthering adding that he’d like to visit with her when his campaign
came to her area.
On the day that Lincoln’s campaign train was
scheduled to pass through the town, practically the whole town was
assembled at the station. There were the leading Republicans wearing
their top hats, the shiny marching, band, the townsfolk in their finest
attire. Almost everyone was there... al except the little girl. She
was left home. After all, her father reasoned, Lincoln would be
interested only in the politicians and their speeches - the votes and
the voters - not the attentions of a little girl.
It so happened,
however, that as the campaign train approached the town, it was forced
to stop for repairs. Lincoln, not wanting to sit in the warm train, set
off across the field afoot in search of the little girl’s home.
When Lincoln introduced himself at the door, the maid was speechless. But the little girl and her playmate, the maid’s daughter, welcomed him in as if they were expecting him. The two girls had been having a pretend party, drinking pretend hot chocolate out of their small teacups and they invited Mr. Lincoln to join them. After a while, Lincoln said he must be going, thanked them for the party, and asked them how they liked his new beard. Then he walked to the waiting train.
When Lincoln introduced himself at the door, the maid was speechless. But the little girl and her playmate, the maid’s daughter, welcomed him in as if they were expecting him. The two girls had been having a pretend party, drinking pretend hot chocolate out of their small teacups and they invited Mr. Lincoln to join them. After a while, Lincoln said he must be going, thanked them for the party, and asked them how they liked his new beard. Then he walked to the waiting train.
When
Lincoln boarded the train, it started on its way and went right through
the town without stopping. Right past all the waiting dignitaries,
politicians, loud playing band and flag draped platform; right past
ladies and gentlemen in their Sunday best... for Lincoln hadn’t come to
visit people who were putting on a show for his benefit. He had come to
visit and say thank you to a little girl who just wanted to spend time
with him.
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