"I do not deny it," replied Mr. Lincoln, with a flushed face; "but if you desire my friendship you will never mention the circumstance again!"
LXXVI.
In August following the rebel raid, Judge J. T. Mills, of Wisconsin, in company with ex-Governor Randall, of that State, called upon the President at the "Soldiers' Home."
Judge Mills subsequently published the following account of the interview, in the "Grant County (Wisconsin) Herald":—
. . . . . . . .
"The Governor addressed him: 'Mr. President, this is my friend and your friend Mills, from Wisconsin.'
"'I am glad to see my friends from Wisconsin; they are the hearty friends of the Union.'
"'I could not leave the city, Mr. President, without hearing words of cheer from your own lips. Upon you, as the representative of the loyal people, depend, as we believe, the existence of our government and the future of America.'
"'Mr. President,' said Governor Randall, 'why can't you seek seclusion, and play hermit for a fortnight? it would reinvigorate you.'
"'Aye,' said the President, 'two or three weeks would do me good, but I cannot fly from my thoughts; my solicitude for this great country fol-
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