Page:The Ladies of the White House.djvu/39

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CONTENTS.
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beautiful girl—The wife of an ambitious man—His widowed mother's chief support—An additional incentive to study—The young couple learn together—His wife teaches him to write—She reads to him as he works—Three women—The zeal and energy of one of them—The tailor boy's incentives — Little children about his hearth— Mr. Johnson elected alderman—The joy of a good wife—The village "Demosthenes"—Chosen Mayor of Greenville—Three terms in office—A reputation for honest deeds and correct principles—Mrs. Johnson's devotion to her husband's interests—Death of their mothers—Mr. Johnson a member of the Legislature and Governor of Tennessee—His wife remains in Greenville—Her children's education her care—Their Greenville home—Andrew Johnson's first home—His old shop—A poor man and honest official—Elected Senator—Mrs. Johnson in Washington—Failing health—Her return home—Separated from her husband for two years—The civil war—Cut off from news of home—Mrs. Johnson and family ordered out of East Tennessee—Time asked—Too ill to travel—The start made—Ordered to return—A long and trying journey—Passes through Confederate lines—A night spent on the cars—Without food or beds or fire— A tired parly—-Mrs. Johnson and her children in Nashville—The heroic conduct of the former — Remembered kindly by friend and foe—A long-separated family reunited — Mrs. Johnson an invalid—Death of her eldest son, Dr. Johnson—Governor Johnson, Military Governor of Tennessee—Nominated for the Vice-Presidency—Goes to Washington—His family remain in Nashville—Preparing to return to Greenville—The assassination of the President—Andrew Johnson, President of the United States—Senator Doolittle's account of the assassination conspiracy—His letters to the Wisconsin State Historical Society—President Johnson's narrow escape—Governor Farwell's presence of mind—Leaves the theatre to find Mr. Johnson—Fears for his safety—Warns the hotel clerks—"Guard the doors: the President is assassinated"—Rushes to the Vice-President's room—His anxiety supreme—Is reassured by hearing Mr. Johnson's voice—The terrible news he bears—A moment of supreme excitement—Hasty plans for safety—The moment of danger passed—The hotel guarded—Pergonal friends pouring in to learn his fate—News of Secretary Seward's condition—Thousands of people in the streets—time of horror—The President dying—Mr. Johnson determined to see him—His refusal to go guarded—Accompanied by Major O'Beirne and Governor Farwell—At the bedside of the dying President—Mrs. Johnson presented with an album containing Governor Farwell's account of the conspiracy plot—The family at the White House—Mrs. Patterson the Lady of the White House—"A plain people from the mountains of Tennessee"—Mrs. Johnson assumes no social duties—An invalid—Only once in the East Room—Her household—The four years in the White House—Her glad return to Tennessee—Death of Colonel Robert Johnson—Ex-President Johnson elected Senator—His wife greatly pleased—Living in her old home—Illness of her husband—His death—Six months of suffering—Her death—Buried beside her husband—A superb monument
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