Show MADE PRESIDENT HIS DEBTOR Citizens Interview Short but He Twice Saved Lincoln During tho civil war Noel P Aldrich of Croton Iowa visited tho Whlto House for tho purpose of presenting his claim for nn appointment In the army Although much younger than the President he resembled Mr Lincoln Lin-coln In height and breadth as well as facially Upon entering the reception room I Mr Aldrich observed that fifteen i more Individuals wero ahead of him and concluding that he would bo obliged to wait for some time ho sought a chair placed It at tho other end of the long table facing tho President Pres-ident and became a very much Interested Inter-ested lookeron Ho noted tho eager looks of hope or apprehension as tho Individuals bad their turns and hon I ho-n tcd the fact that for soma reason or other Mr Lincoln said No to them but In a very engaging pleasant pleas-ant and deprecating way While this play was going on before him the Spanish minister entered accompanied ac-companied by a couple of admirals or other high officers of tho Spanish navy to pay their respects to tho Pres Ident and they walked directly toward Mr Aldrich The President saw what was going on and he nodded his head earnestly so that Mr Aldrich understood under-stood his meaning and ho arose greeted greet-ed the visitors said a few words expressing ex-pressing appreciation for the call and they departed under the Impression that they had spoken to President Lincoln tho latter having carefully screened himself sitting down behind be-hind tho squad of ofilceseekcrs at his end of tho table When It camo his turn Mr Aldrich said I came here Mr President to ask you for an appointment in the army but after seeing that you are obliged to say no to everybody I havo concluded that I will not trouble with my request but will bid you goodby and wish you lots of goodluck I thank you very heartily sold President Lincoln You havo thus done me two favors In a very brief time I thank you for entertaining tho Spanish visitors and I thank yon for not asking for an ofilce Now run homo quick or you may repent tho latter favorLos Angeles Times |