use. I have heard so much of Mr. Lincoln's goodness that I
should like to be near him; and if I can enter the White House no other
way, I am willing to go as a menial. My dear Mrs. Keckley, will you not
recommend me to Mrs. Lincoln as a friend of yours out of employment, and
ask her to take me as a chambermaid? If you will do this you shall be
well rewarded. It may be worth several thousand dollars to you in time."

I looked at the woman in amazement. A bribe, and to betray the
confidence of my employer! Turning to her with a glance of scorn, I
said:

"Madam, you are mistaken in regard to my character. Sooner than betray
the trust of a friend, I would throw myself into the Potomac river. I am
not so base as that. Pardon me, but there is the door, and I trust that
you will never enter my room again."

She sprang to her feet in deep confusion, and passed through the door,
murmuring: "Very well; you will live to regret your action today."

"Never, never!" I exclaimed, and closed the door after her with a bang.
I afterwards learned that this woman was an actress, and that her object
was to enter the White House as a servant, learn its secrets, and then
publish a scandal to the world. I do not give her name, for such
publicity would wound the sensitive feelings of friends, who would have
to share her disgrace, without being responsible for her faults. I
simply record the incident to show how I often was approached by
unprincipled parties. It is unnecessary to say that I indignantly
refused every bribe offered.

The first public appearance of Mrs. Lincoln that winter was at the
reception on New Year's Day. This reception was shortly followed by a
brilliant levee. The day after the levee I went to the White House, and
while fitting a dress to Mrs. Lincoln, she said:

"Lizabeth"--she had learned to drop the E--"Lizabeth, I have an idea.
These are war times, and we must be as economical as possible. You know
the President is expected to give a series of state dinners every
winter, and these dinners are very costly; Now I want to avoid this
expense; and my idea is, that if I give three large receptions, the
state dinners can be scratched from the programme. What do you think,
Lizabeth?"

"I think that you are right, Mrs. Lincoln."

"I am glad to hear you say so. If I can make Mr. Lincoln take the same
view of the case, I shall not fail to put the idea into practice."

Before I left her room that day, Mr. Lincoln came in