ant to say to you a word
more.

"I was at Bull Run the other day, Mr. President, and it is no vanity
in me to say, I am a darned sight better general than you had on the
field."

This was said, not in the tone of a braggart, but of a man who knew what
he was talking about. Hooker did not return to California, but in a
few weeks Captain Hooker received from the President a commission as
Brigadier-General Hooker.

KEPT HIS COURAGE UP.

The President, like old King Saul, when his term was about to expire,
was in a quandary concerning a further lease of the Presidential office.
He consulted again the "prophetess" of Georgetown, immortalized by his
patronage.

She retired to an inner chamber, and, after raising and consulting more
than a dozen of distinguished spirits from Hades, she returned to the
reception-parlor, where the chief magistrate awaited her, and declared
that General Grant would capture Richmond, and that "Honest Old Abe"
would be next President.

She, however, as the report goes, told him to beware of Chase.

A FORTUNE-TELLER'S PREDICTION.

Lincoln had been born and reared among people who were believers in
premonitions and supernatural appearances all his life, and he once
declared to his friends that he was "from boyhood superstitious."

He at one time said to Judge Arnold that "the near approach of the
important events of his life were indicated by a presentiment or a
strange dream, or in some other mysterious way it was impressed upon him
that something important was to occur." This was earlier than 1850.

It is said that on his second visit to New Orleans, Lincoln and his
companion, John Hanks, visited an old fortune-teller--a voodoo negress.
Tradition says that "during the interview she became very much excited,
and after various predictions, exclaimed: 'You will be President, and
all the negroes will be free.'"

That the old voodoo negress should have foretold that the visitor would
be President is not at all incredible. She doubtless told this to many
aspiring lads, but Lincoln, so it is avowed took the prophecy seriously.

TOO MUCH POWDER.

So great was Lincoln's anxiety for the success of the Union arms that he
considered no labor on his part too arduous, and spent much of his time
in looking after even the small details.

Admiral Dahlgren was sent for one morning by the President, who said
"Well, captain, here's a letter about some new powder."

After reading t