How goes it, boy? How goes it?

[_The_ OPERATOR _shakes his head._]

Not a click----?

[_Operator_ _shakes his head again--and_ LINCOLN'S _face contracts
in suffering._]

STEVENS

Just a minute, Mr. President,--I'll give you the telegram if you won't
read it.

LINCOLN

Fire away, Stevens, if it makes you happy.

STEVENS

[_Reading._]

"New York, Sept. 3, 1864.

"The Federal authorities have just discovered a nation-wide conspiracy
to resist by force of arms the new draft. It will be necessary for
General Grant to detach half his army from Lee's front immediately to
put down this counter revolution. Send these soldiers without delay to
our great cities."

The signature is in code.

RAYMOND

It's the blackest news yet, sir--and it's true.

STEVENS

You must realize that we cannot delay a moment in placing another man
at the head of the ticket.

[_There is a moment of dead silence while all watch_ LINCOLN'S
_face. Suddenly the sharp click of the telegraph instrument begins
to spell the word A-T-lanta._ LINCOLN _starts--his face flashing
with excitement._]

LINCOLN

What's _that_?

[_He follows breathlessly the spelling of the full word--his face
expressing his joy._]

OPERATOR

Mr. President--It's come! It's here!

[LINCOLN _rushes to the table, the crowd following._]

It's for you, sir!

LINCOLN

Out with it, boy, word for word as you get it!

OPERATOR

[_Click-click._]

Atlanta--

[_Click-click._]

Georgia--

[_Click-click-click._]

September 3, 1864.

LINCOLN

Glory to God!

OPERATOR

[_Click-click._]

--Atlanta

[_Click-click._]

--is ours--

[_Click--click--click._]

and fairly won--W. T. Sherman----

LINCOLN

O my soul, lift up thy head!

[_To_ BETTY.]

Go tell Mother, quick, tell her to come here!

[BETTY _exits running._]

NICOLAY

Three cheers for General William Tecumseh Sherman!

ALL SHOUT

Sherman! Sherman! Sherman!

[_When the shout dies away_ LINCOLN _lift