President Abraham Lincoln and the Little Drummer Boy (published in "Harper's Weekly," April 27, 1867)

Inscription: Below image: "From Harper's Weekly, April 27, 1867 / Among the large number of persons waiting to speak with Mr. Lincoln was a small, pale, delicate looking boy. The President sa him standing looking feeble and faint and said, "Come here my boy and tell me what you want." The boy said timidly, "Mr. President, I have been a drummer in a regiment for two years, and my colonel got angry with me and turned me off; I was taken sick and was in the hospital a long time. This is the first time I have been out, and I came to see if you could not do something for me." / The president looked at him kindly and tenderly, and asked him where he lived. "I have no home," answered the boy. "Where is your father?" "He died in the army," was the reply. "Where is your mother?" contintued the President. "My mother is dead also. I have no mother, no father, no brothers, no sisters," and bursting into tears, "no friends–nobody cares for me." / Mr. Lincoln's eyes filled with tears, and he said to him, "Can't you sell newspapers?" "No" said the boy, "I am too weak and the surgeon at the hospital told me I mus leave, and I have no place to go." The scene was wonderfully affecting. The President drew forth a card, and addressing on it certain officials to whom his request was law, gave special directions "to care for this boy." / The wan face of the little drummer lit up with a happy smile as he received the paper, and he went away convinced that he had one good and true friend at least, in the person of the President."

Thomas Nast, Jr. (American); Mabel Nast Crawford (American); Cyril Nast (American)