Lincoln, the unknown

214 • LINCOLN THE UNKNOWNan army surgeon, sat by the President's bedside holding hishand. At twenty-two minutes past seven the doctor folded Lincoln'spulseless arms, put half-dollars on his eyelids to holdthem shut, and tied up his jaw with a pocket handkerchief. Aclergyman offered a prayer. Cold rain pattered down on theroof. General Barnes drew a sheet over the face of the deadPresident; and Stanton, weeping and pulling down the windowshadesto shut out the light of the dawn, uttered the only memorablesentence of that night: "Now he belongs to the ages."The next day little Tad asked a caller at the White House ifhis father was in heaven."I have no doubt of it," came the reply."Then I am glad he has gone," said Tad, "for he was neverhappy after he came here. This was not a good place for him."