An Act of Kindness

　　President Abraham Lincoln often visited hospitals to talk with wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Once, doctors pointed out a young soldier who was near death and Lincoln went over to his bedside.

　　"Is there anything I can do for you?" asked the President.

　　The soldier obviously didn't recognize Lincoln, and with some effort he was able to whisper, "Would you please write a letter to my mother?"

　　A pen and paper were provided and the President carefully began writing down what the young man was able to say:

　　"My dearest mother, I was badly hurt while doing my duty. I'm afraid I'm not going to recover. Don't grieve too much for me, please. Kiss Mary and John for me. May God bless you and father."

　　The soldier was too weak to continue, so Lincoln signed the letter for him and added, "Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln."

　　The young man asked to see the note and was astonished when he discovered who had written it. "Are you really the President?" he asked.

　　"Yes I am," Lincoln replied quietly. Then he asked if there was anything else he could do.

　　"Would you please hold my hand?" the soldier asked. "It will help to see me through to the end."

　　In the hushed room, the tall gaunt President took the boy's hand in his and spoke warm words of encouragement until death came.

From A 3rd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

仁爱的行动

　　美国内战期间，亚伯拉罕·林肯经常去医院慰问受伤的士兵，林肯走到他的床边。

　　"我能为您做什么事吗？"总统问道。

　　士兵显然没有认出林肯，他费力地低声说道："您能给我母亲写封信吗？"

　　笔和纸被准备好，总统认真地写下那个年轻士兵能说出的话：

　　"我最亲爱的妈妈，在我履行我的义务时，我负了重伤，恐怕我不可能再回到您身边，请不要为我悲伤，代我吻一下玛丽和约翰。上帝保佑您和父亲。"

　　士兵虚弱得不能再继续说下去，所以林肯代他签了名，又加上一句："亚伯拉罕·林肯为您儿子代笔"。

　　年轻人要求看一下信，当他知道谁为他代笔写信时他不禁惊呆了，"您真是总统吗？"他问道

　　"是的，是我。"林肯平静地回答，然后他问道，他还能为他做些什么。

　　"您能握握我的手吗？"士兵请求道，"那将帮助我走完我剩下的这段时光。"

　　在这个寂静的房间里，高大的总统握着男孩的手，说着体贴入怀的鼓励话语，直到死亡款款而来。