 Well, the play was scheduled to commence at 8 that evening. The presidential party was nowhere in sight. The show started anyway. It was not until about half past 8 that President Lincoln and his party came into the building. They climbed the spiral staircase and were seen walking across the dress circle. The leading lady stopped the play. The band rose up and played Hail to the Chief. And the audience went mad. This was the man who had saved our nation.