Chapter 2 STOWAWAY by now it had been raining for several hours Maximilian had all he could do to avoid the large puddles that had collected along the path Much to Maximilian's amazement the president and his host were making their way back to the house that held the time machine A bronze plaque hung outside the entrance of the home It read David Wills Esq Maximilian watched as the president removed his top hat and ducked through the narrow door frame He met a petite woman wearing a powder blue dress She curtsied and motioned the president's aides in the direction of the top of the stairs David Wills's wife Catherine had prepared her personal suite for the president
Despite the rain Maximilian could still see people gathered outside the Willses home They hoped to catch a glimpse of the president Maximilian followed the president to Catherine's quarters Two men carefully placed the president's chest in the corner Mr Lincoln one of the men said Mrs Wills has prepared dinner downstairs in the parlor for you and a number of guests Please join them at your earliest convenience The aide exited the room and closed the bedroom door behind him leaving President Lincoln alone Or so Lincoln thought He didn't see the small gray field mouse watching his every move President Abraham Lincoln removed his rain soaked overcoat and hung it on the back of the door Being a mouse Maximilian was used to the large size of his surroundings But he continued to be amazed at just how tall President Lincoln was Maximilian was curious as to how Lincoln would manage to sleep in Catherine's miniature bed
Lincoln ran his hand over his face He sat for a minute in a rocking chair next to the bed Then he opened a brown leather bag to reveal a journal inkwell and pen The pen caught Maximilian's eye almost immediately The body of the pen was finely crafted bone Its tip was polished metal Lincoln was careful to place the pen and the journal next to one of two lamps that had been lit in the bedroom Maximilian's stomach growled loudly He was reminded of just how hungry he was Since the time machine was safe in the attic he decided to find food Maximilian removed his drenched coat and vest and hung them over a nail in the side molding Darkness had fallen on the bedroom As Lincoln stepped outside to join the others for dinner Maximilian was close behind The Willses house was warm and inviting The staircase wound to the front entrance and to the adjoining parlor Inside thirty seven guests were eagerly awaiting the president's arrival
Maximilian was working hard to keep up with the president All eyes turned to President Lincoln as he entered the dining room It was the perfect cover for Maximilian to enter undetected Maximilian was amazed by the smells in the dining room He detected sweet potatoes roasted turkey and steamed asparagus He was certain there was more delicious food on the table The Willses maid brought the dinner guests some warm freshly made bread and a variety of jams Just then the proud host raised his glass and began making a toast To the preservation of the Union To the struggle for human freedom and equality And to the men who gave the ultimate sacrifice that we may gather here this evening David Wills said We honor your final resting place tomorrow on the fields of Pennsylvania Everyone at the table nodded in agreement and drank from their glasses The toast was followed by the clink of utensils several heated
