authenticated yarns & tall tales of abrahan lincoln

8/2/2019 Authenticated Yarns & Tall Tales of Abrahan Lincoln

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AuthenticatedYarnsandStoriesOfPresidentAbrahamLincoln

EditedbyJohnNicolay,SecretarytothePresident

THEPRESIDENTIAL"CHIN-FLY."

SomeofMr.Lincoln'sintimatefriendsoncecalledhisattentiontoacertainmemberofhisCabinetwhowasquietlyworkingtosecureanominationforthePresidency,althoughknowingthatMr.Lincolnwastobeacandidateforre-election.HisfriendsinsistedthattheCabinetofficeroughttobemadetogiveuphisPresidentialaspirationsorberemovedfromoffice.ThesituationremindedMr.Lincolnofastory:

"MybrotherandI,"hesaid,"wereonceplowingcorn,Idrivingthehorseandheholdingtheplow.Thehorsewaslazy,butononeoccasionherushedacrossthefieldsothatI,withmylonglegs,couldscarcelykeeppacewithhim.Onreachingtheendofthefurrow,Ifoundanenormouschin-flyfasteneduponhim,andknockedhimoff.MybrotheraskedmewhatIdidthatfor.ItoldhimIdidn'twanttheoldhorsebitteninthatway.'Why,'saidmybrother,'that'sallthatmadehimgo.'Now,"saidMr.Lincoln,"ifMr.----hasaPresidentialchin-flybitin

ghim,I'mnotgoingtoknockhimoff,ifitwillonlymakehisdepartmentgo."

'SQUIREBAGLY'SPRECEDENT.

Mr.T.W.S.Kidd,ofSpringfield,saysthatheonceheardalawyeropposedtoLincolntryingtoconvinceajurythatprecedentwassuperiortolaw,andthatcustommadethingslegalinallcases.WhenLincolnarosetoanswerhimhetoldthejuryhewouldarguehiscaseinthesameway.

"Old'SquireBagly,fromMenard,cameintomyofficeandsaid,'Lincoln,Iwantyouradviceasalawyer.Hasamanwhat'sbeenelectedjusticeofthepeacear

ighttoissueamarriagelicense?'Itoldhimhehadnot;whentheold'squirethrewhimselfbackinhischairveryindignantly,andsaid,'Lincoln,Ithoughtyouwasalawyer.NowBobThomasandmehadabetonthisthing,andweagreedtoletyoudecide;butifthisisyouropinionIdon'twantit,forIknowathunderin'sightbetter,forIhavebeen'squirenowforeightyearsandhavedoneitallthetime.'"

HE'DNEEDHISGUN.

WhenthePresident,earlyintheWar,wasanxiousaboutthedefensesofWashington,hetoldastoryillustratinghisfeelingsinthecase.GeneralScott,then

Commander-in-ChiefoftheUnitedStatesArmy,hadbut1,500men,twogunsandanoldsloopofwar,thelatteranchoredinthePotomac,withwhichtoprotecttheNationalCapital,andthePresidentwasuneasy.

TooneofhisqueriesastothesafetyofWashington,GeneralScotthadreplied,"Ithasbeenordained,Mr.President,thatthecityshallnotbecapturedbytheConfederates."

"Butweoughttohavemoremenandgunshere,"wastheChiefExecutive'sanswer."TheConfederatesarenotsuchfoolsastoletagoodchancetocaptureWashin



gtongoby,andevenifithasbeenordainedthatthecityissafe,I'dfeeleasierifitwerebetterprotected.AllthisremindsmeoftheoldtrapperoutintheWestwhohadbeenassuredbysome'cityfolks'whohadhiredhimasaguidethatallmattersregardinglifeanddeathwereprearranged.

"'Itisordained,'saidoneofthepartytotheoldtrapper,'thatyouaretodieatacertaintime,andnoonecankillyoubeforethattime.IfyoumetathousandIndians,andyourdeathhadnotbeenordainedforthatday,youwouldcertainlyescape.'

"'Idon'texactlyunderstandthis"ordained"business,'wasthetrapper'sreply.'Idon'tcaretorunnorisks.Ialwayshavemygunwithme,sothatifIcomeacrosssomeredsIcanfeelsurethatIwon'tcrosstheJordan'thouttakingsomeof'emwithme.Now,forinstance,ifImetanIndianinthewoods;hedrewabeadonme--sayin',too,thathewasn'tmore'ntenfeetaway--an'Ididn'thavenothingtoprotectmyself;sayitwasasbadasthat,theredskinbein'deadreadytokillme;now,evenifithadbeenordainedthattheIndian(sayin'hewasagoodshot),wastodiethatveryminute,an'Iwasn't,whatwouldIdo'thoutmygun?'

"Thereyouare,"thePresidentremarked;"evenifithasbeenordainedthatthecityofWashingtonwillneverbetakenbytheSoutherners,whatwouldwedoincasetheymadeanattackupontheplace,withoutmenandheavyguns?"

KEPTUPTHEARGUMENT.

JudgeT.LyleDickeyofIllinoisrelatedthatwhentheexcitementovertheKansasNebraskabillfirstbrokeout,hewaswithLincolnandseveralfriendsattendingcourt.Oneeveningseveralpersons,includinghimselfandLincoln,werediscussingtheslaveryquestion.JudgeDickeycontendedthatslaverywasaninstitutionwhichtheConstitutionrecognized,andwhichcouldnotbedisturbed.Lincolnarguedthatultimatelyslaverymustbecomeextinct."Afterawhile,"saidJudgeDickey,"wewentupstairstobed.Thereweretwobedsinourroom,andIrememberthatLincolnsatupinhisnightshirtontheedgeofthebedarguingthepointwithme.Atlastwewenttosleep.EarlyinthemorningIwokeupandtherewa

sLincolnhalfsittingupinbed.'Dickey,'saidhe,'Itellyouthisnationcannotexisthalfslaveandhalffree.''Oh,Lincoln,'saidI,'gotosleep."'

EQUINEINGRATITUDE.

PresidentLincoln,whileeagerthattheUnitedStatestroopsshouldbesuppliedwiththemostmodernandserviceableweapons,oftentookoccasiontoputhisfootdownuponthemaniaforexperimentingwithwhichsomeofhisgeneralswereafflicted.Whileengagedintheseexperimentsmuchvaluabletimewaswasted,theenemywaslefttodoashethoughtbest,nobattleswerefought,andopportunitiesforwinningvictoriesallowedtopass.

ThePresidentwasanexceedinglypracticalman,andwhenaninvention,ideaordiscoverywassubmittedtohim,hisfirststepwastoascertainhowanyorallofthemcouldbeappliedinawaytobeofbenefittothearmy.Astoexperimentingwith"contrivances"which,tohismind,couldneverbeputtopracticaluse,hehadlittlepatience.

"Someofthesegenerals,"saidhe,"experimentsolongandsomuchwithnewfangled,fancynotionsthatwhentheyarefinallybroughttoaheadtheyareuseless.Eitherthetimetousethemhasgoneby,orthemachine,whenputinoperation



,killsmorethanitcures.

"Oneofthesegenerals,whohasaschemefor'condensing'rations,iswillingtoswearhislifeawaythathisidea,whencarriedtoperfection,willreducethecostoffeedingtheUniontroopstoalmostnothing,whilethesoldiersthemselveswillgetsofatthatthey'll'bustout'oftheiruniforms.Ofcourse,uniformscostnothing,andrealfatmenaremoreactiveandvigorousthanlean,skinnyones,butthatisgettingawayfrommystory.

"TherewasonceanIrishman--acabman--whohadanotionthathecouldinducehishorsetoliveentirelyonshavings.Thelatterhecouldgetfornothing,whilecornandoatswereprettyhigh-priced.Sohedailylessenedtheamountoffoodtothehorse,substitutingshavingsforthecornandoatsabstracted,sothatthehorsewouldn'tknowhisrationswerebeingcutdown.

"However,justashehadachievedsuccessinhisexperiment,andthehorsehadbeentaughttolivewithoutotherfoodthanshavings,theungratefulanimal'upanddied,'andhehadtobuyanother.

"Sofarasthisgeneralreferredtoisconcerned,I'mafraidthesoldierswillallbedeadatthetimewhenhisexperimentisdemonstratedasthoroughlysuccessful."

'TWAS"MOVINGDAY."

Speed,whowasaprosperousyoungmerchantofSpringfield,reportsthatLincoln'spersonaleffectsconsistedofapairofsaddle-bags,containingtwoorthreelawbooks,andafewpiecesofclothing.Ridingonaborrowedhorse,hethusmadehisappearanceinSpringfield.Whenhediscoveredthatasinglebedsteadwouldcostseventeendollarshesaid,"Itisprobablycheapenough,butIhavenotenoughmoneytopayforit."WhenSpeedofferedtotrusthim,hesaid:"IfIfailhereasalawyer,Iwillprobablyneverpayyouatall."ThenSpeedofferedtosharelargedoublebedwithhim.

"Whereisyourroom?"Lincolnasked.

"Upstairs,"saidSpeed,pointingfromthestoreleadingtohisroom.

Withoutsayingaword,hetookhissaddle-bagsonhisarm,wentupstairs,setthemdownonthefloor,camedownagain,andwithafacebeamingwithpleasureandsmiles,exclaimed:"Well,Speed,I'mmoved."

"ABE'S"HAIRNEEDEDCOMBING.

"Bytheway,"remarkedPresidentLincolnonedaytoColonelCannon,aclosepersonalfriend,"Icantellyouagoodstoryaboutmyhair.WhenIwasnominateda

tChicago,anenterprisingfellowthoughtthatagreatmanypeoplewouldliketoseehow'Abe'Lincolnlooked,and,asIhadnotlongbeforesatforaphotograph,thefellow,havingseenit,rushedoverandboughtthenegative.

"Heatoncegotnoendofwood-cuts,andsoactivewastheircirculationtheyweresoonsellinginallpartsofthecountry.

"SoonaftertheyreachedSpringfield,Iheardaboycryingthemforsaleonthestreets.'Here'syourlikenessof"Abe"Lincoln!'heshouted.'Buyone;priceonlytwoshillings!Willlookagreatdealbetterwhenhegetshishaircombed!"'



WOULD"TAKETOTHEWOODS."

SecretaryofStateSewardwasbotheredconsiderablyregardingthecomplicationintowhichSpainhadinvolvedtheUnitedStatesgovernmentinconnectionwithSanDomingo,andrelatedhistroublestothePresident.Negotiationswerenotproceedingsatisfactorily,andthingsweremixedgenerally.WewishedtoconciliateSpain,whilethenegroeshadappealedagainstSpanishoppression.

ThePresidentdidnot,toallappearances,lookatthematterseriously,but,insteadoftreatingthesituationasagraveone,remarkedthatSeward'sdilemmaremindedhimofaninterviewbetweentwonegroesinTennessee.

Onewasapreacher,who,withthecrudeandstrangenotionsofhisignorantrace,wasendeavoringtoadmonishandenlightenhisbrotherAfricanoftheimportanceofreligionandthedangerofthefuture.

"Darare,"saidJosh,thepreacher,"tworoadsbefo'you,Joe;beca'fulwhichobdeseyoutake.Narrowamdewaydatleadsstraighttodestruction;butbroadamdewaydatleadsrighttodamnation."

Joeopenedhiseyeswithaffright,andunderthespelloftheawfuldangerbefo

rehim,exclaimed,"Josh,takewhichroadyouplease;Ishallgotroodewoods."

"Iamnotwilling,"concludedthePresident,"toassumeanynewtroublesorresponsibilitiesatthistime,andshallthereforeavoidgoingtotheoneplacewithSpain,orwiththenegrototheother,butshall'taketothewoods.'Wewillmaintainanhonestandstrictneutrality."

LINCOLNCARRIEDHERTRUNK.

"MyfirststrongimpressionofMr.Lincoln,"saysaladyofSpringfield,"wasmadebyoneofhiskinddeeds.Iwasgoingwithalittlefriendformyfirsttrip

aloneontherailroadcars.Itwasanepochofmylife.Ihadplannedforitanddreamedofitforweeks.ThedayIwastogocame,butasthehourofthetrainapproached,thehackman,throughsomeneglect,failedtocallformytrunk.Astheminuteswenton,Irealized,inapanicofgrief,thatIshouldmissthetrain.Iwasstandingbythegate,myhatandgloveson,sobbingasifmyheartwouldbreak,whenMr.Lincolncameby.

"'Why,what'sthematter?'heasked,andIpouredoutallmystory.

"'Howbig'sthetrunk?There'sstilltime,ifitisn'ttoobig.'Andhepushedthroughthegateanduptothedoor.MymotherandItookhimuptomyroom,wheremylittleold-fashionedtrunkstood,lockedandtied.'Oh,ho,'hecried,'wipeyoureyesandcomeonquick.'AndbeforeIknewwhathewasgoingtodo,heh

adshoulderedthetrunk,wasdownstairs,andstridingoutoftheyard.Downthestreethewentfastashislonglegscouldcarryhim,Itrottingbehind,dryingmytearsasIwent.Wereachedthestationintime.Mr.Lincolnputmeonthetrain,kissedmegood-bye,andtoldmetohaveagoodtime.Itwasjustlikehim."

BOATHADTOSTOP.



LincolnneverfailedtotakepartinallpoliticalcampaignsinIllinois,ashisreputationasaspeakercausedhisservicestobeingreatdemand.Aswasnatural,hewasoftenthetargetatwhichmanyofthe"SmartAlecks"ofthatperiodshottheirfeeblebolts,butLincolnwassoreadywithhisanswersthatfewofthemcaredtoengagehimasecondtime.

InonecampaignLincolnwasfrequentlyannoyedbyayoungmanwhoentertainedtheideathathewasabornorator.Hehadaloudvoice,wasfulloflanguage,andsoconceitedthathecouldnotunderstandwhythepeopledidnotrecognizeandappreciatehisabilities.

Thiscallowpoliticiandelightedininterruptingpublicspeakers,andatlastLincolndeterminedtosquelchhim.OnenightwhileaddressingalargemeetingatSpringfield,thefellowbecamesooffensivethat"Abe"droppedthethreadsofhisspeechandturnedhisattentiontothetormentor.

"Idon'tobject,"saidLincoln,"tobeinginterruptedwithsensiblequestions,butImustsaythatmyboisterousfrienddoesnotalwaysmakeinquirieswhichproperlycomeunderthathead.Hesaysheisafflictedwithheadaches,atwhichIdon'twonder,asitisawell-knownfactthatnatureabhorsavacuum,andtakesherownwayofdemonstratingit.

"ThisnoisyfriendremindsmeofacertainsteamboatthatusedtorunontheIllinoisriver.Itwasanenergeticboat,wasalwaysbusy.Whentheybuiltit,how

ever,theymadeoneseriousmistake,thiserrorbeingintherelativesizesoftheboilerandthewhistle.Thelatterwasusuallybusy,too,andpeoplewereawarethatitwasinexistence.

"ThisparticularboilertowhichIhavereferencewasasix-footone,anddidallthatwasrequiredofitinthewayofpushingtheboatalong;butasthebuildersofthevesselhadmadethewhistleasix-footone,theconsequencewasthateverytimethewhistleblewtheboathadtostop."

MCCLELLAN'S"SPECIALTALENT."

PresidentLincolnonedayremarkedtoanumberofpersonalfriendswhohadcalleduponhimattheWhiteHouse:

"GeneralMcClellan'stardinessandunwillingnesstofighttheenemyorfollowupadvantagesgained,remindsmeofamanbackinIllinoiswhoknewafewlawphrasesbutwhoselawyerlackedaggressiveness.Themanfinallylostallpatienceandspringingtohisfeetvociferated,'Whydon'tyougoathimwithafi.fa.,ademurrer,acapias,asurrebutter,oraneexeat,orsomething;oranundampactumoranonest?'

"IwishMcClellanwouldgoattheenemywithsomething--Idon'tcarewhat.GeneralMcClellanisapleasantandscholarlygentleman.Heisanadmirableengineer,butheseemstohaveaspecialtalentforastationaryengine."

HOW"JAKE"GOTAWAY.

Oneofthelast,ifnottheverylaststorytoldbyPresidentLincoln,wastooneofhisCabinetwhocametoseehim,toaskifitwouldbepropertopermit"Jake"ThompsontoslipthroughMaineindisguiseandembarkforPortland.

ThePresident,asusual,wasdisposedtobemerciful,andtopermitthearch-re



beltopassunmolested,butSecretaryStantonurgedthatheshouldbearrestedasatraitor.

"Bypermittinghimtoescapethepenaltiesoftreason,"persistedtheWarSecretary,"yousanctionit."

"Well,"repliedMr.Lincoln,"letmetellyouastory.TherewasanIrishsoldierherelastsummer,whowantedsomethingtodrinkstrongerthanwater,andstoppedatadrug-shop,whereheespiedasoda-fountain.'Mr.Doctor,'saidhe,'giveme,plase,aglassofsoda-wather,an'ifyezcanputinafewdropsofwhiskeyunbeknowntoanyone,I'llbeobleeged.'Now,"continuedMr.Lincoln,"if'Jake'ThompsonispermittedtogothroughMaineunbeknowntoanyone,what'stheharm?Sodon'thavehimarrested."

MORELIGHTANDLESSNOISE.

ThePresidentwasbotheredtodeathbythosepersonswhoboisterouslydemandedthattheWarbepushedvigorously;also,thosewhoshoutedtheiradviceandopinionsintohiswearyears,butwhoneversuggestedanythingpractical.Thesefellowswerenotinthearmy,nordidtheyevertakeanyinterest,inapersonalway,inmilitarymatters,exceptwhenengagedindodgingdrafts.

"Thatremindsme,"remarkedMr.Lincolnoneday,"ofafarmerwholosthiswayontheWesternfrontier.Nightcameon,andtheembarrassmentsofhispositionw

ereincreasedbyafurioustempestwhichsuddenlyburstuponhim.Toaddtohisdiscomfort,hishorsehadgivenout,leavinghimexposedtoallthedangersofthepitilessstorm.

"Thepealsofthunderwereterrific,thefrequentflashesoflightningaffordingtheonlyguideontheroadasheresolutelytrudgedonward,leadinghisjadedsteed.Theearthseemedfairlytotremblebeneathhiminthewarofelements.Oneboltthrewhimsuddenlyuponhisknees.

"Ourtravelerwasnotaprayerfulman,butfindinghimselfinvoluntarilybroughttoanattitudeofdevotion,headdressedhimselftotheThroneofGraceinthefollowingprayerforhisdeliverance:

"'OGod!hearmyprayerthistime,forThouknowestitisnotoftenthatIcalluponThee.And,OLord!ifitisallthesametoThee,giveusalittlemorelightandalittlelessnoise.'

"Iwish,"thePresidentsaid,sadly,"therewasastrongerdispositionmanifestedonthepartofourcivilianwarriorstouniteinsuppressingtherebellion,andalittlelessnoiseastohowandbywhomthechiefexecutiveofficeshallbeadministered."

ONEBULLETANDAHATFUL.

Lincolnmadethebestofeverything,andifhecouldn'tgetwhathewantedhetookwhathecouldget.Inmattersofpolicy,whilePresidentheactedaccordingtothisrule.Hewouldtakeperilouschances,evenwhentheresultwas,tothemindsofhisfriends,notworththeriskhehadrun.

OnedayatameetingoftheCabinet,itbeingatthetimewhenitseemedasthoughwarwithEnglandandFrancecouldnotbeavoided,SecretaryofStateSewardandSecretaryofWarStantonwarmlyadvocatedthattheUnitedStatesmaintainanattitude,theresultofwhichwouldhavebeenadeclarationofhostilitiesbytheEuropeanPowersmentioned.



"Whytakeanymorechancesthanareabsolutelynecessary?"askedthePresident.

"Wemustmaintainourhonoratanycost,"insistedSecretarySeward.

"Wewouldbebrandedascowardsbeforetheentireworld,"SecretaryStantonsaid.

"Butwhyrunthegreaterriskwhenwecantakeasmallerone?"queriedthePresidentcalmly."Thelessriskwerunthebetterforus.ThatremindsmeofastoryIheardadayortwoago,theheroofwhichwasonthefiringlineduringarecentbattle,wherethebulletswereflyingthick.

"Finallyhiscouragegavewayentirely,andthrowingdownhisgun,heranfordearlife.

"Ashewasflyingalongattopspeedhecameacrossanofficerwhodrewhisrevolverandshouted,'GobacktoyourregimentatonceorIwillshootyou!'

"'Shootandbehanged,'theracerexclaimed.'What'sonebullettoawholehatful?'"

LINCOLN'SSTORYTOPEACECOMMISSIONERS.

AmongthereminiscencesofLincolnleftbyEditorHenryJ.Raymond,isthefollowing:

AmongthestoriestoldbyLincoln,whichisfreshestinmymind,onewhichherelatedtomeshortlyafteritsoccurrence,belongstothehistoryofthefamousinterviewonboardtheRiverQueen,atHamptonRoads,betweenhimselfandSecretarySewardandtherebelPeaceCommissioners.ItwasreportedatthetimethatthePresidenttolda"littlestory"onthatoccasion,andtheinquirywentaroundamongthenewspapers,"Whatwasit?"

TheNewYorkHeraldpublishedwhatpurportedtobeaversionofit,butthe"po

int"wasentirelylost,anditattractednoattention.BeinginWashingtonafewdayssubsequenttotheinterviewwiththeCommissioners(myprevioussojourntherehavingterminatedaboutthefirstoflastAugust),IaskedMr.LincolnonedayifitwastruethathetoldStephens,HunterandCampbellastory.

"Why,yes,"hereplied,manifestingsomesurprise,"buthasitleakedout?Iwasinhopesnothingwouldbesaidaboutit,lestsomeover-sensitivepeopleshouldimaginetherewasadegreeoflevityintheintercoursebetweenus."Hethenwentontorelatethecircumstanceswhichcalleditout.

"Yousee,"saidhe,"wehadreachedandwerediscussingtheslaveryquestion.Mr.Huntersaid,substantially,thattheslaves,alwaysaccustomedtoanoverseer,andtoworkuponcompulsion,suddenlyfreed,astheywouldbeiftheSouthsho

uldconsenttopeaceonthebasisofthe'EmancipationProclamation,'wouldprecipitatenotonlythemselves,buttheentireSouthernsociety,intoirremediableruin.Noworkwouldbedone,nothingwouldbecultivated,andbothblacksandwhiteswouldstarve!"

SaidthePresident:"IwaitedforSewardtoanswerthatargument,butashewassilent,Iatlengthsaid:'Mr.Hunter,yououghttoknowagreatdealbetteraboutthisargumentthanI,foryouhavealwayslivedundertheslavesystem.Icanonlysay,inreplytoyourstatementofthecase,thatitremindsmeofamanoutinIllinois,bythenameofCase,whoundertook,afewyearsago,toraisea



verylargeherdofhogs.Itwasagreattroubletofeedthem,andhowtogetaroundthiswasapuzzletohim.Atlengthhehitontheplanofplantinganimmensefieldofpotatoes,and,whentheyweresufficientlygrown,heturnedthewholeherdintothefield,andletthemhavefullswing,thussavingnotonlythelaboroffeedingthehogs,butalsothatofdiggingthepotatoes.Charmedwithhissagacity,hestoodonedayleaningagainstthefence,countinghishogs,whenaneighborcamealong.

"'Well,well,'saidhe,'Mr.Case,thisisallveryfine.Yourhogsaredoingverywelljustnow,butyouknowouthereinIllinoisthefrostcomesearly,andthegroundfreezesforafootdeep.Thenwhatyougoingtodo?'

"ThiswasaviewofthematterwhichMr.Casehadnottakenintoaccount.Butcheringtimeforhogswas'wayoninDecemberorJanuary!Hescratchedhishead,andatlengthstammered:'Well,itmaycomeprettyhardontheirsnouts,butIdon'tseebutthatitwillbe"root,hog,ordie."'"

"ABE"GOTTHEWORSTOFIT.

WhenLincolnwasayounglawyerinIllinois,heandacertainJudgeoncegottobanteringoneanotherabouttradinghorses;anditwasagreedthatthenextmorningatnineo'clocktheyshouldmakeatrade,thehorsestobeunseenuptotha

thour,andnobackingout,underaforfeitureof$25.Atthehourappointed,theJudgecameup,leadingthesorriest-lookingspecimenofahorseeverseeninthoseparts.InafewminutesMr.Lincolnwasseenapproachingwithawoodensaw-horseuponhisshoulders.

Greatweretheshoutsandlaughterofthecrowd,andbothweregreatlyincreasedwhenLincoln,onsurveyingtheJudge'sanimal,setdownhissaw-horse,andexclaimed:

"Well,Judge,thisisthefirsttimeIevergottheworstofitinahorsetrade."

ITDEPENDEDUPONHISCONDITION.

ThePresidenthadmadearrangementstovisitNewYork,andwastoldthatPresidentGarrett,oftheBaltimoreandOhioRailroad,wouldbegladtofurnishaspecialtrain.

"Idon'tdoubtitabit,"remarkedthePresident,"forIknowMr.Garrett,andlikehimverywell,andifIbelieved--whichIdon't,byanymeans--allthethingssomepeoplesayabouthis'secesh'principles,hemightsaytoyouaswassaidbytheSuperintendentofacertainrailroadtoasonofonemypredecessorsinoffice.SometwoyearsafterthedeathofPresidentHarrison,thesonofhissuccessorinthisofficewantedtotakehisfatheronanexcursionsomewhereorot

her,andwenttotheSuperintendent'sofficetoorderaspecialtrain.

"ThisSuperintendentwasaWhigofthemostuncompromisingsort,whohatedaDemocratmorethanallotherthingsontheearth,andpromptlyrefusedtheyoungman'srequest,hislanguagebeingtotheeffectthatthisparticularrailroadwasnotrunningspecialtrainsfortheaccommodationofPresidentsoftheUnitedStatesjustatthatseason.

"ThesonofthePresidentwasmuchsurprisedandexceedinglyannoyed.'Why,'hesaid,'youhaverunspecialPresidentialtrains,andIknowit.Didn'tyoufurn



ishaspecialtrainforthefuneralofPresidentHarrison?'

"'Certainlywedid,'calmlyrepliedtheSuperintendent,withnorelaxationofhisfeatures,'andifyouwillonlybringyourfatherhereinthesameshapeasGeneralHarrisonwas,youshallhavethebesttrainontheroad."'

Whenthelaughterhadsubsided,thePresidentsaid:"IshalltakepleasureinacceptingMr.Garrett'soffer,asIhavenodoubtswhateverastohisloyaltytotheUnitedStatesgovernmentorhisrespectfortheoccupantofthePresidentialoffice."

"GOTDOWNTOTHERAISINS."

A.B.Chandler,chiefofthetelegraphofficeattheWarDepartment,occupiedthreerooms,oneofwhichwascalled"thePresident'sroom,"somuchofhistimedidMr.Lincolnspendthere.Herehewouldreadoverthetelegramsreceivedfortheseveralheadsofdepartments.Threecopiesofallmessagesreceivedweremade--oneforthePresident,onefortheWarDepartmentrecordsandoneforSecretaryStanton.

Mr.ChandlertoldastoryastothemannerinwhichthePresidentreadthedespatches:

"PresidentLincoln'scopieswerekeptinwhatwecalledthe'President'sdrawer'ofthe'cipherdesk.'Hewouldcomeinatanytimeofthenightorday,andgoatoncetothisdrawer,andtakeoutafileoftelegrams,andbeginatthetoptoreadthem.Hispositioninrunningoverthesetelegramswassometimesverycurious.

"Hehadahabitofsittingfrequentlyontheedgeofhischair,withhisrightkneedraggeddowntothefloor.Irememberacuriousexpressionofhiswhenhegottothebottomofthenewtelegramsandbeganonthosethathehadreadbefore.Itwas,'Well,IguessIhavegotdowntotheraisins.'

"Thefirsttwoorthreetimeshesaidthishemadenoexplanation,andIdidno

taskone.Butoneday,afterhehadmadetheremark,helookedupunderhiseyebrowsatmewithafunnytwinkleinhiseyes,andsaid:'IusedtoknowalittlegirloutWestwhosometimeswasinclinedtoeattoomuch.Onedaysheateagoodmanymoreraisinsthansheoughtto,andfollowedthemupwithaquantityofothergoodies.Theymadeherverysick.Afteratimetheraisinsbegantocome.

"Shegaspedandlookedathermotherandsaid:'Well,IwillbebetternowIguess,forIhavegotdowntotheraisins.'"

"HONESTABE"SWALLOWSHISENEMIES.

"'HonestAbe'TakingThemontheHalf-Shell"wasoneofthecartoonspublishedin1860byoneoftheillustratedperiodicals.Asmaybeseen,itrepresentsLincolnina"PoliticalOysterHouse,"preparingtoswallowtwoofhisDemocraticopponentsforthePresidency--DouglasandBreckinridge.HeperformedthefeatattheNovemberelection.TheDemocraticpartywashopelesslysplitin1860TheNorthernwingnominatedStephenA.Douglas,ofIllinois,astheircandidate,theSouthernwingnamingJohnC.Breckinridge,ofKentucky;theConstitutionalUnionists(theoldAmericanofKnow-Nothingparty)placedJohnBell,ofTennessee,inthefield,andagainstthesewasputAbrahamLincoln,whoreceivedthesupportoftheAbolitionists.



Lincolnmadeshortworkofhisantagonistswhentheelectioncamearound.HereceivedalargemajorityintheElectoralCollege,whilenearlyeveryNorthernStatevotedmajoritiesforhimatthepolls.DouglashadbuttwelvevotesintheElectoralCollege,whileBellhadthirty-nine.ThevotesoftheSouthernStates,thenpreparingtosecede,were,forthemostpart,thrownforBreckinridge.Thepopularvotewas:Lincoln,1,857,610;Douglas,1,365,976;Breckinridge,847,953;Bell,590,631;totalvote,4,662,170.IntheElectoralCollegeLincolnreceived180;Douglas,12;Breckinridge,72;Bell,39;Lincoln'smajorityoverall,57.

SAVINGHISWIND.

JudgeH.W.BeckwithofDanville,Ill.,saidthatsoonaftertheOttawadebatebetweenLincolnandDouglashepassedtheCheneryHouse,thentheprincipalhotelinSpringfield.Thelobbywascrowdedwithpartisanleadersfromvarioussectionsofthestate,andMr.Lincoln,fromhisgreaterheight,wasseenabovethesurgingmassthatclungabouthimlikeaswarmofbeestotheirruler.Thedaywaswarm,andatthefirstchancehebrokeawayandcameoutforalittlefreshair,wipingthesweatfromhisface.

"Ashepassedthedoorhesawme,"saidJudgeBeckwith,"and,takingmyhand,inquiredforthehealthandviewsofhis'friendsoverinVermillioncounty.'He

wasassuredtheywerewideawake,andfurthertoldthattheylookedforwardtothedebatebetweenhimandSenatorDouglaswithdeepconcern.Fromtheshadowthatwentquicklyoverhisface,thepainedlookthatcametogivewayquicklytoablazeofeyesandquiveroflips,IfeltthatMr.Lincolnhadgonebeneathmymerewordsandcaughtmyinnerandcurrentfearsastotheresult.Andthen,inaforgiving,jocularwaypeculiartohim,hesaid:'Sitdown;Ihaveamomenttospare,andwilltellyouastory.'Havingbeenonhisfeetforsometime,hesatontheendofthestonestepleadingintothehoteldoor,whileIstoodcloselyfrontinghim.

"'Youhave,'hecontinued,'seentwomenabouttofight?'

"'Yes,manytimes.'

"'Well,oneofthembragsaboutwhathemeanstodo.Hejumpshighintheair,crackinghisheelstogether,smiteshisfists,andwasteshiswreathtryingtoscaresomebody.Youseetheotherfellow,hesaysnotaword,'--hereMr.Lincoln'svoiceandmannerchangedtogreatearnestness,andrepeating--'youseetheothermansaysnotaword.Hisarmsareathissides,hisfistsarecloselydoubledup,hisheadisdrawntotheshoulder,andhisteetharesetfirmtogether.Heissavinghiswindforthefight,andassureasitcomesoffhewillwinit,ordiea-trying.'"

RIGHTFOR,ONCE,ANYHOW.

Wheremenbredincourts,accustomedtotheworld,orversedindiplomacy,wouldusesomesubterfuge,orwouldmakeapolitespeech,orgiveashrugoftheshoulders,asthemeansofgettingoutofanembarrassingposition,Lincolnraisedalaughbysomeboldwest-countryanecdote,andmovedoffinthecloudofmerrimentproducedbythejoke.WhenAttorney-GeneralBateswasremonstratingapparentlyagainsttheappointmentofsomeindifferentlawyertoaplaceofjudicialimportance,thePresidentinterposedwith:"Comenow,Bates,he'snothalfasbadasyouthink.Besidesthat,Imusttellyou,hedidmeagoodturnlongago.WhenItooktothelaw,Iwasgoingtocourtonemorning,withsometenortwelvemi



lesofbadroadbeforeme,andIhadnohorse.

"Thejudgeovertookmeinhiscarriage.

"'Hallo,Lincoln!areyounotgoingtothecourt-house?ComeinandIwillgiveyouaseat!'

"Well,Igotin,andtheJudgewentonreadinghispapers.Presentlythecarriagestruckastumpononesideoftheroad,thenithoppedofftotheother.Ilookedout,andIsawthedriverwasjerkingfromsidetosideinhisseat,soIsays:

"'Judge,Ithinkyourcoachmanhasbeentakingalittletoomuchthismorning.'

"'Well,Ideclare,Lincoln,'saidhe,'Ishouldnotmuchwonderifyouwereright,forhehasnearlyupsetmehalfadozentimessincestarting.'

"So,puttinghisheadoutofthewindow,heshouted,'Why,youinfernalscoundrel,youaredrunk!'

"Uponwhich,pullinguphishorses,andturningroundwithgreatgravity,thecoachmansaid:

"'Begorra!that'sthefirstrightfuldecisionthatyouhavegivenforthelast

twelvemonth.'"

Whilethecompanywerelaughing,thePresidentbeataquietretreatfromtheneighborhood.

"PITYTHEPOORORPHAN."

AftertheWarwaswellon,andseveralbattleshadbeenfought,aladyfromAlexandriaaskedthePresidentforanordertoreleaseacertainchurchwhichhadbeentakenforaFederalhospital.ThePresidentsaidhecoulddonothing,asthepostsurgeonatAlexandriawasimmovable,andthenaskedtheladywhyshedidn

otdonatemoneytobuildahospital.

"Wehavebeenverymuchembarrassedbythewar,"shereplied,"andourestatesaremuchhampered."

"Youarenotruined?"askedthePresident.

"No,sir,butwedonotfeelthatweshouldgiveupanythingwehaveleft."

ThePresident,aftersomereflection,thensaid:"Therearemorebattlesyettobefought,andIthinkGodwouldpreferthatyourchurchbedevotedtothecareandalleviationofthesufferingsofourpoorfellows.So,madam,youwillexcuseme.Icandonothingforyou."

Afterward,inspeakingofthisincident,PresidentLincolnsaidthatthelady,asarepresentativeofherclassinAlexandria,remindedhimofthestoryoftheyoungmanwhohadanagedfatherandmotherowningconsiderableproperty.Theyoungmanbeinganonlyson,andbelievingthattheoldpeoplehadoutlivedtheirusefulness,assassinatedthemboth.Hewasaccused,triedandconvictedofthemurder.Whenthejudgecametopasssentenceuponhim,andcalleduponhimtogiveanyreasonhemighthavewhythesentenceofdeathshouldnotbepasseduponhim,hewithgreatpromptnessrepliedthathehopedthecourtwouldbelenientuponhimbecausehewasapoororphan!



"BAP."McNABB'SBOOSTER.

ItistruethatLincolndidnotdrink,neverswore,wasastrangertosmokingandlivedamorallifegenerally,buthedidlikehorse-racingandchickenfighting.NewSalem,Illinois,whereLincolnwas"clerking,"wasknowntheneighborhoodaroundasa"fast"town,andtheaverageyoungmanmadenoverydesperateresistancewhentemptedtojoininthedrinkingandgamblingbouts.

"Bap."McNabbwasfamousforhisabilityinboththeraisingandthepurchaseofroostersofprimefightingquality,andwhenhisbirdsfoughttheattendancewaslarge.Itwasbecauseofthe"flunking"ofoneof"Bap.'s"roostersthatLincolnwasenabledtomakeapointwhencriticisingMcClellan'sunreadinessandlackofenergy.

Onenighttherewasafightontheschedule,oneof"Bap."McNabb'sbirdsbeingacontestant."Bap."broughtalittleredrooster,whosefightingqualitieshadbeenwelladvertisedfordaysinadvance,andmuchinterestwasmanifestedintheoutcome.Astheresultofthesecontestswasgenerallyaquarrel,inwhicheachman,chargingfoulplay,seizedhisvictim,theychoseLincolnumpire,relyingnotonlyonhisfairnessbuthisabilitytoenforcehisdecisions.JudgeHerndon,inhis"AbrahamLincoln,"saysofthisnotableevent:

"IcannotimproveonthedescriptionfurnishedmeinFebruary,1865,byonewho

waspresent.

"Theyformedaring,andthetimehavingarrived,Lincoln,withonehandoneachhipandinasquattingposition,cried,'Ready.'Intotheringtheytosstheirfowls,'Bap.'s'redroosteralongwiththerest.Butnosoonerhadthelittlebeautydiscoveredwhatwastobedonethanhedroppedhistailandran.

"Thecrowdcheered,while'Bap.,'indisappointment,pickedhimupandstartedaway,losinghisquarter(entrancefee)andcarryinghomehisdishonoredfowl.Oncearrivedatthelatterplacehethrewhispetdownwithafeelingofindignationandchagrin.

"Thelittlefellow,outofsightofallrivals,mountedawoodpileandproudly

flirtingouthisfeathers,crowedwithallhismight.'Bap.'lookedonindisgust.

"'Yes,youlittlecuss,'heexclaimed,irreverently,'you'regreatondressparade,butnotworthadarninafight."'

Itissaid,accordingtoJudgeHerndon,thatLincolnconsideredMcClellanas"greatondressparade,"butnotsomuchinafight.

ALOW-DOWNTRICK.

WhenLincolnwasacandidateoftheKnowNothingsfortheStateLegislature,thepartywasover-confident,andtheDemocratspursuedastill-hunt.Lincolnwasdefeated.Hecomparedthesituationtooneofthecamp-followersofGeneralTaylor'sarmy,whohadsecuredabarrelofcider,erectedatent,andcommencedsellingittothethirstysoldiersattwenty-fivecentsadrink,buthehadsoldbutlittlebeforeanothersharponesetupatentathisback,andtappedthebarrelsoastoflowonhisside,andpeddledoutNo.1cideratfivecentsadrink,ofcourse,gettingthelatter'sentiretradeontheborrowedcapital.

"TheDemocrats,"saidMr.Lincoln,"hadplayedKnownothingonacheaperscalet



hanhadtherealdevoteesofSam,andhadrakeddownhispilewithhisowncider!"

ENDFOREND.

JudgeH.W.Beckwith,ofDanville,Ill.,inhis"PersonalRecollectionsofLincoln,"tellsastorywhichisagoodexampleofLincoln'swayofcondensingthelawandthefactsofanissueinastory:"Aman,byvilewords,firstprovokedandthenmadeabodilyattackuponanother.Thelatter,indefendinghimself,gavetheothermuchtheworstoftheencounter.Theaggressor,togeteven,hadtheonewhothrashedhimtriedinourCircuitCourtonachargeofanassaultandbattery.Mr.Lincolndefended,andtoldthejurythathisclientwasinthefixofamanwho,ingoingalongthehighwaywithapitchforkonhisshoulder,wasattackedbyafiercedogthatranoutathimfromafarmer'sdooryard.Inparryingoffthebrutewiththefork,itsprongsstuckintothebruteandkilledhim.

"'Whatmadeyoukillmydog?'saidthefarmer.

"'Whatmadehimtrytobiteme?'

"'Butwhydidyounotgoathimwiththeotherendofthepitchfork?'

"'Whydidhenotcomeaftermewithhisotherend?'

"AtthisMr.Lincolnwhirledaboutinhislongarmsanimaginarydog,andpusheditstailendtowardthejury.Thiswasthedefensivepleaof'sonassaultdemesne'--loosely,that'theotherfellowbroughtonthefight,'--quicklytold,andinawaythedullestmindwouldgraspandretain."

LETSIXSKUNKSGO.

ThePresidenthaddecidedtoselectanewWarMinister,andtheLeadingRepublicanSenatorsthoughttheoccasionwasopportunetochangethewholesevenCabine

tministers.They,therefore,earnestlyadvisedhimtomakeacleansweep,andselectsevennewmen,andsorestorethewaningconfidenceofthecountry.

ThePresidentlistenedwithpatientcourtesy,andwhentheSenatorshadconcluded,hesaid,withacharacteristicgleamofhumorinhiseye:

"Gentlemen,yourrequestforachangeofthewholeCabinetbecauseIhavemadeonechangeremindsmeofastoryIonceheardinIllinois,ofafarmerwhowasmuchtroubledbyskunks.Hiswifeinsistedonhistryingtogetridofthem.

"Heloadedhisshotgunonemoonlightnightandawaiteddevelopments.Aftersometimethewifeheardtheshotgungooff,andinafewminutesthefarmerenteredthehouse.

"'Whatluckhaveyou?'askedshe.

"'Ihidmyselfbehindthewood-pile,'saidtheoldman,'withtheshotgunpointedtowardsthehenroost,andbeforelongthereappearednotoneskunk,butseven.Itookaim,blazedaway,killedone,andheraisedsuchafearfulsmellthatIconcludeditwasbesttolettheothersixgo."'

TheSenatorslaughedandretired.



HOWHEGOTBLACKSTONE.

ThefollowingstorywastoldbyMr.LincolntoMr.A.J.Conant,theartist,whopaintedhisportraitinSpringfieldin1860:

"OnedayamanwhowasmigratingtotheWestdroveupinfrontofmystorewithawagonwhichcontainedhisfamilyandhouseholdplunder.HeaskedmeifIwouldbuyanoldbarrelforwhichhehadnoroominhiswagon,andwhichhesaidcontainednothingofspecialvalue.Ididnotwantit,buttoobligehimIboughtit,andpaidhim,Ithink,halfadollarforit.Withoutfurtherexamination,Iputitawayinthestoreandforgotallaboutit.Sometimeafter,inoverhaulingthings,Icameuponthebarrel,and,emptyingituponthefloortoseewhatitcontained,IfoundatthebottomoftherubbishacompleteeditionofBlackstone'sCommentaries.Ibegantoreadthosefamousworks,andIhadplentyoftime;forduringthelongsummerdays,whenthefarmerswerebusywiththeircrops,mycustomerswerefewandfarbetween.ThemoreIread"--thishesaidwithunusualemphasis--"themoreintenselyinterestedIbecame.Neverinmywholelifewasmymindsothoroughlyabsorbed.IreaduntilIdevouredthem."

AJOBFORTHENEWCABINETMAKER.

Thiscartoon,labeled"AJobfortheNewCabinetmaker,"wasprintedin"FrankLeslie'sIllustratedNewspaper"onFebruary2d,1861,amonthandtwodaysbeforeAbrahamLincolnwasinauguratedPresidentoftheUnitedStates.TheSouthernstateshadsecededfromtheUnion,theConfederacywasestablished,withJeffersonDavisasitsPresident,theUnionhadbeensplitintwo,andthetaskLincolnhadbeforehimwastogluethetwopartsoftheRepublictogether.Inhisfamousspeech,deliveredashorttimebeforehisnominationforthePresidencybytheRepublicanNationalConventionatChicago,in1860,Lincolnhadsaid:"Ahousedividedagainstitselfcannotstand;thisnationcannotexisthalfslaveandhalffree."AfterhisinaugurationasPresident,Mr.Lincolnwenttoworktogluethetwopiecestogether,andafterfouryearsofbloodywar,andatimmensecost,thejobwasfinished;thehouseoftheGreatAmericanRepublicwasnolongerdivi

ded;theseveredsections--theNorthandtheSouth--werecementedtightly;theslaveswerefreed,peacewasfirmlyestablished,andtheUnionofstateswasgluedtogethersowellthatthenationisstrongernowthaneverbefore.Lincolnwasjustthemanforthatjob,andtheworkhedidwilllastforalltime."TheNewCabinetmaker"knewhisbusinessthoroughly,andfinishedhistaskofglueinginaworkmanlikemanner.Attheverymomentofitscompletion,fivedaysafterthesurrenderofLeetoGrantatAppomattox,theMartyrPresidentfellatthehandsoftheassassin,J.WilkesBooth.

"ICANSTANDITIFTHEYCAN."

UnitedStatesSenatorBenjaminWade,ofOhio,HenryWinterDavis,ofMaryland,andWendellPhillipswerestronglyopposedtoPresidentLincoln'sre-election,andWadeandDavisissuedamanifesto.PhillipsmadeseveralwarmspeechesagainstLincolnandhispolicy.

WhenaskedifhehadreadthemanifestooranyofPhillips'speeches,thePresidentreplied:

"Ihavenotseenthem,nordoIcaretoseethem.IhaveseenenoughtosatisfymethatIamafailure,notonlyintheopinionofthepeopleinrebellion,but



ofmanydistinguishedpoliticiansofmyownparty.ButtimewillshowwhetherIamrightortheyareright,andIamcontenttoabideitsdecision.

"Ihaveenoughtolookafterwithoutgivingmuchofmytimetotheconsiderationofthesubjectofwhoshallbemysuccessorinoffice.Thepositionisnotaneasyone;andtheoccupant,whoeverhemaybe,forthenextfouryears,willhavelittleleisuretopluckathornorplantaroseinhisownpathway."

ItwasurgedthatthisoppositionmustbeembarrassingtohisAdministration,aswellasdamagingtotheparty.Hereplied:"Yes,thatistrue;butourfriends,Wade,Davis,Phillips,andothersarehardtoplease.Iamnotcapableofdoingso.Icannotpleasethemwithoutwantonlyviolatingnotonlymyoath,butthemostvitalprinciplesuponwhichourgovernmentwasfounded.

"Astothosewho,likeWadeandtherest,seefittodepreciatemypolicyandcavilatmyofficialacts,Ishallnotcomplainofthem.Iaccordthemtheutmostfreedomofspeechandlibertyofthepress,butshallnotchangethepolicyIhaveadoptedinthefullbeliefthatIamright.

"IfeelonthissubjectasanoldIllinoisfarmeronceexpressedhimselfwhileeatingcheese.Hewasinterruptedinthemidstofhisrepastbytheentranceofhisson,whoexclaimed,'Holdon,dad!there'sskippersinthatcheeseyou'reeating!'

"'Nevermind,Tom,'saidhe,ashekeptonmunchinghischeese,'iftheycanstanditIcan.'"

LINCOLNMISTAKENFORONCE.

PresidentLincolnwascompelledtoacknowledgethathemadeatleastonemistakein"sizingup"men.OnedayaverydignifiedmancalledattheWhiteHouse,andLincoln'sheartfellwhenhisvisitorapproached.Thelatterwasportly,hisfacewasfullofapparentanxiety,andLincolnwaswillingtowagerayear'ssalarythatherepresentedsomeSocietyfortheEasyandSpeedyRepressionofRebellions.

Thecallertalkedfluently,butatnotimedidhegiveadviceorsuggestawaytoputdowntheConfederacy.Hewasfullofhumor,toldacleverstoryortwo,andwasentirelyself-possessed.

AtlengththePresidentinquired,"Youareaclergyman,areyounot,sir?"

"Notbyajugfull,"returnedthestrangerheartily.

GraspinghimbythehandLincolnshookituntilthevisitorsquirmed."Youmustlunchwithus.Iamgladtoseeyou.Iwasafraidyouwereapreacher."

"IwenttotheChicagoConvention,"thecallersaid,"asafriendofMr.Seward

.Ihavewatchedyounarrowlyeversinceyourinauguration,andIcalledmerelytopaymyrespects.WhatIwanttosayisthis:Ithinkyouaredoingeverythingforthegoodofthecountrythatisinthepowerofmantodo.Youareontherighttrack.AsoneofyourconstituentsInowsaytoyou,doinfutureasyoud----please,andIwillsupportyou!"

Thiswasspokenwithtremendouseffect.

"Why,"saidMr.Lincolningreatastonishment,"Itookyoutobeapreacher.IthoughtyouhadcomeheretotellmehowtotakeRichmond,"andheagaingrasped



thehandofhisstrangevisitor.

AccurateandpenetratingasMr.Lincoln'sjudgmentwasconcerningmen,foroncehehadbeenwhollymistaken.Thescenewascomicalintheextreme.Thetwomenstoodgazingateachother.Asmilebrokefromthelipsofthesolemnwagandrippledoverthewideexpanseofhishomelyfacelikesunlightoverspreadingacontinent,andMr.Lincolnwasconvulsedwithlaughter.

Hestayedtolunch.

FORGOTEVERYTHINGHEKNEW.

PresidentLincoln,whileentertainingafewfriends,issaidtohaverelatedthefollowinganecdoteofamanwhoknewtoomuch:

DuringtheadministrationofPresidentJacksontherewasasingularyounggentlemanemployedinthePublicPostofficeinWashington.

HisnamewasG.;hewasfromTennessee,thesonofawidow,aneighborofthePresident,onwhichaccounttheoldherohadakindfeelingforhim,andalwaysgothimoutofdifficultieswithsomeofthehigherofficials,towhomhissingularinterferencewasdistasteful.

Amongotherthings,itissaidofhimthatwhileemployedintheGeneralPostoffice,ononeoccasionhehadtocopyalettertoMajorH.,ahighofficial,inanswertoanapplicationmadebyanoldgentlemaninVirginiaorPennsylvania,fortheestablishmentofanewpostoffice.

Thewriterofthelettersaidtheapplicationcouldnotbegranted,inconsequenceoftheapplicant's"proximity"toanotheroffice.

WhenthelettercameintoG.'shandtocopy,beingagreatsticklerforplainness,healtered"proximity"to"nearnessto."

MajorH.observedit,andaskedG.whyhealteredhisletter.

"Why,"repliedG.,"becauseIdon'tthinkthemanwouldunderstandwhatyoumeanbyproximity."

"Well,"saidMajorH.,"tryhim;putinthe'proximity'again."

Inafewdaysaletterwasreceivedfromtheapplicant,inwhichheveryindignantlysaidthathisfatherhadfoughtforlibertyinthesecondwarforindependence,andheshouldliketohavethenameofthescoundrelwhobroughtthechargeofproximityoranythingelsewrongagainsthim.

"There,"saidG.,"didInotsayso?"

G.carriedhisimprovementssofarthatMr.Berry,thePostmaster-General,saidtohim:"Idon'twantyouanylonger;youknowtoomuch."

PoorG.wentout,buthisoldfriendgothimanotherplace.

ThistimeG.'sideasunderwentachange.Hewasonedayverybusywriting,whenastrangercalledinandaskedhimwherethePatentOfficewas.

"Idon'tknow,"saidG.



"CanyoutellmewheretheTreasuryDepartmentis?"saidthestranger.

"No,"saidG.

"NorthePresident'shouse?"

"No."

ThestrangerfinallyaskedhimifheknewwheretheCapitolwas.

"No,"repliedG.

"DoyouliveinWashington,sir."

"Yes,sir,"saidG.

"GoodLord!anddon'tyouknowwherethePatentOffice,Treasury,President'sHouseandCapitolare?"

"Stranger,"saidG.,"Iwasturnedoutofthepostofficeforknowingtoomuch.Idon'tmeantooffendinthatwayagain.

"Iampaidforkeepingthisbook.

"IbelieveIknowthatmuch;butifyoufindmeknowinganythingmoreyoumaytakemyhead."

"Goodmorning,"saidthestranger.

HELOVEDAGOODSTORY.

JudgeBreese,oftheSupremebench,oneofthemostdistinguishedofAmericanjurists,andamanofgreatpersonaldignity,wasabouttoopencourtatSpringfield,whenLincolncalledoutinhisheartyway:"Holdon,Breese!Don'topencourtyet!Here'sBobBlackwelljustgoingtotellastory!"Thejudgepassedonwi

thoutreplying,evidentlyregardingitasbeneaththedignityoftheSupremeCourttodelayproceedingsforthesakeofastory.

HEELSRANAWAYWITHTHEM.

Inanargumentagainsttheoppositepoliticalpartyatonetimeduringacampaign,Lincolnsaid:"Myopponentusesafigurativeexpressiontotheeffectthat'theDemocratsarevulnerableintheheel,buttheyaresoundintheheartandhead.'Thefirstbranchofthefigure--thatistheDemocratsarevulnerableintheheel--Iadmitisnotmerelyfigurativelybutliterallytrue.Whothatlooksbutforamomentattheirhundredsofofficialsscamperingawaywiththepublicmon

eytoTexas,toEurope,andtoeveryspotoftheearthwhereavillainmayhopetofindrefugefromjustice,canatalldoubtthattheyaremostdistressinglyaffectedintheirheelswithaspeciesofrunningitch?

"Itseemsthatthismaladyoftheirheelsoperatesonthesound-headedandhonest-heartedcreaturesverymuchasthecorkleginthecomicsongdidonitsowner,which,whenheoncegotstartedonit,themorehetriedtostopit,themoreitwouldrunaway.

"Atthehazardofwearingthispointthreadbare,Iwillrelateananecdotethe



situationcallstomymind,whichseemstobetoostrikinglyinpointtobeomitted.AwittyIrishsoldier,whowasalwaysboastingofhisbraverywhennodangerwasnear,butwhoinvariablyretreatedwithoutordersatthefirstchargeoftheengagement,beingaskedbyhiscaptainwhyhedidso,replied,'Captain,IhaveasbraveaheartasJuliusCaesareverhad,butsomehoworother,wheneverdangerapproaches,mycowardlylegswillrunawaywithit.'

"Sowiththeoppositeparty--theytakethepublicmoneyintotheirhandsforthemostlaudablepurposethatwiseheadsandhonestheartscandictate;butbeforetheycanpossiblygetitoutagain,theirrascally,vulnerableheelswillrunawaywiththem."

WANTEDTOBURNHIMDOWNTOTHESTUMP.

PrestonKingonceintroducedA.J.BleekertothePresident,andthelatter,beinganapplicantforoffice,wasabouttohandMr.Lincolnhisvouchers,whenhewasaskedtoreadthem.BleekerhadnotreadveryfarwhenthePresidentdisconcertedhimbytheexclamation,"Stopaminute!Youremindmeexactlyofthemanwhokilledthedog;infact,youarejustlikehim."

"Inwhatrespect?"askedBleeker,notfeelinghehadreceivedacompliment.

"Well,"repliedthePresident,"thismanhadmadeuphismindtokillhisdog,anuglybrute,andproceededtoknockouthisbrainswithaclub.Hecontinuedstrikingthedogafterthelatterwasdeaduntilafriendprotested,exclaiming,'Youneedn'tstrikehimanymore;thedogisdead;youkilledhimatthefirstblow.'

"'Oh,yes,'saidhe,'Iknowthat;butIbelieveinpunishmentafterdeath.'So,Isee,youdo."

Bleekeracknowledgeditwaspossibletooverdoagoodthing,andthencamebackatthePresidentwithananecdoteofagoodpriestwhoconvertedanIndianfromheathenismtoChristianity;theonlydifficultyhehadwithhimwastogethimtoprayforhisenemies."ThisIndianhadbeentaughttoovercomeanddestroyal

lhisfriendshedidn'tlike,"saidBleeker,"butthepriesttoldhimthatwhilethatmightbetheIndianmethod,itwasnotthedoctrineofChristianityortheBible.'SaintPauldistinctlysays,'thepriesttoldhim,'Ifthineenemyhunger,feedhim;ifhethirst,givehimdrink.'

"TheIndianshookhisheadatthis,butwhenthepriestadded,'Forinsodoingthoushaltheapcoalsoffireonhishead,'PoorLowasovercomewithemotion,fellonhisknees,andwithoutstretchedhandsandupliftedeyesinvokedallsortsofblessingsontheheadsofallhisenemies,supplicatingforpleasanthunting-grounds,alargesupplyofsquaws,lotsofpapooses,andallotherIndiancomforts.

"Finallythegoodpriestinterruptedhim(asyoudidme,Mr.President),exclai

ming,'Stop,myson!YouhavedischargedyourChristianduty,andhavedonemorethanenough.'

"'Oh,no,father,'repliedtheIndian;'letmepray!Iwanttoburnhimdowntothestump!"

HADA"KICK"COMING.



Duringthewar,oneoftheNorthernGovernors,whowasable,earnestanduntiringinaidingtheadministration,butalwayscomplaining,sentdispatchafterdispatchtotheWarOffice,protestingagainstthemethodsusedinraisingtroops.Afterreadingallhispapers,thePresidentsaid,inacheerfulandreassuringtonetotheAdjutant-General:

"Nevermind,nevermind;thosedispatchesdon'tmeananything.Justgorightahead.TheGovernorislikeaboyIoncesawatalaunching.Wheneverythingwasready,theypickedoutaboyandsenthimundertheshiptoknockawaythetriggerandlethergo.

"Atthecriticalmomenteverythingdependedontheboy.Hehadtodothejobwellbyadirect,vigorousblow,andthenlieflatandkeepstillwhiletheboatslidoverhim.

"Theboydideverythingright,butheyelledasifhewerebeingmurderedfromthetimehegotunderthekeeluntilhegotout.Ithoughtthehidewasallscrapedoffhisback,buthewasn'thurtatall.

"Themasteroftheyardtoldmethatthisboywasalwayschosenforthatjob;thathedidhisworkwell;thatheneverhadbeenhurt,butthathealwayssquealedinthatway.

"That'sjustthewaywithGovernor--.Makeupyourmindthatheisnothurt,an

dthatheisdoingtheworkright,andpaynoattentiontohissquealing.Heonlywantstomakeyouunderstandhowhardhistaskis,andthatheisonhandperformingit."

THECASEOFBETSYANNDOUGHERTY.

ManyrequestsandpetitionsmadetoMr.LincolnwhenhewasPresidentwereludicrousandtrifling,buthealwaysenteredintothemwiththathumor-lovingspiritthatwassucharelieffromthegravedutiesofhisgreatoffice.

OnceapartyofSouthernerscalledonhiminbehalfofoneBetsyAnnDougherty.

Thespokesman,whowasanex-Governor,said:

"Mr.President,BetsyAnnDoughertyisagoodwoman.Shelivedinmycountyanddidmywashingforalongtime.Herhusbandwentoffandjoinedtherebelarmy,andIwishyouwouldgiveheraprotectionpaper."ThesolemnityofthisappealstruckMr.Lincolnasuncommonlyridiculous.

Thetwomenlookedateachother--theGovernordesperatelyearnest,andthePresidentmaskinghishumorbehindthegravestexterior.AtlastMr.Lincolnasked,withinimitablegravity,"WasBetsyAnnagoodwasherwoman?""Oh,yes,sir,shewas,indeed."

"WasyourBetsyAnnanobligingwoman?""Yes,shewascertainlyverykind,"res

pondedtheGovernor,soberly."Couldshedootherthingsthanwash?"continuedMr.Lincolnwiththesameportentousgravity.

"Oh,yes;shewasverykind--very."

"WhereisBetsyAnn?"

"SheisnowinNewYork,andwantstocomebacktoMissouri,butsheisafraidofbanishment."



TheblacksdidnotbotherPresident"Abe"intheleastasheknewhewouldbeenabledtogivethemtheirfreedomwhenthepropertimecame.HehadtheprojectoffreeingtheminhismindlongbeforeheissuedhisEmancipationProclamation,thedelayinpromulgatingthatdocumentbeingduetothefactthathedidnotwishtoestrangethehundredsofthousandsofpatriotsoftheborderstateswhowerefightingforthepreservationoftheUnion,andnotforthefreedomofthenegroslaves.President"Abe"hadpatience,andeverythingcameoutallrightintheend.

GETTINGRIDOFANELEPHANT.

CharlesA.Dana,whowasAssistantSecretaryofWarunderMr.Stanton,relatesthefollowing:AcertainThompsonhadbeengivingthegovernmentconsiderabletrouble.DanareceivedinformationthatThompsonwasabouttoescapetoLiverpool.

CallinguponStanton,DanawasreferredtoMr.Lincoln.

"ThePresidentwasattheWhiteHouse,businesshourswereover,Lincolnwaswashinghishands.'Hallo,Dana,'saidhe,asIopenedthedoor,'whatisitnow?''Well,sir,'Isaid,'hereistheProvostMarshalofPortland,whoreportsthatJacobThompsonistobeintownto-night,andinquireswhatorderswehavetogive.''WhatdoesStantonsay?'heasked.'Arresthim,'Ireplied.'Well,'hecon

tinued,drawlinghiswords,'Iratherguessnot.Whenyouhaveanelephantonyourhands,andhewantstorunaway,betterlethimrun.'"

GROTESQUE,YETFRIGHTFUL.

ThenearestLincolnevercametoafightwaswhenhewasinthevicinityoftheskirmishatKellogg'sGrove,intheBlackHawkWar.Therangersarrivedatthespotaftertheengagementandhelpedburythefivemenwhowerekilled.

LincolntoldNoahBrooks,oneofhisbiographers,thathe"rememberedjusthowthosemenlookedaswerodeupthelittlehillwheretheircampwas.Theredlig

htofthemorningsunwasstreaminguponthemastheylay,headstowardus,ontheground.Andeverymanhadaround,redspotonthetopofhisheadaboutasbigasadollar,wheretheredskinshadtakenhisscalp.Itwasfrightful,butitwasgrotesque;andtheredsunlightseemedtopainteverythingallover."

Lincolnpaused,asifrecallingthevividpicture,andadded,somewhatirrelevantly,"Irememberthatonemanhadonbuckskinbreeches."

"ABE"WASNODUDE.

Alwaysindifferentinmattersofdress,Lincolncutbutsmallfigureinsocial

circles,evenintheearliestdaysofIllinois.Histrousersweretooshort,hishattoosmall,and,asarule,thebuttonsonthebackofhiscoatwerenearerhisshoulderbladesthanhiswaist.

Nomanwasricherthanhisfellows,andtherewasnoaristocracy;thewomenworelinsey-woolseyofhomemanufacture,anddyedtheminaccordancewiththetastesofthewearers;calicowasrarelyseen,andawomanwearingadressofthatmaterialwastheenvyofhersisters.

Therebeingnoshoemakersthewomenworemoccasins,andthemenmadetheirown



boots.Ahuntingshirt,leggingsmadeofskins,buckskinbreeches,dyedgreen,constitutedanapparelnomaidencouldwithstand.

CHARACTERISTICOFLINCOLN.

OnemanwhoknewLincolnatNewSalem,saysthefirsttimehesawhimhewaslyingonatrundle-bedcoveredwithbooksandpapersandrockingacradlewithhisfoot.

Thewholescenewasentirelycharacteristic--Lincolnreadingandstudying,andatthesametimehelpinghislandladybyquietingherchild.

AgentlemanwhoknewMr.Lincolnwellinearlymanhoodsays:"Lincolnatthisperiodhadnothingbutplentyoffriends."

Afterthecustomaryhand-shakingononeoccasionintheWhiteHouseatWashingtonseveralgentlemencameforwardandaskedthePresidentforhisautograph.Oneofthemgavehisnameas"Cruikshank.""Thatremindsme,"saidMr.Lincoln,"ofwhatIusedtobecalledwhenayoungman--'Long-shanks!'"

"PLOUGHALL'ROUNDHIM."

GovernorBlankwenttotheWarDepartmentonedayinatoweringrage:

"Isupposeyoufounditnecessarytomakelargeconcessionstohim,ashereturnedfromyouperfectlysatisfied,"suggestedafriend.

"Oh,no,"thePresidentreplied,"Ididnotconcedeanything.YouhaveheardhowthatIllinoisfarmergotridofabiglogthatwastoobigtohaulout,tooknottytosplit,andtoowetandsoggytoburn.

"'Well,now,'saidhe,inresponsetotheinquiriesofhisneighborsoneSunday,astohowhegotridofit,'well,now,boys,ifyouwon'tdivulgethesecret,

I'lltellyouhowIgotridofit--Iploughedaroundit.'

"Now,"remarkedLincoln,inconclusion,"don'ttellanybody,butthat'sthewayIgotridofGovernorBlank.Iploughedallroundhim,butittookmethreemortalhourstodoit,andIwasafraideveryminutehe'dseewhatIwasat."

"I'VELOSTMYAPPLE."

Duringapublic"reception,"afarmerfromoneofthebordercountiesofVirginiatoldthePresidentthattheUnionsoldiers,inpassinghisfarm,hadhelpedthemselvesnotonlytohay,buthishorse,andhehopedthePresidentwouldurge

theproperofficertoconsiderhisclaimimmediately.

Mr.Lincolnsaidthatthisremindedhimofanoldacquaintanceofhis,"Jack"Chase,alumbermanontheIllinois,asteady,soberman,andthebestraftsmanontheriver.Itwasquiteatricktotakethelogsovertherapids;buthewasskilfulwitharaft,andalwayskeptherstraightinthechannel.Finallyasteamerwasputon,and"Jack"wasmadecaptainofher.Healwaysusedtotakethewheel,goingthroughtherapids.Onedaywhentheboatwasplungingandwallowingalongtheboilingcurrent,and"Jack's"utmostvigilancewasbeingexercisedtokeepherinthenarrowchannel,aboypulledhiscoat-tailandhailedhimwith:



"Say,MisterCaptain!Iwishyouwouldjuststopyourboataminute--I'velostmyappleoverboard!"

LOSTHISCERTIFICATEOFCHARACTER.

Mr.LincolnpreparedhisfirstinauguraladdressinaroomoverastoreinSpringfield.HisonlyreferenceworkswereHenryClay'sgreatcompromisespeechof1850,AndrewJackson'sProclamationagainstNullification,Webster'sgreatreplytoHayne,andacopyoftheConstitution.

WhenMr.LincolnstartedforWashington,tobeinaugurated,theinauguraladdresswasplacedinaspecialsatchelandguardedwithspecialcare.AtHarrisburgthesatchelwasgiveninchargeofRobertT.Lincoln,whoaccompaniedhisfather.BeforethetrainstartedfromHarrisburgtheprecioussatchelwasmissing.Robertthoughthehadgivenittoawaiteratthehotel,butalongsearchfailedtorevealthemissingsatchelwithitspreciousdocument.Lincolnwasannoyed,angry,andfinallyindespair.Hefeltcertainthattheaddresswaslostbeyondrecovery,and,asitonlylackedtendaysuntiltheinauguration,hehadnotimetoprepareanother.Hehadnotevenpreservedthenotesfromwhichtheoriginalcopyhadbeenwritten.

Mr.LincolnwenttoWardLamon,hisformerlawpartner,thenoneofhisbodyguards,andinformedhimofthelossinthefollowingwords:

"Lamon,IguessIhavelostmycertificateofmoralcharacter,writtenbymyself.Bobhaslostmygripsackcontainingmyinauguraladdress."Ofcourse,themisfortuneremindedhimofastory.

"Ifeel,"saidMr.Lincoln,"agooddealastheoldmemberoftheMethodistChurchdidwhenhelosthiswifeatthecampmeeting,andwentuptoanoldelderofthechurchandaskedhimifhecouldtellhimwhereaboutsinh--lhiswifewas.Infact,IaminaworsefixthanmyMethodistfriend,forifitwereonlyawifethatweremissing,minewouldbesuretobobupsomewhere."

TheclerkatthehoteltoldMr.Lincolnthathewouldprobablyfindhismissingsatchelinthebaggage-room.Arrivingthere,Mr.Lincolnsawasatchelwhichhethoughtwashis,anditwaspassedouttohim.Hiskeyfittedthelock,butalas!whenitwasopenedthesatchelcontainedonlyasoiledshirt,somepapercollars,apackofcardsandabottleofwhisky.Afewminuteslaterthesatchelcontainingtheinauguraladdresswasfoundamongthepileofbaggage.

TherecoveryoftheaddressalsoremindedMr.Lincolnofastory,whichisthusnarratedbyWardLamoninhis"RecollectionsofAbrahamLincoln":

Thelossoftheaddressandthesearchforitwasthesubjectofagreatdealofamusement.Mr.Lincolnsaidmanyfunnythingsinconnectionwiththeincident.Oneofthemwasthatheknewafellowoncewhohadsavedupfifteenhundreddol

lars,andhadplaceditinaprivatebankingestablishment.Thebanksoonfailed,andheafterwardreceivedtenpercentofhisinvestment.Hethentookhisonehundredandfiftydollarsanddepositeditinasavingsbank,wherehewassureitwouldbesafe.Inashorttimethisbankalsofailed,andhereceivedatthefinalsettlementtenpercentontheamountdeposited.Whenthefifteendollarswaspaidovertohim,hehelditinhishandandlookedatitthoughtfully;thenhesaid,"Now,darnyou,Ihavegotyoureducedtoaportableshape,soI'llputyouinmypocket."Suitingtheactiontotheword,Mr.Lincolntookhisaddressfromthebagandcarefullyplaceditintheinsidepocketofhisvest,butheldontothesatchelwithasmuchinterestasifitstillcontainedhis"certifi



cateofmoralcharacter."

NOTEPRESENTEDFORPAYMENT.

ThegreatEnglishfunnypaper,London"Punch,"printedthiscartoononSeptember27th,1862.ItisintendedtoconveytheideathatLincoln,havingassertedthatthewarwouldbeoverinninetydays,hadnotredeemedhisword:ThetextundertheCartooninPunchwas:

MR.SOUTHTOMR.NORTH:"Your'ninety-day'promissorynoteisn'ttakenupyet,sirree!"

Thetoneofthecartoonisdecidedlyunfriendly.TheNorthfinallytookupthenote,buttheSouthhadtopayit."Punch"wasnotpleasedwiththeresult,but"Mr.North"didnotcareparticularlywhatthisperiodicalthoughtaboutit.TheUnitedStates,sincethen,hasbeenpreparedtotakeupallofitsobligationswhendue,butitmustbeacknowledgedthatatthetimethiscartoonwaspublishedtheoutlookwasratherdarkandgloomy.Lincolndidnotdespair,however;butalthoughbusinesswasinratherbadshapeforatime,thefinancialskiesfinallycleared,businesswasresumedattheoldstand,andUncleSam'screditisnowasgood,orbetter,thanothernations'cashinhand.

DOGWASA"LEETLEBITAHEAD."

LincolncouldnotsympathizewiththoseUniongeneralswhowerepronetoindulgeinhigh-soundingpromises,butwhoseperformancesdidnotbyanymeanscomeuptotheirpredictionsastowhattheywoulddoiftheyevermettheenemyfacetoface.Hesaidoneday,justafteroneofthesebraggartshadbeensoundlythrashedbytheConfederates:

"Thesefellowsremindmeofthefellowwhoownedadogwhich,sohesaid,justhungeredandthirstedtocombatandeatupwolves.Itwasadifficultmatter,sotheownerdeclared,tokeepthatdogfromdevotingtheentiretwenty-fourhours

ofeachdaytothedestructionofhisenemies.Hejust'hankered'togetatthem.

"Onedayapartyofthisdog-owner'sfriendsthoughttohavesomesport.Thesefriendsheartilydislikedwolves,andwereanxioustoseethedogeatupafewthousand.Sotheyorganizedahuntingpartyandinvitedthedog-ownerandthedogtogowiththem.Theydesiredtobepersonallypresentwhenthewolf-killingwasinprogress.

"Itwasnoticedthatthedog-ownerwasnotover-enthusiasticinthematter;hepleadeda'businessengagement,'butashewasthemostnotoriousandtorpidofthetownloafers,andwouldn'thaverecognizeda'businessengagement'hadhemetitfacetoface,hisexcusewastreatedwithcontempt.Thereforehehadtogo.

"Thedog,however,wasgladenoughtogo,andsothepartystartedout.Wolveswereinplenty,andsoonapackwasdiscovered,butwhenthe'wolf-hound'sawtheferociousanimalshelostheart,and,puttinghistailbetweenhislegs,endeavoredtoslinkaway.Atlast--aftermanytrials--hewasenticedintothesmallgrowthofunderbrushwherethewolveshadsecretedthemselves,andyelpsofterrorbetrayedthefactthatthebattlewason.

"Awayflewthewolves,thedogamongthem,thehuntingpartyfollowingonhorseback.Thewolvesseemedfrightened,andthedogwasrestoredtopublicfavor.It



reallylookedasifhehadthesavagecreaturesontherun,ashewasfightingheroicallywhenlastsighted.

"Wolvesanddogsoondisappeared,anditwasnotuntilthepartyarrivedatadistantfarmhousethatnewsofthecombatantswasgleaned.

"'Haveyouseenanythingofawolf-dogandapackofwolvesaroundhere?'wasthequestionanxiouslyputtothemaleoccupantofthehouse,whostoodidlyleaninguponthegate.

"'Yep,'wastheshortanswer.

"'Howweretheygoing?'

"'Purtyfast.'

"'Whatwastheirpositionwhenyousawthem?'

"'Well,'repliedthefarmer,inamostexasperatinglydeliberateway,'thedogwasaleetlebitahead.'

"Now,gentlemen,"concludedthePresident,"that'sthepositioninwhichyou'llfindmostofthesebragginggeneralswhentheygetintoafightwiththeenemy.That'swhyIdon'tlikemilitaryorators."

"ABE'S"FIGHTWITHNEGROES.

WhenLincolnwasnineteenyearsofage,hewenttoworkforaMr.Gentry,and,incompanywithGentry'sson,tookaflatboatloadofprovisionstoNewOrleans.AtaplantationsixmilesbelowBatonRouge,whiletheboatwastieduptotheshoreinthedeadhoursofthenight,andAbeandAllenwerefastasleepinthebed,theywerestartledbyfootstepsonboard.Theyknewinstantlythatitwasagangofnegroescometorobandperhapsmurderthem.Allen,thinkingtofrightenthenegroes,calledout,"Bringguns,Lincoln,andshootthem!"Abecamewithouttheguns,butfellamongthenegroeswithahugebludgeonandbelaboredthem

mostcruelly,followingthemontothebank.Theyrushedbacktotheirboatandhastilyputoutintothestream.ItissaidthatLincolnreceivedascarinthistusslewhichhecarriedwithhimtohisgrave.Itwasonthistripthathesawtheworkingsofslaveryforthefirsttime.ThesightofNewOrleanswaslikeawonderfulpanoramatohiseyes,forneverbeforehadheseenwealth,beauty,fashionandculture.Hereturnedhomewithnewandlargerideasandstrongeropinionsofrightandjustice.

NOISELIKEATURNIP.

"Everymanhashisownpeculiarandparticularwayofgettingatanddoingthin

gs,"saidPresidentLincolnoneday,"andheisoftencriticisedbecausethatwayisnottheoneadoptedbyothers.Thegreatideaistoaccomplishwhatyousetouttodo.Whenamanissuccessfulinwhateverheattempts,hehasmanyimitators,andthemethodsusedarenotsocloselyscrutinized,althoughnomanwhoisofgoodintentwillresorttomean,underhanded,scurvytricks.

"ThatremindsmeofafellowoutinIllinois,whohadbetterluckingettingprairiechickensthananyoneintheneighborhood.Hehadarustyoldgunnoothermandaredtohandle;heneverseemedtoexerthimself,beinglistlessandindifferentwhenoutaftergame,buthealwaysbroughthomeallthechickenshecould



carry,whilesomeoftheothers,withtheirfinelytraineddogsandlatestimprovedfowling-pieces,camehomealone.

"'Howisit,Jake?'inquiredonesportsman,who,althoughagoodshot,andknewsomethingabouthunting,wasoftenunfortunate,'thatyounevercomehomewithoutalotofbirds?'

"Jakegrinned,halfclosedhiseyes,andreplied:'Oh,Idon'tknowthatthere'sanythingqueeraboutit.Ijes'goaheadan'git'em.'

"'Yes,Iknowyoudo;buthowdoyoudoit?'

"'You'lltell.'

"'Honest,Jake,Iwon'tsayaword.Hopetodropdeadthisminute.'

"'Neversaynothing,ifItellyou?'

"'Crossmyheartthreetimes.'

"ThisreassuredJake,whoputhismouthclosetotheearofhiseagerquestioner,andsaid,inawhisper:

"'Allyougottodoisjes'tohideinafencecorneran'makeanoiselikeat

urnip.That'llbringthechickenseverytime.'"

WARDINGOFFGOD'SVENGEANCE.

WhenLincolnwasacandidateforre-electiontotheIllinoisLegislaturein1836,ameetingwasadvertisedtobeheldinthecourt-houseinSpringfield,atwhichcandidatesofopposingpartiesweretospeak.Thisgavemenofspiritandcapacityafineopportunitytoshowthestuffofwhichtheyweremade.

GeorgeForquerwasoneofthemostprominentcitizens;hehadbeenaWhig,butbecameaDemocrat--possiblyforthereasonthatbymeansofthechangehesecure

dthepositionofGovernmentlandregister,fromPresidentAndrewJackson.Hehadthelargestandfinesthouseinthecity,andtherewasanewandstrikingappendagetoit,calledalightning-rod!Themeetingwasverylarge.SevenWhigandsevenDemocraticcandidatesspoke.

Lincolnclosedthediscussion.AKentuckian(JoshuaF.Speed),whohadheardHenryClayandotherdistinguishedKentuckyorators,stoodnearLincoln,andstatedafterwardthathe"neverheardamoreeffectivespeaker;...thecrowdseemedtobeswayedbyhimashepleased."Whatoccurredduringtheclosingportionofthismeetingmustbegiveninfull,fromJudgeArnold'sbook:

"Forquer,althoughnotacandidate,askedtobeheardfortheDemocrats,inreplytoLincoln.Hewasagoodspeaker,andwellknownthroughoutthecounty.His

specialtaskthatdaywastoattackandridiculetheyoungcountrymanfromSalem.

"TurningtoLincoln,whostoodwithinafewfeetofhim,hesaid:'Thisyoungmanmustbetakendown,andIamtrulysorrythatthetaskdevolvesuponme.'Hethenproceeded,inaveryoverbearingway,andwithanassumptionofgreatsuperiority,toattackLincolnandhisspeech.Hewasfluentandreadywiththeroughsarcasmofthestump,andhewentontoridiculetheperson,dressandargumentsofLincolnwithsomuchsuccessthatLincoln'sfriendsfearedthathewouldbeembarrassedandoverthrown."



"TheClary'sGroveboyswerepresent,andwererestrainedwithdifficultyfrom'gettingupafight'inbehalfoftheirfavorite(Lincoln),theyandallhisfriendsfeelingthattheattackwasungenerousandunmanly.

"Lincoln,however,stoodcalm,buthisflashingeyeandpalecheekindicatedhisindignation.AssoonasForquerhadclosedhetookthestand,andfirstansweredhisopponent'sargumentsfullyandtriumphantly.Soimpressivewerehiswordsandmannerthatahearer(JoshuaF.Speed)believesthathecanremembertothisdayandrepeatsomeoftheexpressions.

"Amongotherthingshesaid:'Thegentlemancommencedhisspeechbysayingthat"thisyoungman,"alludingtome,"mustbetakendown."IamnotsoyounginyearsasIaminthetricksandthetradesofapolitician,but,'saidhe,pointingtoForquer,'livelongordieyoung,Iwouldratherdienowthan,likethegentleman,changemypolitics,andwiththechangereceiveanofficeworth$3,000ayear,andthen,'continuedhe,'feelobligedtoerectalightning-rodovermyhouse,toprotectaguiltyconsciencefromanoffendedGod!'"

JEFFDAVISANDCHARLESTHEFIRST.

JeffersonDavisinsistedonbeingrecognizedbyhisofficialtitleascommander

orPresidentintheregularnegotiationwiththeGovernment.ThisMr.Lincolnwouldnotconsentto.

Mr.HunterthereuponreferredtothecorrespondencebetweenKingCharlestheFirstandhisParliamentasaprecedentforanegotiationbetweenaconstitutionalrulerandrebels.Mr.Lincoln'sfacethenworethatindescribableexpressionwhichgenerallyprecededhishardesthits,andheremarked:"Uponquestionsofhistory,ImustreferyoutoMr.Seward,forheispostedinsuchthings,andIdon'tprofesstobe;butmyonlydistinctrecollectionofthematteris,thatCharleslosthishead."

LOVEDSOLDIERS'HUMOR.

Lincolnlovedanythingthatsavoredofwitorhumoramongthesoldiers.Heusedtorelatetwostoriestoshow,hesaid,thatneitherdeathnordangercouldquenchthegrimhumoroftheAmericansoldier:

"AsoldieroftheArmyofthePotomacwasbeingcarriedtotherearofbattlewithbothlegsshotoff,who,seeingapie-woman,calledout,'Say,oldlady,arethempiessewedorpegged?'

"AndtherewasanotheroneofthesoldiersatthebattleofChancellorsville,whoseregiment,waitingtobecalledintothefight,wastakingcoffee.Theheroofthestoryputtohislipsacrockerymugwhichhehadcarriedwithcarethrou

ghseveralcampaigns.Astraybullet,justmissingthetinker'shead,dashedthemugintofragmentsandleftonlythehandleonhisfinger.Turninghisheadinthatdirection,hescowled,'Johnny,youcan'tdothatagain!'"

BADTIMEFORABARBECUE.

CaptainT.W.S.KiddofSpringfieldwasthecrierofthecourtinthedayswhenMr.Lincolnusedtoridethecircuit.



"Iwasyoungerthanhe,"saysCaptainKidd,"buthehadasortofadmirationforme,andneverfailedtogetmeintohisstories.Iwasastory-tellermyselfinthosedays,andheusedtolaughveryheartilyatsomeofthestoriesItoldhim.

"Nowandthenhegotmeintoagooddealoftrouble.IwasaDemocrat,andwasinpoliticsmoreorless.AgoodmanyofourDemocraticvotersatthattimewereIrishmen.TheycametoIllinoisinthedaysoftheoldcanal,anddidtheirhonestshareinmakingthatpieceofinternalimprovementanaccomplishedfact.

"OnetimeMr.Lincolntoldthestoryofoneofthoseimportantyoungfellows--notanIrishman--wholivedineverytown,andhavethecaresofstateontheirshoulders.ThisyoungfellowmetanIrishmanonthestreet,andcalledtohim,officiously:'Oh,Mike,I'mawfulgladImetyou.We'vegottodosomethingtowakeuptheboys.Thecampaigniscomingon,andwe'vegottogetoutvoters.We'vejusthadameetinguphere,andwe'regoingtohavethebiggestbarbecuethateverwasheardofinIllinois.Wearegoingtoroasttwowholeoxen,andwe'regoingtohaveDouglasandGovernorCassandsomeonefromKentucky,andallthebigDemocraticguns,andwe'regoingtohaveagreatbigtime.'

"'Bydad,that'sgood!'saystheIrishman.'Thebyesneedstirrin'up.'

"'Yes,andyou'reononeofthecommittees,andyouwanttohustlearoundandg

etthemwakedup,Mike.'

"'Whenisthebarbecuetobe?'askedMike.

"'Friday,twoweeks.'

"'Friday,isit?Well,I'llmakeanicecommitteeman,settin'thebarbecueonadaywithhalfoftheDimocraticpartyofSangamoncountycan'tateabiteofmate.Goonwidye.'

"Lincolntoldthatstoryinoneofhispoliticalspeeches,andwhenthelaughwasoverhesaid:'Now,gentlemen,Iknowthatstoryistrue,forTomKiddtoldittome.'AndthentheDemocratswouldmaketroubleformeforaweekafterward,

andI'dhavetoexplain."

HE'DSEEITAGAIN.

AbouttwoyearsbeforeLincolnwasnominatedforthePresidencyhewenttoBloomington,Illinois,totryacaseofsomeimportance.Hisopponent--whoafterwardreachedahighplaceinhisprofession--wasayoungmanofability,sensiblebutsensitive,andonetowhomthelossofacasewasagreatblow.Hethereforestudiedhardandmademuchpreparation.

Thisparticularcasewassubmittedtothejurylateatnight,and,althoughant

icipatingafavorableverdict,theyoungattorneyspentasleeplessnightinanxiety.Earlynextmorninghelearned,tohisgreatchagrin,thathehadlostthecase.

Lincolnmethimatthecourt-housesometimeafterthejuryhadcomein,andaskedhimwhathadbecomeofhiscase.

Withlugubriouscountenanceandinamelancholytonetheyoungmanreplied,"It'sgonetohell."



"Oh,well,"repliedLincoln,"thenyouwillseeitagain."

CALLANOTHERWITNESS.

Whenarguingacaseincourt,Mr.Lincolnneverusedawordwhichthedullestjurymancouldnotunderstand.Rarely,ifever,didaLatintermcreepintohisarguments.Alawyer,quotingalegalmaximonedayincourt,turnedtoLincoln,andsaid:"Thatisso,isitnot,Mr.Lincoln?"

"Ifthat'sLatin."Lincolnreplied,"youhadbettercallanotherwitness."

ACONTESTWITHLITTLE"TAD."

Mr.Carpenter,theartist,relatesthefollowingincident:"SomephotographerscameuptotheWhiteHousetomakesomestereoscopicstudiesformeofthePresident'soffice.Theyrequestedadarkclosetinwhichtodevelopthepictures,and,withoutathoughtthatIwasinfringinguponanybody'srights,Itookthemtoanunoccupiedroomofwhichlittle'Tad'hadtakenpossessionafewdaysbefore,and,withtheaidofacoupleofservants,hadfittedupaminiaturetheater,withstage,curtains,orchestra,stalls,parquetteandall.Knowingthattheuse

requiredwouldinterferewithnoneofhisarrangements,Iledthewaytothisapartment.

"Everythingwentonwell,andoneortwopictureshadbeentaken,whensuddenlytherewasanuproar.Theoperatorcamebacktotheofficeandsaidthat'Tad'hadtakengreatoffenseattheoccupationofhisroomwithouthisconsent,andhadlockedthedoor,refusingalladmission.

"Thechemicalshadbeentakeninside,andtherewasnowayofgettingatthem,hehavingcarriedoffthekey.Inthemidstofthisconversation'Tad'burstin,inafearfulpassion.Helaidalltheblameuponme--saidthatIhadnorighttousehisroom,andthemenshouldnotgoineventogettheirthings.Hehadlockedthedoorandtheyshouldnotgothereagain--'theyhadnobusinessinhisr

oom!'

"Mr.Lincolnwassittingforaphotograph,andwasstillinthechair.Hesaid,verymildly,'Tad,goandunlockthedoor.'Tadwentoffmutteringintohismother'sroom,refusingtoobey.Ifollowedhimintothepassage,butnocoaxingwouldpacifyhim.UponmyreturntothePresident,Ifoundhimstillpatientlyinthechair,fromwhichhehadnotrisen.Hesaid:'Hasnottheboyopenedthedoor?'Irepliedthatwecoulddonothingwithhim--hehadgoneoffinagreatpet.Mr.Lincoln'slipscametogetherfirmly,andthen,suddenlyrising,hestrodeacrossthepassagewiththeairofonebentonpunishment,anddisappearedinthedomesticapartments.Directlyhereturnedwiththekeytothetheater,whichheunlockedhimself.

"'Tad,'saidhe,halfapologetically,'isapeculiarchild.HewasviolentlyexcitedwhenIwenttohim.Isaid,"Tad,doyouknowthatyouaremakingyourfatheragreatdealoftrouble?"Heburstintotears,instantlygivingmeupthekey.'"

REMINDEDHIMOF"ALITTLESTORY."

WhenLincoln'sattentionwascalledtothefactthat,atonetimeinhisboyhoo



d,hehadspelledthenameoftheDeitywithasmall"g,"hereplied:

"Thatremindsmeofalittlestory.ItcameaboutthatalotofConfederatemailwascapturedbytheUnionforces,and,whileitwasnotexactlytheproperthingtodo,someofoursoldiersopenedseveralletterswrittenbytheSouthernersatthefronttotheirpeopleathome.

"Inoneofthesemissivesthewriter,inapostscript,jotteddownthisassertion:

"'We'lllicktheYankstermorrer,ifgoddlemity(GodAlmighty)sparesourlives.'

"Thatfellowwasinearnest,too,astheletterwaswrittenthedaybeforethesecondbattleofManassas."

"FETCHEDSEVERALSHORTONES."

"ThefirsttimeIeverrememberseeing'Abe'Lincoln,"isthetestimonyofoneofhisneighbors,"waswhenIwasasmallboyandhadgonewithmyfathertoattendsomekindofanelection.Oneoftheneighbors,JamesLarkins,wasthere.

"Larkinswasagreathandtobragonanythingheowned.Thistimeitwashishorse.Hesteppedupbefore'Abe,'whowasinacrowd,andcommencedtalkingtohim,boastingallthewhileofhisanimal.

"'Ihavegotthebesthorseinthecountry,'heshoutedtohisyounglistener.'Iranhimninemilesinexactlythreeminutes,andheneverfetchedalongbreath.'

"'Ipresume,'said'Abe,'ratherdryly,'hefetchedagoodmanyshortones,though.'"

LINCOLNLUGSTHEOLDMAN.

OnMay3rd,1862,"FrankLeslie'sIllustratedNewspaper"printedthiscartoon,overthetitleof"SandbagLincolnandtheOldManoftheSea,SecretaryoftheNavyWelles."ItwasintendedtodemonstratethattheheadoftheNavyDepartmentwasincompetenttomanagetheaffairsoftheNavy;alsothattheNavywasnotdoingasgoodworkasitmight.

Whenthiscartoonwaspublished,theUnitedStatesNavyhadclearedandhadundercontroltheMississippiRiverasfarsouthasMemphis;hadblockadedallthecottonportsoftheSouth;hadassistedinthereductionofanumberofConfederateforts;hadaidedGrantatFortDonelsonandthebattleofShiloh;theMonitorhadwhippedtheironcladterror,Merrimac(theConfederatescalledhertheVir

ginia);AdmiralFarragut'sfleethadcompelledthesurrenderofthecityofNewOrleans,thegreatfortswhichhaddefendedit,andtheFederalGovernmentobtainedcontrolofthelowerMississippi.

"TheOldManoftheSea"wastherefore,notadragoraweightuponPresidentLincoln,andtheNavywasnotsofarbehindinmakingagoodrecordasthepicturewouldhavethepeopleoftheworldbelieve.ItwasnotlongaftertheMonitor'svictorythattheUnitedStatesNavywasthefinestthateverplowedtheseas.ThebuildingoftheMonitoralsorevolutionizednavalwarfare.



McCLELLANWAS"INTRENCHING."

AboutaweekaftertheChicagoConvention,agentlemanfromNewYorkcalleduponthePresident,incompanywiththeAssistantSecretaryofWar,Mr.Dana.

Inthecourseofconversation,thegentlemansaid:"Whatdoyouthink,Mr.President,isthereasonGeneralMcClellandoesnotreplytotheletterfromtheChicagoConvention?"

"Oh!"repliedMr.Lincoln,withacharacteristictwinkleoftheeye,"heisintrenching!"

MAKESOMETHINGOUTOFIT,ANYWAY.

FromthedayofhisnominationbytheChicagoconvention,giftspouredinuponLincoln.Manyofthesecameintheformofwearingapparel.Mr.GeorgeLincoln,ofBrooklyn,whobroughttoSpringfield,inJanuary,1861,ahandsomesilkhattothePresident-elect,thegiftofaNewYorkhatter,toldsomefriendsthatinreceivingthehatLincolnlaughedheartilyoverthegiftsofclothing,andremarkedtoMrs.Lincoln:"Well,wife,ifnothingelsecomesoutofthisscrape,wea

regoingtohavesomenewclothes,arewenot?"

VICIOUSOXENHAVESHORTHORNS.

InspeakingofthemanymeanandpettyactsofcertainmembersofCongress,thePresident,whiletalkingonthesubjectonedaywithfriends,said:

"Ihavegreatsympathyforthesemen,becauseoftheirtemperandtheirweakness;butIamthankfulthatthegoodLordhasgiventotheviciousoxshorthorns,foriftheirphysicalcouragewereequaltotheirviciousdisposition,someofusinthisneckofthewoodswouldgethurt."

LINCOLN'SNAMEFOR"WEEPINGWATER."

"IwasspeakingonetimetoMr.Lincoln,"saidGovernorSaunders,"ofNebraska,ofalittleNebraskansettlementontheWeepingWater,astreaminourState."

"'WeepingWater!'saidhe.

"Thenwithatwinkleinhiseye,hecontinued.

"'IsupposetheIndiansouttherecallMinneboohoo,don'tthey?Theyoughtto,

ifLaughingWaterisMinnehahaintheirlanguage.'"

PETERCARTWRIGHT'SDESCRIPTIONOFLINCOLN.

PeterCartwright,thefamousandeccentricoldMethodistpreacher,whousedtorideachurchcircuit,asMr.Lincolnandothersdidthecourtcircuit,didnotlikeLincolnverywell,probablybecauseMr.Lincolnwasnotamemberofhisflock,andoncedefeatedthepreacherforCongress.ThiswasCartwright'sdescripti



onofLincoln:"ThisLincolnisamansixfeetfourinchestall,butsoangularthatifyoushoulddropaplummetfromthecenterofhisheaditwouldcuthimthreetimesbeforeittouchedhisfeet."

NODEATHSINHISHOUSE.

AgentlemanwasrelatingtothePresidenthowafriendofhishadbeendrivenawayfromNewOrleansasaUnionist,andhow,onhisexpulsion,whenheaskedtoseethewritbywhichhewasexpelled,thedeputationwhichcalledonhimtoldhimtheGovernmentwoulddonothingillegal,andsotheyhadissuednoillegalwrits,andsimplymeanttomakehimgoofhisownfreewill.

"Well,"saidMr.Lincoln,"thatremindsmeofahotel-keeperdownatSt.Louis,whoboastedthatheneverhadadeathinhishotel,forwheneveraguestwasdyinginhishousehecarriedhimouttodieinthegutter."

PAINTEDHISPRINCIPLES.

ThedayfollowingtheadjournmentoftheBaltimoreConvention,atwhichPresidentLincolnwasrenominated,variouspoliticalorganizationscalledtopaytheir

respectstothePresident.WhilethePhiladelphiadelegationwasbeingpresented,thechairmanofthatbody,inintroducingoneofthemembers,said:

"Mr.President,thisisMr.S.,oftheseconddistrictofourState,--amostactiveandearnestfriendofyoursandthecause.Hehas,amongotherthings,beengoodenoughtopaint,andpresenttoourleaguerooms,amostbeautifulportraitofyourself."

PresidentLincolntookthegentleman'shandinhis,andshakingitcordiallysaid,withamerryvoice,"Ipresume,sir,inpaintingyourbeautifulportrait,youtookyourideaofmefrommyprinciplesandnotfrommyperson."

DIGNIFYINGTHESTATUTE.

Lincolnwasmarried--hebalkedatthefirstdatesetfortheceremonyanddidnotshowupatall--November4,1842,undermosthappyauspices.Theofficiatingclergyman,theRev.Mr.Dresser,usedtheEpiscopalchurchserviceformarriage.Lincolnplacedtheringuponthebride'sfinger,andsaid,"WiththisringInowtheewed,andwithallmyworldlygoodsItheeendow."

JudgeThomasC.Browne,whowaspresent,exclaimed,"Goodgracious,Lincoln!thestatutefixesallthat!"

"Oh,well,"drawledLincoln,"IjustthoughtI'daddalittledignitytothest

atute."

LINCOLNCAMPAIGNMOTTOES.

ThejointdebatesbetweenLincolnandDouglaswereattendedbycrowdsofpeople,andthearrivalofbothattheplacesofspeakingwereinthenatureofatriumphalprocession.Intheseprocessionsthereweremanybannersbearingcatch-phrasesandmottoesexpressingthesentimentofthepeopleonthecandidatesandth



eissues.

ThefollowingweresomeofthemottoesontheLincolnbanners:

+----------------------------------------------------------+|Westwardthestarofempiretakesitsway;||ThegirlslinkontoLincoln,theirmotherswereforClay.|+----------------------------------------------------------+

+----------------------+|Abe,theGiant-Killer.|+----------------------+

+---------------------------------+|EdgarCountyfortheTallSucker.|+---------------------------------+

+----------------------------------+|FreeTerritoriesandFreeMen,||FreePulpitsandFreePreachers,||FreePressandaFreePen,||FreeSchoolsandFreeTeachers.|+----------------------------------+

GIVINGAWAYTHECASE.

BetweenthefirstelectionandinaugurationofMr.LincolnthedisunionsentimentgrewrapidlyintheSouth,andPresidentBuchanan'sfailuretostoptheopenactsofsecessiongrievedMr.Lincolnsorely.Mr.Lincolnhadalongtalkwithh

isfriend,JudgeGillespie,overthestateofaffairs.OneincidentoftheconversationisthusnarratedbytheJudge:

"WhenIretired,itwasthemasterofthehouseandchosenrulerofthecountrywhosawmetomyroom.'Joe,'hesaid,ashewasabouttoleaveme,'IamremindedandIsupposeyouwillneverforgetthattrialdowninMontgomerycounty,wherethelawyerassociatedwithyougaveawaythewholecaseinhisopeningspeech.Isawyousignalingtohim,butyoucouldn'tstophim.

"'Now,that'sjustthewaywithmeandBuchanan.Heisgivingawaythecase,andIhavenothingtosay,andcan'tstophim.Good-night.'"

POSINGWITHABROOMSTICK.

Mr.LeonardVolk,theartist,relatesthat,beinginSpringfieldwhenLincoln'snominationforPresidentwasannounced,hecalleduponMr.Lincoln,whomhefoundlookingsmilingandhappy."Iexclaimed,'IamthefirstmanfromChicago,Ibelieve,whohashadthehonorofcongratulatingyouonyournominationforPresident.'Thenthosetwogreathandstookbothofminewithagraspnevertobeforgotten,andwhileshaking,Isaid,'NowthatyouwilldoubtlessbethenextPresidentoftheUnitedStates,Iwanttomakeastatueofyou,andshalltrymybesttodoyoujustice.'

"Saidhe,'Idon'tdoubtit,forIhavecometotheconclusionthatyouarean

honestman,'andwiththatgreeting,Ithoughtmyhandsinafairwayofbeingcrushed.

"OntheSundayfollowing,byagreement,IcalledtomakeacastofMr.Lincoln'shands.Iaskedhimtoholdsomethinginhishands,andtoldhimastickwoulddo.Thereuponhewenttothewoodshed,andIheardthesawgo,andhesoonreturnedtothedining-room,whittlingofftheendofapieceofbroomhandle.Iremarkedtohimthatheneednotwhittleofftheedges.'Oh,well,'saidhe,'IthoughtIwouldliketohaveitnice.'"



"BOTHLENGTHANDBREADTH."

DuringLincoln'sfirstandonlyterminCongress--hewaselectedin1846--heformedquiteacordialfriendshipwithStephenA.Douglas,amemberoftheUnitedStatesSenatefromIllinois,andthebeatenoneinthecontestastowhoshouldsecurethehandofMissMaryTodd.Lincolnwasthewinner;DouglasafterwardsbeathimfortheUnitedStatesSenate,butLincolnwenttotheWhiteHouse.

Duringallofthetimethattheywererivalsinloveandinpoliticstheyremainedthebestoffriendspersonally.Theywerealwaysgladtoseeeachother,andwerefrequentlytogether.Thedisparityintheirsizewasalwaysthemorenoticeableuponsuchoccasions,andtheywelldeservedtheirnicknamesof"LongAbe"andthe"LittleGiant."LincolnwasthetallestmanintheNationalHouseofRepresentatives,andDouglastheshortest(andperhapsbroadest)mantheSenate,andwhentheyappearedonthestreetstogethermuchmerrimentwascreated.Lincoln,whenjokedaboutthematter,replied,inaveryserioustone,"Yes,that'saboutthelengthandbreadthofit."

"ABE"RECITESASONG.

Lincolncouldn'tsing,andhealsolackedthefacultyofmusicaladaptation.Hehadalikingforcertainballadsandsongs,andwhilehememorizedandrecitedtheirlines,someoneelsedidthesinging.Lincolnoftenrecitedforthedelectationofhisfriends,thefollowing,theauthorshipofwhichisunknown:

ThefirstfactionalfightinoldIreland,theysay,WasallonaccountofSt.Patrick'sbirthday;Itwassomewhereaboutmidnightwithoutanydoubt,Andcertainitis,itmadeagreatrout.

OntheeighthdayofMarch,assomepeoplesay,St.Patrickatmidnighthefirstsawtheday;Whileothersassert'twastheninthhewasborn--'Twasallamistake--betweenmidnightandmorn.

Someblamedthebaby,someblamedtheclock;Someblamedthedoctor,somethecrowingcock.Withalltheseclosequestionssurenoonecouldknow,Whetherthebabewastoofastortheclockwastooslow.

Somefoughtfortheeighth,fortheninthsomewoulddie;Hewhowouldn'tseerightwouldhaveablackeye.Atlengththesetwofactionssopositivegrew,Theyeachhadabirthday,andPathehadtwo.

TillFatherMulcahaywhoshowedthemtheirsins,Hesaidnonecouldhavetwobirthdaysbutastwins."Nowboys,don'tbefightingfortheeightorthenine;Don'tquarrelsoalways,nowwhynotcombine."

Combineeightwithnine.Itisthemark;Letthatbethebirthday.Amen!saidt

heclerk.Soallgotblinddrunk,whichcompletedtheirbliss,Andthey'vekeptupthepracticefromthatdaytothis.

"MANAGETOKEEPHOUSE."

SenatorJohnSherman,ofOhio,introducedhisbrother,WilliamT.Sherman(thenacivilian)toPresidentLincolninMarch,1861.Shermanhadofferedhisservices,but,asinthecaseofGrant,theyhadbeenrefused.



AftertheSenatorhadtransactedhisbusinesswiththePresident,hesaid:"Mr.President,thisismybrother,ColonelSherman,whoisjustupfromLouisiana;hemaygiveyousomeinformationyouwant."

TothisLincolnreplied,asreportedbySenatorShermanhimself:"Ah!Howaretheygettingalongdownthere?"

Shermananswered:"Theythinktheyaregettingalongswimmingly;theyarepreparedforwar."

TowhichLincolnresponded:"Oh,well,Iguesswe'llmanagetokeepthehouse."

"Tecump,"whosetemperwasnotthemildest,brokeouton"BrotherJohn"assoonastheywereoutoftheWhiteHouse,cursedthepoliticiansroundly,andwoundupwith,"Youhavegotthingsinah--lofafix,andyoumaygetoutasbestyoucan."

ShermanwasoneoftheveryfewgeneralswhogaveLincolnlittleornoworry.

GRANT"TUMBLED"RIGHTAWAY.

GeneralGranttoldthisstoryaboutLincolnsomeyearsaftertheWar:

"Justafterreceivingmycommissionaslieutenant-generalthePresidentcalledmeasidetospeaktomeprivately.Afterabriefreferencetothemilitarysituation,hesaidhethoughthecouldillustratewhathewantedtosaybyastory.Saidhe:

"'Atonetimetherewasagreatwaramongtheanimals,andonesidehadgreatdifficultyingettingacommanderwhohadsufficientconfidenceinhimself.FinallytheyfoundamonkeybythenameofJocko,whosaidhethoughthecouldcommandtheirarmyifhistailcouldbemadealittlelonger.Sotheygotmoretailandspliceditontohiscaudalappendage.

"'Helookedatitadmiringly,andthensaidhethoughtheoughttohavestillmoretail.Thiswasadded,andagainhecalledformore.ThesplicingprocesswasrepeatedmanytimesuntiltheyhadcoiledJocko'stailaroundtheroom,fillingallthespace.

"'Stillhecalledformoretail,and,therebeingnootherplacetocoilit,theybeganwrappingitaroundhisshoulders.Hecontinuedhiscallformore,andtheykeptonwindingtheadditionaltailaroundhimuntilitsweightbrokehimdown.'

"Isawthepoint,and,risingfrommychair,replied,'Mr.President,IwillnotcallforanymoreassistanceunlessIfinditimpossibletodowithwhatIalreadyhave.'"

"DON'TKILLHIMWITHYOURFIST."

WardLamon,MarshaloftheDistrictofColumbiaduringLincoln'stimeinWashington,wasapowerfulman;hisstrengthwasphenomenal,andablowfromhisfistwaslikeuntothatcomingfromthebusinessendofasledge.

Lamontellsthisstory,theheroofwhichisnotmentionedbyname,butinall



probabilityhisidentitycanbeguessed:

"Ononeoccasion,whenthefearsoftheloyalelementofthecity(Washington)wereexcitedtofever-heat,afreefightneartheoldNationalTheatreoccurredabouteleveno'clockonenight.Anofficer,inpassingtheplace,observedwhatwasgoingon,andseeingthegreatnumberofpersonsengaged,hefeltittobehisdutytocommandthepeace.

"Theimperativetoneofhisvoicestoppedthefightingforamoment,buttheleader,agreatbully,roughlypushedbacktheofficerandtoldhimtogoawayorhewouldwhiphim.Theofficeragainadvancedandsaid,'Iarrestyou,'attemptingtoplacehishandontheman'sshoulder,whenthebullystruckafearfulblowattheofficer'sface.

"Thiswasparried,andinstantlyfollowedbyablowfromthefistoftheofficer,strikingthefellowunderthechinandknockinghimsenseless.Bloodissuedfromhismouth,noseandears.Itwasbelievedthattheman'sneckwasbroken.Asurgeonwascalled,whopronouncedthecaseacriticalone,andthewoundedmanwashurriedawayonalittertothehospital.

"Therethephysicianssaidtherewasconcussionofthebrain,andthatthemanwoulddie.Allthemedicalskillthattheofficercouldprocurewasemployedinthehopeofsavingthelifeoftheman.Hisconsciencesmotehimforhaving,ashebelieved,takenthelifeofafellow-creature,andhewasinconsolable.

"BeingontermsofintimacywiththePresident,abouttwoo'clockthatnighttheofficerwenttotheWhiteHouse,wokeupMr.Lincoln,andrequestedhimtocomeintohisoffice,wherehetoldhimhisstory.Mr.Lincolnlistenedwithgreatinterestuntilthenarrativewascompleted,andthenaskedafewquestions,afterwhichheremarked:

"'Iamsorryyouhadtokilltheman,butthesearetimesofwar,andagreatmanymendeservekilling.Thisone,accordingtoyourstory,isoneofthem;sogiveyourselfnouneasinessaboutthematter.Iwillstandbyyou.'

"'ThatisnotwhyIcametoyou.IknewIdidmyduty,andhadnofearsofyourdisapprovalofwhatIdid,'repliedtheofficer;andthenheadded:'WhyIcame

toyouwas,Ifeltgreatgriefovertheunfortunateaffair,andIwantedtotalktoyouaboutit.'

"Mr.Lincolnthensaid,withasmile,placinghishandontheofficer'shoulder:'Yougohomenowandgetsomesleep;butletmegiveyouthispieceofadvice--hereafter,whenyouhaveoccasiontostrikeaman,don'thithimwithyourfist;strikehimwithaclub,acrowbar,orwithsomethingthatwon'tkillhim.'"

COULDBEARBITRARY.

Lincolncouldbearbitrarywhenoccasionrequired.Thisistheletterhewrote

tooneoftheDepartmentheads:

"Youmustmakeajobofit,andprovideaplaceforthebearerofthis,EliasWampole.Makeajobofitwiththecollectorandhaveitdone.Youcandoitforme,andyoumust."

Therewasnodelayintakingactioninthismatter.Mr.Wampole,or"Eli,"ashewasthereafterknown,"gotthere."



AGENERALBUSTIFICATION.

ManyamusingstoriesaretoldofPresidentLincolnandhisgloves.Ataboutthetimeofhisthirdreceptionhehadonatight-fittingpairofwhitekids,whichhehadwithdifficultygoton.HesawapproachinginthedistanceanoldIllinoisfriendnamedSimpson,whomhewelcomedwithagenuineSangamoncounty(Illeenoy)shake,whichresultedinburstinghiswhitekidglove,withanaudiblesound.Then,raisinghisbrawnyhandupbeforehim,lookingatitwithanindescribableexpression,hesaid,whilethewholeprocessionwaschecked,witnessingthisscene:

"Well,myoldfriend,thisisageneralbustification.YouandIwereneverintendedtowearthesethings.Iftheywerestrongertheymightdowellenoughtokeepoutthecold,buttheyareafailuretoshakehandswithbetweenoldfriendslikeus.Standaside,Captain,andI'llseeyoushortly."

Simpsonstoodaside,andaftertheunwelcomeceremonywasterminatedherejoinedhisoldIllinoisfriendinfamiliarintercourse.

MAKINGQUARTERMASTERS.

H.C.Whitneywrotein1866:"IwasinWashingtonintheIndianserviceforafewdaysbeforeAugust,1861,andImerelysaidtoPresidentLincolnoneday:'Everythingisdriftingintothewar,andIguessyouwillhavetoputmeinthearmy.'

"ThePresidentlookedupfromhisworkandsaid,good-humoredly:'I'mmakinggeneralsnow;inafewdaysIwillbemakingquartermasters,andthenI'llfixyou.'"

NOPOSTMASTERSINHISPOCKET.

Inthe"DiaryofaPublicMan"appearsthisjocoseanecdote:

"Mr.Lincolnwalkedintothecorridorwithus;and,ashebadeusgood-byandthankedBlankforwhathehadtoldhim,heagainbrightenedupforamomentandaskedhiminanabruptkindofway,layinghishandashespokewithaqueerbutnotuncivilfamiliarityonhisshoulder,'Youhaven'tsuchathingasapostmasterinyourpocket,haveyou?'

"Blankstaredathiminastonishment,andIthoughtalittleinalarm,asifhesuspectedasuddenattackofinsanity;thenMr.Lincolnwenton:

'Youseeitseemstomekindofunnaturalthatyoushouldn'thaveatleastapostmasterinyourpocket.EverybodyI'veseenfordayspasthashadforeignminis

tersandcollectors,andallkinds,andIthoughtyoucouldn'thavegotinherewithouthavingatleastapostmastergetintoyourpocket!'"

HE"SKEWED"THELINE.

Whenasurveyor,Mr.LincolnfirstplattedthetownofPetersburg,Ill.Sometwentyorthirtyyearsafterwardtheproperty-ownersalongoneoftheoutlyingstreetshadtroubleinfixingtheirboundaries.Theyconsultedtheofficialplatan



dgotnorelief.AcommitteewassenttoSpringfieldtoconsultthedistinguishedsurveyor,buthefailedtorecallanythingthatwouldgivethemaid,andcouldonlyreferthemtotherecord.Thedisputethereforewentintothecourts.Whilethetrialwaspending,anoldIrishmannamedMcGuire,whohadworkedforsomefarmerduringthesummer,returnedtotownforthewinter.Thecasebeingmentionedinhispresence,hepromptlysaid:"Icantellyouallaboutit.IhelpedcarrythechainwhenAbeLincolnlaidoutthistown.Overtherewheretheyarequarrelingaboutthelines,whenhewaslocatingthestreet,hestraightenedupfromhisinstrumentandsaid:'IfIrunthatstreetrightthrough,itwillcutthreeorfourfeetofftheendof----'shouse.It'sallhe'sgotintheworldandhenevercouldgetanother.Ireckonitwon'thurtanythingouthereifIskewthelinealittleandmisshim."'

Thelinewas"skewed,"andhencethetrouble,andmoretestimonyfurnishedastoLincoln'saboundingkindnessofheart,thatwouldnotwillinglyharmanyhumanbeing.

"WHEREAS,"HESTOLENOTHING.

Oneofthemostcelebratedcourts-martialduringtheWarwasthatofFranklinW.Smithandhisbrother,chargedwithdefraudingthegovernment.Thesemenboreahighcharacterforintegrity.Atthistime,however,courts-martialwereseldo

minvokedforanyotherpurposethantoconvicttheaccused,andtheSmithssharedtheusualfateofpersonswhosecasesweresubmittedtosucharbitrament.Theywerekeptinprison,theirpapersseized,theirbusinessdestroyed,andtheirreputationsruined,allofwhichwasfollowedbyaconviction.

ThefindingofthecourtwassubmittedtothePresident,who,afteracarefulinvestigation,disapprovedthejudgment,andwrotethefollowingendorsementuponthepapers:

"Whereas,FranklinW.SmithhadtransactionswiththeNavyDepartmenttotheamountofamillionandaquarterofdollars;and:

"Whereas,hehadachancetostealatleastaquarterofamillionandwasonly

chargedwithstealingtwenty-twohundreddollars,andthequestionnowisabouthisstealingonehundred,Idon'tbelievehestoleanythingatall.

"Therefore,therecordandthefindingsaredisapproved,declarednullandvoid,andthedefendantsarefullydischarged."

NOTLIKETHEPOPE'SBULL.

PresidentLincoln,afterlisteningtotheargumentsandappealsofacommitteewhichcalleduponhimattheWhiteHousenotlongbeforetheEmancipationProclamationwasissued,said:

"Idonotwanttoissueadocumentthatthewholeworldwillseemustnecessarilybeinoperative,likethePope'sbullagainstthecomet."

COULDHETELL?

A"high"privateoftheOneHundredandFortiethInfantryRegiment,PennsylvaniaVolunteers,woundedatChancellorsville,wastakentoWashington.Oneday,as



hewasbecomingconvalescent,awhisperrandownthelongrowofcotsthatthePresidentwasinthebuildingandwouldsoonpassby.Instantlyeveryboyinbluewhowasablearose,stooderect,handstotheside,readytosalutehisCommander-in-Chief.

ThePennsylvanianstoodsixfeetseveninchesinhisstockings.Lincolnwassixfeetfour.AsthePresidentapproachedthisgianttoweringabovehim,hestoppedinamazement,andcastinghiseyesfromheadtofootandfromfoottohead,asifcontemplatingtheimmensedistancefromoneextremitytotheother,hestoodforamomentspeechless.

Atlength,extendinghishand,heexclaimed,"Hello,comrade,doyouknowwhenyourfeetgetcold?"

DARNEDUNCOMFORTABLESITTING.

"FrankLeslie'sIllustratedNewspaper"ofMarch2nd,1861,twodaysprevioustotheinaugurationofPresident-electLincoln,containedthecaricaturereproducedhere.ItwasintendedtoconveytheideathattheNationalAdministrationwouldthereafterdependuponthesupportofbayonetstoupholdit,andthetextunderneaththepictureranasfollows:

OLDABE:"Oh,it'sallwellenoughtosaythatImustsupportthedignityofmyhighofficebyforce--butit'sdarneduncomfortablesitting,Icantellyer."

ThisjournalwasnotentirelyfriendlytothenewChiefMagistrate,butitcouldnotseeintothefuture.ManyoftheleadingpublicationsoftheEast,amongthemsomeofthosewhichcondemnedslaveryandwereopposedtosecession,didnotbelieveLincolnwasthemanfortheemergency,butinsteadofdoingwhattheycoulddotohelphimalong,theyattackedhimmostviciously.Noman,saveWashington,wasmorebrutallyliedaboutthanLincoln,butheborealltheslursandthrusts,nottomentiontheopen,cruelantagonismofthosewhoshouldhavebeenhiswarmestfriends,withafortitudeandpatiencefewmenhaveevershown.Hewasontherightroad,andawaitedthetimewhenhiscourseshouldreceivetheapprovalitmerited.

"WHAT'S-HIS-NAME"GOTTHERE.

GeneralJamesB.FrytoldagoodoneonSecretaryofWarStanton,whowasworstedinacontentionwiththePresident.Severalbrigadier-generalsweretobeselected,andLincolnmaintainedthat"somethingmustbedoneintheinterestoftheDutch."Manycomplaintshadcomefromprominentmen,bornintheFatherland,butwhowerefightingfortheUnion.

"Now,IwantSchimmelpfenniggivenoneofthosebrigadierships."

Stantonwasstubbornandheadstrong,asusual,buthismannerandtoneindicatedthatthePresidentwouldhavehisownwayintheend.However,hewasnottobebeatenwithouthavingmadeafight.

"But,Mr.President,"insistedtheIronWarSecretary,"itmaybethatthisMr.Schim--what's-his-name--hasnorecommendationsshowinghisfitness.Perhapshecan'tspeakEnglish."

"Thatdoesn'tmatterabit,Stanton,"retortedLincoln,"hemaybedeafanddumbforallIknow,butwhateverlanguagehespeaks,ifany,wecanfurnishtroops



whowillunderstandwhathesays.Thatnameofhiswillmakeupforanydifferencesinreligion,politicsorunderstanding,andI'lltaketheriskofhiscomingoutallright."

Then,slamminghisgreathandupontheSecretary'sdesk,hesaid,"Schim-mel-fen-nigmustbeappointed."

Andhewas,thereandthen.

AREALLYGREATGENERAL.

"DoyouknowGeneralA--?"queriedthePresidentonedaytoafriendwhohad"droppedin"attheWhiteHouse.

"Certainly;butyouarenotwastinganytimethinkingabouthim,areyou?"wastherejoinder.

"Youwronghim,"respondedthePresident,"heisareallygreatman,aphilosopher."

"Howdoyoumakethatout?Heisn'tworththepowderandballnecessarytokillhimsoIhaveheardmilitarymensay,"thefriendremarked.

"Heisamightythinker,"thePresidentreturned,"becausehehasmasteredthatancientandwiseadmonition,'Knowthyself;'hehasformedanintimateacquaintancewithhimself,knowsaswellforwhatheisfittedandunfittedasanymanliving.Withoutdoubtheisaremarkableman.ThisWarhasnotproducedanotherlikehim."

"HowisityouaresohighlypleasedwithGeneralA----allatonce?"

"Forthereason,"repliedMr.Lincoln,withamerrytwinkleoftheeye,"greatlytomyrelief,andtotheinterestsofthecountry,hehasresigned.Thecountryshouldexpressitsgratitudeinsomesubstantialway."

"SHRUNKUPNORTH."

TherewasnomemberoftheCabinetfromtheSouthwhenAttorney-GeneralBateshandedinhisresignation,andPresidentLincolnhadagreatdealoftroubleinmakingaselection.FinallyTitianF.Coffeyconsentedtofillthevacantplaceforatime,anddidsountiltheappointmentofMr.Speed.

InconversationwithMr.CoffeythePresidentquaintlyremarked:

"MyCabinethasshrunkupNorth,andImustfindaSouthernman.IsupposeifthetwelveApostlesweretobechosennowadays,theshrieksoflocalitywouldhav

etobeheeded."

LINCOLNADOPTEDTHESUGGESTION.

ItisnotgenerallyknownthatPresidentLincolnadoptedasuggestionmadebySecretaryoftheTreasurySalmonP.ChaseinregardtotheEmancipationProclamation,andincorporateditinthatfamousdocument.



interested,wemadeapplicationtoMr.Stanton,theSecretaryofWar.Weobtainedanaudience,andwereusheredintothepresenceofthemostpompousmanIevermet.AsIenteredhewavedhishandformetostopatagivendistancefromhim,andthenputthesequestions,viz.:

"'Didyouservethreeyearsinthearmy?'

"'Idid,sir.'

"'Wereyouhonorablydischarged?'

"'Iwas,sir.'

"'Letmeseeyourdischarge.'

"Igaveittohim.Helookeditover,thensaid:

'Wereyoueverwounded?'Itoldhimyes,atthebattleofWilliamsburg,May5,1861.

"Hethensaid:'Ithinkwecangivethispositiontoasoldierwhohaslostanarmorleg,hebeingmoredeserving;andhethensaidIlookedheartyandhealthyenoughtoservethreeyearsmore.Hewouldnotgivemeachancetoarguemycase.

"Theaudiencewasatanend.Hewavedhishandtome.IwasthendismissedfromtheaugustpresenceoftheHonorableSecretaryofWar.

"Myfatherwaswaitingformeinthehallway,whosawbymycountenancethatIwasnotsuccessful.Isaidtomyfather:

"'LetusgoovertoMr.Lincoln;hemaygiveusmoresatisfaction.'

"Hesaiditwoulddomenogood,butwewentover.Mr.Lincoln'sreceptionroomwasfullofladiesandgentlemenwhenweentered.

"Myturnsooncame.Lincolnturnedtomyfatherandsaid:

"'Now,gentlemen,bepleasedtobeasquickaspossiblewithyourbusiness,asitisgrowinglate.'

"MyfatherthensteppeduptoLincolnandintroducedmetohim.Lincolnthensaid:

"'Takeaseat,gentlemen,andstateyourbusinessasquicklyaspossible.'

"TherewasbutonechairbyLincoln,sohemotionedmyfathertosit,whileIstood.Myfatherstatedthebusinesstohimasstatedabove.Hethensaid:

"'HaveyouseenMr.Stanton?'

"Wetoldhimyes,thathehadrefused.He(Mr.Lincoln)thensaid:

"'Gentlemen,thisisMr.Stanton'sbusiness;Icannotinterferewithhim;heattendstoallthesemattersandIamsorryIcannothelpyou.'

"Hesawthatweweredisappointed,anddidhisbesttoreviveourspirits.Hesucceededwellwithmyfather,whowasaLincolnman,andwhowasastaunchRepublican.



"Mr.Lincolnthensaid:

"'Now,gentlemen,Iwilltellyou,whatitis;Ihavethousandsofapplicationslikethiseveryday,butwecannotsatisfyallforthisreason,thatthesepositionsarelikeofficeseekers--therearetoomanypigsfortheteats.'

"Theladieswhowerelisteningtotheconversationplacedtheirhandkerchiefstotheirfacesandturnedaway.Butthejokeof'OldAbe'putusallinagoodhumor.WethenleftthepresenceofthegreatestandmostjustmanwhoeverlivedtofillthePresidentialchair.'"

GREELEYCARRIESLINCOLNTOTHELUNATICASYLUM.

NosoonerwasAbrahamLincolnmadethecandidateforthePresidencyoftheRepublicanParty,in1860,thantheoppositionbegantolampoonandcaricaturehim.Inthecartoonherereproduced,whichisgiventhetitleof:

"TheRepublicanPartyGoingtotheRightHouse,"LincolnisrepresentedasenteringtheLunaticAsylum,ridingonarail,carriedbyHoraceGreeley,thegreatAbolitionist;Lincoln,followedbyhis"fellow-cranks,"isassuringthelatterthatthemillenniumis"goingtobegin,"andthatallrequestswillbegranted.

Lincoln'sfollowersaredepictedasthosemenandwomencomposingthe"freelove"element;thosewhowantreligionabolished;negroes,whowantitunderstoodthatthewhitemanhasnorightshisblackbrotherisboundtorespect;womensuffragists,whodemandthatmenbemadesubjecttofemaleauthority;tramps,whoinsistuponfreelodging-houses;criminals,whodemandtherighttostealfromalltheymeet;andtoughs,whowantthepoliceforcesabolished,sothat"theb'hoys"can"runwiddemasheen,"andhave"amuss"whenevertheyfeellikeit,withoutinterferencebytheauthorities.

THELASTTIMEHESAWDOUGLAS.

SpeakingofhislastmeetingwithJudgeDouglas,Mr.Lincolnsaid:"OnedayDouglascamerushinginandsaidhehadjustgotatelegraphdispatchfromsomefriendsinIllinoisurginghimtocomeoutandhelpsetthingsrightinEgypt,andthathewouldgo,orstayinWashington,justwhereIthoughthecoulddothemostgood.

"Itoldhimtodoashechose,butthatprobablyhecoulddobestinIllinois.Uponthatheshookhandswithme,andhurriedawaytocatchthenexttrain.Ineversawhimagain."

HURTHISLEGSLESS.

Lincolnwasoneoftheattorneysinacaseofconsiderableimportance,courtbeingheldinaverysmallanddilapidatedschoolhouseoutinthecountry;Lincolnwascompelledtostoopverymuchinordertoenterthedoor,andtheseatsweresolowthathedoubleduphislegslikeajackknife.

Lincolnwasobligedtosituponaschoolbench,andjustinfrontofhimwasanother,makingthedistancebetweenhimandtheseatinfrontofhimverynarrowanduncomfortable.



Hispositionwasalmostunbearable,andinordertocarryouthispreferencewhichhesecuredasoftenaspossible,andthatwas"tositasneartothejuryasconvenient,"hetookadvantageofhisdiscomfortandfinallysaidtotheJudgeonthe"bench":

"YourHonor,withyourpermission,I'llsitupnearertothegentlemenofthejury,forithurtsmylegslesstorubmycalvesagainstthebenchthanitdoestoskinmyshins."

ALITTLESHYORGRAMMAR.

WhenMr.LincolnhadpreparedhisbriefletteracceptingthePresidentialnominationhetookittoDr.NewtonBateman,theStateSuperintendentofEducation.

"Mr.Schoolmaster,"hesaid,"hereismyletterofacceptance.IamnotverystrongongrammarandIwishyoutoseeifitisallright.Iwouldn'tliketohaveanymistakesinit.".

Thedoctortooktheletterandafterreadingit,said:

"ThereisonlyonechangeIshouldsuggest,Mr.Lincoln,youhavewritten'Itshallbemycaretonotviolateordisregarditinanypart,'youshouldhavewri

tten'nottoviolate.'Neversplitaninfinitive,istherule."

Mr.Lincolntookthemanuscript,regardingitamomentwithapuzzledair,"SoyouthinkIbetterputthosetwolittlefellowsendtoend,doyou?"hesaidashemadethechange.

HISFIRSTSATIRICALWRITING.

ReubenandCharlesGrigsbyweremarriedinSpencercounty,Indiana,onthesamedaytoElizabethRayandMatildaHawkins,respectively.TheymetthenextdayatthehomeofReubenGrigsby,Sr.,andheldadoubleinfare,towhichmostofth

ecountywasinvited,withtheexceptionoftheLincolns.ThisAbrahamdulyresented,anditresultedinhisfirstattemptatsatiricalwriting,whichhecalled"TheChroniclesofReuben."

Themanuscriptwaslost,andnotrecovereduntil1865,whenahousebelongingtooneoftheGrigsbyswastorndown.Intheloftaboyfoundarollofmustyoldpapers,andwasintentlyreadingthem,whenhewasaskedwhathewasdoing.

"ReadingaportionoftheScripturesthathaven'tbeenrevealedyet,"wastheresponse.ThiswasLincoln's"Chronicles,"whichisherewithgiven:

"THECHRONICLESOFREUBEN."

"Now,therewasamanwhosenamewasReuben,andthesamewasverygreatinsubstance,inhorsesandcattleandswine,andaverygreathousehold.

"ItcametopasswhenthesonsofReubengrewupthattheyweredesirousoftakingtothemselveswives,and,beingtoowellknownastohonorintheirowncountry,theytookajourneyintoafarcountryandthereprocuredforthemselveswives.

"Itcametopassalsothatwhentheywereabouttomakethereturnhometheysentamessengerbeforethemtobearthetidingstotheirparents.



"These,inquiringofthemessengerwhattimetheirsonsandwiveswouldcome,madeagreatfeastandcalledalltheirkinsmenandneighborsin,andmadegreatpreparation.

"Whenthetimedrewnigh,theysentouttwomentomeetthegroomsandtheirbrides,withatrumpettowelcomethem,andtoaccompanythem.

"WhentheycamenearuntothehouseofReuben,thefather,themessengercamebeforethemandgaveashout,andthewholemultituderanoutwithshoutsofjoyandmusic,playingonallkindsofinstruments.

"Somewereplayingonharps,someonviols,andsomeblowingonrams'horns.

"SomealsowerecastingdustandashestowardHeaven,andchiefamongthemallwasJosiah,blowinghisbugleandmakingsoundssogreattheneighboringhillsandvalleysechoedwiththeresoundingacclamation.

"Whentheyhadplayedandtheirharpshadsoundedtillthegroomsandbridesapproachedthegates,Reuben,thefather,metthemandwelcomedthemtohishouse.

"Theweddingfeastbeingnowready,theywereallinvitedtositdownandeat,placingthebridegroomsandtheirbridesateachendofthetable.

"Waiterswerethenappointedtoserveandwaitontheguests.Whenallhadeatenandwerefullandmerry,theywentoutagainandplayedandsungtillnight.

"Andwhentheyhadmadeanendoffeastingandrejoicingthemultitudedispersed,eachgoingtohisownhome.

"Thefamilythentookseatswiththeirwaiterstoconversewhilepreparationswerebeingmadeintwoupperchambersforthebridesandgrooms.

"Thisbeingdone,thewaiterstookthetwobridesupstairs,placingoneinaroomattherighthandofthestairsandtheotherontheleft.

"Thewaiterscamedown,andNancy,themother,thengavedirectionstothewait

ersofthebridegrooms,andtheytookthemupstairs,butplacedtheminthewrongrooms.

"Thewaitersthenallcamedownstairs.

"Butthemother,beingfearfulofamistake,madeinquiryofthewaiters,andlearningthetruefacts,tookthelightandsprangupstairs.

"Itcametopasssherantooneoftheroomsandexclaimed,'OLord,Reuben,youarewiththewrongwife.'

"Theyoungmen,bothalarmedatthis,ranoutwithsuchviolenceagainsteachother,theycamenearknockingeachotherdown.

"Thetumultgaveevidencetothosebelowthatthemistakewascertain.

"Atlasttheyallcamedownandhadalongconversationaboutwhomadethemistake,butitcouldnotbedecided.

"Soendedthechapter."

Theoriginalmanuscriptof"TheChroniclesofReuben"waslastinthepossessionofRedmondGrigsby,ofRockport,Indiana.Anewspaperwhichhadobtainedacop



yofthe"Chronicles,"sentareportertointerviewElizabethGrigsby,orAuntBetsy,asshewascalled,andaskedheraboutthefamousmanuscriptandthemistakemadeatthedoublewedding.

"Yes,theydidhaveajokeonus,"saidAuntBetsy."TheysaidmymangotintothewrongroomandCharlesgotintomyroom.Butitwasn'tso.Lincolnjustwrotethatformischief.Abeandmymanoftenlaughedaboutthat."

LIKELYTODOIT.

Anofficer,havinghadsometroublewithGeneralSherman,beingveryangry,presentedhimselfbeforeMr.Lincoln,whowasvisitingthecamp,andsaid,"Mr.President,Ihaveacauseofgrievance.ThismorningIwenttoGeneralShermanandhethreatenedtoshootme."

"Threatenedtoshootyou?"askedMr.Lincoln."Well,(inastagewhisper)ifIwereyouIwouldkeepawayfromhim;ifhethreatenstoshoot,Iwouldnottrusthim,forIbelievehewoulddoit."

"THEENEMYARE'OURN'"

EarlyinthePresidentialcampaignof1864,PresidentLincolnsaidonenighttoalatecallerattheWhiteHouse:

"Wehavemettheenemyandtheyare'ourn!'Ithinkthecabalofobstructionists'ambusted.'Ifeelcertainthat,ifIlive,Iamgoingtobere-elected.WhetherIdeservetobeornot,itisnotformetosay;butonthescoreevenofremunerativechancesforspeculativeservice,Inowaminspiredwiththehopethatourdisturbedcountryfurtherrequiresthevaluableservicesofyourhumbleservant.'Jordanhasbeenahardroadtotravel,'butIfeelnowthat,notwithstandingtheenemiesIhavemadeandthefaultsIhavecommitted,I'llbedumpedontherightsideofthatstream.

"Ihope,however,thatImayneverhaveanotherfouryearsofsuchanxiety,tribulationandabuse.Myonlyambitionisandhasbeentoputdowntherebellionandrestorepeace,afterwhichIwanttoresignmyoffice,goabroad,takesomerest,studyforeigngovernments,seesomethingofforeignlife,andinmyoldagedieinpeacewithallofthegoodofGod'screatures."

"AND--HEREIAM!"

AnoldacquaintanceofthePresidentvisitedhiminWashington.Lincolndesiredtogivehimaplace.Thusencouraged,thevisitor,whowasanhonestman,butwhollyinexperiencedinpublicaffairsorbusiness,askedforahighoffice,Supe

rintendentoftheMint.

ThePresidentwasaghast,andsaid:"Goodgracious!Whydidn'theasktobeSecretaryoftheTreasury,andhavedonewithit?"

Afterward,hesaid:"Well,now,IneverthoughtMr.----hadanythingmorethanaverageability,whenwewereyoungmentogether.But,then,Isupposehethoughtthesamethingaboutme,and--hereIam!"



SAFEASLONGASTHEYWEREGOOD.

AtthecelebratedPeaceConference,whereattherewasmuch"pow-wow"andnoresult,PresidentLincoln,inresponsetocertainremarksbytheConfederatecommissioners,commentedwithsomeseverityupontheconductoftheConfederateleaders,sayingtheyhadplainlyforfeitedallrighttoimmunityfrompunishmentfortheirtreason.

Beingpositiveandunequivocalinstatinghisviewsconcerningindividualtreason,hiswordswereofominousimport.Therewasapause,duringwhichCommissionerHunterregardedthespeakerwithasteady,searchinglook.Atlength,carefullymeasuringhiswords,Mr.Huntersaid:

"Then,Mr.President,ifweunderstandyoucorrectly,youthinkthatweoftheConfederacyhavecommittedtreason;aretraitorstoyourGovernment;haveforfeitedourrights,andarepropersubjectsforthehangman.Isnotthataboutwhatyourwordsimply?"

"Yes,"repliedPresidentLincoln,"youhavestatedthepropositionbetterthanIdid.Thatisaboutthesizeofit!"

Anotherpause,andapainfulonesucceeded,andthenHunter,withapleasantsmileremarked:

"Well,Mr.Lincoln,wehaveaboutconcludedthatweshallnotbehangedaslongasyouarePresident--ifwebehaveourselves."

AndHuntermeantwhathesaid.

"SMELTNOROYALTYINOURCARRIAGE."

Ononeoccasion,ingoingtomeetanappointmentinthesouthernpartoftheSuckerState--thatsectionofIllinoiscalledEgypt--Lincoln,withotherfriends,wastravelinginthe"caboose"ofafreighttrain,whenthefreightwasswitched

offthemaintracktoallowaspecialtraintopass.

Lincoln'smorearistocraticrival(StephenA.Douglas)wasbeingconveyedtothesametowninthisspecial.Thepassingtrainwasdecoratedwithbannersandflags,andcarriedabandofmusic,whichwasplaying"HailtotheChief."

Asthetrainwhistledpast,Lincolnbrokeoutinafitoflaughter,andsaid:"Boys,thegentlemaninthatcarevidentlysmeltnoroyaltyinourcarriage."

HELLAMILEFROMTHEWHITEHOUSE.

WardLamontoldthisstoryofPresidentLincoln,whomhefoundonedayinaparticularlygloomyframeofmind.Lamonsaid:

"ThePresidentremarked,asIcamein,'IfearIhavemadeSenatorWade,ofOhio,myenemyforlife.'

"'How?'Iasked.

"'Well,'continuedthePresident,'WadewasherejustnowurgingmetodismissGrant,and,inresponsetosomethinghesaid,Iremarked,"Senator,thatreminds



meofastory."'

"'WhatdidWadesay?'IinquiredofthePresident.

"'Hesaid,inapetulantway,'thePresidentresponded,'"Itiswithyou,sir,allstory,story!Youarethefatherofeverymilitaryblunderthathasbeenmadeduringthewar.Youareonyourroadtohell,sir,withthisgovernment,byyourobstinacy,andyouarenotamileoffthisminute."'

"'Whatdidyousaythen?'

"Igood-naturedlysaidtohim,'thePresidentreplied,'"Senator,thatisjustaboutfromheretotheCapitol,isitnot?"Hewasveryangry,grabbeduphishatandcane,andwentaway.'"

HIS"GLASSHACK"

PresidentLincolnhadnotbeenintheWhiteHouseverylongbeforeMrs.Lincolnbecameseizedwiththeideathatafinenewbarouchewasabouttheproperthingfor"thefirstladyintheland."ThePresidentdidnotcareparticularlyaboutitonewayortheother,andtoldhiswifetoorderwhatevershewanted.

Lincolnforgotallaboutthenewvehicle,andwasovercomewithastonishmentoneafternoonwhen,havingaccededtoMrs.Lincoln'sdesiretogodriving,hefoundabeautifulbarouchestandinginfrontofthedooroftheWhiteHouse.

Hiswifewatchedhimwithanamusedsmile,buttheonlyremarkhemadewas,"Well,Mary,that'sabouttheslickest'glasshack'intown,isn'tit?"

LEAVEHIMKICKING.

Lincoln,inthedaysofhisyouth,wasoftenunfaithfultohisQuakertraditions.Onthedayofelectionin1840,wordcametohimthatoneRadford,aDemocrat

iccontractor,hadtakenpossessionofoneofthepollingplaceswithhisworkmen,andwaspreventingtheWhigsfromvoting.Lincolnstartedoffatagaitwhichshowedhisinterestinthematterinhand.

HewentuptoRadfordandpersuadedhimtoleavethepolls,remarkingatthesametime:"Radford,you'llspoilandblow,ifyoulivemuchlonger."

Radford'sprudencepreventedanactualcollision,which,itissaid,Lincolnregretted.HetoldhisfriendSpeedhewantedRadfordtoshowfightsothathemight"knockhimdownandleavehimkicking."

"WHOCOMMENCEDTHISFUSS?"

PresidentLincolnwasatalltimesanadvocateofpeace,provideditcouldbeobtainedhonorablyandwithcredittotheUnitedStates.AstothecauseoftheCivilWar,whichsideofMasonandDixon'slinewasresponsibleforit,whofiredthefirstshots,whoweretheaggressors,etc.,Lincolndidnotseemtobotherabout;hewantedtopreservetheUnion,aboveallthings.Slavery,hewasassured,wasdead,buthethoughttheformerslaveholdersshouldberecompensed.

Toillustratehisfeelingsinthematterhetoldthisstory:



"SomeofthesupportersoftheUnioncauseareopposedtoaccommodateoryieldtotheSouthinanymannerorwaybecausetheConfederatesbeganthewar;weredeterminedtotaketheirStatesoutoftheUnion,and,consequently,shouldbeheldresponsibletothelaststageforwhatevermaycomeinthefuture.NowthisremindsmeofagoodstoryIheardonce,whenIlivedinIllinois.

"Aviciousbullinapasturetookaftereverybodywhotriedtocrossthelot,andonedayaneighboroftheownerwasthevictim.Thismanwasaspeedyfellowandgottoafriendlytreeaheadofthebull,butnotintimetoclimbthetree.Soheledtheenragedanimalamerryracearoundthetree,finallysucceedinginseizingthebullbythetail.

"Thebull,beingatadisadvantage,notabletoeithercatchthemanorreleasehistail,wasmadenoughtoeatnails;heduguptheearthwithhisfeet,scatteredgravelallaround,belloweduntilyoucouldhearhimfortwomilesormore,andatlengthbrokeintoadeadrun,themanhangingontohistailallthetime.

"Whilethebull,muchoutoftemper,wasleggingittothebestofhisability,histormentor,stillclingingtothetail,asked,'Darnyou,whocommencedthisfuss?'

"It'sourdutytosettlethisfussattheearliestpossiblemoment,nomatterw

hocommencedit.That'smyideaofit."

"ABE'S"LITTLEJOKE.

WhenGeneralW.T.Sherman,November12th,1864,severedallcommunicationwiththeNorthandstartedforSavannahwithhismagnificentarmyofsixtythousandmen,therewasmuchanxietyforamonthastohiswhereabouts.PresidentLincoln,inresponsetoaninquiry,said:"IknowwhatholeShermanwentinat,butIdon'tknowwhatholehe'llcomeoutat."

ColonelMcClurehadbeeninconsultationwiththePresidentoneday,abouttwo

weeksafterSherman'sdisappearance,andinthisconnectionrelatedthisincident:

"Iwasleavingtheroom,andjustasIreachedthedoorthePresidentturnedaround,and,withamerrytwinklingoftheeye,inquired,'McClure,wouldn'tyouliketohearsomethingfromSherman?'

"Theinquiryelectrifiedmeattheinstant,asitseemedtoimplythatLincolnhadsomeinformationonthesubject.Iimmediatelyanswered,'Yes,mostofall,IshouldliketohearfromSherman.'

"TothisPresidentLincolnanswered,withaheartylaugh:'Well,I'llbehangedifIwouldn'tmyself.'"

WHATSUMMERTHOUGHT.

Althoughhimselfamostpolished,evenafastidious,gentleman,SenatorSumnerneverallowedLincoln'shomelywaystohidehisgreatqualities.Hegavehimarespectandesteematthestartwhichothersaccordedonlyafterexperience.TheSenatorwasmosttactful,too,inhisdealingswithMrs.Lincoln,andsoonhadafirmfootinginthehousehold.Thathewasproudofthis,perhapsalittleboas



tful,thereisnodoubt.

Lincolnhimselfappreciatedthis."Sumnerthinksherunsme,"hesaid,withanamusedtwinkle,oneday.

AUSELESSDOG.

WhenHood'sarmyhadbeenscatteredintofragments,PresidentLincoln,elatedbythedefeatofwhathadsolongbeenamenacingforceonthebordersofTennesseewasremindedbyitscollapseofthefateofasavagedogbelongingtooneofhisneighborsinthefrontiersettlementsinwhichhelivedinhisyouth."Thedog,"hesaid,"wastheterroroftheneighborhood,anditsowner,achurlishandquarrelsomefellow,tookpleasureinthebrute'sforcibleattitude.

"Finally,allothermeanshavingfailedtosubduethecreature,amanloadedalumpofmeatwithachargeofpowder,towhichwasattachedaslowfuse;thiswasdroppedwherethedreadeddogwouldfindit,andtheanimalgulpeddownthetemptingbait.

"Therewasadullrumbling,amuffledexplosion,andfragmentsofthedogwereseenflyingineverydirection.Thegrievedowner,pickinguptheshatteredremainsofhiscruelfavorite,said:'Hewasagooddog,butasadog,hisdaysofu

sefulnessareover.'Hood'sarmywasagoodarmy,"saidLincoln,bywayofcomment,"andwewereallafraidofit,butasanarmy,itsusefulnessisgone."

ORIGINOFTHE"INFLUENCE"STORY.

JudgeBaldwin,ofCalifornia,beinginWashington,calledonedayonGeneralHalleck,thenCommander-in-ChiefoftheUnionforces,and,presuminguponafamiliaracquaintanceinCaliforniaafewyearssince,solicitedapassoutsideofourlinestoseeabrotherinVirginia,notthinkingthathewouldmeetwitharefusal,asbothhisbrotherandhimselfweregoodUnionmen.

"Wehavebeendeceivedtoooften,"saidGeneralHalleck,"andIregretIcan'tgrantit."

JudgeB.thenwenttoStanton,andwasverybrieflydisposedofwiththesameresult.Finally,heobtainedaninterviewwithMr.Lincoln,andstatedhiscase.

"HaveyouappliedtoGeneralHalleck?"inquiredthePresident.

"Yes,andmetwithaflatrefusal,"saidJudgeB.

"ThenyoumustseeStanton,"continuedthePresident.

"Ihave,andwiththesameresult,"wasthereply.

"Well,then,"saidMr.Lincoln,withasmile,"Icandonothing;foryoumustknowthatIhaveverylittleinfluencewiththisAdministration,althoughIhopetohavemorewiththenext."

FELTSORRYFORBOTH.

ManyladiesattendedthefamousdebatesbetweenLincolnandDouglas,andtheyw



erethemostunprejudicedlisteners."Icanrecallonlyonefactofthedebates,"saysMrs.WilliamCrotty,ofSeneca,Illinois,"thatIfeltsosorryforLincolnwhileDouglaswasspeaking,andthentomysurpriseIfeltsosorryforDouglaswhenLincolnreplied."

Thedisinterestedtowhomitwasanintellectualgame,feltthepowerandcharmofbothmen.

WHEREDIDITCOMEFROM?

"Whatmadethedeepestimpressionuponyou?"inquiredafriendoneday,"whenyoustoodinthepresenceoftheFallsofNiagara,thegreatestofnaturalwonders?"

"ThethingthatstruckmemostforciblywhenIsawtheFalls,"Lincolnresponded,withcharacteristicdeliberation,"was,whereintheworlddidallthatwatercomefrom?"

"LONGABE"FOURYEARSLONGER.

ThesecondelectionofAbrahamLincolntothePresidencyoftheUnitedStateswastherewardofhiscourageandgeniusbestoweduponhimbythepeopleoftheUnionStates.GeneralGeorgeB.McClellanwashisopponentin1864upontheplatformthat"theWarisafailure,"andcarriedbutthreeStates--NewJersey,DelawareandKentucky.TheStateswhichdidnotthinktheWarwasafailurewerethoseinNewEngland,NewYork,Pennsylvania,alltheWesterncommonwealths,WestVirginia,Tennessee,Louisiana,ArkansasandthenewStateofNevada,admittedintotheUniononOctober31st.PresidentLincoln'spopularmajorityoverMcClellan,whoneverdidmuchtowardmakingtheWarasuccess,wasmorethanfourhundredthousand.Underneaththecartoonreproducedhere,from"Harper'sWeekly"ofNovember26th,1864,werethewords,"LongAbrahamLincolnaLittleLonger."

ButthebelovedPresident'stimeuponearthwasnottobemuchlonger,ashewa

sassassinatedjustonemonthandtendaysafterhissecondinauguration.Indeed,thewords,"alittlelonger,"printedbelowthecartoon,werestrangelyprophetic,althoughnotintendedtobesuch.

ThepeopleoftheUnitedStateshadlearnedtolove"LongAbe,"theiraffectionbeingofapurelypersonalnature,inthemain.NootherChiefExecutivewasregardedassosincerelythefriendofthegreatmassoftheinhabitantsoftheRepublicasLincoln.Hewas,intruth,oneof"thecommonpeople,"havingbeenbornamongthem,andlivedasoneofthem.

Lincoln'sgreatheightmadehimaneasysubjectforthecartoonist,andtheyuseditinhisfavoraswellasagainsthim.

"ALLSICKER'NYOURMAN."

ACommissionertotheHawaiianIslandswastobeappointed,andeightapplicantshadfiledtheirpapers,whenadelegationfromtheSouthappearedattheWhiteHouseonbehalfofaninth.Notonlywastheirmanfit--sothedelegationurged--butwasalsoinbadhealth,andaresidenceinthatbalmyclimatewouldbeofgreatbenefittohim.



ThePresidentwasratherimpatientthatday,andbeforethemembersofthedelegationhadfairlystartedin,suddenlyclosedtheinterviewwiththisremark:

"Gentlemen,Iamsorrytosaythatthereareeightotherapplicantsforthatplace,andtheyareall'sicker'n'yourman."

EASIERTOEMPTYTHEPOTOMAC.

Anofficeroflowvolunteerrankpersistedintellingandre-tellinghistroublestothePresidentonasummerafternoonwhenLincolnwastiredandcareworn.

Afterlisteningpatiently,hefinallyturnedupontheman,and,lookingwearilyoutuponthebroadPotomacinthedistance,saidinaperemptorytonethatendedtheinterview:

"Now,myman,goaway,goaway.Icannotmeddleinyourcase.IcouldaseasilybailoutthePotomacRiverwithateaspoonasattendtoallthedetailsofthearmy."

HEWANTEDASTEADYHAND.

WhentheEmancipationProclamationwastakentoMr.LincolnbySecretarySeward,forthePresident'ssignature,Mr.Lincolntookapen,dippeditintheink,movedhishandtotheplaceforthesignature,helditamoment,thenremovedhishandanddroppedthepen.Afteralittlehesitation,heagaintookupthepenandwentthroughthesamemovementasbefore.Mr.LincolnthenturnedtoMr.Sewardandsaid:

"Ihavebeenshakinghandssincenineo'clockthismorning,andmyrightarmisalmostparalyzed.Ifmynameevergoesintohistory,itwillbeforthisact,andmywholesoulisinit.IfmyhandtrembleswhenIsigntheProclamation,allwhoexaminethedocumenthereafterwillsay,'Hehesitated.'"

Hethenturnedtothetable,tookupthepenagain,andslowly,firmlywrote"AbrahamLincoln,"withwhichthewholeworldisnowfamiliar.

Hethenlookedup,smiled,andsaid,"Thatwilldo."

LINCOLNSAWSTANTONABOUTIT.

Mr.Lovejoy,headingacommitteeofWesternmen,discussedanimportantschemewiththePresident,andthegentlemenwerethendirectedtoexplainittoSecretaryofWarStanton.

UponpresentingthemselvestotheSecretary,andshowingthePresident'sorder,theSecretarysaid:"DidLincolngiveyouanorderofthatkind?"

"Hedid,sir."

"Thenheisad--dfool,"saidtheangrySecretary.

"DoyoumeantosaythatthePresidentisad--dfool?"askedLovejoy,inamazement.



"Yes,sir,ifhegaveyousuchanorderasthat."

ThebewilderedIllinoisanbetookhimselfatoncetothePresidentandrelatedtheresultoftheconference.

"DidStantonsayIwasad--dfool?"askedLincolnatthecloseoftherecital.

"Hedid,sir,andrepeatedit."

Afteramoment'spause,andlookingup,thePresidentsaid:"IfStantonsaidIwasad--dfool,thenImustbeone,forheisnearlyalwaysright,andgenerallysayswhathemeans.Iwillslipoverandseehim."

MRS.LINCOLN'SSURPRISE.

AgoodstoryistoldofhowMrs.Lincolnmadealittlesurpriseforherhusband.

Intheearlydaysitwascustomaryforlawyerstogofromonecountytoanotheronhorseback,ajourneywhichoftenrequiredseveralweeks.Onreturningfromoneofthesetrips,lateonenight,Mr.Lincolndismountedfromhishorseatthefamiliarcornerandthenturnedtogointothehouse,butstopped;aperfectlyu

nknownstructurewasbeforehim.Surprised,andthinkingtheremustbesomemistake,hewentacrossthewayandknockedataneighbor'sdoor.Thefamilyhadretired,andsocalledout:

"Who'sthere?"

"AbeLincoln,"wasthereply."Iamlookingformyhouse.Ithoughtitwasacrosstheway,butwhenIwentawayafewweeksagotherewasonlyaone-storyhousethereandnowthereisatwo-storyhouseinitsplace.IthinkImustbelost."

TheneighborsthenexplainedthatMrs.Lincolnhadaddedanotherstoryduringhisabsence.AndMr.Lincolnlaughedandwenttohisremodeledhouse.

MENACETOTHEGOVERNMENT.

Thepersistenceofoffice-seekersnearlydrovePresidentLincolnwild.Theyslippedinthroughthehalf-openeddoorsoftheExecutiveMansion;theydoggedhisstepsifhewalked;theyedgedtheirwaythroughthecrowdsandthrusttheirpapersinhishandswhenherode;and,takingitallinall,theywell-nighworriedhimtodeath.

HeoncesaidthatiftheGovernmentpassedthroughtheRebellionwithoutdismembermenttherewasthestrongestdangerofitsfallingapreytotherapacityof

theoffice-seekingclass.

"Thishumanstruggleandscrambleforoffice,forawaytolivewithoutwork,willfinallytestthestrengthofourinstitutions,"werethewordsheused.

TROOPSCOULDN'TFLYOVERIT.

OnApril20thadelegationfromBaltimoreappearedattheWhiteHouseandbegge



dthePresidentthattroopsforWashingtonbesentaroundandnotthroughBaltimore.

PresidentLincolnreplied,laughingly:"IfIgrantthisconcession,youwillbebacktomorrowaskingthatnotroopsbemarched'around'it."

ThePresidentwasright.Thatafternoon,andagainonSundayandMonday,committeessoughthim,protestingthatMarylandsoilshouldnotbe"polluted"bythefeetofsoldiersmarchingagainsttheSouth.

ThePresidenthadbutonereply:"Wemusthavetroops,andastheycanneithercrawlunderMarylandnorflyoverit,theymustcomeacrossit."

PATWAS"FORNINSTTHEGOVERNMENT."

TheGovernor-GeneralofCanada,withsomeofhisprincipalofficers,visitedPresidentLincolninthesummerof1864.

Theyhadbeenverytroublesomeinharboringblockaderunners,andtheyweresaidtohavecarriedonalargetradefromtheirportswiththeConfederates.Lincolntreatedhisguestswithgreatcourtesy.

Afterapleasantinterview,theGovernor,alludingtothecomingPresidentialelectionsaid,jokingly,butwithagrainofsarcasm:"IunderstandMr.President,thateverybodyvotesinthiscountry.IfweremainuntilNovember,canwevote?"

"Youremindme,"repliedthePresident,"ofacountrymanofyours,agreenemigrantfromIreland.Patarrivedonelectionday,andperhapswasaseagerasyourExcellencytovote,andtovoteearly,andlateandoften.

"So,uponlandingatCastleGarden,hehastenedtothenearestvotingplace,andasheapproached,thejudgewhoreceivedtheballotsinquired,'Whodoyouwanttovotefor?Onwhichsideareyou?'PoorPatwasembarrassed;hedidnotknowwhowerethecandidates.Hestopped,scratchedhishead,then,withthereadine

ssofhiscountrymen,hesaid:

"'IamforninsttheGovernment,anyhow.Tellme,ifyourHonorplase:whichistherebellionside,andI'lltellyouhawIwanttovote.InouldIreland,Iwasalwaysontherebellionside,and,bySaintPatrick,I'lldothatsameinAmerica.'YourExcellency,"saidMr.Lincoln,"would,Ishouldthink,notbeatallatalossonwhichsidetovote!"

"CAN'TSPARETHISMAN."

Onenight,abouteleveno'clock,ColonelA.K.McClure,whoseintimacywithPre

sidentLincolnwassogreatthathecouldobtainadmittancetotheExecutiveMansionatanyandallhours,calledattheWhiteHousetourgeMr.LincolntoremoveGeneralGrantfromcommand.

Afterlisteningpatientlyforalongtime,thePresident,gatheringhimselfupinhischair,said,withtheutmostearnestness:

"Ican'tsparethisman;hefights!"

Inrelatingtheparticularsofthisinterview,ColonelMcCluresaid:



"Thatwasallhesaid,butIknewthatitwasenough,andthatGrantwassafeinLincoln'shandsagainsthiscountlesshostsofenemies.TheonlymaninallthenationwhohadthepowertosaveGrantwasLincoln,andhehaddecidedtodoit.HewasnotinfluencedbyanypersonalpartialityforGrant,fortheyhadnevermet.

"ItwasnotuntilafterthebattleofShiloh,foughtonthe6thand7thofApril,1862,thatLincolnwasplacedinapositiontoexerciseacontrollinginfluenceinshapingthedestinyofGrant.ThefirstreportsfromtheShilohbattle-fieldcreatedprofoundalarmthroughouttheentirecountry,andthewildestexaggerationswerespreadinafloodtideofvituperationagainstGrant.

"Thefewofto-daywhocanrecalltheinflamedconditionofpublicsentimentagainstGrantcausedbythedisastrousfirstday'sbattleatShilohwillrememberthathewasdenouncedasincompetentforhiscommandbythepublicjournalsofallpartiesintheNorth,andwithalmostentireunanimitybySenatorsandCongressmen,regardlessofpoliticalaffinities.

"IappealedtoLincolnforhisownsaketoremoveGrantatonce,andingivingmyreasonsforitIsimplyvoicedtheadmittedlyoverwhelmingprotestfromtheloyalpeopleofthelandagainstGrant'scontinuanceincommand.

"IdidnotforgetthatLincolnwastheonemanwhoneverallowedhimselftoapp

earaswantonlydefyingpublicsentiment.ItseemedtomeimpossibleforhimtosaveGrantwithouttakingacrushingloadofcondemnationuponhimself;butLincolnwaswiserthanallthosearoundhim,andhenotonlysavedGrant,buthesavedhimbysuchwell-concertedeffortthathesoonwonpopularapplausefromthosewhoweremostviolentindemandingGrant'sdismissal."

HISTEETHCHATTERED.

DuringtheLincoln-Douglasjointdebatesof1858,thelatteraccusedLincolnofhaving,wheninCongress,votedagainsttheappropriationforsuppliestobesenttheUnitedStatessoldiersinMexico.Inreply,Lincolnsaid:"Thisisaperv

ersionofthefacts.IwasopposedtothepolicyoftheadministrationindeclaringwaragainstMexico;butwhenwarwasdeclaredIneverfailedtovoteforthesupportofanypropositionlookingtothecomfortofourpoorfellowswhoweremaintainingthedignityofourflaginawarthatIthoughtunnecessaryandunjust."

Hegraduallybecamemoreandmoreexcited;hisvoicethrilledandhiswholeframeshook.SittingonthestandwasO.B.Ficklin,whohadservedinCongresswithLincolnin1847.Lincolnreachedback,tookFicklinbythecoat-collar,backofhisneck,andinnogentlemannerliftedhimfromhisseatasifhehadbeenakitten,androared:"Fellow-citizens,hereisFicklin,whowasatthattimeinCongresswithme,andheknowsitisalie."

HeshookFicklinuntilhisteethchattered.FearinghewouldshakeFicklin'sheadoff,WardLamongraspedLincoln'shandandbrokehisgrip.

Afterthespeakingwasover,Ficklin,whohadwarmpersonalfriendshipwithhim,said:"Lincoln,younearlyshookalltheDemocracyoutofmeto-day."

"AARONGOTHISCOMMISSION."



PresidentLincolnwascensuredforappointingonethathadzealouslyopposedhissecondterm.

Hereplied:"Well,IsupposeJudgeE.,havingbeendisappointedbefore,didbehaveprettyugly,butthatwouldn'tmakehimanylessfitfortheplace;andIthinkIhaveScripturalauthorityforappointinghim.

"YourememberwhentheLordwasonMountSinaigettingoutacommissionforAaron,thatsameAaronwasatthefootofthemountainmakingafalsegodforthepeopletoworship.YetAarongothiscommission,youknow."

LINCOLNANDTHEMINISTERS.

AtthetimeofLincoln'snomination,atChicago,Mr.NewtonBateman,SuperintendentofPublicInstructionfortheStateofIllinois,occupiedaroomadjoiningandopeningintotheExecutiveChamberatSpringfield.FrequentlythisdoorwasopenduringMr.Lincoln'sreceptions,andthroughoutthesevenmonthsormoreofhisoccupationhesawhimnearlyeveryday.Often,whenMr.Lincolnwastired,heclosedthedooragainstallintruders,andcalledMr.Batemanintohisroomforaquiettalk.Ononeoftheseoccasions,Mr.LincolntookupabookcontainingcanvassofthecityofSpringfield,inwhichhelived,showingthecandidateforwhomeachcitizenhaddeclaredithisintentiontovoteintheapproachingel

ection.Mr.Lincoln'sfriendshad,doubtlessathisownrequest,placedtheresultofthecanvassinhishands.ThiswastowardsthecloseofOctober,andonlyafewdaysbeforeelection.CallingMr.Batemantoaseatbyhisside,havingpreviouslylockedallthedoors,hesaid:

"Letuslookoverthisbook;IwishparticularlytoseehowtheministersifSpringfieldaregoingtovote."Theleaveswereturned,onebyone,andasthenameswereexaminedMr.Lincolnfrequentlyaskedifthisoneandthatonewasnotaminister,oranelder,oramemberofsuchandsuchachurch,andsadlyexpressedhissurpriseonreceivinganaffirmativeanswer.Inthatmannerhewentthroughthebook,andthenheclosedit,andsatsilentlyforsomeminutesregardingamemoranduminpencilwhichlaybeforehim.AtlengthheturnedtoMr.Bateman,withafacefullofsadness,andsaid:

"Herearetwenty-threeministersofdifferentdenominations,andallofthemareagainstmebutthree,andhereareagreatmanyprominentmembersofchurches,averylargemajorityareagainstme.Mr.Bateman,IamnotaChristian--GodknowsIwouldbeone--butIhavecarefullyreadtheBible,andIdonotsounderstandthisbook,"andhedrewforthapocketNewTestament.

"Thesemenwellknow,"hecontinued,"thatIamforfreedomintheTerritories,freedomeverywhere,asfreeastheConstitutionandthelawswillpermit,andthatmyopponentsareforslavery.Theyknowthis,andyet,withthisbookintheirhands,inthelightofwhichhumanbondagecannotliveamoment,theyaregoingtovoteagainstme;Idonotunderstanditatall."

HereMr.Lincolnpaused--pausedforlongminutes,hisfeaturessurchargedwithemotion.Thenheroseandwalkedupanddownthereception-roomintheefforttoretainorregainhisself-possession.Stoppingatlast,hesaid,withatremblingvoiceandcheekswetwithtears:

"IknowthereisaGod,andthatHehatesinjusticeandslavery.Iseethestormcoming,andIknowthatHishandisinit.IfHehasaplaceandworkforme,andIthinkHehas,IbelieveIamready.Iamnothing,butTruthiseverything.IknowIamright,becauseIknowthatlibertyisright,forChristteachesit,andChristisGod.Ihavetoldthemthatahousedividedagainstitselfcannot



stand;andChristandReasonsaythesame,andtheywillfinditso.

"Douglasdoesn'tcarewhetherslaveryisvotedupordown,butGodcares,andhumanitycares,andIcare;andwithGod'shelpIshallnotfail.Imaynotseetheend,butitwillcome,andIshallbevindicated;andthesemenwillfindtheyhavenotreadtheirBibleright."

Muchofthiswasutteredasifhewerespeakingtohimself,andwithasad,earnestsolemnityofmannerimpossibletobedescribed.Afterapauseheresumed:

"Doesn'titseemstrangethatmencanignorethemoralaspectofthiscontest?NorevelationcouldmakeitplainertomethatslaveryortheGovernmentmustbedestroyed.Thefuturewouldbesomethingawful,asIlookatit,butforthisrockonwhichIstand"(alludingtotheTestamentwhichhestillheldinhishand),"especiallywiththeknowledgeofhowtheseministersaregoingtovote.ItseemsasifGodhadbornewiththisthing(slavery)untiltheteachersofreligionhavecometodefenditfromtheBible,andtoclaimforitadivinecharacterandsanction;andnowthecupofiniquityisfull,andthevialsofwrathwillbepouredout."

Everythinghesaidwasofapeculiarlydeep,tender,andreligioustone,andallwastingedwithatouchingmelancholy.Herepeatedlyreferredtohisconvictionthatthedayofwrathwasathand,andthathewastobeanactorintheterriblestrugglewhichwouldissueintheoverthrowofslavery,althoughhemightno

tlivetoseetheend.

AfterfurtherreferencetoabeliefintheDivineProvidenceandthefactofGodinhistory,theconversationturneduponprayer.Hefreelystatedhisbeliefintheduty,privilege,andefficacyofprayer,andintimated,innounmistakableterms,thathehadsoughtinthatwayDivineguidanceandfavor.TheeffectofthisconversationuponthemindofMr.Bateman,aChristiangentlemanwhomMr.Lincolnprofoundlyrespected,wastoconvincehimthatMr.Lincolnhad,inaquietway,foundapathtotheChristianstandpoint--thathehadfoundGod,andrestedontheeternaltruthofGod.Asthetwomenwereabouttoseparate,Mr.Batemanremarked:

"Ihavenotsupposedthatyouwereaccustomedtothinksomuchuponthisclass

ofsubjects;certainlyyourfriendsgenerallyareignorantofthesentimentsyouhaveexpressedtome."

Herepliedquickly:"Iknowtheyare,butIthinkmoreonthesesubjectsthanuponallothers,andIhavedonesoforyears;andIamwillingyoushouldknowit."

HARDTACKBETTERTHANGENERALS.

SecretaryofWarStantontoldthePresidentthefollowingstory,whichgreatlyamusedthelatter,ashewasespeciallyfondofajokeattheexpenseofsomehi

ghmilitaryorcivildignitary.

Stantonhadlittleornosenseofhumor.

WhenSecretaryStantonwasmakingatripuptheBroadRiverinNorthCarolina,inatugboat,aFederalpicketyelledout,"Whathaveyougotonboardofthattug?"

Thesevereanddignifiedanswerwas,"TheSecretaryofWarandMajor-GeneralFoster."



Instantlythepicketroaredback,"We'vegotMajor-Generalsenoughuphere.Whydon'tyoubringusupsomehardtack?"

GOTTHEPREACHER.

AstorytoldbyaCabinetmembertendedtoshowhowaccuratelyLincolncouldcalculatepoliticalresultsinadvance--afacultywhichremainedwithhimallhislife.

"Afriend,whowasaDemocrat,hadcometohimearlyinthecanvassandtoldhimhewantedtoseehimelected,butdidnotliketovoteagainsthisparty;stillhewouldvoteforhim,ifthecontestwastobesoclosethateveryvotewasneeded.

"AshorttimebeforetheelectionLincolnsaidtohim:'Ihavegotthepreacher,andIdon'twantyourvote.'"

BIGJOKEONHALLECK.

WhenGeneralHalleckwasCommander-in-ChiefoftheUnionforces,withheadquartersatWashington,PresidentLincolnunconsciouslyplayedabigpracticaljokeuponthatdignifiedofficer.ThePresidenthadspentthenightattheSoldiers'Home,andthenextmorningaskedCaptainDerickson,commandingthecompanyofPennsylvaniasoldiers,whichwasthePresidentialguardattheWhiteHouseandtheHome--whereverthePresidenthappenedtobe--togototownwithhim.

CaptainDericksontoldthestoryinamostentertainingway:

"Whenweenteredthecity,Mr.LincolnsaidhewouldcallatGeneralHalleck'sheadquartersandgetwhatnewshadbeenreceivedfromthearmyduringthenight.IinformedhimthatGeneralCullum,chiefaidtoGeneralHalleck,wasraisedinMeadville,andthatIknewhimwhenIwasaboy.

"Hereplied,'Thenwemustseeboththegentlemen.'Whenthecarriagestopped,herequestedmetoremainseated,andsaidhewouldbringthegentlemendowntoseeme,theofficebeingonthesecondfloor.InashorttimethePresidentcamedown,followedbytheothergentlemen.Whenheintroducedthemtome,GeneralCullumrecognizedandseemedpleasedtoseeme.

"InGeneralHalleckIthoughtIdiscoveredakindofquizzicallook,asmuchastosay,'Isn'tthisratherabigjoketoasktheCommander-in-Chiefofthearmydowntothestreettobeintroducedtoacountrycaptain?'"

STORIESBETTERTHANDOCTORS.

Agentleman,visitingahospitalatWashington,heardanoccupantofoneofthebedslaughingandtalkingaboutthePresident,whohadbeenthereashorttimebeforeandgladdenedthewoundedwithsomeofhisstories.Thesoldierseemedinsuchgoodspiritsthatthegentlemaninquired:

"Youmustbeveryslightlywounded?"

"Yes,"repliedthebravefellow,"veryslightly--Ihaveonlylostoneleg,and



I'dbegladenoughtolosetheother,ifIcouldhearsomemoreof'OldAbe's'stories."

SHORT,BUTEXCITING.

WilliamB.Wilson,employedinthetelegraphofficeattheWarDepartment,ranovertotheWhiteHouseonedaytosummonMr.Lincoln.HedescribedthetripbacktotheWarDepartmentinthismanner:

"Callingoneofhistwoyoungerboystojoinhim,wethenstartedfromtheWhiteHouse,betweenstatelytrees,alongagravelpathwhichledtotherearoftheoldWarDepartmentbuilding.Itwasawarmday,andMr.Lincolnworeaspartofhiscostumeafadedgraylinendusterwhichhunglooselyaroundhislonggauntframe;hiskindlyeyewasbeamingwithgoodnature,andhisever-thoughtfulbrowwasunruffled.

"Wehadbarelyreachedthegravelwalkbeforehestoopedover,pickeduparoundsmoothpebble,andshootingitoffhisthumb,challengedustoagameof'followings,'whichweaccepted.Eachinturntriedtohittheoutlyingstone,whichwasbeingconstantlyprojectedonwardbythePresident.Thegamewasshort,butexciting;thecheerfulnessofchildhood,theambitionofyoungmanhood,andthegravityofthestatesmanwereallinjectedintoit.

"ThegamewasnotwonuntilthestepsoftheWarDepartmentwerereached.Everyinchofprogressionwastoughlycontested,andwhenthePresidentwasdeclaredvictor,itwasonlybyahandspan.Heappearedtobeasmuchpleasedasifhehadwonabattle."

MR.BULLDIDN'TGETHISCOTTON.

Becauseoftheblockade,bytheUnionfleets,oftheSoutherncottonports,Englandwasdeprivedofhersupplyofcotton,andscoresofthousandsofBritishoperativeswerethrownoutofemploymentbytheclosingofthecottonmillsatMan

chesterandothercitiesinGreatBritain.England(JohnBull)feltsobadlyaboutthisthattheBritishwantedtogotowaronaccountofit,butwhentheUnitedStateseagleruffledupitswingstheEnglishthoughtoverthebusinessandconcludednottofight.

"Harper'sWeekly"ofMay16th,1863,containedthecartoonwereproduce,whichshowsJohnBullasmanifestingmuchanxietyregardingthecottonhehadboughtfromtheSouthernplanters,butwhichthelattercouldnotdeliver.BeneaththecartoonisthisbitofdialoguebetweenJohnBullandPresidentLincoln:MR.BULL(confidingcreature):"Hiwantmycotton,boughtatfi'penceapound."

MR.LINCOLN:"Don'tknowanythingaboutit,mydearsir.Yourfriends,therebels,areburningallthecottontheycanfind,andIconfiscatetherest.Good-mo

rning,John!"

AsPresidentLincolnhasabigfifteen-inchgunathisside,theblackmuzzleofwhichispressedtightlyagainstMr.Bull'swaistcoat,thePresident,toallappearances,hasthebestoftheargument"byalongshot."Anyhow,Mr.Bullhadnothingmoretosay,butgavethecottonmatterupasabadpieceofbusiness,andpocketedtheloss.



STICKTOAMERICANPRINCIPLES.

PresidentLincoln'sfirstconclusion(thatMasonandSlidellshouldbereleased)wastherealgroundonwhichtheAdministrationsubmitted."WemuststicktoAmericanprinciplesconcerningtherightsofneutrals."Itwastomany,asSecretaryoftheTreasuryChasedeclareditwastohim,"gallandwormwood."JamesRussellLowell'sverseexpressedbestthepopularfeeling:

Wegivethecrittersback,John,CosAbramthought'twasright;Itwarn'tyourbullyin'clack,John,Provokin'ustofight.

ThedecisionraisedMr.Lincolnimmeasurablyintheviewofthoughtfulmen,especiallyinEngland.

USED"RUDETACT."

GeneralJohnC.Fremont,withheadquartersatSt.Louis,astonishedthecountrybyissuingaproclamationdeclaring,amongotherthings,thattheproperty,realandpersonal,ofallthepersonsintheStateofMissouriwhoshouldtakeuparmsagainsttheUnitedStates,orwhoshouldbedirectlyprovedtohavetakenanactivepartwithitsenemiesinthefield,wouldbeconfiscatedtopublicuseandtheirslaves,iftheyhadany,declaredfreemen.

ThePresidentwasdismayed;hemodifiedthatpartoftheproclamationreferringtoslaves,andfinallyreplacedFremontwithGeneralHunter.

Mrs.Fremont(daughterofSenatorT.H.Benton),herhusband'srealchiefofstaff,flewtoWashingtonandsoughtMr.Lincoln.Itwasmidnight,butthePresidentgaveheranaudience.Withoutwaitingforanexplanation,sheviolentlychargedhimwithsendinganenemytoMissouritolookintoFremont'scase,andthreateningthatifFremontdesiredtohecouldsetupagovernmentforhimself.

"IhadtoexercisealltherudetactIhavetoavoidquarrelingwithher,"saidMr.Lincolnafterwards.

"ABE"ONAWOODPILE.

Lincoln'sattempttomakealawyerofhimselfunderadverseandunpromisingcircumstances--hewasabare-footedfarm-hand--excitedcomment.Anditwasnottobewondered.Oneoldman,whowasyetaliveaslateas1901,hadoftenemployedLincolntodofarmworkforhim,andwassurprisedtofindhimonedaysittingbarefootonthesummitofawoodpileandattentivelyreadingabook.

"Thisbeinganunusualthingforfarm-handsinthatearlydaytodo,"saidtheoldman,whenrelatingthestory,"Iaskedhimwhathewasreading.

"'I'mnotreading,'heanswered.'I'mstudying.'

"'Studyingwhat?'Iinquired.

"'Law,sir,'wastheemphaticresponse.

"Itwasreallytoomuchforme,asIlookedathimsittingthereproudasCicero.'GreatGodAlmighty!'Iexclaimed,andpassedon."Lincolnmerelylaughedandresumedhis"studies."



TAKINGDOWNADANDY.

Inapoliticalcampaign,LincolnoncerepliedtoColonelRichardTaylor,aself-conceited,dandifiedman,whoworeagoldchainandruffledshirt.Hispartyatthattimewasposingasthehard-workingboneandsinewoftheland,whiletheWhigswerestigmatizedasaristocrats,ruffled-shirtgentry.Taylormakingasweepinggesture,hisovercoatbecametornopen,displayinghisfinery.Lincolninreplysaid,layinghishandonhisjeans-cladbreast:

"Hereisyouraristocrat,oneofyoursilk-stockinggentry,atyourservice."Then,spreadingouthishands,bronzedandgauntwithtoil:"Hereisyourrag-basinwithlily-whitehands.Yes,Isuppose,accordingtomyfriendTaylor,Iamabloatedaristocrat."

WHENOLDABEGOTMAD.

SoonafterhostilitiesbrokeoutbetweentheNorthandSouth,CongressappointedaCommitteeontheConductoftheWar.ThiscommitteebesetMr.Lincolnandurgedallsortsofmeasures.Itsmemberswereaggressiveandpatriotic,andonethingtheydetermineduponwasthattheArmyofthePotomacshouldmove.Butitwa

snotuntilMarchthattheybecameconvincedthatanythingwouldbedone.

Onedayearlyinthatmonth,SenatorChandler,ofMichigan,amemberofthecommittee,metGeorgeW.Julian.Hewasinhighglee."'Old'Abeismad,"saidJulian,"andtheWarwillnowgoon."

WANTEDTO"BORROW"THEARMY.

Duringoneoftheperiodswhenthingswereatastandstill,theWashingtonauthorities,beingunabletoforceGeneralMcClellantoassumeanaggressiveattitude,PresidentLincolnwenttothegeneral'sheadquarterstohaveatalkwithhim,

butforsomereasonhewasunabletogetanaudience.

Mr.LincolnreturnedtotheWhiteHousemuchdisturbedathisfailuretoseethecommanderoftheUnionforces,andimmediatelysentfortwogeneralofficers,tohaveaconsultation.Ontheirarrival,hetoldthemhemusthavesomeonetotalktoaboutthesituation,andashehadfailedtoseeGeneralMcClellan,hewishedtheirviewsastothepossibilityorprobabilityofcommencingactiveoperationswiththeArmyofthePotomac.

"Something'sgottobedone,"saidthePresident,emphatically,"anddonerightaway,orthebottomwillfalloutofthewholething.Now,ifMcClellandoesn'twanttousethearmyforawhile,I'dliketoborrowitfromhimandseeifIcan'tdosomethingorotherwithit.

"IfMcClellancan'tfish,heoughtatleasttobecuttingbaitatatimelikethis."

YOUNG"SUCKER"VISITORS.

AfterMr.Lincoln'snominationforthePresidency,theExecutiveChamber,alarge,fineroomintheStateHouseatSpringfield,wassetapartforhim,wherehe



Thegentlemanmadetheyoungwomanaccompanyhimintotheoffice,andwhentheywereseated,saidtoher:"Now,mygoodgirl,Iwantyoutomusterallthecourageyouhaveintheworld.WhenthePresidentcomesback,hewillsitdowninthatarmchair.Ishallgetuptospeaktohim,andasIdosoyoumustforceyourselfbetweenus,andinsistuponhisexaminationofyourpapers,tellinghimitisacaseoflifeanddeath,andadmitsofnodelay."Theseinstructionswerecarriedouttotheletter.Mr.Lincolnwasatfirstsomewhatsurprisedattheapparentforwardnessoftheyoungwoman,butobservingherdistressedappearance,heceasedconversationwithhisfriend,andcommencedanexaminationofthedocumentshehadplacedinhishands.

Glancingfromittothefaceofthepetitioner,whosetearshadbrokenforthafresh,hestudieditsexpressionforamoment,andthenhiseyefelluponherscantybutneatdress.Instantlyhisfacelightedup.

"Mypoorgirl,"saidhe,"youhavecomeherewithnoGovernor,orSenator,ormemberofCongresstopleadyourcause.Youseemhonestandtruthful;andyoudon'twearhoopskirts--andIwillbewhippedbutIwillpardonyourbrother."Andhedid.

LIEUTENANTTADLINCOLN'SSENTINELS.

PresidentLincoln'sfavoriteson,Tad,havingbeensportivelycommissionedalieutenantintheUnitedStatesArmybySecretaryStanton,procuredseveralmusketsanddrilledthemen-servantsofthehouseinthemanualofarmswithoutattractingtheattentionofhisfather.Andonenight,tohisconsternation,heputthemallonduty,andrelievedtheregularsentries,who,seeingtheladinfulluniform,orperhapsappreciatingthejoke,gladlywenttotheirquarters.Hisbrotherobjected;butTadinsisteduponhisrightsasanofficer.ThePresidentlaughedbutdeclinedtointerfere,butwhentheladhadlosthislittleauthorityinhisboyishsleep,theCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmyandNavyoftheUnitedStateswentdownandpersonallydischargedthesentrieshissonhadputonthepost.

DOUGLASHELDLINCOLN'SHAT.

WhenMr.Lincolndeliveredhisfirstinauguralhewasintroducedbyhisfriend,UnitedStatesSenatorE.D.Baker,ofOregon.Hecarriedacaneandalittleroll--themanuscriptofhisinauguraladdress.Therewasmoment'spauseaftertheintroduction,ashevainlylookedforaspotwherehemightplacehishighsilkhat.

StephenA.Douglas,thepoliticalantagonistofhiswholepubliclife,themanwhohadpressedhimhardestinthecampaignof1860,wasseatedjustbehindhim.Douglassteppedforwardquickly,andtookthehatwhichMr.Lincolnheldhelplesslyinhishand.

"IfIcan'tbePresident,"DouglaswhisperedsmilinglytoMrs.Brown,acousinofMrs.LincolnandamemberofthePresident'sparty,"Iatleastcanholdhishat."

THEDEADMANSPOKE.

Mr.Lincolnoncesaidinaspeech:"Fellow-citizens,myfriend,Mr.Douglas,ma



dethestartlingannouncementto-daythattheWhigsarealldead.

"Ifthatbeso,fellow-citizens,youwillnowexperiencethenoveltyofhearingaspeechfromadeadman;andIsupposeyoumightproperlysay,inthelanguageoftheoldhymn:

"'Hark!fromthetombsadolefulsound.'"

MILITARYSNAILSNOTSPEEDY.

PresidentLincoln--ashehimselfputitinconversationonedaywithafriend--"fairlyached"forhisgeneralsto"getdowntobusiness."Theseslowgeneralshetermed"snails."

Grant,ShermanandSheridanwerehisfavorites,fortheywereaggressive.Theydidnotwaitfortheenemytoattack.Toomanyoftheotherswere"lingerers,"asLincolncalledthem.Theyweremagnificentindefense,andstubbornandbrave,buttheirnamesfiguredtoomuchonthe"waitinglist."

ThegreatestfaultLincolnfoundwithsomanyofthecommandersontheUnionsidewastheirunwillingnesstomoveuntileverythingwasexactlytotheirliking.

LincolncouldnotunderstandwhytheseleadersofNorthernarmieshesitated.

OUTRANTHEJACK-RABBIT.

WhentheUnionforceswereroutedinthefirstbattleofBullRun,thereweremanycivilianspresent,whohadgoneoutfromWashingtontowitnessthebattle.AmongthenumberwereseveralCongressmen.Oneofthesewasatall,long-leggedfellow,whoworealong-tailedcoatandahighplughat.Whentheretreatbegan,thisCongressmanwasintheleadoftheentirecrowdfleeingtowardWashington.Heoutranalltherest,andwasthefirstmantoarriveinthecity.NopersonevermadesuchgooduseoflonglegsasthisCongressman.Hisimmensestridecarr

iedhimyardsateverybound.Hewentoverditchesandgulliesatasingleleap,andclearedasix-footfencewithafoottospare.Ashewentoverthefencehisplughatblewoff,buthedidnotpause.Withhislongcoat-tailsflyinginthewind,hecontinuedstraightaheadforWashington.

Manyofthosebehindhimwerescaredalmosttodeath,buttheflyingCongressmanwassuchacomicalfigurethattheyhadtolaughinspiteoftheirterror.

Mr.LincolnenjoyedthedescriptionofhowthisCongressmanledtheracefromBull'sRun,andlaughedatitheartily.

"Ineverknewbutonefellowwhocouldrunlikethat,"hesaid,"andhewasayoungmanoutinIllinois.Hehadbeensparkingagirl,muchagainstthewisheso

fherfather.Infact,theoldmantooksuchadisliketohimthathethreatenedtoshoothimifheevercaughthimaroundhispremisesagain.

"Oneeveningtheyoungmanlearnedthatthegirl'sfatherhadgonetothecity,andheventuredouttothehouse.Hewassittingintheparlor,withhisarmaroundBetsy'swaist,whenhesuddenlyspiedtheoldmancomingaroundthecornerofthehousewithashotgun.Leapingthroughawindowintothegarden,hestarteddownapathatthetopofhisspeed.Hewasalong-leggedfellow,andcouldrunlikegreasedlightning.Justthenajack-rabbitjumpedupinthepathinfrontofhim.Inabouttwoleapsheovertooktherabbit.Givingitakickthatsenti



thighintheair,heexclaimed:'Gitoutoftheroad,goshdernyou,andletsomebodyrunthatknowshow.'

"Ireckon,"saidMr.Lincoln,"thatthelong-leggedCongressman,whenhesawtherebelmuskets,musthavefeltagooddeallikethatyoungfellowdidwhenhesawtheoldman'sshot-gun."

"FOOLING"THEPEOPLE.

Lincolnwasastrongbelieverinthevirtueofdealinghonestlywiththepeople.

"Ifyouonceforfeittheconfidenceofyourfellow-citizens,"hesaidtoacallerattheWhiteHouse,"youcanneverregaintheirrespectandesteem.

"Itistruethatyoumayfoolallthepeoplesomeofthetime;youcanevenfoolsomeofthepeopleallthetime;butyoucan'tfoolallofthepeopleallthetime."

"ABE,YOUCAN'TPLAYTHATONME."

ThenightPresident-electLincolnarrivedatWashington,onemanwasobservedw

atchingLincolnverycloselyashewalkedoutoftherailroadstation.Standingalittletooneside,themanlookedverysharplyatLincoln,and,asthelatterpassed,seizedholdofhishand,andsaidinaloudtoneofvoice,"Abe,youcan'tplaythatonme!"

WardLamonandtheotherswithLincolnwereinstantlyalarmed,andwouldhavestruckthestrangerhadnotLincolnhastilysaid,"Don'tstrikehim!ItisWashburne.Don'tyouknowhim?"

Mr.SewardhadgivenCongressmanWashburneahintofthetimethetrainwouldarrive,andhehadtherighttobeatthestationwhenthetrainsteamedin,buthisindiscreetmannerofloudlyaddressingthePresident-electmighthaveledtoseriousconsequencestothelatter.

HIS"BROAD"STORIES.

Mrs.RoseLinderWilkinson,whooftenaccompaniedherfather,JudgeLinder,inthedayswhenherodecircuitwithMr.Lincoln,tellsthefollowingstory:

"Atnight,asarule,thelawyersspentawhileintheparlor,andpermittedthewomenwhohappenedtobealongtositwiththem.Butafterhalfanhourorsowewouldnoticeitwastimeforustoleavethem.Iremembertravelingthecircuitoneseasonwhentheyoungwifeofoneofthelawyerswaswithhim.TheplacewassocrowdedthatsheandIweremadetosleeptogether.Whenthetimecamefor

banishingusfromtheparlor,wewentuptoourroomandsattheretillbed-time,listeningtotheroarsthatfollowedeachetherswiftlywhilethoselawyersdown-stairstoldstoriesandlaughedtilltheraftersrang.

"InthemorningMr.Lincolnsaidtome:'Rose,didwedisturbyoursleeplastnight?'Ianswered,'No,Ihadnosleep'--whichwasnotentirelytruebuttheretortamusedhim.Thentheyounglawyer'swifecomplainedtohimthatwewerenotfairlyused.Wecamealongwiththem,youngwomen,andwhentheywerehavingthebesttimeweweresentawaylikechildrentogotobedinthedark.



"'But,Madame,'saidMr.Lincoln,'youwouldnotenjoythethingswelaughat.'Andthenheenteredintoadiscussiononwhathavebeentermedhis'broad'stories.Hedeploredthefactthatmenseemedtorememberthemlongerandwithlesseffortthananyothers.

"Myfathersaid:'But,Lincoln,Idon'trememberthe"broad"partofyourstoriessomuchasIdothemoralthatisinthem,'anditwasathinginwhichtheywereallagreed."

SORRYFORTHEHORSES.

WhenPresidentLincolnheardoftheConfederateraidatFairfax,inwhichabrigadier-generalandanumberofvaluablehorseswerecaptured,hegravelyobserved:

"Well,Iamsorryforthehorses."

"Sorryforthehorses,Mr.President!"exclaimedtheSecretaryofWar,raisinghisspectaclesandthrowinghimselfbackinhischairinastonishment.

"Yes,"repliedMr.,Lincoln,"Icanmakeabrigadier-generalinfiveminutes,butitisnoteasytoreplaceahundredandtenhorses."

MILDREBUKETOADOCTOR.

Dr.JeromeWalker,ofBrooklyn,toldhowMr.Lincolnonceadministeredtohimamildrebuke.ThedoctorwasshowingMr.LincolnthroughthehospitalatCityPoint.

"Finally,aftervisitingthewardsoccupiedbyourinvalidandconvalescingsoldiers,"saidDr.Walker,"wecametothreewardsoccupiedbysickandwoundedSouthernprisoners.Withafeelingofpatrioticduty,Isaid:'Mr.President,youwon'twanttogointhere;theyareonlyrebels.'

"Iwillneverforgethowhestoppedandgentlylaidhislargehanduponmyshoulderandquietlyanswered,'YoumeanConfederates!'AndIhavemeantConfederateseversince.

"TherewasnothingleftformetodoafterthePresident'sremarkbuttogowithhimthroughthesethreewards;andIcouldnotseebutthathewasjustaskind,hishand-shakingsjustashearty,hisinterestjustasrealforthewelfareofthemen,aswhenhewasamongourownsoldiers."

COLDMOLASSESWASSWIFTER.

"OldPap,"asthesoldierscalledGeneralGeorgeH.Thomas,wasaggravatinglyslowatatimewhenthePresidentwantedhimto"getamoveon";infact,thegallant"RockofChickamauga"wasevidentlyenteredinasnail-race.

"Someofmygeneralsaresoslow,"regretfullyremarkedLincolnoneday,"thatmolassesinthecoldestdaysofwinterisaracehorsecomparedtothem.

"They'rebraveenough,butsomehoworothertheygetfastenedinafencecorner,andcan'tfiguretheirwayout."



LINCOLNCALLSMEDILLACOWARD.

JosephMedill,formanyyearseditoroftheChicagoTribune,notlongbeforehisdeath,toldthefollowingstoryregardingthe"talkingto"PresidentLincolngavehimselfandtwootherChicagogentlemenwhowenttoWashingtontoseeaboutreducingChicago'squotaoftroopsafterthecallforextramenwasmadebythePresidentin1864:

"In1864,whenthecallforextratroopscame,Chicagorevolted.Shehadalreadysent22,000troopsuptothattime,andwasdrained.Whenthecallcametherewerenoyoungmentogo,andnoaliensexceptwhatwerebought.Thecitizensheldamassmeetingandappointedthreepersons,ofwhomIwasone,togotoWashingtonandaskStantontogiveCookCountyanewenrollment.OnreachingWashington,wewenttoStantonwithourstatement.Herefusedentirelytogiveusthedesiredaid.ThenwewenttoLincoln.'Icannotdoit,'hesaid,'butIwillgowithyoutotheWarDepartment,andStantonandIwillhearbothsides.'

"SoweallwentovertotheWarDepartmenttogether.StantonandGeneralFryewerethere,andthey,ofcourse,contendedthatthequotashouldnotbechanged.Theargumentwentonforsometime,andwasfinallyreferredtoLincoln,whohadbeensittingsilentlylistening.

"Ishallneverforgethowhesuddenlyliftedhisheadandturnedonusablackandfrowningface.

"'Gentlemen,'hesaid,inavoicefullofbitterness,'afterBoston,Chicagohasbeenthechiefinstrumentinbringingwaronthiscountry.TheNorthwesthasopposedtheSouthasNewEnglandhasopposedtheSouth.Itisyouwhoarelargelyresponsibleformakingbloodflowasithas.

"'Youcalledforwaruntilwehadit.YoucalledforEmancipation,andIhavegivenittoyou.Whateveryouhaveasked,youhavehad.Nowyoucomeherebeggingtobeletofffromthecallformen,whichIhavemadetocarryoutthewarwhichyoudemanded.Yououghttobeashamedofyourselves.Ihavearighttoexpect

betterthingsofyou.

"'Gohomeandraiseyoursixthousandextramen.Andyou,Medill,youareactinglikeacoward.YouandyourTribunehavehadmoreinfluencethananypaperintheNorthwestinmakingthiswar.Youcaninfluencegreatmasses,andyetyoucrytobesparedatamomentwhenyourcauseissuffering.Gohomeandsendusthosemen!'

"Icouldn'tsayanything.ItwasthefirsttimeIeverwaswhipped,andIdidn'thaveananswer.Weallgotupandwentout,andwhenthedoorclosedoneofmycolleaguessaid:

"'Well,gentlemen,theoldmanisright.Weoughttobeashamedofourselves.L

etusneversayanythingaboutthis,butgohomeandraisethemen.'

"Andwedid--sixthousandmen--makingtwenty-eightthousandintheWarfromacityofonehundredandfifty-sixthousand.Buttheremighthavebeencrapeoneverydoor,almost,inChicago,foreveryfamilyhadlostasonorahusband.Ilosttwobrothers.Itwashardforthemothers."

THEYDIDN'TBUILDIT.



In1862adelegationofNewYorkmillionaireswaiteduponPresidentLincolntorequestthathefurnishagunboatfortheprotectionofNewYorkharbor.

Mr.Lincoln,afterlisteningpatiently,said:"Gentlemen,thecreditoftheGovernmentisataverylowebb;greenbacksarenotworthmorethanfortyorfiftycentsonthedollar;itisimpossibleforme,inthepresentconditionofthings,tofurnishyouagunboat,and,inthisconditionofthings,ifIwasworthhalfasmuchasyou,gentlemen,arerepresentedtobe,andasbadlyfrightenedasyouseemtobe,IwouldbuildagunboatandgiveittotheGovernment."

STANTON'SABUSEOFLINCOLN.

PresidentLincoln'ssenseofdutytothecountry,togetherwithhiskeenjudgmentofmen,oftenledtotheappointmentofpersonsunfriendlytohim.Someoftheseappointeeswere,aswell,notloyaltotheNationalGovernment,forthatmatter.

RegardingSecretaryofWarStanton'sattitudetowardLincoln,ColonelA.K.McClure,whowasveryclosetoPresidentLincoln,said:

"AfterStanton'sretirementfromtheBuchananCabinetwhenLincolnwasinaugura

ted,hemaintainedtheclosestconfidentialrelationswithBuchanan,andwrotehimmanylettersexpressingtheutmostcontemptforLincoln,theCabinet,theRepublicanCongress,andthegeneralpolicyoftheAdministration.

"Theselettersspeakfreelyofthe'painfulimbecilityofLincoln,'ofthe'venalityandcorruption'whichranriotinthegovernment,andexpressedthebeliefthatnobetterconditionofthingswaspossible'untilJeffDavisturnsoutthewholeconcern.'

"HewasfirmlyimpressedforsomeweeksafterthebattleofBullRunthatthegovernmentwasutterlyoverthrown,asherepeatedlyreferstothecomingofDavisintotheNationalCapital.

"Inoneletterhesaysthat'inlessthanthirtydaysDaviswillbeinpossessionofWashington;'anditisanopensecretthatStantonadvisedtherevolutionaryoverthrowoftheLincolngovernment,tobereplacedbyGeneralMcClellanasmilitarydictator.Theseletters,badastheyare,arenottheworstletterswrittenbyStantontoBuchanan.SomeofthemweresoviolentintheirexpressionsagainstLincolnandtheadministrationthattheyhavebeencharitablywithheldfromthepublic,buttheyremaininthepossessionofthesurvivingrelativesofPresidentBuchanan.

"Ofcourse,LincolnhadnoknowledgeofthebitternessexhibitedbyStantontohimselfpersonallyandtohisadministration,butifhehadknowntheworstthatStantoneversaidorwroteabouthim,IdoubtnotthathewouldhavecalledhimtotheCabinetinJanuary,1862.ThedisastersthearmysufferedmadeLincolnf

orgetfulofeverythingbutthesingledutyofsuppressingtherebellion.

"LincolnwasnotlongindiscoveringthatinhisnewSecretaryofWarhehadaninvaluablebutmosttroublesomeCabinetofficer,buthesawonlythegreatandgoodofficesthatStantonwasperformingfortheimperilledRepublic.

"ConfidencewasrestoredinfinancialcirclesbytheappointmentofStanton,andhisnameasWarMinisterdidmoretostrengthenthefaithofthepeopleinthegovernmentcreditthanwouldhavebeenprobablefromtheappointmentofanyothermanofthatday.



"Hewasaterrortoallthehordesofjobbersandspeculatorsandcamp-followerswhoseappetiteshadbeenwhettedbyagreatwar,andheenforcedthestrictestdisciplinethroughoutourarmies.

"Hewasseldomcapableofbeingciviltoanyofficerawayfromthearmyonleaveofabsenceunlesshehadbeensummonedbythegovernmentforconferenceorspecialduty,andheissuedthestrictestordersfromtimetotimetodrivethethrongofmilitaryidlersfromthecapitalandkeepthemattheirposts.Hewassterntosavageryinhisenforcementofmilitarylaw.TheweariedsentinelwhosleptathispostfoundnomercyintheheartofStanton,andmanytimesdidLincoln'shumanityoverrulehisfieryminister.

"Anyneglectofmilitarydutywassureoftheswiftestpunishment,andseldomdidhemakeevenjustallowanceforinevitablemilitarydisaster.Hehadprofound,unfalteringfaithintheUnioncause,and,aboveall,hehadunfalteringfaithinhimself.

"HebelievedthathewasinallthingsexceptinnameCommander-in-Chiefofthearmiesandthenavyofthenation,anditwaswithunconcealedreluctancethatheattimesdeferredtotheauthorityofthePresident."

THENEGROANDTHECROCODILE.

Inoneofhispoliticalspeeches,JudgeDouglasmadeuseofthefollowingfigureofspeech:"Asbetweenthecrocodileandthenegro,Itakethesideofthenegro;butasbetweenthenegroandthewhiteman--Iwouldgoforthewhitemaneverytime."

Lincoln,athome,notedthat;andafterwards,whenhehadoccasiontorefertotheremark,hesaid:"Ibelievethatthisisasortofpropositioninproportion,whichmaybestatedthus:'Asthenegroistothewhiteman,soisthecrocodiletothenegro;andasthenegromayrightfullytreatthecrocodileasabeastorreptile,sothewhitemanmayrightfullytreatthenegroasabeastorreptile.'"

LINCOLNWASREADYTOFIGHT.

Ononeoccasion,ColonelBakerwasspeakinginacourt-house,whichhadbeenastorehouse,and,onmakingsomeremarksthatwereoffensivetocertainpoliticalrowdiesinthecrowd,theycried:"Takehimoffthestand!"

Immediateconfusionfollowed,andtherewasanattempttocarrythedemandintoexecution.Directlyoverthespeaker'sheadwasanoldskylight,atwhichitappearedMr.Lincolnhadbeenlisteningtothespeech.Inaninstant,Mr.Lincoln'sfeetcamethroughtheskylight,followedbyhistallandsinewyframe,andhe

wasstandingbyColonelBaker'sside.Heraisedhishandandtheassemblysubsidedintosilence."Gentlemen,"saidMr.Lincoln,"letusnotdisgracetheageandcountryinwhichwelive.Thisisalandwherefreedomofspeechisguaranteed.Mr.Bakerhasarighttospeak,andoughttobepermittedtodoso.Iamheretoprotecthim,andnomanshalltakehimfromthisstandifIcanpreventit."Thesuddennessofhisappearance,hisperfectcalmnessandfairness,andtheknowledgethathewoulddowhathehadpromisedtodo,quietedalldisturbance,andthespeakerconcludedhisremarkswithoutdifficulty.



ITWASUP-HILLWORK.

TwoyoungmencalledonthePresidentfromSpringfield,Illinois.Lincolnshookhandswiththem,andaskedaboutthecrops,theweather,etc.

Finallyoneoftheyoungmensaid,"Motherisnotwell,andshesentmeuptoinquireofyouhowthesuitabouttheWellspropertyisgettingon."

Lincoln,inthesameeventonewithwhichhehadaskedthequestion,said:"Givemybestwishesandrespectstoyourmother,andtellherIhavesomanyoutsidematterstoattendtonowthatIhaveputthatcase,andothers,inthehandsofalawyerfriendofmine,andifyouwillcallonhim(givingnameandaddress)hewillgiveyoutheinformationyouwant."

Aftertheyhadgone,afriend,whowaspresent,said:"Mr.Lincoln,youdidnotseemtoknowtheyoungmen?"

Helaughedandreplied:"No,Ihadneverseenthembefore,andIhadtobeataroundthebushuntilIfoundwhotheywere.Itwasup-hillwork,butItoppeditatlast."

LEE'SSLIMANIMAL.

PresidentLincolnwrotetoGeneralHookeronJune5,1863,warningHookernottorunanyriskofbeingentangledontheRappahannock"likeanoxjumpedhalfoverafenceandliabletobetornbydogs,frontandrear,withoutafairchancetogiveonewayorkicktheother."Onthe10thhewarnedHookernottogosouthoftheRappahannockuponLee'smovingnorthofit."IthinkLee'sarmyandnotRichmondisyourtrueobjectivepower.IfhecomestowardtheupperPotomac,followonhisflank,andontheinsidetrack,shorteningyourlineswhilehelengthenshis.Fighthim,too,whenopportunityoffers.Ifhestaywhereheis,frethim,andfrethim."

Onthe14thagainhesays:"Sofaraswecanmakeouthere,theenemyhaveMilr

oysurroundedatWinchester,andTyleratMartinsburg.Iftheycouldholdoutforafewdays,couldyouhelpthem?IftheheadofLee'sarmyisatMartinsburg,andthetailofitontheflankroadbetweenFredericksburgandChancellorsville,theanimalmustbeveryslimsomewhere;couldyounotbreakhim?"

"MRS.NORTHANDHERATTORNEY."

IntheissueofLondon"Punch"ofSeptember24th,1864,PresidentLincolnispicturedassittingatatableinhislawoffice,whileinachairtohisrightisaclient,Mrs.North.Thelatterisafineclientforanyattorneytohaveonhislist,beingwealthyandliberal,butastheladyisgivinghercounsel,whoh

asrepresentedherinalegalwayforfouryears,noticethatsheproposestoputherlegalbusinessinthehandsofanotherlawyer,thedejectedlookuponthefaceofAttorneyLincolniseasilyaccountedfor."Punch"putsthesewordsinthelady'smouth:

MRS.NORTH:"Yousee,Mr.Lincoln,wehavefailedutterlyinourcourseofaction;Iwantpeace,andso,ifyoucannoteffectanamicablearrangement,Imustputthecaseintootherhands."

Inthiscartoon,"Punch"merelyreflectedtheidea,orsentiment,currentinEn



glandin1864,thattheNorthwasmuchdissatisfiedwiththeWarpolicyofPresidentLincoln;andwouldsurelyelectGeneralMcClellantosucceedtheWesternerintheWhiteHouse.AttheelectionMcClellancarriedbutoneNorthernState--NewJersey,wherehewasborn--PresidentLincolnsweepingthecountrylikeaprairiefire.

"Punch"hadevidentlybeendeceivedbysomebold,badman,whowantedalittlespendingmoney,andsoldthepredictiontothefunnyjournalwithacertificateofcharacterattached,writtenby--possibly--amemberoftheHorseMarines."Punch,"wasverymuchdisgustedtofindthatitscredulityandfaithinmankindhadbeensoimposedupon,especiallywhentheelectionreturnsshowedthat"the-War-is-a-failure"candidateransoslowlythatLincolnpassedhimaseasilyasthoughtheDemocraticnomineewastiedtoapost.

SATISFACTIONTOTHESOUL.

Inthefar-awaydayswhen"Abe"wenttoschoolinIndiana,theyhadexercises,exhibitionsandspeaking-meetingsintheschoolhouseorthechurch,and"Abe"wasthe"star."HisfatherwasaDemocrat,andatthattime"Abe"agreedwithhisparent.Hewouldfrequentlymakepoliticalandotherspeechestotheboysandexplaintangledquestions.

BoonevillewasthecountyseatofWarrickcounty,situatedaboutfifteenmilesfromGentryville.Thither"Abe"walkedtobepresentatthesittingsofthecourt,andlistenedattentivelytothetrialsandthespeechesofthelawyers.

Oneofthetrialswasthatofamurderer.HewasdefendedbyMr.JohnBreckinridge,andattheconclusionofhisspeech"Abe"wassoenthusiasticthatheventuredtocomplimenthim.Breckinridgelookedattheshabbyboy,thankedhim,andpassedonhisway.

Manyyearsafterwards,in1862,BreckinridgecalledonthePresident,andhewastold,"ItwasthebestspeechthatI,uptothattime,hadeverheard.IfIcould,asIthenthought,makeasgoodaspeechasthat,mysoulwouldbesatisfied."

WITHDREWTHECOLT.

Mr.Alcott,ofElgin,Ill.,tellsofseeingMr.LincolncomingawayfromchurchunusuallyearlyoneSundaymorning."Thesermoncouldnothavebeenmorethanhalfwaythrough,"saysMr.Alcott."'Tad'wasslungacrosshisleftarmlikeapairofsaddlebags,andMr.Lincolnwasstridingalongwithlong,deliberatestepstowardhishome.Ononeofthestreetcornersheencounteredagroupofhisfellow-townsmen.Mr.Lincolnanticipatedthequestionwhichwasabouttobeputbythegroup,and,takinghisfigureofspeechfrompracticeswithwhichtheywereonlytoofamiliar,said:'Gentlemen,Ienteredthiscolt,buthekickedaround

soIhadtowithdrawhim."'

"TAD"GOTHISDOLLAR.

NomatterwhowaswiththePresident,orhowintentlyabsorbed,hislittleson"Tad"wasalwayswelcome.Healmostalwaysaccompaniedhisfather.

Once,onthewaytoFortressMonroe,hebecameverytroublesome.ThePresident



wasmuchengagedinconversationwiththepartywhoaccompaniedhim,andheatlengthsaid:

"'Tad,'ifyouwillbeagoodboy,andnotdisturbmeanymoreuntilwegettoFortressMonroe,Iwillgiveyouadollar."

Thehopeofrewardwaseffectualforawhileinsecuringsilence,but,boylike,"Tad"soonforgothispromise,andwasasnoisyasever.Uponreachingtheirdestination,however,hesaid,verypromptly:"Father,Iwantmydollar."Mr.Lincolnlookedathimhalf-reproachfullyforaninstant,andthen,takingfromhispocketbookadollarnote,hesaid"Well,myson,atanyrate,Iwillkeepmypartofthebargain."

TELLSANEDITORABOUTNASBY.

HenryJ.Raymond,thefamousNewYorkeditor,thustellsofMr.Lincoln'sfondnessfortheNasbyletters:

"IthasbeenwellsaidbyaprofoundcriticofShakespeare,anditoccurstomeasveryappropriateinthisconnection,thatthespiritwhichheldthewoeofLearandthetragedyof"Hamlet"wouldhavebrokenhaditnotalsohadthehumorofthe"MerryWivesofWindsor"andthemerrimentofthe"MidsummerNight'sDrea

m."

"ThisisastrueofMr.LincolnasitwasofShakespeare.Thecapacitytotellandenjoyagoodanecdotenodoubtprolongedhislife.

"TheSaturdayeveningbeforeheleftWashingtontogotothefront,justprevioustothecaptureofRichmond,Iwaswithhimfromseveno'clocktillnearlytwelve.Ithadbeenoneofhismosttryingdays.Thepressureofoffice-seekerswasgreateratthisjuncturethanIeverknewittobe,andhewasalmostwornout.

"AmongthecallersthateveningwasapartycomposedoftwoSenators,aRepresentative,anex-Lieutenant-GovernorofaWesternState,andseveralprivatecitizens.Theyhadbusinessofgreatimportance,involvingthenecessityofthePresi

dent'sexaminationofvoluminousdocuments.Pushingeverythingaside,hesaidtooneoftheparty:

"'HaveyouseentheNasbypapers?'

"'No,Ihavenot,'wasthereply;'whoisNasby?'

"'ThereisachapoutinOhio,'returnedthePresident,'whohasbeenwritingaseriesoflettersinthenewspapersoverthesignatureofPetroleumV.Nasby.Someonesentmeapamphletcollectionofthemtheotherday.Iamgoingtowriteto"Petroleum"tocomedownhere,andIintendtotellhimifhewillcommunicatehistalenttome,Iwillswapplaceswithhim!'

"Thereuponhearose,wenttoadrawerinhisdesk,and,takingoutthe'Letters,'satdownandreadonetothecompany,findingintheirenjoymentofitthetemporaryexcitementandreliefwhichanothermanwouldhavefoundinaglassofwine.Theinstanthehadceased,thebookwasthrownaside,hiscountenancerelapsedintoitshabitualseriousexpression,andthebusinesswasentereduponwiththeutmostearnestness."

LONGANDSHORTOFIT.



Ontheoccasionofaserenade,thePresidentwascalledforbythecrowdassembled.Heappearedatawindowwithhiswife(whowassomewhatbelowthemediumheight),andmadethefollowing"briefremarks":

"HereIam,andhereisMrs.Lincoln.That'sthelongandtheshortofit."

MOREPEGSTHANHOLES.

SomegentlemenwereoncefindingfaultwiththePresidentbecausecertaingeneralswerenotgivencommands.

"Thefactis,"repliedPresidentLincoln,"IhavegotmorepegsthanIhaveholestoputthemin."

"WEBSTERCOULDN'THAVEDONEMORE."

Lincoln"goteven"withtheIllinoisCentralRailroadCompany,in1855,inamostsubstantialway,atthesametimesecuredsweetrevengeforaninsult,unwarrantedineveryway,putuponhimbyoneoftheofficialsofthatcorporation.

LincolnandHerndondefendedtheIllinoisCentralRailroadinanactionbroughtbyMcLeanCounty,Illinois,inAugust,1853,torecovertaxesallegedtobeduethecountyfromtheroad.TheLegislaturehadgrantedtheroadimmunityfromtaxation,andthiswasacaseintendedtotesttheconstitutionalityofthelaw.Theroadsentaretainerfeeof$250.

Inthelowercourtthecasewasdecidedinfavoroftherailroad.AnappealtotheSupremeCourtfollowed,wasarguedtwice,andfinallydecidedinfavoroftheroad.Thislastdecisionwasrenderedsometimein1855.LincolnthenwenttoChicagoandpresentedthebillforlegalservices.LincolnandHerndononlyaskedfor$2,000more.

Theofficialtowhomhewasreferred,afterlookingatthebill,expressedgreatsurprise.

"Why,sir,"heexclaimed,"thisisasmuchasDanielWebsterhimselfwouldhavecharged.Wecannotallowsuchaclaim."

"Whynot?"askedLincoln.

"Wecouldhavehiredfirst-classlawyersatthatfigure,"wastheresponse.

"Wewonthecase,didn'twe?"queriedLincoln.

"Certainly,"repliedtheofficial.

"DanielWebster,then,"retortedLincolninnoamiabletone,"couldn'thavedonemore,"and"Abe"walkedoutoftheofficial'soffice.

Lincolnwithdrewthebill,andstartedforhome.OnthewayhestoppedatBloomington,wherehemetGrantGoodrich,ArchibaldWilliams,NormanB.Judd,O.H.Browning,andotherattorneys,who,onlearningofhismodestchargeforthevaluableservicesrenderedtherailroad,inducedhimtoincreasethedemandto$5,000,andtobringsuitforthatsum.



Thiswasdoneatonce.Onthetrialsixlawyerscertifiedthatthebillwasreasonable,andjudgmentforthatsumwentbydefault;thejudgmentwaspromptlypaid,and,ofcourse,hispartner,Herndon,got"yourhalfBilly,"withoutdelay.

LINCOLNMETCLAY.

WhenamemberofCongress,LincolnwenttoLexington,Kentucky,tohearHenryClayspeak.TheWesterner,aKentuckianbybirth,anddestinedtoreachthegreatgoalClayhadsooftensought,wantedtomeetthe"MillboyoftheSlashes."Theaddresswasatameaffair,aswasthepersonalgreetingwhenLincolnmadehimselfknown.Claywascourteous,butcold.Hemayneverhaveheardoftheman,theninhispresence,whowastosecure,withoutsolicitation,theprizewhichheformanyyearshadunsuccessfullysought.Lincolnwasdisenchanted;hisidealwasshattered.OnereasonwhyClayhadnotrealizedhisambitionhadbecomeapparent.

Claywascoolanddignified;Lincolnwascordialandhearty.Clay'shandwasbloodlessandfrosty,withnovigorousgripinit;Lincoln'swaswarm,anditsclaspwasexpressiveofkindlinessandsympathy.

REMINDED"ABE"OFALITTLEJOKE.

PresidentLincolnhadalittlejokeattheexpenseofGeneralGeorgeB.McClellan,theDemocraticcandidateforthePresidencyinoppositiontotheWesternerin1864.McClellanwasnominatedbytheDemocraticNationalConvention,whichassembledatChicago,butafterhehadbeennamed,andalsoduringthecampaign,themilitarycandidatewascharacteristicallyslowincomingtothefront.

PresidentLincolnhadhiseyeuponeverymovemadebyGeneralMcClellanduringthecampaign,andwhenreferencewasmadeoneday,inhispresence,tothedeliberationandcautionoftheNewJerseyite,Mr.Lincolnremarked,withatwinkleinhiseye,"Perhapsheisintrenching."

Thecartoonwereproduceappearedin"Harper'sWeekly,"September17th,1864,andshowsGeneralMcClellan,withhislittlespadeinhand,beingsubjectedtothescrutinyofthePresident--themanwhogaveMcClellan,whenthelatterwasCommander-in-ChiefoftheUnionforces,everyopportunityintheworldtodistinguishhimself.Thereisasmileonthefaceof"HonestAbe,"whichshowsconclusivelythathedoesnotregardhispoliticalopponentaslikelytoproveformidableinanyway.PresidentLincoln"sizedup"McClellanin1861-2,andknew,toafraction,howmuchofamanhewas,whathecoulddo,andhowhewentaboutdoingit.McClellanwasnopolitician,whilethePresidentwastheshrewdestofpoliticaldiplomats.

HISDIGNITYSAVEDHIM.

WhenWashingtonhadbecomeanarmedcamp,andfullofsoldiers,PresidentLincolnandhisCabinetofficersdrovedailytooneoranotherofthesecamps.Veryoftenhisoutingforthedaywasattendingsomeceremonyincidenttocamplife:amilitaryfuneral,acampwedding,areview,aflag-raising.Hedidnotoftenmakespeeches."Ihavemadeagreatmanypoorspeeches,"hesaidoneday,inexcusinghimself,"andInowfeelrelievedthatmydignitydoesnotpermitmetobeapublicspeaker."



THEMANHEWASLOOKINGFOR

JudgeKelly,ofPennsylvania,whowasoneofthecommitteetoadviseLincolnofhisnomination,andwhowashimselfagreatmanyfeethigh,hadbeeneyeingLincoln'sloftyformwithamixtureofadmirationandpossiblyjealousy.

ThishadnotescapedLincoln,andasheshookhandswiththejudgeheinquired,"Whatisyourheight?"

"Sixfeetthree.Whatisyours,Mr.Lincoln?"

"Sixfeetfour."

"Then,"saidthejudge,"PennsylvaniabowstoIllinois.Mydearman,foryearsmyhearthasbeenachingforaPresidentthatIcouldlookupto,andI'veatlastfoundhim."

HISCABINETCHANCESPOOR.

Mr.JeriahBonham,indescribingavisithepaidLincolnathisroomintheSta

teHouseatSpringfield,wherehefoundhimquitealone,exceptthattwoofhischildren,oneofwhomwas"Tad,"werewithhim.

"Thedoorwasopen.

"Wewalkedinandwereatoncerecognizedandseated--thetwoboysstillcontinuingtheirplayabouttheroom."Tad"wasspinninghistop;andLincoln,asweentered,hadjustfinishedadjustingthestringforhimsoastogivethetopthegreatestdegreeofforce.Heremarkedthathewashavingalittlefunwiththeboys."

Atanothertime,atLincoln'sresidence,"Tad"cameintotheroom,and,puttinghishandtohismouth,andhismouthtohisfather'sear,said,inaboy'swhis

per:"Masayscometosupper."

Allheardtheannouncement;andLincoln,perceivingthis,said:"Youhaveheard,gentlemen,theannouncementconcerningtheinterestingstateofthingsinthedining-room.Itwillneverdoforme,ifelected,tomakethisyoungmanamemberofmyCabinet,foritisplainhecannotbetrustedwithsecretsofstate."

THEGENERALWAS"HEADEDIN"

AUniongeneral,operatingwithhiscommandinWestVirginia,allowedhimselfandhismentobetrapped,anditwasfearedhisforcewouldbecapturedbytheConfederates.ThePresidentheardthereportreadbytheoperator,asitcameoverthewire,andremarked:

"OncetherewasamanoutWestwhowas'heading'abarrel,astheyusedtocallit.Heworkedlikeagoodfellowindrivingdownthehoops,butjustaboutthetimehethoughthehadthejobdone,theheadwouldfallin.Thenhehadtodotheworkalloveragain.

"Allatonceabrightideaenteredhisbrain,andhewonderedhowitwashehadn'tfigureditoutbefore.Hisboy,abright,smartlad,wasstandingby,verymuchinterestedinthebusiness,and,liftingtheyoungoneup,heputhiminsidethebarrel,tellinghimtoholdtheheadinitsproperplace,whilehepounded



downthehoopsonthesides.Thisworkedlikeacharm,andhesoonhadthe'heading'done.

"Thenherealizedthathisboywasinsidethebarrel,andhowtogethimouthecouldn'tforhislifefigureout.GeneralBlankisnowinsidethebarrel,'headedin,'andthejobnowistogethimout."

SUGAR-COATED.

GovernmentPrinterDefrees,whenoneofthePresident'smessageswasbeingprinted,wasagooddealdisturbedbytheuseoftheterm"sugar-coated,"andfinallywenttoMr.Lincolnaboutit.

Theirrelationstoeachotherbeingofthemostintimatecharacter,hetoldthePresidentfranklythatheoughttorememberthatamessagetoCongresswasadifferentaffairfromaspeechatamassmeetinginIllinois;thatthemessagesbecameapartofhistory,andshouldbewrittenaccordingly.

"Whatisthematternow?"inquiredthePresident.

"Why,"saidDefrees,"youhaveusedanundignifiedexpressioninthemessage";and,readingtheparagraphaloud,headded,"Iwouldalterthestructureofthat

,ifIwereyou."

"Defrees,"repliedthePresident,"thatwordexpressesexactlymyidea,andIamnotgoingtochangeit.Thetimewillnevercomeinthiscountrywhenpeoplewon'tknowexactlywhat'sugar-coated'means."

COULDMAKE"RABBIT-TRACKS."

WhenagroceryclerkatNewSalem,theannualelectioncamearound.AMr.Grahamwasclerk,buthisassistantwasabsent,anditwasnecessarytofindamantofillhisplace.Lincoln,a"tallyoungman,"hadalreadyconcentratedonhimsel

ftheattentionofthepeopleofthetown,andGrahameasilydiscoveredhim.Askinghimifhecouldwrite,"Abe"modestlyreplied,"Icanmakeafewrabbit-tracks."Hisrabbit-tracksprovingtobelegibleandevengraceful,hewasemployed.

Thevoterssoondiscoveredthatthenewassistantclerkwashonestandfair,andperformedhisdutiessatisfactorily,andwhen,theworkdone,hebeganto"entertainthemwithstories,"theyfoundthattheirtownhadmadeavaluablepersonalandsocialacquisition.

LINCOLNPROTECTEDCURRENCYISSUES.

MarshalWardLamonwasinPresidentLincoln'sofficeintheWhiteHouseoneday,andcasuallyaskedthePresidentifheknewhowthecurrencyofthecountrywasmade.Greenbackswerethenunderfullheadwayofcirculation,thesebitsofpaperbeingtherepresentativesofUnitedStatemoney.

"Ourcurrency,"wasthePresident'sanswer,"ismade,asthelawyerswouldputit,intheirlegalway,inthefollowingmanner,to-wit:Theofficialengraverstrikesoffthesheets,passesthemovertotheRegisteroftheCurrency,who,afterplacinghisearmarksuponthem,signsthesame;theRegisterturnsthemovertooldFatherSpinner,whoproceedstoembellishthemwithhiswonderfulsignat



ureatthebottom;FatherSpinnersendsthemtoSecretaryoftheTreasuryChase,andhe,asafinalactinthematter,issuesthemtothepublicasmoney--andmaythegoodLordhelpanyfellowthatdoesn'ttakeallhecanhonestlygetofthem!"

Takingfromhispocketa$5greenback,withatwinkleinhiseye,thePresidentthensaid:"LookatSpinner'ssignature!Wasthereeveranythinglikeitonearth?Yetitisunmistakable;noonewilleverbeabletocounterfeitit!"

Lamonthengoesontosay:

"'But,'Isaid,'youcertainlydon'tsupposethatSpinneractuallywrotehisnameonthatbill,doyou?'

"'Certainly,Ido;whynot?'queriedMr.Lincoln.

"Ithenasked,'Howmuchofthiscurrencyhaveweafloat?'

"Heremainedthoughtfulforamoment,andthenstatedtheamount.

"Icontinued:'HowmanytimesdoyouthinkamancanwriteasignaturelikeSpinner'sinthecourseoftwenty-fourhours?'

"ThebeamofhilarityleftthecountenanceofthePresidentatonce.Heputthe

greenbackintohisvestpocket,andwalkedthefloor;afterawhilehestopped,heavedalongbreathandsaid:'Thisthingfrightensme!'HethenrangforamessengerandtoldhimtoasktheSecretaryoftheTreasurytopleasecomeovertoseehim.

"Mr.Chasesoonputinanappearance;PresidentLincolnstatedthecauseofhisalarm,andaskedMr.Chasetoexplainindetailtheoperations,methods,systemofchecks,etc.,inhisoffice,andalengthydiscussionfollowed,PresidentLincolncontendingtherewerenotsufficientsafeguardsaffordedinanydegreeinthemoney-makingdepartment,andSecretaryChaseinsistingthateveryprotectionwasaffordedhecoulddevise."

AfterwardthePresidentcalledtheattentionofCongresstothisimportantques

tion,anddeviceswereadoptedwherebyacheckwasputupontheissueofgreenbacksthatnospuriousonesevercameoutoftheTreasuryDepartment,atleast.Counterfeiterswerebusy,though,butthiswasnotthefaultoftheTreasury.

LINCOLN'SAPOLOGYTOGRANT.

"GeneralGrantisacopiousworkerandfighter,"PresidentLincolnwrotetoGeneralBurnsideinJuly,1863,"butameagrewriterortelegrapher."

Grantneverwroteareportuntilthebattlewasover.

PresidentLincolnwrotealettertoGeneralGrantonJuly13th,1863,whichindicatedthestrengthoftheholdthesuccessfulfighterhaduponthemanintheWhiteHouse.

Itranasfollows:

"IdonotrememberthatyouandIevermetpersonally.

"Iwritethisnowasagratefulacknowledgmentforthealmostinestimableserviceyouhavedonethecountry.



"Iwritetosayawordfurther.

"WhenyoufirstreachedthevicinityofVicksburg,Ithoughtyoushoulddowhatyoufinallydid--marchthetroopsacrosstheneck,runthebatterieswiththetransports,andthusgobelow;andIneverhadanyfaith,exceptageneralhope,thatyouknewbetterthanI,thattheYazooPassexpedition,andthelike,couldsucceed.

"WhenyougotbelowandtookPortGibson,GrandGulfandvicinity,IthoughtyoushouldgodowntheriverandjoinGeneralBanks;andwhenyouturnednorthward,eastofBigBlack,Ifeareditwasamistake.

"InowwishtomakethepersonalacknowledgmentthatyouwererightandIwaswrong."

LINCOLNSAID"BYJING."

Lincolnneverusedprofanity,exceptwhenhequotedittoillustrateapointinastory.Hisfavoriteexpressionswhenhespokewithemphasiswere"Bydear!"a

nd"Byjing!"

JustprecedingtheCivilWarhesentWardLamononaticklishmissiontoSouthCarolina.

WhentheproposedtripwasmentionedtoSecretarySeward,heopposedit,saying,"Mr.President,IfearyouaresendingLamontohisgrave.IamafraidtheywillkillhiminCharleston,wherethepeopleareexcitedanddesperate.Wecan'tspareLamon,andweshallfeelbadlyifanythinghappenstohim."

Mr.Lincolnsaidinreply:"IhaveknownLamontobeinmanyacloseplace,andhehasnever,beeninonethathedidn'tgetoutof,somehow.Byjing!I'llriskhim.Goahead,Lamon,andGodblessyou!Ifyoucan'tbringbackanygoodnews

,bringapalmetto."Lamonbroughtbackapalmettobranch,butnopromiseofpeace.

ITTICKLEDTHELITTLEWOMAN.

LincolnhadbeeninthetelegraphofficeatSpringfieldduringthecastingofthefirstandsecondballotsintheRepublicanNationalConventionatChicago,andthenleftandwentovertotheofficeoftheStateJournal,wherehewassittingconversingwithfriendswhilethethirdballotwasbeingtaken.

Inafewmomentscameacrossthewirestheannouncementoftheresult.Thesupe

rintendentofthetelegraphcompanywroteonascrapofpaper:"Mr.Lincoln,youarenominatedonthethirdballot,"andaboyranwiththemessagetoLincoln.

Helookedatitinsilence,amidtheshoutsofthosearoundhim;thenrisingandputtingitinhispocket,hesaidquietly:"There'salittlewomandownatourhousewouldliketohearthis;I'llgodownandtellher."

"SHALLALLFALLTOGETHER."



AfterLincolnhadfinishedthatcelebratedspeechin"Egypt"(asasectionofSouthernIllinoiswasformerlydesignated),inthecourseofwhichheseizedCongressmanFicklinbythecoatcollarandshookhimfiercely,heapologized.Inreturn,FicklinsaidLincolnhad"nearlyshakentheDemocracyoutofhim."TothisLincolnreplied:

"ThatremindsmeofwhatPaulsaidtoAgrippa,which,inlanguageandsubstance,wasaboutthis:'IwouldtoGodthatsuchDemocracyasyoufolkshereinEgypthavewerenotonlyalmost,butaltogether,shakenoutof,notonlyyou,butallthatheardmethisday,andthatyouwouldalljoininassistinginshakingofftheshacklesofthebondmenbyalllegitimatemeans,sothatthiscountrymaybemadefreeasthegoodLordintendedit.'"

SaidFicklininrejoinder:"Lincoln,IrememberofreadingsomewhereinthesamebookfromwhichyougetyourAgrippastory,thatPaul,whomyouseemtodesiretopersonate,admonishedallservants(slaves)tobeobedienttothemthataretheirmastersaccordingtotheflesh,infearandtrembling.

"ItwouldseemthatneitherourSaviornorPaulsawtheiniquityofslaveryasyouandyourpartydo.Butyoumustnotthinkthatwhereyoufailbyargumenttoconvinceanoldfriendlikemyselfandwinhimovertoyourheterodoxabolitionopinions,youarejustifiedinresortingtoviolencesuchasyoupracticedonmeto-day.

"Why,Ineverhadsuchashakingupinthewholecourseofmylife.Recollectthatthatgoodoldbookthatyouquotefromsomewheresaysineffectthis:'WoebeuntohimwhogoethtoEgyptforhelp,forheshallfall.Theholpenshallfall,andtheyshallallfalltogether.'"

DEADDOGNOCURE.

Lincoln'squarrelwithShieldswashislastpersonalencounter.Inlateryearsitbecamehisdutytogiveanofficialreprimandtoayoungofficerwhohadbeencourt-martialedforaquarrelwithoneofhisassociates.Thereprimandisprob

ablythegentlestonrecord:

"Quarrelnotatall.Nomanresolvedtomakethemostofhimselfcansparetimeforpersonalcontention.Stilllesscanheaffordtotakealltheconsequences,includingthevitiatingofhistemperandthelossofself-control.Yieldlargerthingstowhichyoucanshownomorethanequalright;andyieldlesserones,thoughclearlyyourown.

"Bettergiveyourpathtoadogthanbebittenbyhimincontestingfortheright.Evenkillingthedogwouldnotcurethebite."

"THOROUGH"ISAGOODWORD.

SomeonecametothePresidentwithastoryaboutaplottoaccomplishsomemischiefintheGovernment.Lincolnlistenedtowhatwasaverysuperficialandill-formedstory,andthensaid:"ThereisonethingthatIhavelearned,andthatyouhavenot.Itisonlyoneword--'thorough.'"

Then,bringinghishanddownonthetablewithathumptoemphasizehismeaning,headded,"thorough!"



THECABINETWASA-SETTIN'.

BeinginWashingtononeday,theRev.RobertCollyerthoughthe'dtakealookaround.InpassingthroughthegroundssurroundingtheWhiteHouse,hecastaglancetowardthePresidentialresidence,andwasastonishedtoseethreepairsoffeetrestingontheledgeofanopenwindowinoneoftheapartmentsofthesecondstory.Thedivinepausedforamoment,calmlysurveyedtheuniquespectacle,andthenresumedhiswalktowardtheWarDepartment.

SeeingalaboreratworknotfarfromtheExecutiveMansion,Mr.Collyeraskedhimwhatitallmeant.Towhomdidthefeetbelong,and,particularly,themammothones?"Youoldfool,"answeredtheworkman,"that'stheCabinet,whichisa-settin',an'themtharbigfeetbelongsto'OldAbe.'"

ABULLETTHROUGHHISHAT.

AsoldiertellsthefollowingstoryofanattemptuponthelifeofMr.Lincoln"OnenightIwasdoingsentineldutyattheentrancetotheSoldiers'Home.ThiswasaboutthemiddleofAugust,1864.Abouteleveno'clockIheardarifleshot,inthedirectionofthecity,andshortlyafterwardsIheardapproachinghoof-

beats.Intwoorthreeminutesahorsecamedashingup.IrecognizedthebelatedPresident.ThePresidentwasbareheaded.ThePresidentsimplythoughtthathishorsehadtakenfrightatthedischargeofthefirearms.

"Ongoingbacktotheplacewheretheshothadbeenheard,wefoundthePresident'shat.Itwasaplainsilkhat,anduponexaminationwediscoveredabulletholethroughthecrown.

"Thenextday,uponreceivingthehat,thePresidentremarkedthatitwasmadebysomefoolishmarksman,andwasnotintendedforhim;butaddedthathewishednothingsaidaboutthematter.

"ThePresidentsaid,philosophically:'Ilongagomadeupmymindthatifanybo

dywantstokillme,hewilldoit.Besides,inthiscase,itseemstome,themanwhowouldsucceedmewouldbejustasobjectionabletomyenemies--ifIhaveany.'

"Onedarknight,ashewasgoingoutwithafriend,hetookalongaheavycane,remarking,good-naturedly:'Mother(Mrs.Lincoln)hasgotanotionintoherheadthatIshallbeassassinated,andtopleaseherItakeacanewhenIgoovertotheWarDepartmentatnight--whenIdon'tforgetit.'"

NOKINDTOGETTOHEAVENON.

TwoladiesfromTennesseecalledattheWhiteHouseonedayandbeggedMr.Lincolntoreleasetheirhusbands,whowererebelprisonersatJohnson'sIsland.Oneofthefairpetitionersurgedasareasonfortheliberationofherhusbandthathewasaveryreligiousman,andrangthechangesonthispiousplea.

"Madam,"saidMr.Lincoln,"yousayyourhusbandisareligiousman.PerhapsIamnotagoodjudgeofsuchmatters,butinmyopinionthereligionthatmakesmenrebelandfightagainsttheirgovernmentisnotthegenuinearticle;noristhereligiontherightsortwhichreconcilesthemtotheideaofeatingtheirbreadinthesweatofothermen'sfaces.Itisnotthekindtogettoheavenon."



hewasgladtoarrangewithNancyMillertomakehimapairoftrousers,hetosplitfourhundredfencerailsforeachyardofcloth--fourteenhundredrailsinall."Abe"gottheclothesafterawhile.

Itwasthreemilesfromhisfather'scabintoherwood-lot,wherehemadetheforestringwiththesoundofhisax."Abe"hadhelpedhisfatherplowfifteenacresofland,andsplitenoughrailstofenceit,andhethenhelpedtoplowfiftyacresforanothersettler.

THEQUESTIONOFLEGS.

WheneverthepeopleofLincoln'sneighborhoodengagedindispute;wheneverabetwastobedecided;whentheydifferedonpointsofreligionorpolitics;whentheywantedtogetoutoftrouble,ordesiredadviceregardinganythingontheearth,belowit,aboveit,orunderthesea,theywentto"Abe."

Twofellows,afterahotdisputelastingsomehours,overtheproblemastohowlongaman'slegsshouldbeinproportiontothesizeofhisbody,stampedintoLincoln'sofficeonedayandputthequestiontohim.

Lincolnlistenedgravelytotheargumentsadvancedbybothcontestants,spentsometimein"reflecting"uponthematter,andthen,turningaroundinhischair

andfacingthedisputants,deliveredhisopinionwithallthegravityofajudgesentencingafellow-beingtodeath.

"Thisquestionhasbeenasourceofcontroversy,"hesaid,slowlyanddeliberately,"foruntoldages,anditisabouttimeitshouldbedefinitelydecided.Ithasledtobloodshedinthepast,andthereisnoreasontosupposeitwillnotleadtothesameinthefuture.

"Aftermuchthoughtandconsideration,nottomentionmentalworryandanxiety,itismyopinion,allsideissuesbeingsweptaside,thataman'slowerlimbs,inordertopreserveharmonyofproportion,shouldbeatleastlongenoughtoreachfromhisbodytotheground."

TOOMANYWIDOWSALREADY.

AUnionofficerinconversationonedaytoldthisstory:

"ThefirstweekIwaswithmycommandthereweretwenty-fourdeserterssentencedbycourt-martialtobeshot,andthewarrantsfortheirexecutionweresenttothePresidenttobesigned.Herefused.

"IwenttoWashingtonandhadaninterview.Isaid:

"'Mr.President,unlessthesemenaremadeanexampleof,thearmyitselfisin

danger.Mercytothefewiscrueltytothemany.'

"Hereplied:'Mr.General,therearealreadytoomanyweepingwidowsintheUnitedStates.ForGod'ssake,don'taskmetoaddtothenumber,forIwon'tdoit.'"

GODNEEDEDTHATCHURCH.



Intheearlystagesofthewar,afterseveralbattleshadbeenfought,UniontroopsseizedachurchinAlexandria,Va.,anduseditasahospital.

AprominentladyofthecongregationwenttoWashingtontoseeMr.Lincolnandtrytogetanorderforitsrelease.

"HaveyouappliedtothesurgeoninchargeatAlexandria?"inquiredMr.Lincoln.

"Yes,sir,butIcandonothingwithhim,"wasthereply.

"Well,madam,"saidMr.Lincoln,"thatisanendofit,then.Weputhimtheretoattendtojustsuchbusiness,anditisreasonabletosupposethatheknowsbetterwhatshouldbedoneunderthecircumstancesthanIdo."

Thelady'sfaceshowedherkeendisappointment.Inordertolearnhersentiment,Mr.Lincolnasked:

"Howmuchwouldyoubewillingtosubscribetowardbuildingahospitalthere?"

ShesaidthatthewarhaddepreciatedSouthernpropertysomuchthatshecouldaffordtogivebutlittle.

"Thiswarisnotoveryet,"saidMr.Lincoln,"andtherewilllikelybeanother

fightverysoon.Thatchurchmaybeveryusefulinwhichtohouseourwoundedsoldiers.ItismycandidopinionthatGodneedsthatchurchforourwoundedfellows;so,madam,Icandonothingforyou."

THEMANDOWNSOUTH.

AnamusinginstanceofthePresident'spreoccupationofmindoccurredatoneofhislevees,whenhewasshakinghandswithahostofvisitorspassinghiminacontinuousstream.

Anintimateacquaintancereceivedtheusualconventionalhand-shakeandsalutat

ion,butperceivingthathewasnotrecognized,kepthisgroundinsteadofmovingon,andspokeagain,whenthePresident,rousedtoadimconsciousnessthatsomethingunusualhadhappened,perceivedwhostoodbeforehim,and,seizinghisfriend'shand,shookitagainheartily,saying:

"Howdoyoudo?Howdoyoudo?Excusemefornotnoticingyou.IwasthinkingofamandownSouth."

"ThemandownSouth"wasGeneralW.T.Sherman,thenonhismarchtothesea.

COULDN'TLETGOTHEHOG.

WhenGovernorCurtinofPennsylvaniadescribedtheterriblebutcheryatthebattleofFredericksburg,Mr.Lincolnwasalmostbroken-hearted.

TheGovernorregrettedthathisdescriptionhadsosadlyaffectedthePresident.Heremarked:"IwouldgiveallIpossesstoknowhowtorescueyoufromthisterriblewar."ThenMr.Lincoln'swonderfulrecuperativepowersassertedthemselvesandthismarvelousmanwashimself.

Lincoln'swholeaspectsuddenlychanged,andherelievedhismindbytellinga



story.

"Thisremindsme,Governor,"hesaid,"ofanoldfarmeroutinIllinoisthatIusedtoknow.

"Hetookitintohisheadtogointohog-raising.HesentouttoEuropeandimportedthefinestbreedofhogshecouldbuy.

"Theprizehogwasputinapen,andthefarmer'stwomischievousboys,JamesandJohn,weretoldtobesurenottoletitout.ButJames,theworstofthetwo,letthebruteoutthenextday.Thehogwentstraightfortheboys,anddroveJohnupatree,thenthehogwentfortheseatofJames'trousers,andtheonlywaytheboycouldsavehimselfwasbyholdingontothehog'stail.

"Thehogwouldnotgiveuphishunt,northeboyhishold!Aftertheyhadmadeagoodmanycirclesaroundthetree,theboy'scouragebegantogiveout,andheshoutedtohisbrother,'Isay,John,comedown,quick,andhelpmeletgothishog!'

"Now,Governor,thatisexactlymycase.Iwishsomeonewouldcomeandhelpmetoletthehoggo."

THECABINETLINCOLNWANTED.

JudgeJosephGillespie,ofChicago,wasafirmfriendofMr.Lincoln,andwenttoSpringfieldtoseehimshortlybeforehisdeparturefortheinauguration.

"Itwas,"saidjudgeGillespie,"Lincoln'sGethsemane.Hefearedhewasnotthemanforthegreatpositionandthegreateventswhichconfrontedhim.Untriedinnationalaffairs,unversedininternationaldiplomacy,unacquaintedwiththemenwhowereforemostinthepoliticsofthenation,hegroanedwhenhesawtheinevitableWaroftheRebellioncomingon.ItwasinhumilityofspiritthathetoldmehebelievedthattheAmericanpeoplehadmadeamistakeinselectinghim.

"Inthecourseofourconversationhetoldmeifhecouldselecthiscabinetfr

omtheoldbarthathadtraveledthecircuitwithhimintheearlydays,hebelievedhecouldavoidwarorsettleitwithoutabattle,evenafterthefactofsecession.

"'But,Mr.Lincoln,'saidI,'thoseoldlawyersareallDemocrats.'

"'Iknowit,'washisreply.'ButIwouldratherhaveDemocratswhomIknowthanRepublicansIdon'tknow.'"

READYFOR"BUTCHER-DAY."

LeonardSwetttoldthiseminentlycharacteristicstory:

"IrememberonedaybeinginhisroomwhenLincolnwassittingathistablewithalargepileofpapersbeforehim,andafterapleasanttalkheturnedquiteabruptlyandsaid:'Getoutoftheway,Swett;to-morrowisbutcher-day,andImustgothroughthesepapersandseeifIcannotfindsomeexcusetoletthesepoorfellowsoff.'

"Thepileofpapershehadweretherecordsofcourts-martialofmenwhoonthefollowingdayweretobeshot."



"THEBADBIRDANDTHEMUDSILL."

Ittookquitealongtime,aswellasthelivesofthousandsofmen,tosaynothingofthecostinmoney,totakeRichmond,theCapitalCityoftheConfederacy.Inthiscartoon,takenfrom"FrankLeslie'sIllustratedNewspaper,"ofFebruary21,1863,JeffDavisissittingupontheSecessioneggsinthe"Richmond"nest,smilingdownuponPresidentLincoln,whoisuptohiswaistintheMudofDifficulties.

ThePresidentfinallywadedthroughthemorass,inwhichhehadbecomeimmersed,gottothetree,climbeditstrunk,reachedthelimb,uponwhichthe"badbird"hadbuiltitsnest,threwthemotherout,destroyedtheeggsofSecessionandthentookthenestawaywithhim,leavingthe"badbird"withoutanyhomeatall.

The"badbird"haditslaughfirst,butthelastlaughbelongedtothe"mudsill,"asthecartoonistwaspleasedtocallthePresidentoftheUnitedStates.ItistruethatthePresidentgothisclothesandhatallcoveredwithmud,butasthejobwasadirtyone,aswellasonethathadtobedone,thePresidentdidn'tcare.Hewasabletogetanothersuitofclothes,aswellasanotherhat,butthe"badbird"couldn't,anddidn't,getanothernest.

Thelaughwasonthe"badbird"afterall.

GAVETHESOLDIERHISFISH.

Once,whenaskedwhatherememberedaboutthewarwithGreatBritain,Lincolnreplied:"Nothingbutthis:Ihadbeenfishingonedayandcaughtalittlefish,whichIwastakinghome.Imetasoldierintheroad,and,havingbeenalwaystoldathomethatwemustbegoodtothesoldiers,Igavehimmyfish."

Thismusthavebeenabout1814,when"Abe"wasfiveyearsofage.

APECULIARLAWYER.

Lincolnwasonceassociatecounselforadefendantinamurdercase.Helistenedtothetestimonygivenbywitnessafterwitnessagainsthisclient,untilhishonestheartcouldstanditnolonger;then,turningtohisassociate,hesaid:"Themanisguilty;youdefendhim--Ican't,"andwhenhisassociatesecuredaverdictofacquittal,Lincolnrefusedtosharethefeetotheextentofonecent.

Lincolnwouldneveradviseclientstoenterintounwiseorunjustlawsuits,alwayspreferringtorefusearetainerratherthanbeapartytoacasewhichdidn

otcommenditselftohissenseofjustice.

IFTHEY'DONLY"SKIP."

GeneralCreswellcalledattheWhiteHousetoseethePresidentthedayofthelatter'sassassination.Anoldfriend,servingintheConfederateranks,hadbeencapturedbytheUniontroopsandsenttoprison.Hehaddrawnanaffidavitsettingforthwhatheknewabouttheman,particularlymentioningextenuatingcircu



mstances.

CreswellfoundthePresidentveryhappy.Hewasgreetedwith:"Creswell,oldfellow,everythingisbrightthismorning.TheWarisover.Ithasbeenatoughtime,butwehaveliveditout,--orsomeofushave,"andhedroppedhisvoicealittleonthelastclauseofthesentence."Butitisover;wearegoingtohavegoodtimesnow,andaunitedcountry."

GeneralCreswelltoldhisstory,readhisaffidavit,andsaid,"Iknowthemanhasactedlikeafool,butheismyfriend,andagoodfellow;lethimout;givehimtome,andIwillberesponsiblethathewon'thaveanythingmoretodowiththerebs."

"Creswell,"repliedMr.Lincoln,"youmakemethinkofalotofyoungfolkswhooncestartedoutMaying.Toreachtheirdestination,theyhadtocrossashallowstream,anddidsobymeansofanoldflatboat.Whenthetimecametoreturn,theyfoundtotheirdismaythattheoldscowhaddisappeared.Theywereinsoretrouble,andthoughtoverallmannerofdevicesforgettingoverthewater,butwithoutavail.

"Afteratime,oneoftheboysproposedthateachfellowshouldpickupthegirlhelikedbestandwadeoverwithher.Themasterlypropositionwascarriedout,untilallthatwereleftupontheislandwasalittleshortchapandagreat,long,gothic-built,elderlylady.

"Now,Creswell,youaretryingtoleavemeinthesamepredicament.Youfellowsareallgettingyourownfriendsoutofthisscrape;andyouwillsucceedincarryingoffoneafteranother,untilnobodybutJeffDavisandmyselfwillbeleftontheisland,andthenIwon'tknowwhattodo.HowshouldIfeel?HowshouldIlook,lugginghimover?

"Iguessthewaytoavoidsuchanembarrassingsituationistoletthemalloutatonce."

HemadeasomewhatsimilarillustrationataninformalCabinetmeeting,atwhichthedispositionofJeffersonDavisandotherprominentConfederateswasdiscussed.EachmemberoftheCabinetgavehisopinion;mostofthemwereforhanging

thetraitors,orforsomeseverepunishment.PresidentLincolnsaidnothing.

Finally,JoshuaF.Speed,hisoldandconfidentialfriend,whohadbeeninvitedtothemeeting,said,"IhaveheardtheopinionofyourMinisters,andwouldliketohearyours."

"Well,Josh,"repliedPresidentLincoln,"whenIwasaboyinIndiana,Iwenttoaneighbor'shouseonemorningandfoundaboyofmyownsizeholdingacoonbyastring.Iaskedhimwhathehadandwhathewasdoing.

"Hesays,'It'sacoon.Dadcotchedsixlastnight,andkilledallbutthispoorlittlecuss.Dadtoldmetoholdhimuntilhecameback,andI'mafraidhe'sgoingtokillthisonetoo;andoh,"Abe,"Idowishhewouldgetaway!'

"'Well,whydon'tyoulethimloose?'

"'Thatwouldn'tberight;andifIlethimgo,Dadwouldgivemeh--.Butifhegotawayhimself,itwouldbeallright.'

"Now,"saidthePresident,"ifJeffDavisandthoseotherfellowswillonlygetaway,itwillbeallright.Butifweshouldcatchthem,andIshouldletthemgo,'Dadwouldgivemeh--!'"



FATHEROFTHE"GREENBACK."

DonPiatt,anotedjournalistofWashington,toldthestoryofthefirstpropositiontoPresidentLincolntoissueinterest-bearingnotesascurrency,asfollows:

"AmasaWalker,adistinguishedfinancierofNewEngland,suggestedthatnotesissueddirectlyfromtheGovernmenttothepeople,ascurrency,shouldbearinterest.Thisforthepurpose,notonlyofmakingthenotespopular,butforthepurposeofpreventinginflation,byinducingpeopletohoardthenotesasaninvestmentwhenthedemandsoftradewouldfailtocallthemintocirculationasacurrency.

"ThisideastruckDavidTaylor,ofOhio,withsuchforcethathesoughtMr.Lincolnandurgedhimtoputtheprojectintoimmediateexecution.ThePresidentlistenedpatiently,andattheendsaid,'Thatisagoodidea,Taylor,butyoumustgotoChase.Heisrunningthatendofthemachine,andhastimetoconsideryourproposition.'

"TaylorsoughttheSecretaryoftheTreasury,andlaidbeforehimAmasaWalker'splan.SecretaryChaseheardhimthroughinacold,unpleasantmanner,andthensaid:'Thatisallverywell,Mr.Taylor;butthereisonelittleobstacleint

hewaythatmakestheplanimpracticable,andthatistheConstitution.'

"Sayingthis,heturnedtohisdesk,asifdismissingbothMr.Taylorandhispropositionatthesamemoment.

"Thepoorenthusiastfeltrebukedandhumiliated.HereturnedtothePresident,however,andreportedhisdefeat.Mr.Lincolnlookedatthewould-befinancierwiththeexpressionattimessopeculiartohishomelyface,thatleftoneindoubtwhetherhewasjestingorinearnest.'Taylor!'heexclaimed,'gobacktoChaseandtellhimnottobotherhimselfabouttheConstitution.SaythatIhavethatsacredinstrumenthereattheWhiteHouse,andIamguardingitwithgreatcare.'

"Taylordemurredtothis,onthegroundthatSecretaryChaseshowedbyhismannerthatheknewallaboutit,anddidn'twishtobeboredbyanysuggestion.

"'We'llseeaboutthat,'saidthePresident,andtakingacardfromthetable,hewroteuponit:

"'TheSecretaryoftheTreasurywillpleaseconsiderMr.Taylor'sproposition.Wemusthavemoney,andIthinkthisagoodwaytogetit.

"'A.LINCOLN.'"

MAJORANDERSON'SBADMEMORY.

AmongthemenwhomCaptainLincolnmetintheBlackHawkcampaignwereLieutenant-ColonelZacharyTaylor,LieutenantJeffersonDavis,PresidentoftheConfederacy,andLieutenantRobertAnderson,alloftheUnitedStatesArmy.

JudgeArnold,inhis"LifeofAbrahamLincoln,"relatesthatLincolnandAndersondidnotmeetagainuntilsometimein1861.AfterAndersonhadevacuatedFortSumter,onvisitingWashington,hecalledattheWhiteHousetopayhisrespectstothePresident.LincolnexpressedhisthankstoAndersonforhisconductat



FortSumter,andthensaid:

"Major,doyourememberofevermeetingmebefore?"

"No,Mr.President,Ihavenorecollectionofeverhavinghadthatpleasure."

"Mymemoryisbetterthanyours,"saidLincoln;"youmusteredmeintotheserviceoftheUnitedStatesin1832,atDixon'sFerry,intheBlackHawkwar."

NOVANDERBILT.

InFebruary,1860,notlongbeforehisnominationforthePresidency,LincolnmadeseveralspeechesinEasterncities.ToanIllinoisacquaintance,whomhemetattheAstorHouse,inNewYork,hesaid:"IhavethecottageatSpringfield,andaboutthreethousanddollarsinmoney.IftheymakemeVice-PresidentwithSeward,assomesaytheywill,IhopeIshallbeabletoincreaseittotwentythousand,andthatisasmuchasanymanoughttowant."

SQUASHEDABRUTALLIE.

InSeptember,1864,aNewYorkpaperprintedthefollowingbrutalstory:

"AfewdaysafterthebattleofAntietam,thePresidentwasdrivingoverthefieldinanambulance,accompaniedbyMarshalLamon,GeneralMcClellanandanotherofficer.Heavydetailsofmenwereengagedinthetaskofburyingthedead.Theambulancehadjustreachedtheneighborhoodoftheoldstonebridge,wherethedeadwerepiledhighest,whenMr.Lincoln,suddenlyslappingMarshalLamonontheknee,exclaimed:'Come,Lamon,giveusthatsongabout"PicayuneButler";McClellanhasneverheardit.'

"'Notnow,ifyouplease,'saidGeneralMcClellan,withashudder;'Iwouldprefertohearitsomeotherplaceandtime.'"

PresidentLincolnrefusedtopayanyattentiontothestory,wouldnotreadthecommentsmadeuponitbythenewspapers,andwouldpermitneitherdenialnorexplanationtobemade.TheNationalelectionwascomingon,andthePresident'sfriendsappealedtohimtosettlethematterforonceandall.MarshalLamonwasparticularlyinsistent,butthePresidentmerelysaid:

"Letthethingalone.IfIhavenotestablishedcharacterenoughtogivethelietothischarge,IcanonlysaythatIammistakeninmyownestimateofmyself.Inpolitics,everymanmustskinhisownskunk.Thesefellowsarewelcometothehideofthisone.Itsbodyhasalreadygivenforthitsunsavoryodor."

ButLamonwouldnot"letthethingalone."HesubmittedtoLincolnadraftofwhatheconceivedtobeasuitableexplanation,afterreadingwhichthePresident

said:

"Lamon,your'explanation'isentirelytoobelligerentintoneforsograveamatter.Thereisaheapof'cussedness'mixedupwithyourusualamiability,andyouareattimestoofondofafight.IfIwereyou,Iwouldsimplystatethefactsastheywere.Iwouldgivethestatementasyouhavehere,withoutthepepperandsalt.Letmetrymyhandatit."

ThePresidentthentookupapenandwrotethefollowing,whichwascopiedandsentoutasMarshalLamon'srefutationoftheshamelessslander:



"ThePresidenthasknownmeintimatelyfornearlytwentyyears,andhasoftenheardmesinglittleditties.ThebattleofAntietamwasfoughtonthe17thdayofSeptember,1862.OnthefirstdayofOctober,justtwoweeksafterthebattle,thePresident,withsomeothers,includingmyself,startedfromWashingtontovisittheArmy,reachingHarper'sFerryatnoonofthatday.

"InashortwhileGeneralMcClellancamefromhisheadquartersnearthebattleground,joinedthePresident,andwithhimreviewedthetroopsatBolivarHeightsthatafternoon,andatnightreturnedtohisheadquarters,leavingthePresidentatHarper'sFerry.

"Onthemorningofthesecond,thePresident,withGeneralSumner,reviewedthetroopsrespectivelyatLoudonHeightsandMarylandHeights,andataboutnoonstartedtoGeneralMcClellan'sheadquarters,reachingthereonlyintimetoseeverylittlebeforenight.

"OnthemorningofthethirdallstartedonareviewoftheThirdCorpsandthecavalry,inthevicinityoftheAntietambattle-ground.AftergettingthroughwithGeneralBurnside'scorps,atthesuggestionofGeneralMcClellan,heandthePresidentlefttheirhorsestobeled,andwentintoanambulancetogotoGeneralFitzJohnPorter'scorps,whichwastwoorthreemilesdistant.

"IamnotsurewhetherthePresidentandGeneralMcClellanwereinthesameamb

ulance,orindifferentones;butmyselfandsomeotherswereinthesamewiththePresident.Ontheway,andonnopartofthebattleground,andonwhatsuggestionsIdonotremember,thePresidentaskedmetosingthelittlesadsongthatfollows("TwentyYearsAgo,Tom"),whichhehadoftenheardmesing,andhadalwaysseemedtolikeverymuch.

"Afteritwasover,someoneoftheparty(IdonotthinkitwasthePresident)askedmetosingsomethingelse;andIsangtwoorthreelittlecomicthings,ofwhich'PicayuneButler'wasone.Porter'scorpswasreachedandreviewed;thenthebattle-groundwaspassedover,andthemostnotedpartsexamined;then,insuccession,thecavalryandFranklin'scorpswerereviewed,andthePresidentandpartyreturnedtoGeneralMcClellan'sheadquartersattheendofaveryhard,hotanddustyday'swork.

"Nextday(the4th),thePresidentandGeneralMcClellanvisitedsuchofthewoundedasstillremainedinthevicinity,includingthenowlamentedGeneralRichardson;thenproceededtoandexaminedtheSouth-Mountainbattle-ground,atwhichpointtheyparted,GeneralMcClellanreturningtohiscamp,andthePresidentreturningtoWashington,seeing,ontheway,GeneralHartsoff,wholaywoundedatFrederickTown.

"Thisisthewholestoryofthesinginganditssurroundings.NeitherGeneralMcClellannoranyoneelsemadeanyobjectionstothesinging;theplacewasnotonthebattle-field;thetimewassixteendaysafterthebattle;nodeadbodywasseenduringthewholetimethePresidentwasabsentfromWashington,norevenagravethathadnotbeenrainedonsincethetimeitwasmade."

"ONEWARATATIME."

NothinginLincoln'sentirecareerbetterillustratedthesurprisingresourcesofhismindthanhismannerofdealingwith"TheTrentAffair."Thereadinessandabilitywithwhichhemetthisperilousemergency,inafieldentirelynewtohisexperience,wasworthythemostaccomplisheddiplomatandstatesman.Admirable,also,washiscoolcourageandself-relianceinfollowingacourseradically



opposedtotheprevailingsentimentthroughoutthecountryandinCongress,andcontrarytotheadviceofhisownCabinet.

SecretaryoftheNavyWelleshastenedtoapproveofficiallytheactofCaptainWilkesinapprehendingtheConfederateCommissionersMasonandSlidell,SecretaryStantonpubliclyapplauded,andevenSecretaryofStateSeward,whoselongpubliccareerhadmadehimespeciallyconservative,statedthathewasopposedtoanyconcessionorsurrenderofMasonandSlidell.

ButLincoln,withgreatsagacity,simplysaid,"Onewaratatime."

PRESIDENTLINCOLN'SLASTPUBLICADDRESS.

ThePresidentmadehislastpublicaddressontheeveningofApril11th,1865,toagatheringattheWhiteHouse.Saidhe:

"Wemeetthiseveningnotinsorrow,butingladnessofheart.

"TheevacuationofPetersburgandRichmond,andthesurrenderoftheprincipalinsurgentarmy,givehopeofarighteousandspeedypeace,whosejoyousexpressioncannotberestrained.

"Inthemidstofthis,however,Hefromwhomallblessingsflowmustnotbeforgotten.

"Normustthosewhoseharderpartgivesusthecauseofrejoicingbeoverlooked;theirhonorsmustnotbeparceledoutwithothers.

"Imyselfwasnearthefront,andhadthehighpleasureoftransmittingthegoodnewstoyou;butnopartofthehonor,forplanorexecution,ismine.

"ToGeneralGrant,hisskillfulofficersandbravemen,allbelongs."

NOOTHERSLIKETHEM.

OnedayanoldladyfromthecountrycalledonPresidentLincoln,hertannedfacepeeringuptohisthroughapairofspectacles.HererrandwastopresentMr.Lincolnapairofstockingsofherownmakeayardlong.Kindtearscametohiseyesasshespoketohim,andthen,holdingthestockingsoneineachhand,danglingwideapartforgeneralinspection,heassuredherthatheshouldtakethemwithhimtoWashington,where(andherehiseyestwinkled)hewassureheshouldnotbeabletofindanylikethem.

Quiteanumberofwell-knownmenwereintheroomwiththePresidentwhentheoldladymadeherpresentation.AmongthemwasGeorgeS.Boutwell,whoafterwardsbecameSecretaryoftheTreasury.

TheamusementofthecompanywasnotatalldiminishedbyMr.Boutwell'sremark,thattheladyhadevidentlymadeaverycorrectestimateofMr.Lincoln'slatitudeandlongitude.

CASHWASATHAND.

LincolnwasappointedpostmasteratNewSalembyPresidentJackson.Theoffice



wasgivenhimbecauseeverybodylikedhim,andbecausehewastheonlymanwillingtotakeitwhocouldmakeoutthereturns.Lincolnwaspleased,becauseitgavehimachancetoreadeverynewspapertakeninthevicinity.Hehadneverbeenabletogethalfthenewspapershewantedbefore.

YearsafterthepostofficehadbeendiscontinuedandLincolnhadbecomeapracticinglawyeratSpringfield,anagentofthePostofficeDepartmententeredhisofficeandinquiredifAbrahamLincolnwaswithin.Lincolnrespondedtohisname,andwasinformedthattheagenthadcalledtocollectthebalanceduetheDepartmentsincethediscontinuanceoftheNewSalemoffice.

AshadeofperplexitypassedoverLincoln'sface,whichdidnotescapethenoticeoffriendspresent.Oneofthemsaidatonce:

"Lincoln,ifyouareinwantofmoney,letushelpyou."

Hemadenoreply,butsuddenlyrose,andpulledoutfromapileofbooksalittleoldtrunk,and,returningtothetable,askedtheagenthowmuchtheamountofhisdebtwas.

Thesumwasnamed,andthenLincolnopenedthetrunk,pulledoutalittlepackageofcoinwrappedinacottonrag,andcountedouttheexactsum,amountingtomorethanseventeendollars.

Aftertheagenthadlefttheroom,heremarkedquietlythathehadneverusedanyman'smoneybuthisown.Althoughthissumhadbeeninhishandsduringallthoseyears,hehadneverregardeditasavailable,evenforanytemporaryuseofhisown.

WELCOMEDTHELITTLEGIRLS.

AtaSaturdayafternoonreceptionattheWhiteHouse,manypersonsnoticedthreelittlegirls,poorlydressed,thechildrenofsomemechanicorlaboringman,whohadfollowedthevisitorsintotheWhiteHousetogratifytheircuriosity.Theypassedaroundfromroomtoroom,andwerehasteningthroughthereception-roo

m,withsometrepidation,whenthePresidentcalledtothem:

"Littlegirls,areyougoingtopassmewithoutshakinghands?"

Thenhebenthistall,awkwardformdown,andshookeachlittlegirlwarmlybythehand.Everybodyintheapartmentwasspellboundbytheincident,sosimpleinitself.

"DON'TSWAPHORSES"

UncleSamwasprettywellsatisfiedwithhishorse,"OldAbe,"and,asshownat

thePresidentialelectionof1864,madeuphismindtokeephim,andnot"swap"thetriedandtrueanimalforastrangeone."Harper'sWeekly"ofNovember12th,1864,hadacartoonwhichillustratedhowthepeopleoftheUnitedStatesfeltaboutthematterbetterthananythingpublishedatthetime.Wereproduceitonthispage.Beneaththepicturewasthistext:

JOHNBULL:"Whydon'tyouridetheotherhorseabit?He'sthebestanimal."(PointingtoMcClellaninthebushesattherear.)

BROTHERJONATHAN:"Well,thatmaybe;butthefactis,OLDABEisjustwhereI



canputmyfingeronhim;andasfortheother--thoughtheysayhe'ssomewhenoutinthescrubyonder--Ineverknowwheretofindhim."

MOSTVALUABLEPOLITICALATTRIBUTE.

"OnetimeIrememberIaskedMr.Lincolnwhatattributeheconsideredmostvaluabletothesuccessfulpolitician,"saidCaptainT.W.S.Kidd,ofSpringfield.

"Helaidhishandonmyshoulderandsaid,veryearnestly:

"'Tobeabletoraiseacausewhichshallproduceaneffect,andthenfighttheeffect.'

"Themoreyouthinkaboutit,themoreprofounddoesitbecome."

"ABE"RESENTEDTHEINSULT.

Acashieredofficer,seekingtoberestoredthroughthepoweroftheexecutive,becameinsolent,becausethePresident,whobelievedthemanguilty,wouldnotaccedetohisrepeatedrequests,atlastsaid,"Well,Mr.President,Iseeyoua

refullydeterminednottodomejustice!"

ThiswastooaggravatingevenforMr.Lincoln;risinghesuddenlyseizedthedisgracedofficerbythecoatcollar,andmarchedhimforciblytothedoor,sayingasheejectedhimintothepassage:

"Sir,Igiveyoufairwarningnevertoshowyourfaceinthisroomagain.Icanbearcensure,butnotinsult.Ineverwishtoseeyourfaceagain."

ONEMANISN'TMISSED.

SalmonP.Chase,whenSecretaryoftheTreasury,hadadisagreementwithothermembersoftheCabinet,andresigned.

ThePresidentwasurgednottoacceptit,as"SecretaryChaseisto-dayanationalnecessity,"hisadviserssaid.

"Howmistakenyouare!"Lincolnquietlyobserved."Yetitisnotstrange;Iusedtohavesimilarnotions.No!Ifweshouldallbeturnedoutto-morrow,andcouldcomebackhereinaweek,weshouldfindourplacesfilledbyalotoffellowsdoingjustaswellaswedid,andinmanyinstancesbetter.

"Now,thisremindsmeofwhattheIrishmansaid.Hisverdictwasthat'inthiscountryonemanisasgoodasanother;and,forthematterofthat,veryoftena

greatdealbetter.'No;thisGovernmentdoesnotdependuponthelifeofanyman."

"STRETCHEDTHEFACTS."

GeorgeB.Lincoln,aprominentmerchantofBrooklyn,wastravelingthroughtheWestin1855-56,andfoundhimselfonenightinatownontheIllinoisRiver,bythenameofNaples.Theonlytavernoftheplacehadevidentlybeenconstructed



withreferencetobusinessonasmallscale.Poorastheprospectseemed,Mr.Lincolnhadnoalternativebuttoputupattheplace.

Thesupper-roomwasalsousedasalodging-room.Mr.Lincolntoldhishostthathethoughthewould"gotobed."

"Bed!"echoedthelandlord."Thereisnobedforyouinthishouseunlessyousleepwiththatmanyonder.Hehastheonlyonewehavetospare."

"Well,"returnedMr.Lincoln,"thegentlemanhaspossession,andperhapswouldnotlikeabed-fellow."

Uponthisagrizzlyheadappearedoutofthepillows,andsaid:

"Whatisyourname?"

"TheycallmeLincolnathome,"wasthereply.

"Lincoln!"repeatedthestranger;"anyconnectionofourIllinoisAbraham?"

"No,"repliedMr.Lincoln."Ifearnot."

"Well,"saidtheoldgentleman,"Iwillletanymanbythenameof'Lincoln'sleepwithme,justforthesakeofthename.YouhaveheardofAbe?"heinquired.

"Oh,yes,veryoften,"repliedMr.Lincoln."NomancouldtravelfarinthisStatewithouthearingofhim,andIwouldbeverygladtoclaimconnectionifIcoulddosohonestly."

"Well,"saidtheoldgentleman,"mynameisSimmons.'Abe'andIusedtoliveandworktogetherwhenyoungmen.Manyajobofwoodcuttingandrail-splittinghaveIdoneupwithhim.AbeLincolnwasthelikeliestboyinGod'sworld.Hewouldworkalldayashardasanyofusandstudybyfirelightinthelog-househalfthenight;andinthiswayhemadehimselfathorough,practicalsurveyor.Once,duringthosedays,IwasintheupperpartoftheState,andImetGeneralEwing,whomPresidentJacksonhadsenttotheNorthwesttomakesurveys.ItoldhimaboutAbeLincoln,whatastudenthewas,andthatIwantedheshouldgivehim

ajob.Helookedoverhismemorandum,and,holdingoutapaper,said:

"'ThereisCountymustbesurveyed;ifyourfriendcandotheworkproperly,Ishallbegladtohavehimundertakeit--thecompensationwillbesixhundreddollars.'

"PleasedasIcouldbe,IhastenedtoAbe,afterIgothome,withanaccountofwhatIhadsecuredforhim.Hewassittingbeforethefireinthelog-cabinwhenItoldhim;andwhatdoyouthinkwashisanswer?WhenIfinished,helookedupveryquietly,andsaid:

"'Mr.Simmons,Ithankyouverysincerelyforyourkindness,butIdon'tthinkIwillundertakethejob.'

"'Inthenameofwonder,'saidI,'why?SixhundreddoesnotgrowuponeverybushouthereinIllinois.'

"'Iknowthat,'saidAbe,'andIneedthemoneybadenough,Simmons,asyouknow;butIhaveneverbeenunderobligationtoaDemocraticAdministration,andIneverintendtobesolongasIcangetmylivinganotherway.GeneralEwingmustfindanothermantodohiswork.'"

AfriendrelatedthisstorytothePresidentoneday,andaskedhimifitwere



true.

"PollardSimmons!"saidLincoln."WelldoIrememberhim.Itiscorrectaboutourworkingtogether,buttheoldmanmusthavestretchedthefactssomewhataboutthesurveyofthecounty.IthinkIshouldhavebeenverygladofthejobatthetime,nomatterwhatAdministrationwasinpower."

ITLENGTHENEDTHEWAR.

PresidentLincolnsaid,longbeforetheNationalpoliticalcampaignof1864hadopened:

"Iftheunworthyambitionofpoliticiansandthejealousythatexistsinthearmycouldberepressed,andalluniteinacommonaimandacommonendeavor,therebellionwouldsoonbecrushed."

HISTHEORYOFTHEREBELLION.

ThePresidentonceexplainedtoafriendthetheoryoftheRebellionbytheaidofthemapsbeforehim.

Runninghislongfore-fingerdownthemap,hestoppedatVirginia.

"Wemustdrivethemawayfromhere"(ManassasGap),hesaid,"andclearthemoutofthispartoftheStatesothattheycannotthreatenushere(Washington)andgetintoMaryland.

"Wemustkeepupagoodandthoroughblockadeoftheirports.WemustmarchanarmyintoEastTennesseeandliberatetheUnionsentimentthere.Finallywemustrelyonthepeoplegrowingtiredandsayingtotheirleaders,'Wehavehadenoughofthisthing,wewillbearitnolonger.'"

SuchwasPresidentLincoln'splanforheadingofftheRebellioninthesummero

f1861.HowitenlargedastheWarprogressed,fromacallforseventythousandvolunteerstooneforfivehundredthousandmenand$500,000,000isamatterofwell-knownhistory.

RANAWAYWHENVICTORIOUS.

ThreeorfourdaysafterthebattleofBullRun,somegentlemenwhohadbeenonthefieldcalleduponthePresident.

Heinquiredveryminutelyregardingallthecircumstancesoftheaffair,and,afterlisteningwiththeutmostattention,said,withatouchofhumor:"Soitis

yournotionthatwewhippedtherebelsandthenranawayfromthem!"

WANTEDSTANTONSPANKED.

OldDennisHankswassenttoWashingtonatonetimebypersonsinterestedinsecuringthereleasefromjailofseveralmenaccusedofbeingcopperheads.ItwasthoughtOldDennismighthavesomeinfluencewiththePresident.



ThelatterheardDennis'storyandthensaid:"IwillsendforMr.Stanton.Itishisbusiness."

SecretaryStantoncameintotheroom,stormedupanddown,andsaidthemenoughttobepunishedmorethantheywere.Mr.Lincolnsatquietlyinhischairandwaitedforthetempesttosubside,andthenquietlysaidtoStantonhewouldliketohavethepapersnextday.

Whenhehadgone,Dennissaid:

"'Abe,'ifIwasasbigandasuglyasyouare,Iwouldtakehimovermykneeandspankhim."

ThePresidentreplied:"No,StantonisanableandvaluablemanforthisNation,andIamgladtobearhisangerfortheservicehecangivetheNation."

STANTONWASOUTOFTOWN.

ThequaintremarkofthePresidenttoanapplicant,"Mydearsir,IhavenotmuchinfluencewiththeAdministration,"wasoneofLincoln'slittlejokes.

Mr.Stanton,SecretaryofWar,oncerepliedtoanorderfromthePresidenttog

iveacolonelacommissioninplaceoftheresigningbrigadier:

"Ishan'tdoit,sir!Ishan'tdoit!Itisn'tthewaytodoit,sir,andIshan'tdoit.Idon'tproposetoarguethequestionwithyou,sir."

Afewdaysafter,thefriendoftheapplicantwhohadpresentedtheordertoSecretaryStantoncalleduponthePresidentandrelatedhisreception.AlookofvexationcameoverthefaceofthePresident,andheseemedunwillingtotalkofit,anddesiredthefriendtoseehimanotherday.Hedidso,whenhegavehisvisitorapositiveorderforthepromotion.ThelattertoldhimhewouldnotspeaktoSecretaryStantonagainuntilheapologized.

"Oh,"saidthePresident,"StantonhasgonetoFortressMonroe,andDanaisact

ing.Hewillattendtoitforyou."

Thishesaidwithamannerofrelief,asifitwasapieceofgoodlucktofindamantherewhowouldobeyhisorders.

ThenominationwassenttotheSenateandconfirmed.

IDENTIFIEDTHECOLOREDMAN.

ManyapplicationsreachedLincolnashepassedtoandfromtheWhiteHouseandtheWarDepartment.Onedayashecrossedtheparkhewasstoppedbyanegro,wh

otoldhimapitifulstory.ThePresidentwrotehimoutacheck,whichread."Paytocoloredmanwithonelegfivedollars."

OFFICESEEKERSWORSETHANWAR.

WhentheRepublicanpartycameintopower,Washingtonswarmedwithoffice-seekers.TheyoverrantheWhiteHouseandgavethePresidentgreatannoyance.Theincongruityofamaninhisposition,andwiththeverylifeofthecountryatstak



e,pausingtoappointpostmasters,struckMr.Lincolnforcibly."Whatisthematter,Mr.Lincoln,"saidafriendoneday,whenhesawhimlookingparticularlygraveanddispirited."Hasanythinggonewrongatthefront?""No,"saidthePresident,withatiredsmile."Itisn'tthewar;it'sthepostofficeatBrownsville,Missouri."

HE"SET'EMUP."

ImmediatelyafterMr.Lincoln'snominationforPresidentattheChicagoConvention,acommittee,ofwhichGovernorMorgan,ofNewYork,waschairman,visitedhiminSpringfield,Ill.,wherehewasofficiallyinformedofhisnomination.

Afterthisceremonyhadpassed,Mr.Lincolnremarkedtothecompanythatasafitendingtoaninterviewsoimportantandinterestingasthatwhichhadjusttakenplace,hesupposedgoodmannerswouldrequirethatheshouldtreatthecommitteewithsomethingtodrink;andopeningthedoorthatledintotherear,hecalledout,"Mary!Mary!"Agirlrespondedtothecall,towhomMr.Lincolnspokeafewwordsinanundertone,and,closingthedoor,returnedagainandtalkedwithhisguests.Inafewminutesthemaidentered,bearingalargewaiter,containingseveralglasstumblers,andalargepitcher,andplacedthemuponthecenter-table.Mr.Lincolnarose,and,gravelyaddressingthecompany,said:"Gentlemen,wemustpledgeourmutualhealthinthemosthealthybeveragethatGodhasgi

ventoman--itistheonlybeverageIhaveeverusedorallowedmyfamilytouse,andIcannotconscientiouslydepartfromitonthepresentoccasion.ItispureAdam'salefromthespring."And,takingthetumbler,hetouchedittohislips,andpledgedthemhishighestrespectsinacupofcoldwater.Ofcourse,allhisguestsadmiredhisconsistency,andjoinedinhisexample.

WASN'TSTANTON'SSAY.

AfewdaysbeforethePresident'sdeath,SecretaryStantontenderedhisresignationasSecretaryofWar.HeaccompaniedtheactwithamostheartfelttributetoMr.Lincoln'sconstantfriendshipandfaithfuldevotiontothecountry,saying

,also,thathe,asSecretary,hadacceptedthepositiontoholditonlyuntilthewarshouldend,andthatnowhefelthisworkwasdone,andhisdutywastoresign.

Mr.LincolnwasgreatlymovedbytheSecretary'swords,and,tearinginpiecesthepapercontainingtheresignation,andthrowinghisarmsabouttheSecretary,hesaid:

"Stanton,youhavebeenagoodfriendandafaithfulpublicservant,anditisnotforyoutosaywhenyouwillnolongerbeneededhere."

Severalfriendsofbothpartieswerepresentontheoccasion,andtherewasnotadryeyethatwitnessedthescene.

"JEFFY"THREWUPTHESPONGE.

WhentheWarwasfairlyon,manypeoplewereastonishedtofindthat"OldAbe"wasafighterfrom"wayback."NoonewasthevictimofgreateramazementthanJeffersonDavis,PresidentoftheConfederateStatesofAmerica.Davisfoundoutthat"Abe"wasnotonlyahardhitter,buthadstayingqualitiesofahighorder.Itwasafighttoa"finish"with"Abe,"nocompromisesbeingaccepted.Overt



hetitle,"NorthandSouth,"theissueof"FrankLeslie'sIllustratedNewspaper"ofDecember24th,1864,containedthecartoon,seereproduceonthispage.Underneaththepicturewerethelines:

"Now,Jeffy,whenyouthinkyouhavehadenoughofthis,sayso,andI'llleaveoff."(SeePresident'smessage.)InhismessagetoCongress,December6th,

PresidentLincolnsaid:"Noattemptatnegotiationwiththeinsurgentleadercouldresultinanygood.HewouldacceptofnothingshortoftheseveranceoftheUnion."

Therefore,FatherAbraham,getting"Jeffy's"head"inchancery,"proceededtochangetheappearanceandsizeofthesecessionist'scountenance,muchtothegriefanddiscomfortoftheSoutherner.ItwasLincoln'sideatore-establishtheUnion,andhecarriedouthispurposetotheveryletter.Buthedidn't"leaveoff"until"Jeffy"cried"enough."

DIDN'TKNOWGRANT'SPREFERENCE.

InOctober,1864,PresidentLincoln,whileheknewhisre-electiontotheWhiteHousewasinnosensedoubtful,knewthatifhelostNewYorkandwithitPennsylvaniaonthehomevote,themoraleffectofhistriumphwouldbebrokenandhi

spowertoprosecutethewarandmakepeacewouldbegreatlyimpaired.ColonelA.K.McClurewaswithLincolnagooddealofthetimeprevioustotheNovemberelection,andtellsthisstory:

"HisusuallysadfacewasdeeplyshadowedwithsorrowwhenItoldhimthatIsawnoreasonableprospectofcarryingPennsylvaniaonthehomevote,althoughwehadaboutheldourowninthehand-to-handconflictthroughwhichwewerepassing.

"'Well,whatistobedone?'wasLincoln'sinquiry,afterthewholesituationhadbeenpresentedtohim.Iansweredthatthesolutionoftheproblemwasaverysimpleandeasyone--thatGrantwasidleinfrontofPetersburg;thatSheridanhadwonallpossiblevictoriesintheValley;andthatiffivethousandPennsylv

aniasoldierscouldbefurloughedhomefromeacharmy,theelectioncouldbecarriedwithoutdoubt.

"Lincoln'sface'brightenedinstantlyatthesuggestion,andIsawthathewasquitereadytoexecuteit.Isaidtohim:'Ofcourse,youcantrustwanttomakethesuggestiontohimtofurloughfivethousandPennsylvaniatroopsfortwoweeks?'

"'Tomysurprise,Lincolnmadenoanswer,andthebrightfaceofafewmomentsbeforewasinstantlyshadowedagain.Iwasmuchdisconcerted,asIsupposedthatGrantwastheonemantowhomLincolncouldturnwithabsoluteconfidenceashisfriend.Ithensaid,withsomeearnestness:'Surely,Mr.President,youcantrustGrantwithaconfidentialsuggestiontofurloughPennsylvaniatroops?'

"LincolnremainedsilentandevidentlydistressedatthepropositionIwaspressinguponhim.Afterafewmoments,andspeakingwithemphasis,Isaid:'Itcan'tbepossiblethatGrantisnotyourfriend;hecan'tbesuchaningrate?'

"Lincolnhesitatedforsometime,andthenansweredinthesewords:'Well,McClure,IhavenoreasontobelievethatGrantprefersmyelectiontothatofMcClellan.'

"IbelieveLincolnwasmistakeninhisdistrustofGrant."



JUSTICEvs.NUMBERS.

Lincolnwasconstantlybotheredbymembersofdelegationsof"goody-goodies,"whoknewallaboutrunningtheWar,buthadnoinsideinformationastowhatwasgoingon.Yet,theypouredouttheiradviceinstreams,untilthePresidentwasheartilysickofthewholebusiness,andwishedtheWarwouldfindsomewaytokilloffthesenuisances.

"HowmanymenhavetheConfederatesnowinthefield?"askedoneoftheseboresoneday.

"Aboutonemilliontwohundredthousand,"repliedthePresident.

"Oh,my!Notsomanyasthat,surely,Mr.Lincoln."

"Theyhavefullytwelvehundredthousand,nodoubtofit.Yousee,allofourgeneralswhentheygetwhippedsaytheenemyoutnumbersthemfromthreeorfivetoone,andImustbelievethem.Wehavefourhundredthousandmeninthefield,andthreetimesfourmaketwelve,--don'tyouseeit?Itisasplaintobeseenasthenoseonaman'sface;andattheratethingsarenowgoing,withthegreatamountofspeculationandthesmallcropoffighting,itwilltakealongtime

toovercometwelvehundredthousandrebelsinarms.

"Iftheycangetsubsistencetheyhaveeverythingelse,exceptajustcause.Yetitissaidthat'thriceishearmedthathathhisquarreljust.'Iamwilling,however,toriskouradvantageofthriceinjusticeagainsttheirthriceinnumbers."

NOFALSEPRIDEINLINCOLN.

GeneralMcClellanhadlittleornoconceptionofthegreatnessofAbrahamLincoln.Astimewenton,hebegantoshowplainlyhiscontemptofthePresident,fre

quentlyallowinghimtowaitintheante-roomofhishousewhilehetransactedbusinesswithothers.ThisdiscourtesywassoopenthatMcClellan'sstaffnoticedit,andnewspapercorrespondentscommentedonit.ThePresidentwastookeennottoseethesituation,buthewasstrongenoughtoignoreit.ItwasabattlehewantedfromMcClellan,notdeference.

"IwillholdMcClellan'shorse,ifhewillonlybringussuccess,"hesaidoneday.

EXTRAMEMBEROFTHECABINET.

G.H.GiddingswasselectedasthebearerofamessagefromthePresidenttoGovernorSamHouston,ofTexas.AconflicthadarisentherebetweentheSouthernpartyandtheGovernor,SamHouston,andonMarch18thelatterhadbeendeposed.WhenMr.Lincolnheardofthis,hedecidedtotrytogetamessagetotheGovernor,offeringUnitedStatessupportifhewouldputhimselfattheheadoftheUnionpartyoftheState.

Mr.GiddingsthustoldofhisinterviewwiththePresident:

"Hesaidtomethatthemessagewasofsuchimportancethat,beforehandingit



tome,hewouldreadittome.Beforebeginningtoreadhesaid,'Thisisaconfidentialandsecretmessage.NoonebesidesmyCabinetandmyselfknowsanythingaboutit,andweareallsworntosecrecy.IamgoingtoswearyouinasoneofmyCabinet.'

"Andthenhesaidtomeinajocularway,'Holdupyourrighthand,'whichIdid.

"'Now,'saidhe,consideryourselfamemberofmyCabinet."'

HOWLINCOLNWASABUSED.

WiththepossibleexceptionofPresidentWashington,whosepoliticalopponentsdidnothesitatetorobthevocabularyofvulgarityandwickednesswhenevertheydesiredtovilifytheChiefMagistrate,Lincolnwasthemostand"best"abusedmanwhoeverheldofficeintheUnitedStates.Duringthefirsthalfofhisinitialtermtherewasnoepithetwhichwasnotappliedtohim.

OnenewspaperinNewYorkhabituallycharacterizedhimas"thathideousbaboonattheotherendoftheavenue,"anddeclaredthat"Barnumshouldbuyandexhibithimasazoologicalcuriosity."

AlthoughthePresidentdidnot,toallappearances,exhibitannoyancebecauseofthevariousdiatribesprintedandspoken,yetthefactisthathislifewassocruellyembitteredbytheseandotherexpressionsquiteasvirulent,thatheoftendeclaredtothosemostintimatewithhim,"Iwouldratherbedeadthan,asPresident,thusabusedinthehouseofmyfriends."

HOW"FIGHTINGJOE"WASAPPOINTED.

General"Joe"Hooker,thefourthcommanderofthenoblebutunfortunateArmyofthePotomac,wasappointedtothatpositionbyPresidentLincolninJanuary,1863.GeneralScott,forsomereason,dislikedHookerandwouldnotappointhim.H

ooker,aftersomemonthsofdiscouragingwaiting,decidedtoreturntoCalifornia,andcalledtopayhisrespectstoPresidentLincoln.HewasintroducedasCaptainHooker,andtothesurpriseofthePresidentbeganthefollowingspeech:

"Mr.President,myfriendmakesamistake.IamnotCaptainHooker,butwasonceLieutenant-ColonelHookeroftheregulararmy.IwaslatelyafarmerinCalifornia,butsincetheRebellionbrokeoutIhavebeentryingtogetintoservice,butIfindIamnotwanted.

"Iamabouttoreturnhome;butbeforegoing,Iwasanxioustopaymyrespectstoyou,andexpressmywishesforyourpersonalwelfareandsuccessinquellingthisRebellion.AndIwanttosaytoyouawordmore.

"IwasatBullRuntheotherday,Mr.President,anditisnovanityinmetosay,Iamadarnedsightbettergeneralthanyouhadonthefield."

Thiswassaid,notinthetoneofabraggart,butofamanwhoknewwhathewastalkingabout.HookerdidnotreturntoCalifornia,butinafewweeksCaptainHookerreceivedfromthePresidentacommissionasBrigadier-GeneralHooker.

KEPTHISCOURAGEUP.



ThePresident,likeoldKingSaul,whenhistermwasabouttoexpire,wasinaquandaryconcerningafurtherleaseofthePresidentialoffice.Heconsultedagainthe"prophetess"ofGeorgetown,immortalizedbyhispatronage.

Sheretiredtoaninnerchamber,and,afterraisingandconsultingmorethanadozenofdistinguishedspiritsfromHades,shereturnedtothereception-parlor,wherethechiefmagistrateawaitedher,anddeclaredthatGeneralGrantwouldcaptureRichmond,andthat"HonestOldAbe"wouldbenextPresident.

She,however,asthereportgoes,toldhimtobewareofChase.

AFORTUNE-TELLER'SPREDICTION.

Lincolnhadbeenbornandrearedamongpeoplewhowerebelieversinpremonitionsandsupernaturalappearancesallhislife,andheoncedeclaredtohisfriendsthathewas"fromboyhoodsuperstitious."

HeatonetimesaidtoJudgeArnoldthat"thenearapproachoftheimportanteventsofhislifewereindicatedbyapresentimentorastrangedream,orinsomeothermysteriouswayitwasimpresseduponhimthatsomethingimportantwastooccur."Thiswasearlierthan1850.

ItissaidthatonhissecondvisittoNewOrleans,Lincolnandhiscompanion,JohnHanks,visitedanoldfortune-teller--avoodoonegress.Traditionsaysthat"duringtheinterviewshebecameverymuchexcited,andaftervariouspredictions,exclaimed:'YouwillbePresident,andallthenegroeswillbefree.'"

ThattheoldvoodoonegressshouldhaveforetoldthatthevisitorwouldbePresidentisnotatallincredible.Shedoubtlesstoldthistomanyaspiringlads,butLincoln,soitisavowedtooktheprophecyseriously.

TOOMUCHPOWDER.

SogreatwasLincoln'sanxietyforthesuccessoftheUnionarmsthatheconsiderednolaboronhisparttooarduous,andspentmuchofhistimeinlookingaftereventhesmalldetails.

AdmiralDahlgrenwassentforonemorningbythePresident,whosaid"Well,captain,here'saletteraboutsomenewpowder."

Afterreadingtheletterheshowedthesampleofpowder,andremarkedthathehadburnedsomeofit,anddidnotbelieveitwasagoodarticle--herewastoomuchresiduum.

"Iwillshowyou,"hesaid;andgettingasmallpieceofpaper,placedthereupo

nsomeofthepowder,thenwenttothefireandwiththetongspickedupacoal,whichheblew,clappeditonthepowder,andaftertheresultingexplosion,added,"Youseethereistoomuchleftthere."

SLEEPSTANDINGUP.

McClellanwasathorninLincoln'sside--"alwaysupintheair,"asthePresidentputit--andyethehesitatedtoremovehim."TheYoungNapoleon"wasagoodo



rganizer,butnofighter.Lincolnsenthimeverythingnecessaryinthewayofmen,ammunition,artilleryandequipments,buthewasforeverunready.

Insteadofmakingaforwardmovementatthetimeexpected,hewouldnotifythePresidentthathemusthavemoremen.Theseweregivenhimasrapidlyaspossible,andthenwouldcomeademandformorehorses,morethisandthat,usuallywindingupwithademandforstill"moremen."

Lincolnboreitallinpatienceforalongtime,butoneday,whenhehadreceivedanotherrequestformoremen,hemadeavigorousprotest.

"IfIgaveMcClellanallthemenheasksfor,"saidthePresident,"theycouldn'tfindroomtoliedown.They'dhavetosleepstandingup."

SHOULDHAVEFOUGHTANOTHERBATTLE.

GeneralMeade,afterthegreatvictoryatGettysburg,wasagainfacetofacewithGeneralLeeshortlyafterwardsatWilliamsport,andeventheformer'swarmestfriendsagreethathemighthavewoninanotherbattle,buthetooknoaction.Hewasnota"pushing"manlikeGrant.ItwasthisnegligenceonthepartofMeadethatlosthimtherankofLieutenant-General,conferreduponGeneralSheridan.

AfriendofMeade's,speakingtoPresidentLincolnandintimatingthatMeadeshouldhave,afterthatbattle,beenmadeCommander-in-ChiefoftheUnionArmies,receivedthisreplyfromLincoln:

"Now,don'tmisunderstandmeaboutGeneralMeade.IamprofoundlygratefuldowntothebottomofmybootsforwhathedidatGettysburg,butIthinkthatifIhadbeenGeneralMeadeIwouldhavefoughtanotherbattle."

LINCOLNUPBRAIDEDLAMON.

InoneofhisreminiscencesofLincoln,WardLamontellshowkeenlythePresident-electalwaysregrettedthe"sneakinginact"whenhemadethecelebrated"midnightride,"whichhetookunderprotest,andlandedhiminWashingtonknowntobutafew.Lamonsays:

"ThePresidentwasconvincedthathecommittedagravemistakeinlisteningtothesolicitationsofa'professionalspy'andoffriendstooeasilyalarmed,andfrequentlyupbraidedmeforhavingaidedhimtodegradehimselfattheverymomentinallhislifewhenhisbehaviorshouldhaveexhibitedtheutmostdignityandcomposure.

"Neitherhenorthecountrygenerallythenunderstoodthetruefactsconcerningthedangerstohislife.Itisnowanacknowledgedfactthatthereneverwasa

momentfromthedayhecrossedtheMarylandline,uptothetimeofhisassassination,thathewasnotindangerofdeathbyviolence,andthathislifewasspareduntilthenightofthe14thofApril,1865,onlythroughtheceaselessandwatchfulcareoftheguardsthrownaroundhim."

MARKEDOUTAFEWWORDS.

PresidentLincolnwascalmandunmovedwhenEnglandandFrancewereblustering



andthreateningwar.AtLincoln'sinstanceSecretaryofStateSewardnotifiedtheEnglishCabinetandtheFrenchEmperorthatasourswasmerelyafamilyquarrelofastrictlyprivateandconfidentialnature,therewasnocallformeddling;alsothattheywouldhaveawarontheirhandsinaveryfewminutesiftheydidn'tkeeptheirhandsoff.

ManyofSeward'snoteswerecouchedindecidedlypepperyterms,someexpressionsbeingsotartthatPresidentLincolnranhispenthroughthem.

LINCOLNSILENCESSEWARD.

GeneralFarnsworthtoldthewriternearlytwentyyearsagothat,beingintheWarOfficeoneday,SecretaryStantontoldhimthatatthelastCabinetmeetinghehadlearnedalessonheshouldneverforget,andthoughthehadobtainedaninsightintoMr.Lincoln'swonderfulpoweroverthemasses.TheSecretarysaidaCabinetmeetingwascalledtoconsiderourrelationswithEnglandinregardtotheMason-Slidellaffair.OneafteranotheroftheCabinetpresentedhisviews,andMr.Sewardreadanelaboratediplomaticdispatch,whichhehadprepared.

FinallyMr.Lincolnreadwhathetermed"afewbriefremarksuponthesubject,"andaskedtheopinionsofhisauditors.TheyunanimouslyagreedthatoursideofthequestionneedednomoreargumentthanwascontainedinthePresident's"fe

wbriefremarks."

Mr.Sewardsaidhewouldbegladtoadopttheremarks,and,givingthemmoreofthephraseologyusualindiplomaticcircles,sendthemtoLordPalmerston,theBritishpremier.

"Then,"saidSecretaryStanton,"camethedemonstration.ThePresident,halfwheelinginhisseat,threwonelegoverthechair-arm,and,holdingtheletterinhishand,said,'Seward,doyousupposePalmerstonwillunderstandourpositionfromthatletter,justasitis?'

"'Certainly,Mr.President.'

"'DoyousupposetheLondonTimeswill?'

"'Certainly.'

"'DoyousupposetheaverageEnglishmanofaffairswill?'

"'Certainly;itcannotbemistakeninEngland.'

"'Doyousupposethatahackmanoutonhisbox(pointingtothestreet)willunderstandit?'

"'Veryreadily,Mr.President.'

"'Verywell,Seward,Iguesswe'llletherslidejustassheis.'

"Andtheletterdid'slide,'andsettledthewholebusinessinamannerthatwaseffective."

BROUGHTTHEHUSBANDUP.

OnemorningPresidentLincolnaskedMajorEckert,ondutyattheWhiteHouse,"



Whoisthatwomancryingoutinthehall?Whatisthematterwithher?"

Eckertsaiditwasawomanwhohadcomealongdistanceexpectingtogodowntothearmytoseeherhusband.Anorderhadgoneoutashorttimebeforetoallownowomeninthearmy,exceptinspecialcases.

Mr.Lincolnsatmoodilyforamomentafterhearingthisstory,andsuddenlylookingup,said,"Let'ssendherdown.Youwritetheorder,Major."

MajorEckerthesitatedamoment,andreplied,"WoulditnotbebetterforColonelHardietowritetheorder?"

"Yes,"saidMr.Lincoln,"thatisbetter;letHardiewriteit."

Themajorwentout,andsoonreturned,saying,"Mr.President,woulditnotbebetterinthiscasetoletthewoman'shusbandcometoWashington?"

Mr.Lincoln'sfacelightedupwithpleasure."Yes,yes,"wasthePresident'sanswerinarelievedtone;"that'sthebestway;bringhimup."

Theorderwaswritten,andthemanwassenttoWashington.

NOWARWITHOUTBLOOD-LETTING.

"Youcan'tcarryonwarwithoutblood-letting,"saidLincolnoneday.

ThePresident,althoughalmostfeminineinhiskind-heartedness,knewnotonlythis,butalsothatlargebodiesofsoldiersincampwereatthemercyofdiseasesofeverysort,theresultbeingaheavycasualtylist.

Ofthe(estimated)half-millionmenoftheUnionarmieswhogaveuptheirlivesintheWaroftheRebellion--1861-65--fullyseventy-fivepercentdiedofdisease.Thesoldierskilleduponthefieldofbattleconstitutedacomparativelysmallproportionofthecasualties.

LINCOLN'STWODIFFICULTIES.

London"Punch"caricaturedPresidentLincolnineverypossibleway,holdinghimandtheUnioncauseuptotheridiculeoftheworldsofarasitcould.OnAugust23rd,1862,itscartoonentitled"Lincoln'sTwoDifficulties"hadthetextunderneath:LINCOLN:"What?Nomoney!Nomen!""Punch"desiredtocreatetheimpressionthattheWashingtonGovernmentwasinabadway,lackingbothmoneyandmenforthepurposeofputtingdowntheRebellion;thattheUnitedStatesTreasurywasbankrupt,andthepeopleoftheNorthsodevoidofpatriotismthattheywouldnotsendmenforthearmytoassistindestroyingtheConfederacy.Thetruthis,thatwhenthiscartoonwasprintedtheNorthhadfivehundredthousandmeni

nthefield,and,beforetheWarclosed,hadprovidedfullytwomillionandahalftroops.ThereportoftheSecretaryoftheTreasurywhichshowedthefinancialaffairsandsituationoftheUnitedStatesuptoJuly,1862.ThereceiptsoftheNationalGovernmentfortheyearendingJune30th,1862,were$10,000,000inexcessoftheexpenditures,althoughtheWarwascostingthecountry$2,000,000perday;thecreditoftheUnitedStateswasgood,andbusinessmatterswereinasatisfactorystate.TheNavy,byAugust23rd,1862,hadreceivedeighteenthousandadditionalmen,andwasinfineshape;thepeopleoftheNorthstoodreadytosupplyanythingtheGovernmentneeded,sothat,allthingstakentogether,the"Punch"cartoonwasnotexactlytrue,asthefactsandfiguresabundantlyprov



ed.

WHITEELEPHANTONHISHANDS.

AnoldandintimatefriendfromSpringfieldcalledonPresidentLincolnandfoundhimmuchdepressed.

ThePresidentwasrecliningonasofa,butrisingsuddenlyhesaidtohisfriend:

"YouknowbetterthananymanlivingthatfrommyboyhoodupmyambitionwastobePresident.IamPresidentofonepartofthisdividedcountryatleast;butlookatme!Oh,IwishIhadneverbeenborn!

"I'veawhiteelephantonmyhands--onehardtomanage.Withafireinmyfrontandreartocontendwith,thejealousiesofthemilitarycommanders,andnotreceivingthatcordialco-operativesupportfromCongressthatcouldreasonablybeexpectedwithanactiveandformidableenemyinthefieldthreateningtheverylife-bloodoftheGovernment,mypositionisanythingbutabedofroses."

WHENLINCOLNANDGRANTCLASHED.

WardLamon,oneofPresidentLincoln'slawpartners,andhismostintimatefriendinWashington,hasthistorelate:

"IamnotawarethattherewaseveraseriousdiscordormisunderstandingbetweenMr.LincolnandGeneralGrant,exceptonasingleoccasion.Fromthecommencementofthestruggle,Lincoln'spolicywastobreakthebackboneoftheConfederacybydeprivingitofitsprincipalmeansofsubsistence.

"Cottonwasitsvitalaliment;depriveitofthis,andtherebellionmustnecessarilycollapse.TheHon.ElihuB.WashburnefromtheoutsetwasopposedtoanycontrabandtrafficwiththeConfederates.

"Lincolnhadgivenpermitsandpassesthroughthelinestotwopersons--Mr.JosephMattoxofMarylandandGeneralSingletonofIllinois--toenablethemtobringcottonandotherSouthernproductsfromVirginia.Washburneheardofit,calledimmediatelyonMr.Lincoln,and,afterremonstratingwithhimontheimproprietyofsuchademarche,threatenedtohaveGeneralGrantcountermandthepermitsiftheywerenotrevoked.

"Naturally,bothbecameexcited.LincolndeclaredthathedidnotbelieveGeneralGrantwouldtakeuponhimselftheresponsibilityofsuchanact.'Iwillshowyou,sir;IwillshowyouwhetherGrantwilldoitornot,'respondedMr.Washburne,asheabruptlywithdrew.

"Bythenextboat,subsequenttothisinterview,theCongressmanleftWashingtonfortheheadquartersofGeneralGrant.Hereturnedshortlyafterwardtothecity,andsolikewisedidMattoxandSingleton.Granthadcountermandedthepermits.

"Underallthecircumstances,itwas,naturally,asourceofexultationtoMr.Washburneandhisfriends,andofcorrespondingsurpriseandmortificationtothePresident.Thelatter,however,saidnothingfurtherthanthis:

"'IwonderwhenGeneralGrantchangedhismindonthissubject?Hewasthefirs



tman,afterthecommencementofthisWar,tograntapermitforthepassageofcottonthroughthelines,andthattohisownfather.'

"ThePresident,however,nevershowedanyresentmenttowardGeneralGrant.

"Inreferringafterwardstothesubject,thePresidentsaid:'Itmademefeelmyinsignificancekeenlyatthemoment;butifmyfriendsWashburne,HenryWilsonandothersderivepleasurefromsounworthyavictoryoverme,Ileavethemtoitsfullenjoyment.'

"ThisrippleontheotherwiseunruffledcurrentoftheirintercoursedidnotdisturbthepersonalrelationsbetweenLincolnandGrant;buttherewaslittlecordialitybetweenthePresidentandMessrs.WashburneandWilsonafterwards."

WONJAMESGORDONBENNETT'SSUPPORT.

ThestoryastohowPresidentLincolnwonthesupportofJamesGordonBennett,Sr.,founderoftheNewYorkHerald,isamostinterestingone.ItwasoneofLincoln'sshrewdestpoliticalacts,andwasbroughtaboutbythetender,inanautographletter,oftheFrenchMissiontoBennett.

TheNewYorkTimeswastheonlypaperinthemetropoliswhichsupportedhimhea

rtily,andPresidentLincolnknewhowimportantitwastohavethesupportoftheHerald.Hetherefore,accordingtothewayColonelMcCluretellsit,carefullystudiedhowtobringitseditorintoclosetouchwithhimself.

TheoutlookforLincoln'sre-electionwasnotpromising.BennetthadstronglyadvocatedthenominationofGeneralMcClellanbytheDemocrats,andthatwasominousofhostilitytoLincoln;andwhenMcClellanwasnominatedhewasacceptedonallsidesasamostformidablecandidate.

ItwasinthisemergencythatLincoln'spoliticalsagacityservedhimsufficientlytowintheHeraldtohiscause,anditwasdonebytheconfidentialtenderoftheFrenchMission.BennettdidnotbreakovertoLincolnatonce,buthewentbygradualapproaches.

Hisfirststepwastodeclareinfavorofanentirelynewcandidate,whichwasanutterimpossibility.Heopeneda"leader"intheHeraldonthesubjectinthisway:"Lincolnhasprovedafailure;McClellanhasprovedafailure;Fremonthasprovedafailure;letushaveanewcandidate."

Lincoln,McClellanandFremontwerethenallinthefieldasnominatedcandidates,andtheFremontdefectionwasaseriousthreattoLincoln.Ofcourse,neitherLincolnnorMcClellandeclined,andtheHerald,failingtogetthenewmanitknewtobeanimpossibility,squarelyadvocatedLincoln'sre-election.

Withoutconsultinganyone,andwithoutanypublicannouncement:whatever,LincolnwrotetoBennett,askinghimtoacceptthemissiontoFrance.Theofferwas

declined.Bennettvaluedtheofferverymuchmorethantheoffice,andfromthatdayuntilthedayofthePresident'sdeathhewasoneofLincoln'smostappreciativefriendsandheartysupportersonhisownindependentline.

STOODBYTHE"SILENTMAN."

Once,inreplytoadelegation,whichvisitedtheWhiteHouse,themembersofwhichwereunusuallyvociferousintheirdemandsthattheSilentMan(asGeneral



Grantwascalled)shouldberelievedfromduty,thePresidentremarked:

"WhatIwantandwhatthepeoplewantisgeneralswhowillfightbattlesandwinvictories.

"Granthasdonethis,andIproposetostandbyhim."

Thisdeclarationfounditswayintothenewspapers,andLincolnwasupheldbythepeopleoftheNorth,who,also,wanted"generalswhowillfightbattlesandwinvictories."

AVERYBRAINYNUBBIN.

PresidentLincolnandSecretaryofStateSewardmetAlexanderH.Stephens,Vice-PresidentoftheConfederacy,onFebruary2nd,1865,ontheRiverQueen,atFortressMonroe.Stephenswasenvelopedinovercoatsandshawls,andhadtheappearanceofafair-sizedman.Hebegantotakeoffonewrappingafteranother,untilthesmall,shriveledoldmanstoodbeforethem.

LincolnquietlysaidtoSeward:"ThisisthelargestshuckingforsosmallanubbinthatIeversaw."

PresidentLincolnhadafriendlyconference,butpresentedhisultimatumthattheoneandonlyconditionofpeacewasthatConfederates"mustceasetheirresistance."

SENTTOHIS"FRIENDS."

DuringtheCivilWar,ClementL.Vallandigham,ofOhio,hadshownhimself,intheNationalHouseofRepresentativesandelsewhere,oneofthebitterestandmostoutspokenofallthemenofthatclasswhichinsistedthat"thewarwasafailure."Hedeclaredthatitwasthedesignof"thoseinpowertoestablishadespotism,"andthattheyhad"nointentionofrestoringtheUnion."Hedenouncedthe

conscriptionwhichhadbeenordered,anddeclaredthatmenwhosubmittedtobedraftedintothearmywere"unworthytobecalledfreemen."HespokeofthePresidentas"KingLincoln."

Suchutterancesatthistime,whentheGovernmentwasexertingitselftotheutmosttorecruitthearmies,weredangerous,andVallandighamwasarrested,triedbycourt-martialatCincinnati,andsentencedtobeplacedinconfinementduringthewar.

GeneralBurnside,incommandatCincinnati,approvedthesentence,andorderedthathebesenttoFortWarren,inBostonHarbor;butthePresidentorderedthathebesent"beyondourlinesintothoseofhisfriends."HewasthereforeescortedtotheConfederatelinesinTennessee,thencegoingtoRichmond.Hedidnot

meetwithaverycordialreceptionthere,andfinallysoughtrefugeinCanada.

VallandighamdiedinamostpeculiarwaysomeyearsafterthecloseoftheWar,anditwasthoughtbymanythathisdeathwastheresultofpremeditationuponhispart.

GODOWNWITHCOLORSFLYING.



residentisthebestofus."

HOWLINCOLN"COMPOSED."

SuperintendentChandler,oftheTelegraphOfficeintheWarDepartment,oncetoldhowPresidentLincolnwrotetelegrams.Saidhe:

"Mr.Lincolnfrequentlywrotetelegramsinmyoffice.Hismethodofcompositionwasslowandlaborious.Itwasevidentthathethoughtoutwhathewasgoingtosaybeforehetouchedhispentothepaper.Hewouldsitlookingoutofthewindow,hisleftelbowonthetable,hishandscratchinghistemple,hislipsmoving,andfrequentlyhespokethesentencealoudorinahalfwhisper.

"Afterhewassatisfiedthathehadtheproperexpression,hewouldwriteitout.IfoneexaminestheoriginalsofMr.Lincoln'stelegramsandletters,hewillfindveryfewerasuresandverylittleinterlining.Thiswasbecausehehadthemdefinitelyinhismindbeforewritingthem.

"InthishewastheexactoppositeofMr.Stanton,whowrotewithfeverishhaste,oftenscratchingoutwords,andinterliningfrequently.Sometimeshewouldseizeasheetwhichhehadfilled,andimpatientlytearitintopieces."

HAMLINMIGHTDOIT.

SeveralUnitedStatesSenatorsurgedPresidentLincolntomusterSouthernslavesintotheUnionArmy.Lincolnreplied:

"Gentlemen,IhaveputthousandsofmusketsintothehandsofloyalcitizensofTennessee,Kentucky,andWesternNorthCarolina.Theyhavesaidtheycoulddefendthemselves,iftheyhadguns.Ihavegiventhemtheguns.Now,thesemendonotbelieveinmustering-inthenegro.IfIdoit,thesethousandsofmusketswillbeturnedagainstus.Weshouldlosemorethanweshouldgain."

Beingstillfurtherurged,PresidentLincolngavethemthisanswer:

"Gentlemen,"hesaid,"Ican'tdoit.Ican'tseeitasyoudo.Youmayberight,andImaybewrong;butI'lltellyouwhatIcando;IcanresigninfavorofMr.Hamlin.PerhapsMr.Hamlincoulddoit."

Thematterendedthere,forthetimebeing.

THEGUNSHOTBETTER.

ThePresidenttookalivelyinterestinallnewfirearmimprovementsandinvent

ions,anditsometimeshappenedthat,whenaninventorcouldgetnobodyelseintheGovernmenttolistentohim,thePresidentwouldpersonallytesthisgun.AformerclerkintheNavyDepartmenttellsanincidentillustrative.

Hehadstayedlateonenightathisdesk,whenheheardsomeonestridingupanddownthehallmuttering:"Idowonderiftheyhavegonealreadyandleftthebuildingallalone."Lookingout,theclerkwassurprisedtoseethePresident.

"Goodevening,"saidMr.Lincoln."Iwasjustlookingforthatmanwhogoesshootingwithmesometimes."



TheclerkknewMr.LincolnreferredtoacertainmessengeroftheOrdnanceDepartmentwhohadbeenaccustomedtogoingwithhimtotestweapons,butasthismanhadgonehome,theclerkofferedhisservices.TogethertheywenttothelawnsouthoftheWhiteHouse,whereMr.LincolnfixedupatargetcutfromasheetofwhiteCongressionalnotepaper.

"Thenpacingoffadistanceofabouteightyorahundredfeet,"writestheclerk,"heraisedtherifletoalevel,tookaquickaim,anddrovetheroundofsevenshotsinquicksuccession,thebulletsshootingallaroundthetargetlikeaGatlinggunandonestrikingnearthecenter.

"'IbelieveIcanmakethisgunshootbetter,'saidMr.Lincoln,afterwehadlookedattheresultofthefirstfire.Withthishetookfromhisvestpocketasmallwoodensightwhichhehadwhittledfromapinestick,andadjusteditoverthesightofthecarbine.Hethenshottworounds,andofthefourteenbulletsnearlyadozenhitthepaper!"

LENIENTWITHMcCLELLAN.

GeneralMcClellan,asidefromhislackofaggressiveness,frettedthePresidentgreatlywithhiscomplaintsaboutmilitarymatters,hisobtrusivecriticismreg

ardingpoliticalmatters,andespeciallyathisinsultingdeclarationtotheSecretaryofWar,datedJune28th,1862,justafterhisretreattotheJamesRiver.

GeneralHalleckwasmadeCommander-in-ChiefoftheUnionforcesinJuly,1862,andSeptember1stMcClellanwascalledtoWashington.Thedaybeforehehadwrittenhiswifethat"asamatterofself-respect,Icannotgothere."PresidentLincolnandGeneralHalleckcalledatMcClellan'shouse,andthePresidentsaid:"Asafavortome,IwishyouwouldtakecommandofthefortificationsofWashingtonandallthetroopsforthedefenseofthecapital."

LincolnthoughthighlyofMcClellan'sabilityasanorganizerandhisstrengthindefense,yetanyotherPresidentwouldhavehadhimcourt-martialedforusingthislanguage,whichappearedinMcClellan'sletterofJune28th:

"IfIsavethisarmynow,ItellyouplainlythatIowenothankstoyouortoanyotherpersoninWashington.Youhavedoneyourbesttosacrificethisarmy."

Thisletter,althoughaddressedtotheSecretaryofWar,distinctlyembracedthePresidentinthegravechargeofconspiracytodefeatMcClellan'sarmyandsacrificethousandsofthelivesofhissoldiers.

DIDN'TWANTAMILITARYREPUTATION.

Lincolnwasaversetobeingputupasamilitaryhero.

WhenGeneralCasswasacandidateforthePresidencyhisfriendssoughttoendowhimwithamilitaryreputation.

Lincoln,atthattimearepresentativeinCongress,deliveredaspeechbeforetheHouse,which,initsallusiontoMr.Cass,wasexquisitelysarcasticandirresistiblyhumorous:

"Bytheway,Mr.Speaker,"saidLincoln,"doyouknowIamamilitaryhero?



"Yes,sir,inthedaysoftheBlackHawkWar,Ifought,bled,andcameaway.

"SpeakingofGeneralCass'scareerremindsmeofmyown.

"IwasnotatStillman'sdefeat,butIwasaboutasnearitasCasstoHull'ssurrender;andlikehimIsawtheplaceverysoonafterwards.

"ItisquitecertainIdidnotbreakmysword,forIhadnonetobreak,butIbentmymusketprettybadlyononeoccasion.

"IfGeneralCasswentinadvanceofmepickingwhortleberries,IguessIsurpassedhimincharginguponthewildonion.

"Ifhesawanylive,fightingIndians,itwasmorethanIdid,butIhadagoodmanybloodystruggleswiththemosquitoes,andalthoughIneverfaintedfromlossofblood,IcantrulysaythatIwasoftenveryhungry."

LincolnconcludedbysayingthatifheeverturnedDemocratandshouldrunforthePresidency,hehopedtheywouldnotmakefunofhimbyattemptingtomakehimamilitaryhero.

"SURRENDERNOSLAVE."

AboutMarch,1862,GeneralBenjaminF.Butler,incommandatFortressMonroe,advisedPresidentLincolnthathehaddeterminedtoregardallslavescomingintohiscampsascontrabandofwar,andtoemploytheirlaborunderfaircompensation,andSecretaryofWarStantonrepliedtohim,inbehalfofthePresident,approvinghiscourse,andsaying,"Youarenottointerferebetweenmasterandslaveontheonehand,norsurrenderslaveswhomaycomewithinyourlines."

Thiswasasignificantmilestoneofprogresstothegreatendthatwasthereaftertobereached.

CONSCRIPTINGDEADMEN.

Mr.Lincolnbeingfoundfaultwithformakinganother"call,"saidthatifthecountryrequiredit,hewouldcontinuetodosountilthematterstoodasdescribedbyaWesternprovostmarshal,whosays:

"Ilistenedashorttimesincetoabutternut-cladindividual,whosucceededinmakinggoodhisescape,expatiatemosteloquentlyontherigidnesswithwhichtheconscriptionwasenforcedsouthoftheTennesseeRiver.Hisresponsetoaquestionpropoundedbyacitizenransomewhatinthiswise:

"'Dotheyconscriptcloseovertheriver?'

"'Stranger,Ishouldthinktheydid!Theytakeeverymanwhohasn'tbeendeadmorethantwodays!'

"Ifthisiscorrect,theConfederacyhasatleastaghostofachanceleft."

Andofanother,aMethodistministerinKansas,livingonasmallsalary,whowasgreatlytroubledtogethisquarterlyinstalment.Heatlasttoldthenon-payingtrusteesthathemusthavehismoney,ashewassufferingforthenecessariesoflife.



"Money!"repliedthetrustees;"youpreachformoney?Wethoughtyoupreachedforthegoodofsouls!"

"Souls!"respondedthereverend;"Ican'teatsouls;andifIcoulditwouldtakeathousandsuchasyourstomakeameal!"

"Thatsoulisthepoint,sir,"saidthePresident.

LINCOLN'SREJECTEDMANUSCRIPT.

OnFebruary5th,1865,PresidentLincolnformulatedamessagetoCongress,proposingthepaymentof$400,000,000totheSouthascompensationforslaveslostbyemancipation,andsubmittedittohisCabinet,onlytobeunanimouslyrejected.

Lincolnsadlyacceptedthedecision,andfiledawaythemanuscriptmessage,togetherwiththisindorsementthereon,towhichhissignaturewasadded:"February5,1865.To-daythesepapers,whichexplainthemselves,weredrawnupandsubmittedtotheCabinetunanimouslydisapprovedbythem."

Whentheproposedmessagewasdisapproved,Lincolnsoberlyasked:"Howlongwillthewarlast?"

Tothisnonecouldmakeanswer,andheadded:"Wearespendingnow,incarryingonthewar,$3,000,000aday,whichwillamounttoallthismoney,besidesallthelives."

LINCOLNASASTORYWRITER.

Inhisyouth,Mr.Lincolnoncegotanideaforathrilling,romanticstory.Oneday,inSpringfield,hewassittingwithhisfeetonthewindowsill,chattingwithanacquaintance,whenhesuddenlychangedthedriftoftheconversationbysaying:"Didyoueverwriteoutastoryinyourmind?IdidwhenIwasalittle

codger.Onedayawagonwithaladyandtwogirlsandamanbrokedownnearus,andwhiletheywerefixingup,theycookedinourkitchen.Thewomanhadbooksandreadusstories,andtheywerethefirstIhadeverheard.Itookagreatfancytooneofthegirls;andwhentheyweregoneIthoughtofheragreatdeal,andonedaywhenIwassittingoutinthesunbythehouseIwroteoutastoryinmymind.IthoughtItookmyfather'shorseandfollowedthewagon,andfinallyIfoundit,andtheyweresurprisedtoseeme.Italkedwiththegirl,andpersuadedhertoelopewithme;andthatnightIputheronmyhorse,andwestartedoffacrosstheprairie.Afterseveralhourswecametoacamp;andwhenwerodeupwefounditwastheonewehadleftafewhoursbefore,andwentin.Thenextnightwetriedagain,andthesamethinghappened--thehorsecamebacktothesameplace;andthenweconcludedthatweoughtnottoelope.IstayeduntilIhadpersuadedherfathertogivehertome.Ialwaysmeanttowritethatstoryou

tandpublishit,andIbeganonce;butIconcludedthatitwasnotmuchofastory.ButIthinkthatwasthebeginningoflovewithme."

LINCOLN'SIDEASONCROSSINGARIVERWHENHEGOTTOIT.

Lincoln'sreplytoaSpringfield(Illinois)clergyman,whoaskedhimwhatwastobehispolicyontheslaveryquestionwasmostapt:



"Well,yourquestionisratheracoolone,butIwillansweritbytellingyouastory:

"YouknowFatherB.,theoldMethodistpreacher?andyouknowFoxRiveranditsfreshets?

"Well,onceinthepresenceofFatherB.,ayoungMethodistwasworryingaboutFoxRiver,andexpressingfearsthatheshouldbepreventedfromfulfillingsomeofhisappointmentsbyafreshetintheriver.

"FatherB.checkedhiminhisgravestmanner.Saidhe:

"'Youngman,IhavealwaysmadeitaruleinmylifenottocrossFoxRivertillIgettoit.'

"And,"saidthePresident,"IamnotgoingtoworrymyselfovertheslaveryquestiontillIgettoit."

AfewdaysafterwardaMethodistministercalledonthePresident,andonbeingpresentedtohim,said,simply:

"Mr.President,IhavecometotellyouthatIthinkwehavegottoFoxRiver!"

Lincolnthankedtheclergyman,andlaughedheartily.

PRESIDENTNOMINATEDFIRST.

ThedayofLincoln'ssecondnominationforthePresidencyheforgotallabouttheRepublicanNationalConvention,sittingatBaltimore,andwanderedovertotheWarDepartment.Whilethere,atelegramcameannouncingthenominationofJohnsonasVice-President.

"What,"saidLincolntotheoperator,"dotheynominateaVice-PresidentbeforetheydoaPresident?"

"Why,"repliedtheastonishedofficial,"haveyounotheardofyourownnomination?ItwassenttotheWhiteHousetwohoursago."

"Itisallright,"repliedthePresident;"Ishallprobablyfinditonmyreturn."

"THEMGILLITEENS."

TheillustratednewspapersoftheUnitedStatesandEnglandhadagooddealoffun,notonlywithPresidentLincoln,butthelatter'sCabinetofficersandmilitarycommandersaswell.ItwassaidbythesefunnypublicationsthatthePresid

enthadsetupaguillotineinhis"back-yard,"whereallthosewhooffendedwerebeheadedwithbothneatness,anddespatch."Harper'sWeekly"ofJanuary3rd,1863,containedacartoonlabeled"ThoseGuillotines;aLittleIncidentattheWhiteHouse,"thepersonagesfiguringinthe"incident"beingSecretaryofWarStantonandaUniongeneralwhohadbeenunfortunateenoughtoloseabattletotheConfederates.Beneaththecartoonwasthefollowingdialogue:

SERVANT:"Ifyeplase,sir,themGilliteenshasarrove."MR.LINCOLN:"Allright,Michael.Now,gentlemen,willyoubekindenoughtostepoutintheback-yard?"



ThehairandwhiskersofSecretaryofWarStantonareruffledandawry,andhisfeaturesarenotcalmandundisturbed,indicatingthathehasanideaofwhat'sthematterinthatback-yard;thecountenanceoftheofficerintherearoftheSecretaryofWarwearsratherananxious,orworried,look,andhishairisn'tcombedsmoothly,either.

PresidentLincoln'sfrequentchangesamongarmycommanders--beforehefoundGrant,ShermanandSheridan--affordedanopportunitythecaricaturistsdidnotneglect,andsomeveryclevercartoonsweretheconsequence.

"CONSIDERTHESYMPATHYOFLINCOLN."

ConsiderthesympathyofAbrahamLincoln.DoyouknowthestoryofWilliamScott,private?HewasaboyfromaVermontfarm.

Therehadbeenalongmarch,andthenightsucceedingithehadstoodonpicket.Thenextdaytherehadbeenanotherlongmarch,andthatnightWilliamScotthadvolunteeredtostandguardintheplaceofasickcomradewhohadbeendrawnfortheduty.

ItwastoomuchforWilliamScott.Hewastootired.Hehadbeenfoundsleeping

onhisbeat.

ThearmywasatChainBridge.Itwasinadangerousneighborhood.Disciplinemustbekept.

WilliamScottwasapprehended,triedbycourt-martial,sentencedtobeshot.NewsofthecasewascarriedtoLincoln.WilliamScottwasaprisonerinhistent,expectingtobeshotnextday.

Buttheflapsofhistentwereparted,andLincolnstoodbeforehim.Scottsaid:

"ThePresidentwasthekindestmanIhadeverseen;IknewhimatoncebyaLin

colnmedalIhadlongworn.

"Iwasscaredatfirst,forIhadneverbeforetalkedwithagreatman;butMr.Lincolnwassoeasywithme,sogentle,thatIsoonforgotmyfright.

"Heaskedmeallaboutthepeopleathome,theneighbors,thefarm,andwhereIwenttoschool,andwhomyschoolmateswere.Thenheaskedmeaboutmotherandhowshelooked;andIwasgladIcouldtakeherphotographfrommybosomandshowittohim.

"HesaidhowthankfulIoughttobethatmymotherstilllived,andhow,ifhewereinmyplace,hewouldtrytomakeheraproudmother,andnevercauseherasorroworatear.

"Icannotrememberitall,buteverywordwassokind.

"Hehadsaidnothingyetaboutthatdreadfulnextmorning;Ithoughtitmustbethathewassokind-heartedthathedidn'tliketospeakofit.

"Butwhydidhesaysomuchaboutmymother,andmynotcausingherasorroworatear,whenIknewthatImustdiethenextmorning?

"ButIsupposedthatwassomethingthatwouldhavetogounexplained;andsoI



determinedtobraceupandtellhimthatIdidnotfeelabitguilty,andaskhimwouldn'thefixitsothatthefiringpartywouldnotbefromourregiment.

"Thatwasgoingtobethehardestofall--todiebythehandsofmycomrades.

"JustasIwasgoingtoaskhimthisfavor,hestoodup,andhesaystome:

"'Myboy,standuphereandlookmeintheface.'

"Ididashebademe.

"'Myboy,'hesaid,'youarenotgoingtobeshotto-morrow.Ibelieveyouwhenyoutellmethatyoucouldnotkeepawake.

"'Iamgoingtotrustyou,andsendyoubacktoyourregiment.

"'ButIhavebeenputtoagooddealoftroubleonyouraccount.

"'IhavehadtocomeupherefromWashingtonwhenIhavegotagreatdealtodo;andwhatIwanttoknowis,howareyougoingtopaymybill?'

"Therewasabiglumpinmythroat;Icouldscarcelyspeak.Ihadexpectedtodie,yousee,andhadkindofgotusedtothinkingthatway.

"Tohaveitallchangedinaminute!ButIgotitcrowdeddown,andmanagedtosay:

"'Iamgrateful,Mr.Lincoln!IhopeIamasgratefulaseveramancanbetoyouforsavingmylife.

"'Butitcomesuponmesuddenandunexpectedlike.Ididn'tlayoutforitatall;butthereissomewaytopayyou,andIwillfinditafteralittle.

"'Thereisthebountyinthesavingsbank;Iguesswecouldborrowsomemoneyonthemortgageofthefarm.'

"'Therewasmypaywassomething,andifhewouldwaituntilpay-dayIwassure

theboyswouldhelp;soIthoughtwecouldmakeitupifitwasn'tmorethanfiveorsixhundreddollars.

"'Butitisagreatdealmorethanthat,'hesaid.

"ThenIsaidIdidn'tjustseehow,butIwassureIwouldfindsomeway--ifIlived.

"ThenMr.Lincolnputhishandsonmyshoulders,andlookedintomyfaceasifhewassorry,andsaid;"'Myboy,mybillisaverylargeone.Yourfriendscannotpayit,noryourbounty,northefarm,norallyourcomrades!

"'Thereisonlyonemaninalltheworldwhocanpayit,andhisnameisWillia

mScott!

"'IffromthisdayWilliamScottdoeshisduty,sothat,ifIwastherewhenhecomestodie,hecanlookmeinthefaceashedoesnow,andsay,Ihavekeptmypromise,andIhavedonemydutyasasoldier,thenmydebtwillbepaid.

"'Willyoumakethatpromiseandtrytokeepit?"

Thepromisewasgiven.ThenceforwardthereneverwassuchasoldierasWilliamScott.



HISPASSESTORICHMONDNOTHONORED.

AmancalleduponthePresidentandsolicitedapassforRichmond.

"Well,"saidthePresident,"Iwouldbeveryhappytooblige,ifmypasseswererespected;butthefactis,sir,Ihave,withinthepasttwoyears,givenpassestotwohundredandfiftythousandmentogotoRichmond,andnotonehasgotthereyet."

Theapplicantquietlyandrespectfullywithdrewonhistiptoes.

"PUBLICHANGMAN"FORTHEUNITEDSTATES.

AcertainUnitedStatesSenator,whobelievedthateverymanwhobelievedinsecessionshouldbehanged,askedthePresidentwhatheintendedtodowhentheWarwasover.

"ReconstructthemachineryofthisGovernment,"quicklyrepliedLincoln.

"Youarecertainlycrazy,"wastheSenator'sheatedresponse."Youtalkasiftreasonwasnothenceforthtobemadeodious,butthatthetraitors,cutthroatsandauthorsofthisWarshouldnotonlygounpunished,butreceiveencouragementtorepeattheirtreasonwithimpunity!TheyshouldbehangedhigherthanHaman,sir!Yes,higherthananymalefactortheworldhaseverknown!"

ThePresidentwasentirelyunmoved,but,afteramoment'spause,putaquestionwhichallbutdrovehisvisitorinsane.

"Now,Senator,supposethatwhenthishangingarrangementhasbeenagreedupon,youacceptthepostofChiefExecutioner.Ifyouwilltaketheoffice,IwillmakeyouabrigadiergeneralandPublicHangmanfortheUnitedStates.Thatwouldjustaboutsuityou,wouldn'tit?"

"Iamagentleman,sir,"returnedtheSenator,"andIcertainlythoughtyouknewmebetterthantobelievemecapableofdoingsuchdirtywork.Youarejesting,Mr.President."

ThePresidentwasextremelypatient,exhibitingnosignsofire,andtothisbitoftemperonthepartoftheSenatorresponded:

"Youspeakofbeingagentleman;yetyouforgetthatinthisfreecountryallmenareequal,thevagrantandthegentlemanstandingonthesamegroundwhenitcomestorightsandduties,particularlyintimeofwar.Therefore,beingagentleman,asyouclaim,andalaw-abidingcitizen,Itrust,youarenotexemptfromdoingeventhedirtyworkatwhichyourhighspiritrevolts."

ThiswastoomuchfortheSenator,whoquittedtheroomabruptly,andneveragainshowedhisfaceintheWhiteHousewhileLincolnoccupiedit.

"Hewon'tbothermeagain,"wasthePresident'sremarkashedeparted.

FEW,BUTBOISTEROUS.



Lincolnwasaveryquietman,andwentabouthisbusinessinaquietway,makingtheleastnoisepossible.Heheartilydislikedthoseboisterouspeoplewhowereconstantlydeluginghimwithadvice,andshoutingatthetopsoftheirvoiceswhenevertheyappearedattheWhiteHouse."Thesenoisypeoplecreateagreatclamor,"saidheoneday,inconversationwithsomepersonalfriends,"andremindme,bytheway,ofagoodstoryIheardoutinIllinoiswhileIwaspracticing,ortryingtopractice,somelawthere.Iwillsay,though,thatIpracticedmorelawthanIevergotpaidfor.

"Afellowwholivedjustoutoftown,onthebankofalargemarsh,conceivedabigideainthemoney-makingline.Hetookittoaprominentmerchant,andbegantodevelophisplansandspecifications.'Thereareatleasttenmillionfrogsinthatmarshnearme,an'I'lljustarrestacoupleofcarloadsofthemandhandthemovertoyou.Youcansendthemtothebigcitiesandmakelotsofmoneyforbothofus.Frogs'legsaregreatdelicaciesinthebigtowns,an'notveryplentiful.Itwon'ttakememore'ntwoorthreedaystopick'em.Theymakesomuchnoisemyfamilycan'tsleep,andbythisdealI'llgetridofanuisanceandgatherinsomecash.'

"Themerchantagreedtotheproposition,promisedthefellowhewouldpayhimwellforthetwocarloads.Twodayspassed,thenthree,andfinallytwoweeksweregonebeforethefellowshowedupagain,carryingasmallbasket.Helookedwearyand'doneup,'andhewasn'ttalkativeabit.Hethrewthebasketonthecounterwiththeremark,'There'syourfrogs.'

"'Youhaven'ttwocarloadsinthatbasket,haveyou?'inquiredthemerchant.

"'No,'wasthereply,'andthereain'tnotwocarloadsinallthisblastedworld.'

"'Ithoughtyousaidtherewereatleasttenmillionsof'eminthatmarshnearyou,accordingtothenoisetheymade,'observedthemerchant.'Yourpeoplecouldn'tsleepbecauseof'em.'

"'Well,'saidthefellow,'accordin'tothenoisetheymade,therewas,Ithought,ahundredmillionof'em,butwhenIhadwadedandswumthattheremarshdayandnightfertwoblessedweeks,Icouldn'tharvestbutsix.There'stwoorthr

eeleftyet,an'themarshisasnoisyasitusterbe.Wehaven'tcatcheduponanyofourlostsleepyet.Now,youcanhavetheseheresix,an'Iwon'tchargeyouacentfer'em.'

"Youcanseebythislittleyarn,"remarkedthePresident,"thattheseboisterouspeoplemaketoomuchnoiseinproportiontotheirnumbers."

KEEPPEGGINGAWAY.

Beingaskedonetimebyan"anxious"visitorastowhathewoulddoincertaincontingencies--providedtherebellionwasnotsubduedafterthreeorfouryears

ofeffortonthepartoftheGovernment?

"Oh,"repliedthePresident,"thereisnoalternativebuttokeep'pegging'away!"

BEWAREOFTHETAIL.

AftertheissueoftheEmancipationProclamation,GovernorMorgan,ofNewYork,



wasattheWhiteHouseoneday,whenthePresidentsaid:

"Idonotagreewiththosewhosaythatslaveryisdead.Wearelikewhalerswhohavebeenlongonachase--wehaveatlastgottheharpoonintothemonster,butwemustnowlookhowwesteer,or,withone'flop'ofhistail,hewillyetsendusallintoeternity!"

"LINCOLN'SDREAM."

PresidentLincolnwasdepictedasaheadsmaninacartoonprintedin"FrankLeslie'sIllustratedNewspaper,"onFebruary14,1863,thetitleofthepicturebeing"Lincoln'sDreams;or,There'saGoodTimeComing."

Thecartoon,reproducedhere,represents,ontheright,theUnionGeneralswhohadbeendefeatedbytheConfederatesinbattle,andhadsuffereddecapitationinconsequence--McDowell,wholostatBullRun;McClellan,whofailedtotakeRichmond,whenwithintwelvemilesofthatcityandnoopposition,comparatively;andBurnside,whowassobadlywhippedatFredericksburg.Totheleftoftheblock,wherethePresidentisstandingwiththebloodyaxeinhishand,areshownthemembersoftheCabinet--SecretaryofStateSeward,SecretaryofWarStanton,SecretaryoftheNavyWelles,andothers--eachawaitinghisturn.Thispartofthe"Dream"wasneverrealized,however,asthePresidentdidnotdecapitateanyo

fhisCabinetofficers.

ItwastheideaofthecartoonisttoholdLincolnupasamanwhowouldnotcountenancefailureuponthepartofsubordinates,butvisittheseverestpunishmentuponthosecommanderswhodidnotwinvictories.AfterBurnside'sdefeatatFredericksburg,hewasrelievedbyHooker,whosuffereddisasteratChancellorsville;HookerwasrelievedbyMeade,whowonatGettysburg,butwasrefusedpromotionbecausehedidnotfollowupandcrushLee;RosecranswasallbutdefeatedatChickamauga,andgavewaytoGrant,who,ofalltheUnioncommanders,hadneversuffereddefeat.GrantwasLincoln'sidealfightingman,andthe"OldCommander"wasneversuperseded.

THEREWASNONEEDOFASTORY.

Dr.Hovey,ofDansville,NewYork,thoughthewouldcallandseethePresident.

UponarrivingattheWhiteHousehefoundthePresidentonhorseback,readyforastart.

Approachinghim,hesaid:

"PresidentLincoln,IthoughtIwouldcallandseeyoubeforeleavingthecity,andhearyoutellastory."

ThePresidentgreetedhimpleasantly,andaskedwherehewasfrom.

"FromWesternNewYork."

"Well,that'sagoodenoughcountrywithoutstories,"repliedthePresident,andoffherode.

LINCOLNAMANOFSIMPLEHABITS.



Lincoln'shabitsattheWhiteHousewereassimpleastheywereathisoldhomeinIllinois.

Heneveralludedtohimselfas"President,"orasoccupying"thePresidency."

Hisofficehealwaysdesignatedas"theplace."

"CallmeLincoln,"saidhetoafriend;"Mr.President"hadbecomesoverytiresometohim.

"Ifyouseeanewsboydownthestreet,sendhimupthisway,"saidhetoapassenger,ashestoodwaitingforthemorningnewsathisgate.

Friendscautionedhimaboutexposinghimselfsoopenlyinthemidstofenemies;butheneverheededthem.

Hefrequentlywalkedthestreetsatnight,entirelyunprotected;andfeltanycheckuponhismovementsagreatannoyance.

HedelightedtoseehisfamiliarWesternfriends;andhegavethemalwaysacordialwelcome.

Hemetthemontheoldfooting,andfellatonceintotheaccustomedhabitsof

talkandstory-telling.

Anoldacquaintance,withhiswife,visitedWashington.Mr.andMrs.LincolnproposedtothesefriendsarideinthePresidentialcarriage.

Itshouldbestatedinadvancethatthetwomenhadprobablyneverseeneachotherwithglovesonintheirlives,unlesswhentheywereusedasprotectionfromthecold.

Thequestionofeach--LincolnattheWhiteHouse,andhisfriendatthehotel--was,whetherheshouldweargloves.

Ofcoursetheladiesurgedgloves;butLincolnonlyputhisinhispocket,tob

eusedornot,accordingtothecircumstances.

WhenthePresidentialpartyarrivedatthehotel,totakeintheirfriends,theyfoundthegentleman,overcomebyhiswife'spersuasions,veryhandsomelygloved.

Themomenthetookhisseathebegantodrawofftheclingingkids,whileLincolnbegantodrawhison!

"No!no!no!"protestedhisfriend,tuggingathisgloves."Itisnoneofmydoings;putupyourgloves,Mr.Lincoln."

Sothetwooldfriendswereonevenandeasyterms,andhadtheirrideafterth

eiroldfashion.

HISLASTSPEECH.

PresidentLincolnwasreadingthedraftofaspeech.Edward,theconservativebutdignifiedbutleroftheWhiteHouse,wasseenstrugglingwithTadandtryingtodraghimbackfromthewindowfromwhichwaswavingaConfederateflag,capturedinsomefightandgiventotheboy.EdwardconqueredandTad,rushingtofin



dhisfather,methimcomingforwardtomake,asitproved,hislastspeech.

Thespeechbeganwiththesewords,"Wemeetthisevening,notinsorrow,butingladnessofheart."Havinghisspeechwritteninlooseleaves,andbeingcompelledtoholdacandleintheotherhand,hewouldletthelooseleavesdroptotheflooronebyone."Tad"pickedthemupastheyfell,andimpatientlycalledformoreastheyfellfromhisfather'shand.

FORGOTEVERYTHINGHEKNEWBEFORE.

PresidentLincoln,whileentertainingafewselectfriends,issaidtohaverelatedthefollowinganecdoteofamanwhoknewtoomuch:

Hewasacareful,painstakingfellow,whoalwayswantedtobeabsolutelyexact,andasaresulthefrequentlygottheill-willofhislesscarefulsuperiors.

DuringtheadministrationofPresidentJacksontherewasasingularyounggentlemanemployedinthePublicPostofficeinWashington.

HisnamewasG.;hewasfromTennessee,thesonofawidow,aneighborofthePresident,onwhichaccounttheoldherohadakindfeelingforhim,andalwaysgothimoutofdifficultieswithsomeofthehigherofficials,towhomhissingul

arinterferencewasdistasteful.

Amongotherthings,itissaidofhimthatwhileemployedintheGeneralPostoffice,ononeoccasionhehadtocopyalettertoMajorH.,ahighofficial,inanswertoanapplicationmadebyanoldgentlemaninVirginiaorPennsylvania,fortheestablishmentofanewpostoffice.

Thewriterofthelettersaidtheapplicationcouldnotbegranted,inconsequenceoftheapplicant's"proximity"toanotheroffice.

WhenthelettercameintoG.'shandtocopy,beingagreatsticklerforplainness,healtered"proximity"to"nearnessto."

MajorH.observedit,andaskedG.whyhealteredhisletter.

"Why,"repliedG.,"becauseIdon'tthinkthemanwouldunderstandwhatyoumeanbyproximity."

"Well,"saidMajorH.,"tryhim;putinthe'proximity'again."

Inafewdaysaletterwasreceivedfromtheapplicant,inwhichheveryindignantlysaidthathisfatherhadfoughtforlibertyinthesecondwarforindependence,andheshouldliketohavethenameofthescoundrelwhobroughtthechargeofproximityoranythingelsewrongagainsthim.

"There,"saidG.,"didInotsayso?"

G.carriedhisimprovementssofarthatMr.Berry,thePostmaster-General,saidtohim:"Idon'twantyouanylonger;youknowtoomuch."

PoorG.wentout,buthisoldfriendgothimanotherplace.

ThistimeG.'sideasunderwentachange.Hewasonedayverybusywriting,whenastrangercalledinandaskedhimwherethePatentOfficewas.

"Idon'tknow,"saidG.



"CanyoutellmewheretheTreasuryDepartmentis?"saidthestranger.

"No,"saidG.

"NorthePresident'shouse?"

"No."

ThestrangerfinallyaskedhimifheknewwheretheCapitolwas.

"No,"repliedG.

"DoyouliveinWashington,sir?"

"Yes,sir,"saidG.

"GoodLord!anddon'tyouknowwherethePatentOffice,Treasury,President'shouseandCapitolare?"

"Stranger,"saidG.,"Iwasturnedoutofthepostofficeforknowingtoomuch.Idon'tmeantooffendinthatwayagain.

"Iampaidforkeepingthisbook.

"IbelieveIknowthatmuch;butifyoufindmeknowinganythingmoreyoumaytakemyhead."

"Goodmorning,"saidthestranger.

LINCOLNBELIEVEDINEDUCATION.

"Thateverymanmayreceiveatleastamoderateeducation,andtherebybeenabledtoreadthehistoriesofhisownandothercountries,bywhichhemaydulyappreciatethevalueofourfreeinstitutions,appearstobeanobjectofvitalim

portance;evenonthisaccountalone,tosaynothingoftheadvantagesandsatisfactiontobederivedfromallbeingabletoreadtheScripturesandotherworks,bothofareligiousandmoralnature,forthemselves.

"Formypart,Idesiretoseethetimewheneducation,byitsmeans,morality,sobriety,enterpriseandintegrity,shallbecomemuchmoregeneralthanatpresent,andshouldbegratifiedtohaveitinmypowertocontributesomethingtotheadvancementofanymeasurewhichmighthaveatendencytoacceleratethehappyperiod."

LINCOLNONTHEDREDSCOTTDECISION.

InaspeechatSpringfield,Illinois,June26th,1857,LincolnreferredtothedecisionofChiefJusticeRogerB.Taney,oftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt,intheDredScottcase,inthismanner:

"TheChiefjusticedoesnotdirectlyassert,butplainlyassumesasafact,thatthepublicestimateoftheblackmanismorefavorablenowthanitwasinthedaysoftheRevolution.

"Inthosedays,bycommonconsent,thespreadoftheblackman'sbondageinthe



newcountrieswasprohibited;butnowCongressdecidesthatitwillnotcontinuetheprohibition,andtheSupremeCourtdecidesthatitcouldnotifitwould.

"Inthosedays,ourDeclarationofIndependencewasheldsacredbyall,andthoughttoincludeall;butnow,toaidinmakingthebondageofthenegrouniversalandeternal,itisassailedandsneeredat,andconstructedandhawkedat,andtorn,till,ifitsframerscouldrisefromtheirgraves,theycouldnotatallrecognizeit.

"Allthepowersofearthseemcombiningagainsttheslave;Mammonisafterhim,ambitionfollows,philosophyfollows,andthetheologyofthedayisfastjoiningthecry."

LINCOLNMADEMANYNOTABLESPEECHES.

AbrahamLincolnmademanynotableaddressesandspeechesduringhiscareerprevioustothetimeofhiselectiontothePresidency.

However,beautifulinthoughtandexpressionastheywere,theywerenotappreciatedbythosewhoheardandreadthemuntilafterthepeopleoftheUnitedStatesandtheworldhadcometounderstandthemanwhodeliveredthem.

Lincolnhadtherareandvaluablefacultyofputtingthemostsublimefeelingintohisspeeches;andheneverfounditnecessarytoincumberhiswisest,wittiestandmostfamoussayingswithaweakeningmassofwords.

Heputhisthoughtsintothesimplestlanguage,sothatallmightcomprehend,andheneversaidanythingwhichwasnotfullofthedeepestmeaning.

WHATAILEDTHEBOYS.

Mr.RolandDiller,whowasoneofMr.Lincoln'sneighborsinSpringfield,tellsthefollowing:

"Iwascalledtothedooronedaybythecriesofchildreninthestreet,andtherewasMr.Lincoln,stridingbywithtwoofhisboys,bothofwhomwerewailingaloud.'Why,Mr.Lincoln,what'sthematterwiththeboys?'Iasked.

"'Justwhat'sthematterwiththewholeworld,'Lincolnreplied.'I'vegotthreewalnuts,andeachwantstwo.'"

TAD'SCONFEDERATEFLAG.

OneoftheprettiestincidentsintheclosingdaysoftheCivilWaroccurredwh

enthetroops,'marchinghomeagain,'passedingrandform,ifwithwell-wornuniformsandtatteredbunting,beforetheWhiteHouse.

Naturally,animmensecrowdhadassembledonthestreets,thelawns,porches,balconies,andwindows,eventhoseoftheexecutivemansionitselfbeingcrowdedtoexcess.AcentralfigurewasthatofthePresident,AbrahamLincoln,who,withbaredhead,unfurledandwavedourNation'sflaginthemidstoflustycheers.

Butsuddenlytherewasanunexpectedsight.



Asmallboyleanedforwardandsentstreamingtotheairthebanneroftheboysingray.ItwasanoldflagwhichhadbeencapturedfromtheConfederates,andwhichtheurchin,thePresident'ssecondson,Tad,hadobtainedpossessionofandconsideredanadditionaltriumphtounfurlonthisall-importantday.

Vainlydidtheservantwhohadfollowedhimtothewindowpleadwithhimtodesist.No,MasterTad,PetoftheWhiteHouse,wasnottobepreventedfromaddingtotheloyaldemonstrationofthehour.

Tohissurprise,however,thecrowdvieweditdifferently.Haditfloatedfromanyotherwindowinthecapitalthatday,nodoubtitwouldhavebeenthetargetofcontemptandabuse;butwhenthePresident,understandingwhathadhappened,turned,withasmileonhisgrand,plainface,andshowedhisapprovalbyagestureandexpression,cheeraftercheerrenttheair.

CALLEDBLESSINGSONTHEAMERICANWOMEN.

PresidentLincolnattendedaLadies'FairforthebenefitoftheUnionsoldiers,atWashington,March16th,1864.

Inhisremarkshesaid:

"Iappeartosaybutaword.

"Thisextraordinarywarinwhichweareengagedfallsheavilyuponallclassesofpeople,butthemostheavilyuponthesoldiers.Forithasbeensaid,'Allthatamanhathwillhegiveforhislife,'and,whileallcontributeoftheirsubstance,thesoldierputshislifeatstake,andoftenyieldsitupinhiscountry'scause.

"Thehighestmerit,then,isduethesoldiers.

"Inthisextraordinarywarextraordinarydevelopmentshavemanifestedthemselvessuchashavenotbeenseeninformerwars;andamongthesemanifestationsnothinghasbeenmoreremarkablethanthesefairsforthereliefofsufferingsoldie

rsandtheirfamilies,andthechiefagentsinthesefairsarethewomenofAmerica!

"Iamnotaccustomedtotheuseoflanguageofeulogy;Ihaveneverstudiedtheartofpayingcomplimentstowomen;butImustsaythatifallthathasbeensaidbyoratorsandpoetssincethecreationoftheworldinpraiseofwomenwereappliedtothewomenofAmerica,itwouldnotdothemjusticefortheirconductduringthewar.

"Iwillclosebysaying,GodblessthewomenofAmerica!"

LINCOLN'S"ORDERNO.252."

AftertheUnitedStateshadenlistedformernegroslavesassoldierstofightalongsidetheNortherntroopsforthemaintenanceoftheintegrityoftheUnion,sogreatwastheindignationoftheConfederateGovernmentthatPresidentDavisdeclaredhewouldnotrecognizeblackscapturedinbattleandinuniformasprisonersofwar.Thismeantthathewouldhavethemreturnedtotheirpreviousowners,havethemfloggedandfinedforrunningawayfromtheirmasters,orevenshotifhefeltlikeit.ThisattitudeofthePresidentoftheConfederateStatesofAmericaledtothepromulgationofPresidentLincoln'sfamous"OrderNo.252,"



which,ineffect,wasanotificationtothecommandingofficersoftheSouthernforcesthatifnegroprisonersofwarwerenottreatedassuch,theUnioncommanderswouldretaliate."Harper'sWeekly"ofAugust15th,1863,containedaclevercartoon,whichwereproduce,representingPresidentLincolnholdingtheSouthbythecollar,while"OldAbe"shoutsthefollowingwordsofwarningtoJeffDavis,who,cat-o'-nine-tailsinhand,isinpursuitofaterrifiedlittlenegroboy:

MR.LINCOLN:"Lookhere,JeffDavis!Ifyoulayafingeronthatboy,tohurthim,I'lllickthisuglycubofyourswithinaninchofhislife!"

MuchtothesurpriseoftheConfederates,thenegrosoldiersfoughtvaliantly;theywerefearlesswhenwellled,obeyedorderswithouthesitation,wereamenabletodiscipline,andwereeagerandanxious,atalltimes,todotheirduty.Inbattletheywereformidableopponents,andinusingthebayonetweretheequalofthebesttrainedtroops.TheSouthernershatedthembeyondpowerofexpression.

TALKEDTOTHENEGROESOFRICHMOND.

ThePresidentwalkedthroughthestreetsofRichmond--withoutaguardexceptafewseamen--incompanywithhisson"Tad,"andAdmiralPorter,onApril4th,186

5,thedayfollowingtheevacuationofthecity.

Coloredpeoplegatheredabouthimoneveryside,eagertoseeandthanktheirliberator.Mr.Lincolnaddressedthefollowingremarkstooneofthesegatherings:

"Mypoorfriends,youarefree--freeasair.Youcancastoffthenameofslaveandtrampleuponit;itwillcometoyounomore.

"Libertyisyourbirthright.GodgaveittoyouasHegaveittoothers,anditisasinthatyouhavebeendeprivedofitforsomanyyears.

"Butyoumusttrytodeservethispricelessboon.Lettheworldseethatyoume

ritit,andareabletomaintainitbyyourgoodwork.

"Don'tletyourjoycarryyouintoexcesses;learnthelaws,andobeythem.ObeyGod'scommandments,andthankHimforgivingyouliberty,fortoHimyouoweallthings.

"There,now,letmepasson;Ihavebutlittletimetospare.

"IwanttoseetheCapitol,andmustreturnatoncetoWashingtontosecuretoyouthatlibertywhichyouseemtoprizesohighly."

"ABE"ADDEDASAVINGCLAUSE.

LincolnfellinlovewithMissMaryS.Owensabout1833orso,and,whileshewasattractedtowardhimshewasnotpassionatelyfondofhim.

Lincoln'sletterofproposalofmarriage,sentbyhimtoMissOwens,whilesingular,unique,anddecidedlyunconventional,wascertainlynotveryardent.He,afterthefashionofthelawyer,presentedthematterverycautiously,andpleadedhisowncause;thenpresentedhersideofthecase,advisedhernot"todoit,"andagreedtoabidebyherdecision.



MissOwensrespectedLincoln,butpromptlyrejectedhim--reallyverymuchto"Abe's"relief.

HOW"JACK"WAS"DONEUP."

NotfarfromNewSalem,Illinois,ataplacecalledClary'sGrove,agangoffrontierruffianshadestablishedheadquarters,andthechampionwrestlerof"TheGrove"was"Jack"Armstrong,abullyoftheworsttype.

LearningthatAbrahamwassomethingofawrestlerhimself,"Jack"senthimachallenge.Atthattimeandinthatcommunityarefusalwouldhaveresultedinsocialandbusinessostracism,nottomentionthestigmaofcowardicewhichwouldattach.

ItwasagreatdayforNewSalemand"TheGrove"whenLincolnandArmstrongmet.Settlerswithinaradiusoffiftymilesflockedtothescene,andthewagerslaidwereheavyandmany.ArmstrongprovedaweaklinginthehandsofthepowerfulKentuckian,and"Jack's"adherentswereabouttomobLincolnwhenthelatter'sfriendssavedhimfromprobabledeathbyrushingtotherescue.

ANGELSCOULDN'TSWEARITRIGHT.

ThePresidentwasoncespeakingaboutanattackmadeonhimbytheCongressionalCommitteeontheConductoftheWarforacertainallegedblunderintheSouthwest--thematterinvolvedbeingonewhichhadfallendirectlyundertheobservationofthearmyofficertowhomhewastalking,whopossessedofficialevidencecompletelyupsettingalltheconclusionsoftheCommittee.

"Mightitnotbewellforme,"queriedtheofficer,"tosetthismatterrightinalettertosomepaper,statingthefactsastheyactuallytranspired?"

"Oh,no,"repliedthePresident,"atleast,notnow.IfIweretotrytoread,

muchlessanswer,alltheattacksmadeonme,thisshopmightaswellbeclosedforanyotherbusiness.IdotheverybestIknowhowtheverybestIcan;andImeantokeepdoingsountiltheend.Iftheendbringsmeoutallright,whatissaidagainstmewon'tamounttoanything.Iftheendbringsmeoutwrong,tenthousandangelsswearingIwasrightwouldmakenodifference."

"MUSTGO,ANDGOTOSTAY."

WardHillLamonwasPresidentLincoln'sCerberus,hiswatchdog,guardian,friend,companionandconfidant.SomedaysbeforeLincoln'sdepartureforWashingtontobeinaugurated,hewrotetoLamonatBloomington,thathedesiredtoseehim

atonce.HewenttoSpringfield,andLincolnsaid:

"Hill,onthe11thIgotoWashington,andIwantyoutogoalongwithme.OurfriendshavealreadyaskedmetosendyouasConsultoParis.YouknowIwouldcheerfullygiveyouanythingforwhichourfriendsmayaskorwhichyoumaydesire,butitlooksasifwemighthavewar.

"InthatcaseIwantyouwithme.Infact,Imusthaveyou.Sogetyourselfreadyandcomealong.Itwillbehandytohaveyouaround.Ifthereistobeafight,Iwantyoutohelpmetodomyshareofit,asyouhavedoneintimespast.Y



hetoldHookerthathehaddone"agreatwrongtothecountryandtoamostmeritoriousandhonorablebrotherofficer."

"MAJORGENERAL,IRECKON."

AtonetimethePresidenthadtheappointmentofalargeadditionalnumberofbrigadierandmajorgenerals.Amongtheimmensenumberofapplications,Mr.Lincolncameupononewhereintheclaimsofacertainworthy(notintheserviceatall),"forageneralship"wereglowinglysetforth.Buttheapplicantdidn'tspecifywhetherhewantedtobebrigadierormajorgeneral.

ThePresidentobservedthisdifficulty,andsolveditbyalucidindorsement.Theclerk,onreceivingthepaperagain,foundwrittenacrossitsback,"MajorGeneral,Ireckon.A.Lincoln."

WOULDSEETHETRACKS.

JudgeHerndon,Lincoln'slawpartner,saidthatheneversawLincolnmorecheerfulthanonthedayprevioustohisdeparturefromSpringfieldforWashington,andJudgeGillespie,whovisitedhimafewdaysearlier,foundhiminexcellents

pirits.

"ItoldhimthatIbelieveditwoulddohimgoodtogetdowntoWashington,"saidHerndon.

"Iknowitwill,"Lincolnreplied."IonlywishIcouldhavegottheretolockthedoorbeforethehorsewasstolen.ButwhenIgettothespot,Icanfindthetracks."

"ABE"GAVEHERA"SURETIP."

IfallthedaysLincolnattendedschoolwereaddedtogether,theywouldnotmakeasingleyear'stime,andheneverstudiedgrammarorgeographyoranyofthehigherbranches.HisfirstteacherinIndianawasHazelDorsey,whoopenedaschoolinalogschoolhouseamileandahalffromtheLincolncabin.Thebuildinghadholesforwindows,whichwerecoveredoverwithgreasedpapertoadmitlight.Theroofwasjusthighenoughforamantostanderect.Itdidnottakelongtodemonstratethat"Abe"wassuperiortoanyscholarinhisclass.HisnextteacherwasAndrewCrawford,whotaughtinthewinterof1822-3,inthesamelittleschoolhouse."Abe"wasanexcellentspeller,anditissaidthathelikedtoshowoffhisknowledge,especiallyifhecouldhelpouthislessfortunateschoolmates.Onedaytheteachergaveouttheword"defied."Alargeclasswasonthefloor,butitseemedthatnoonewouldbeabletospellit.Theteacherdeclaredhewouldkeepthewholeclassinalldayandnightif"defied"wasnotspelledco

rrectly.

WhenthewordcamearoundtoKatyRoby,shewasstandingwhereshecouldseeyoung"Abe."Shestarted,"d-e-f,"andwhiletryingtodecidewhethertospellthewordwithan"i"ora"y,"shenoticedthatAbehadhisfingeronhiseyeandasmileonhisface,andinstantlytookthehint.Shespelledthewordcorrectlyandschoolwasdismissed.



THEPRESIDENTHADKNOWLEDGEOFHIM.

Lincolnneverforgotanyoneoranything.

AtoneoftheafternoonreceptionsattheWhiteHouseastrangershookhandswithhim,and,ashedidso,remarkedcasually,thathewaselectedtoCongressaboutthetimeMr.Lincoln'stermasrepresentativeexpired,whichhappenedmanyyearsbefore.

"Yes,"saidthePresident,"Youarefrom--"(mentioningtheState)."IrememberreadingofyourelectioninanewspaperonemorningonasteamboatgoingdowntoMountVernon."

Atanothertimeagentlemanaddressedhim,saying,"Ipresume,Mr.President,youhaveforgottenme?"

"No,"wasthepromptreply;"yournameisFlood.Isawyoulast,twelveyearsago,at--"(namingtheplaceandtheoccasion).

"Iamgladtosee,"hecontinued,"thattheFloodgoeson."

Subsequenttohisre-electionadeputationofbankersfromvarioussectionswereintroducedonedaybytheSecretaryoftheTreasury.

Afterafewmomentsofgeneralconversation,Lincolnturnedtooneofthemandsaid:

"Yourdistrictdidnotgivemesostrongavoteatthelastelectionasitdidin1860."

"Ithink,sir,thatyoumustbemistaken,"repliedthebanker."Ihavetheimpressionthatyourmajoritywasconsiderablyincreasedatthelastelection."

"No,"rejoinedthePresident,"youfelloffaboutsixhundredvotes."

Thentakingdownfromthebookcasetheofficialcanvassof1860and1864,hereferredtothevoteofthedistrictnamed,andprovedtobequiterightinhisas

sertion.

ONLYHALFAMAN.

AsPresidentLincoln,arminarmwithex-PresidentBuchanan,enteredtheCapitol,andpassedintotheSenateChamber,filledtooverflowingwithSenators,membersoftheDiplomaticCorps,andvisitors,thecontrastbetweenthetwomenstruckeveryobserver.

"Mr.Buchananwassowitheredandbowedwithage,"wroteGeorgeW.Julian,ofIndiana,whowasamongthespectators,"thatincontrastwiththetoweringformo

fMr.Lincolnheseemedlittlemorethanhalfaman."

GRANTCONGRATULATEDLINCOLN.

AssoonastheresultofthePresidentialelectionof1864wasknown,GeneralGranttelegraphedfromCityPointhiscongratulations,andaddedthat"theelectionhavingpassedoffquietly...isavictoryworthmoretothecountrythanabattlewon."



"BRUTUSANDCAESAR."

London"Punch"persistentlymaintainedthroughouttheWarfortheUnionthatthequestionofwhattodowiththeblackswasthemostbothersomeofalltheproblemsPresidentLincolnhadtosolve."Punch"thoughttheRebellionhaditsorigininanefforttodeterminewhetherthereshouldorshouldnotbeslaveryintheUnitedStates,andwasfoughtwiththisasthemainendinview."Punch"ofAugust15th,1863,containedthecartoonreproducedonthispage,thetitlebeing"BrutusandCaesar."

PresidentLincolnwaspicturedasBrutus,whiletheghostofCaesar,whichappearedinthetentoftheAmericanBrutusduringthedarkhoursofthenight,wasrepresentedintheshapeofahuskyandanythingbutghost-likeAfrican,whosecomplexionwouldtendtomaketheblackesttarlooklikeskimmedmilkincomparison.Thiswasthetextbelowthecartoon:(FromtheAmericanEditionofShakespeare.)TheTentofBrutus(Lincoln).Night.EntertheGhostofCaesar.

BRUTUS:"Wall,now!Dotell!Who'syou?"

CAESAR:"Iamdyebilgenus,MassaLinking.Dischildamawfulimpressional!"

"Punch's"cartoonsweredecidedlyunfriendlyintonetowardPresidentLincoln,someofthembeingnotonlyobjectionableinthedisplayofbadtaste,butoffensiveandvulgar.ItistruethataftertheassassinationofthePresident,"Punch,"inillustrations,paidmarkedanddeservedtributetothememoryoftheGreatEmancipator,butithadlittlethatwasgoodtosayofhimwhilehewasamongthelivingandengagedincarryingoutthegreatworkforwhichhewasdestinedtowineternalfame.

HOWSTANTONGOTINTOTHECABINET.

PresidentLincoln,wellawareofStanton'sunfriendliness,wassurprisedwhenS

ecretaryoftheTreasuryChasetoldhimthatStantonhadexpressedtheopinionthatthearrestoftheConfederateCommissioners,MasonandSlidell,waslegalandjustifiedbyinternationallaw.ThePresidentaskedSecretaryChasetoinviteStantontotheWhiteHouse,andStantoncame.Mr.Lincolnthankedhimfortheopinionhehadexpressed,andaskedhimtoputitinwriting.

Stantoncomplied,thePresidentreaditcarefully,and,afterputtingitaway,astoundedStantonbyofferinghimtheportfolioofWar.StantonwasaDemocrat,hadbeenoneofthePresident'smostpersistentvilifiers,andcouldnotrealize,atfirst,thatLincolnmeantwhathesaid.Hemanaged,howevertosay:

"Iambothsurprisedandembarrassed,Mr.President,andwouldaskacoupleofdaystoconsiderthismostimportantmatter."

LincolnfullyunderstoodwhatwasgoingoninStanton'smind,andthensaid:

"Thisisaverycriticalperiodinthelifeofthenation,Mr.Stanton,asyouarewellaware,andIwellknowyouareasmuchinterestedinsustainingthegovernmentasmyselforanyotherman.Thisisnotimetoconsidermerepartyissues.Thelifeofthenationisindanger.Ineedthebestcounsellorsaroundme.Ihaveeveryconfidenceinyourjudgment,andhaveconcludedtoaskyoutobecomeoneofmycounsellors.TheofficeoftheSecretaryofWarwillsoonbevacant,andIamanxioustohaveyoutakeMr.Cameron'splace."



Stantondecidedtoaccept.

"ABE"LIKEHISFATHER.

"Abe"Lincoln'sfatherwasneveratlossforananswer.AnoldneighborofThomasLincoln--"Abe's"father--waspassingtheLincolnfarmoneday,whenhesaw"Abe's"fathergrubbingupsomehazelnutbushes,andsaidtohim:"Why,Grandpap,Ithoughtyouwantedtosellyourfarm?"

"AndsoIdo,"hereplied,"butIain'tgoin'toletmyfarmknowit."

"'Abe's'jes'likehisfather,"theoldoneswouldsay.

"NOMOONATALL."

OneofthemostnotableofLincoln'slawcaseswasthatinwhichhedefendedWilliamD.Armstrong,chargedwithmurder.Thecasewasonewhichwaswatchedduringitsprogresswithintenseinterest,andithadamostdramaticending.

ThedefendantwasthesonofJackandHannahArmstrong.Thefatherwasdead,butHannah,whohadbeenverymotherlyandhelpfultoLincolnduringhislifeatN

ewSalem,wasstillliving,andaskedLincolntodefendhim.YoungArmstronghadbeenawildlad,andwasofteninbadcompany.

TheprincipalwitnesshadswornthathesawyoungArmstrongstrikethefatalblow,themoonbeingverybrightatthetime.

Lincolnbroughtforwardthealmanac,whichshowedthatatthetimethemurderwascommittedtherewasnomoonatall.Inhisargument,Lincoln'sspeechwassofeelinglymadethatatitscloseallthemeninthejury-boxwereintears.Itwasjusthalfanhourwhenthejuryreturnedaverdictofacquittal.

Lincolnwouldacceptnofeeexceptthethanksoftheanxiousmother.

"ABE"ASUPERBMIMIC.

Lincoln'sreadinginhisearlydaysembracedawiderange.Hewasparticularlyfondofallstoriescontainingfun,witandhumor,andeveryoneofthesehecameacrosshelearnedbyheart,thusaddingtohispersonalstore.

Heimprovedasareciterandretailerofthestorieshehadreadandheard,andasthereciteroftalesofhisowninvention,andhehadreadyandeagerauditors.

JudgeHerndon,inhis"AbrahamLincoln,"relatesthatasamimicLincolnwasun

equalled.Anoldneighborsaid:"Hislaughwasstriking.Suchawkwardgesturesbelongedtonootherman.Theyattracteduniversalattention,fromtheoldandsedatedowntotheschoolboy.Then,inafewmoments,hewasascalmandthoughtfulasajudgeonthebench,andasreadytogiveadviceonthemostimportantmatters;funandgravitygrewonhimalike."

WHYHEWASCALLED"HONESTABE."



DuringtheyearLincolnwasinDentonOffutt'sstoreatNewSalem,thatgentleman,whosebusinesswassomewhatwidelyandunwiselyspreadaboutthecountry,ceasedtoprosperinhisfinancesandfinallyfailed.Thestorewasshutup,themillwasclosed,andAbrahamLincolnwasoutofbusiness.

Theyearhadbeenoneofgreatadvance,inmanyrespects.Hehadmadenewandvaluableacquaintances,readmanybooks,masteredthegrammarofhisowntongue,wonmultitudesoffriends,andbecamereadyforastepstillfurtherinadvance.

Thosewhocouldappreciatebrainsrespectedhim,andthosewhoseideasofamanrelatedtohismusclesweredevotedtohim.Itwaswhilehewasperformingtheworkofthestorethatheacquiredthesobriquetof"HonestAbe"--acharacterizationheneverdishonored,andanabbreviationthatheneveroutgrew.

Hewasjudge,arbitrator,referee,umpire,authority,inalldisputes,gamesandmatchesofman-flesh,horse-flesh,apacificatorinallquarrels;everybody'sfriend;thebest-natured,themostsensible,thebest-informed,themostmodestandunassuming,thekindest,gentlest,roughest,strongest,bestfellowinallNewSalemandtheregionroundabout.

"ABE'S"NAMEREMAINEDONTHESIGN.

EnduringfriendshipandloveofoldassociationswereprominentcharacteristicsofPresidentLincoln.WhenabouttoleaveSpringfieldforWashington,hewenttothedingylittlelawofficewhichhadshelteredhissaddesthours.

Hesatdownonthecouch,andsaidtohislawpartner,JudgeHerndon:

"Billy,youandIhavebeentogetherformorethantwentyyears,andhaveneverpassedaword.WillyouletmynamestayontheoldsignuntilIcomebackfromWashington?"

ThetearsstartedtoHerndon'seyes.Heputouthishand."Mr.Lincoln,"saidhe,"Ineverwillhaveanyotherpartnerwhileyoulive";andtothedayofassassination,allthedoingsofthefirmwereinthenameof"Lincoln&Herndon."

VERYHOMELYATFIRSTSIGHT.

EarlyinJanuary,1861,ColonelAlex.K.McClure,ofPhiladelphia,receivedatelegramfromPresident-electLincoln,askinghim(McClure)tovisithimatSpringfield,Illinois.ColonelMcCluredescribedhisdisappointmentatfirstsightofLincolninthesewords:

"IwentdirectlyfromthedepottoLincoln'shouseandrangthebell,whichwasansweredbyLincolnhimselfopeningthedoor.Idoubtwhetherawhollyconcealedmydisappointmentatmeetinghim.

"Tall,gaunt,ungainly,illclad,withahomelinessofmannerthatwasuniqueinitself,IconfessthatmyheartsankwithinmeasIrememberedthatthiswasthemanchosenbyagreatnationtobecomeitsrulerinthegravestperiodofitshistory.

"Irememberhisdressasifitwerebutyesterday--snuff-coloredandslouchypantaloons,openblackvest,heldbyafewbrassbuttons;straightoreveningdresscoat,withtightlyfittingsleevestoexaggeratehislong,bonyarms,andallsupplementedbyanawkwardnessthatwasuncommonamongmenofintelligence.



"SuchwasthepictureImetinthepersonofAbrahamLincoln.Wesatdowninhisplainlyfurnishedparlor,andwereuninterruptedduringthenearlyfourhoursthatIremainedwithhim,andlittlebylittle,ashisearnestness,sincerityandcandorweredevelopedinconversation,IforgotallthegrotesquequalitieswhichsoconfoundedmewhenIfirstgreetedhim."

THEMANTOTRUST.

"Ifamanishonestinhismind,"saidLincolnoneday,longbeforehebecamePresident,"youareprettysafeintrustinghim."

"WUZGOIN'TERBE'HITCHED."'

"Abe's"nephew--oroneofthem--relatedastoryinconnectionwithLincoln'sfirstlove(AnneRutledge),andhissubsequentmarriagetoMissMaryTodd.Thisnephewwasaplain,every-dayfarmer,andthoughteverythingofhisuncle,whosegreatnesshequitethoroughlyappreciated,althoughhedidnotposetoanyextremeastherelativeofaPresidentoftheUnitedStates.

Saidheoneday,intellinghisstory:

"Uschild'en,w'enweheerdUncle'Abe'wuza-goin'tobemarried,axedGran'maefUncle'Abe'neverhedhedagalafore,an'shesays,sezshe,'Well,"Abe"wuzneverahan'nohowtorun'roundvisitin'much,orgowiththegals,neither,buthedidfallinlovewithaAnneRutledge,wholivedoutnearSpringfield,an'aftershediedhe'dcomehomean'ev'rytimehe'dtalk'bouther,hecrieddreadful.Henevercouldtalkofhernohow'thouthe'djes'cryan'cry,likeayoungfeller.'

"Oncthetol'Gran'matheywuzgoin'terbehitched,theyhavin'promisedeachother,an'thetisallweeverheered'boutit.But,soitwuz,thatarterUncle'Abe'hedgotoverhismournin',hewuzmarriedterawomanw'ichhedliveddow

ninKentuck.

"Uncle'Abe'hisselftol'ushewuzmarriedthenex'timehecomeupterourplace,an'w'enweasthimwhyhedidn'tbringhiswifeuptoseeus,hesaid:'She'sverybusyandcan'tcome.'

"Butweknowedbetter'nthat.Hewuztooproudtobringherup,'causenothin'wouldsuither,nohow.Shewuzn'traisedthewaywewuz,an'wuzdifferentfromus,andweheerd,tu,shewuzasproudascudbe.

"No,an'heneverbroughtnoneuvthechild'en,neither.

"Butthen,Uncle'Abe,'hewuzn'ttoblame.Weneverthoughthewuzstuckup."

HEPROPOSEDTOSAVETHEUNION.

ReplyingtoaneditorialwrittenbyHoraceGreeley,thePresidentwrote:

"MyparamountobjectistosavetheUnion,andnoteithertosaveortodestroyslavery.



"IfIcouldsavetheUnionwithoutfreeinganyslave,Iwoulddoit.

"IfIcouldsaveitbyfreeingalltheslaves,Iwoulddoit;andifIcoulddoitbyfreeingsomeandleavingothersalone,Iwouldalsodothat.

"WhatIdoaboutslaveryandthecoloredrace,IdobecauseIbelieveithelpstosavethisUnion;andwhatIforbear,IforbearbecauseIdonotbelieveitwouldhelptosavetheUnion.

"IshalldolesswheneverIshallbelievewhatIamdoinghurtsthecause,andIshalldomorewheneverIbelievedoingmorewillhelpthecause."

THESAMEOLDRUM.

OneofPresidentLincoln'sfriends,visitingattheWhiteHouse,wasfindingconsiderablefaultwiththeconstantagitationinCongressoftheslaveryquestion.Heremarkedthat,aftertheadoptionoftheEmancipationpolicy,hehadhopedforsomethingnew.

"TherewasamandowninMaine,"saidthePresident,inreply,"whokeptagrocerystore,andalotoffellowsusedtoloafaroundfortheirtoddy.Heonlygave'emNewEnglandrum,andtheydrankprettyconsiderableofit.Butafterawhil

etheybegantogettiredofthat,andkeptaskingforsomethingnew--somethingnew--allthetime.Well,onenight,whenthewholecrowdwerearound,thegrocerbroughtouthisglasses,andsayshe,'I'vegotsomethingNewforyoutodrink,boys,now.'

"'Honorbright?'saidthey.

"'Honorbright,'sayshe,andwiththathesetsoutajug.'Thar'sayshe,'that'ssomethingnew;it'sNewEnglandrum!'sayshe.

"Now,"remarkedthePresident,inconclusion,"Iguesswe'reagooddeallikethatcrowd,andCongressisagooddeallikethatstore-keeper!"

SAVEDLINCOLN'SLIFE

WhenMr.Lincolnwasquiteasmallboyhemetwithanaccidentthatalmostcosthimhislife.HewassavedbyAustinGollaher,ayoungplaymate.Mr.Gollaherlivedtobemorethanninetyyearsofage,andtothedayofhisdeathrelatedwithgreatpridehisboyhoodassociationwithLincoln.

"Yes,"Mr.Gollaheroncesaid,"thestorythatIoncesavedAbrahamLincoln'slifeistrue.HeandIhadbeengoingtoschooltogetherforayearormore,andhadbecomegreatlyattachedtoeachother.Thenschooldisbandedonaccountoftherebeingsofewscholars,andwedidnotseeeachothermuchforalongwhile.

"OneSundaymymothervisitedtheLincolns,andIwastakenalong.'Abe'andIplayedaroundallday.Finally,weconcludedtocrossthecreektohuntforsomepartridgesyoungLincolnhadseenthedaybefore.Thecreekwasswollenbyarecentrain,and,incrossingonthenarrowfootlog,'Abe'fellin.Neitherofuscouldswim.Igotalongpoleandhelditoutto'Abe,'whograbbedit.ThenIpulledhimashore.

"Hewasalmostdead,andIwasbadlyscared.Irolledandpoundedhimingoodearnest.ThenIgothimbythearmsandshookhim,thewatermeanwhilepouringou



tofhismouth.BythismeansIsucceededinbringinghimto,andhewassoonallright.

"Thenanewdifficultyconfrontedus.Ifourmothersdiscoveredourwetclothestheywouldwhipus.Thiswedreadedfromexperience,anddeterminedtoavoid.ItwasJune,thesunwasverywarm,andwesoondriedourclothingbyspreadingitontherocksaboutus.Wepromisednevertotellthestory,andIneverdiduntilafterLincoln'stragicend."

WOULDNOTRECALLASINGLEWORD.

InconversationwithsomefriendsattheWhiteHouseonNewYear'sevening,1863,PresidentLincolnsaid,concerninghisEmancipationProclamation:

"Thesignaturelooksalittletremulous,formyhandwastired,butmyresolutionwasfirm.

"ItoldtheminSeptember,iftheydidnotreturntotheirallegiance,andceasemurderingoursoldiers,Iwouldstrikeatthispillaroftheirstrength.

"Andnowthepromiseshallbekept,andnotonewordofitwillIeverrecall."

OLDBROOMBESTAFTERALL.

DuringthetimetheenemiesofGeneralGrantweremakingtheirbitterestattacksuponhim,anddemandingthatthePresidentremovehimfromcommand,"FrankLeslie'sIllustratedNewspaper,"ofJune13,1863,cameoutwiththecartoonreproduced.Thetextprintedunderthepicturewastothefollowingeffect:

OLDABE:"Greeleybehanged!Iwantnomorenewbrooms.Ibegintothinkthattheworstthingaboutmyoldoneswasinnotbeinghandledright."

TheoldbroomthePresidentholdsinhisrighthandislabeled"Grant."Thelat

terhadcapturedFortDonelson,defeatedtheConfederatesatShiloh,Iuka,PortGibson,andotherplaces,andhadVicksburginhisirongrasp.WhenthedemandwasmadethatLincolndeposeGrant,thePresidentanswered,"Ican'tsparethisman;hefights!"Grantneverlostabattleandwhenhefoundtheenemyhealwaysfoughthim.McClellan,Burnside,PopeandHookerhadbeenfoundwanting,soLincolnpinnedhisfaithtoGrant.Asnotedinthecartoon,HoraceGreeley,editoroftheNewYorkTribune,ThurlowWeed,andotherswantedLincolntotrysomeothernewbrooms,butPresidentLincolnwasweariedwithdefeats,andwantedafewvictoriestooffsetthem.Therefore;hestoodbyGrant,whogavehimvictories.

GODWITHALITTLE"g."

AbrahamLincolnhishandandpenhewillbegoodbutgodKnowsWhen

TheselineswerefoundwritteninyoungLincoln'sownhandatthebottomofapagewhereonhehadbeenciphering.Lincolnalwayswroteaclear,regular"fist."InthisinstanceheevidentlydidnotappreciatethesacrednessofthenameoftheDeity,whenheusedalittle"g."

Lincolnoncesaidhedidnotrememberthetimewhenhecouldnotwrite.



"ABE'S"LOG.

ItwasthecustominSangamonforthe"menfolks"togatheratnoonandintheevening,whenresting,inaconvenientlanenearthemill.Theyhadrolledoutalongpeeledlog,onwhichtheyloungedwhiletheywhittledandtalked.

LincolnhadnotbeenlonginSangamonbeforehejoinedthiscircle.Atoncehebecameafavoritebyhisjokesandgood-humor.Assoonasheappearedattheassemblygroundthemenwouldstarthimtostory-telling.Soirresistiblydrollwerehis"yarns"thatwheneverhe'dendupinhisunexpectedwaytheboysonthelogwouldwhoopandrolloff.Theresultoftherollingoffwastopolishtheloglikeamirror.Themen,recognizingLincoln'spartinthispolishing,christenedtheirseat"Abe'slog."

LongafterLincolnhaddisappearedfromSangamon,"Abe'slog"remained,anduntilithadrottedawaypeoplepointeditout,andrepeatedthedrollstoriesofthestranger.

ITWASAFINEFIZZLE.

PresidentLincoln,incompanywithGeneralGrant,wasinspectingtheDutchGapCanalatCityPoint."Grant,doyouknowwhatthisremindsmeof?OutinSpringfield,Ill.,therewasablacksmithwho,nothavingmuchtodo,tookapieceofsoftironandattemptedtowelditintoanagriculturalimplement,butdiscoveredthattheironwouldnotholdout;thenheconcludeditwouldmakeaclawhammer;buthavingtoomuchiron,attemptedtomakeanax,butdecidedafterworkingawhilethattherewasnotenoughironleft.Finally,becomingdisgusted,hefilledtheforgefullofcoalandbroughttheirontoawhiteheat;thenwithhistongshelifteditfromthebedofcoals,andthrustingitintoatubofwaternearby,exclaimed:'Well,ifIcan'tmakeanythingelseofyou,Iwillmakeafizzle,anyhow.'""IwasafraidthatwasaboutwhatwehaddonewiththeDutchGapCanal,"saidGeneralGrant.

ATEETOTALER.

WhenLincolnwasintheBlackHawkWarascaptain,thevolunteersoldiersdrankinwithdelightthejestsandstoriesofthetallcaptain.Aesop'sFablesweregivenanewdress,andthetalesofthewildadventuresthathehadbroughtfromKentuckyandIndianaweremany,buthisinspirationwasneverstimulatedbyrecoursetothewhiskyjug.

Whenhisgratefulanddelightedauditorspressedthisonhimhehadonereply:"Thankyou,Ineverdrinkit."

NOTTO"OPENSHOP"THERE.

PresidentLincolnwaspassingdownPennsylvaniaavenueinWashingtononeday,whenamancamerunningafterhim,hailedhim,andthrustabundleofpapersinhishands.

Itangeredhimnotalittle,andhepitchedthepapersback,saying,"I'mnotgoingtoopenshophere."



"Imeantheincreasingdisregardforlawwhichpervadesthecountry,thedispositiontosubstitutethewildandfuriouspassionsinlieuofthesoberjudgmentofcourts,andtheworsethansavagemobsfortheexecutiveministersofjustice.

"Thisdispositionisawfullyfearfulinanycommunity,andthatitnowexistsinours,thoughgratingtoourfeelingstoadmitit,itwouldbeaviolationoftruthandaninsulttodeny.

"Accountsofoutragescommittedbymobsformtheevery-daynewsofthetimes.

"TheyhavepervadedthecountryfromNewEnglandtoLouisiana;theyareneitherpeculiartotheeternalsnowsoftheformer,northeburningsunofthelatter.

"Theyarenotthecreaturesofclimate,neitheraretheyconfinedtotheslave-holdingornon-slave-holdingStates.

"Aliketheyspringupamongthepleasure-huntingSouthernersandtheorder-lovingcitizensofthelandofsteadyhabits.

"Whatever,then,theircausemaybe,itiscommontothewholecountry.

"Manygreatandgoodmen,sufficientlyqualifiedforanytasktheymayundertak

e,mayeverbefound,whoseambitionwouldaspiretonothingbeyondaseatinCongress,agubernatorialorPresidentialchair;butsuchbelongnottothefamilyofthelion,orthetribeoftheeagle.

"What!ThinkyoutheseplaceswouldsatisfyanAlexander,aCaesar,oraNapoleon?Never!

"Toweringgeniusdisdainsabeatenpath.Itseeksregionshithertounexplored.

"Itseeksnodistinctioninaddingstorytostoryuponthemonumentsoffame,erectedtothememoryofothers.

"Itdeniesthatitisgloryenoughtoserveunderanychief.

"Itscornstotreadinthefootpathsofanypredecessor,howeverillustrious.

"Itthirstsandburnsfordistinction,and,ifpossible,itwillhaveit,whetherattheexpenseofemancipatingtheslavesorenslavingfreemen.

"Anotherreasonwhichoncewas,butwhichtothesameextentisnownomore,hasdonemuchinmaintainingourinstitutionsthusfar.

"ImeanthepowerfulinfluencewhichtheinterestingscenesoftheRevolutionhaduponthepassionsofthepeople,asdistinguishedfromtheirjudgment.

"Butthesehistoriesaregone.Theycanbereadnomoreforever.Theywereafo

rtressofstrength.

"Butwhattheinvadingfoemancouldneverdo,thesilentartilleryoftimehasdone,thelevellingofthewalls.

"Theywereaforestofgiantoaks,buttheall-resistinghurricanesweptoverthemandleftonlyhereandtherealonetrunk,despoiledofitsverdure,shornofitsfoliage,unshadingandunshaded,tomurmurinafewmoregentlebreezesandtocombatwithitsmutilatedlimbsafewmorerudestorms,thentosinkandbenomore.



"Theywerethepillarsofthetempleofliberty,andnowthattheyhavecrumbledaway,thattemplemustfall,unlesswe,thedescendants,supplytheplaceswithpillarshewnfromthesamesolidquarryofsoberreason.

"Passionhashelpedus,butcandosonomore.Itwillinfuturebeourenemy.

"Reason--cold,calculating,unimpassionedreason--mustfurnishallthematerialsforoursupportanddefense.

"Letthosematerialsbemoldedintogeneralintelligence,soundmorality,and,inparticular,areverencefortheConstitutionandthelaws;andthenourcountryshallcontinuetoimprove,andournation,reveringhisname,andpermittingnohostilefoottopassordesecratehisresting-place,shallbethefirsttohearthelasttrumpthatshallawakenourWashington.

"Upontheselettheproudfabricoffreedomrestastherockofitsbasis,andastrulyashasbeensaidoftheonlygreaterinstitution,'thegatesofhellshallnotprevailagainstit.'"

TOMCORWINS'SLATESTSTORY.

OneofMr.Lincoln'swarmfriendswasDr.RobertBoal,ofLacon,Illinois.TellingofavisithepaidtotheWhiteHousesoonafterMr.Lincoln'sinauguration,hesaid:"IfoundhimthesameLincolnasastrugglinglawyerandpoliticianthatIdidinWashingtonasPresidentoftheUnitedStates,yettherewasadignityandself-possessionabouthiminhishighofficialauthority.Ipaidhimasecondcallintheevening.Hehadthrownoffhisreservesomewhat,andwouldwalkupanddowntheroomwithhishandstohissidesandlaughatthejokehewastelling,oratonethatwastoldtohim.Irememberonestoryhetoldtomeonthisoccasion.

"TomCorwin,ofOhio,hadbeendowntoAlexandria,Va.,thatdayandhadcomebackandtoldLincolnastorywhichpleasedhimsomuchthathebrokeoutinaheartylaughandsaid:'ImusttellyouTomCorwin'slatest.Tommetanoldmanat

AlexandriawhoknewGeorgeWashington,andhetoldTomthatGeorgeWashingtonoftenswore.Now,Corwin'sfatherhadalwaysheldthefatherofourcountryupasafaultlesspersonandtoldhissontofollowinhisfootsteps.

"'"Well,"saidCorwin,"whenIheardthatGeorgeWashingtonwasaddictedtothevicesandinfirmitiesofman,IfeltsorelievedthatIjustshoutedforjoy."'"

"CATCH'EMANDCHEAT'EM."

ThelawyersonthecircuittraveledbyLincolngottogetheronenightandtried

himonthechargeofacceptingfeeswhichtendedtolowertheestablishedrates.Itwastheunderstoodrulethatalawyershouldacceptalltheclientcouldbeinducedtopay.Thetribunalwasknownas"TheOgmathorialCourt."

WardLamon,hislawpartneratthetime,tellsaboutit:

"Lincolnwasfoundguiltyandfinedforhisawfulcrimeagainstthepocketsofhisbrethrenofthebar.Thefinehepaidwithgreatgoodhumor,andthenkeptthecrowdoflawyersinuproariouslaughteruntilaftermidnight.



"Hepersistedinhisrevolt,however,declaringthatwithhisconsenthisfirmshouldneverduringitslife,orafteritsdissolution,deservethereputationenjoyedbythoseshininglightsoftheprofession,'Catch'emandCheat'em.'"

AJURYMAN'SSCORN.

Lincolnhadassistedintheprosecutionofamanwhohadrobbedhisneighbor'shenroosts.Jogginghomealongthehighwaywiththeforemanofthejurythathadconvictedthehenstealer,hewascomplimentedbyLincolnonthezealandabilityoftheprosecution,andremarked:"Why,whenthecountrywasyoung,andIwasstrongerthanIamnow,Ididn'tmindpackingoffasheepnowandagain,butstealinghens!"Thegoodman'sscorncouldnotfindwordstoexpresshisopinionofamanwhowouldstealhens.

HE"BROKE"TOWIN.

Alawyer,whowasastrangertoMr.Lincoln,onceexpressedtoGeneralLindertheopinionthatMr.Lincoln'spracticeoftellingstoriestothejurywasawasteoftime.

"Don'tlaythatflatteringunctiontoyoursoul,"Linderanswered;"LincolnislikeTansey'shorse,he'breakstowin.'"

WANTEDHERCHILDRENBACK.

Onthe3rdofJanuary,1863,"Harper'sWeekly"appearedwithacartoonrepresentingColumbiaindignantlydemandingofPresidentLincolnandSecretaryofWarStantonthattheyrestoretoherthoseofhersonskilledinbattle.Belowthepictureisthereadingmatter:

COLUMBIA:"Wherearemy15,000sons--murderedatFredericksburg?"

LINCOLN:"Thisremindsmeofalittlejoke--"

COLUMBIA:"GotellyourjokeatSpringfield!!"

ThebattleofFredericksburgwasfoughtonDecember13th,1862,betweenGeneralBurnside,commandingtheArmyofthePotomac,andGeneralLee'sforce.TheUniontroops,timeandagain,assaultedtheheightswheretheConfederateshadtakenposition,butweredrivenbackwithfrightfullosses.Theenemy,beingbehindbreastworks,sufferedcomparativelylittle.AtthebeginningofthefighttheConfederatelinewasbroken,buttheresultoftheengagementwasdisastroustotheUnioncause.Burnsidehadonethousandonehundredandfifty-twokilled,ninethousandonehundredandonewounded,andthreethousandtwohundredandthirty-f

ourmissing,atotalofthirteenthousandsevenhundredandseventy-one.GeneralLee'slosses,alltold,werenotmuchmorethanfivethousandmen.

BurnsidehadsucceededMcClellanincommandoftheArmyofthePotomac,mainly,itwassaid,throughtheinfluenceofSecretaryofWarStanton.Threemonthsbefore,McClellanhaddefeatedLeeatAntietam,thebloodiestbattleoftheWar,Lee'slossesfootingupmorethanthirteenthousandmen.AtFredericksburg,Burnsidehadaboutonehundredandtwentythousandmen;atAntietam,McClellanhadabouteightythousand.IthasbeenmaintainedthatBurnsideshouldnothavefoughtthisbattle,thechancesofsuccessbeingsofew.



SIXFEETFOURATSEVENTEEN.

"Abe's"schoolteacher,Crawford,endeavoredtoteachhispupilssomeofthemannersofthe"politesociety"ofIndiana--1823orso.Thiswasapartofhissystem:

Oneofthepupilswouldretire,andthencomeinasastranger,andanotherpupilwouldhavetointroducehimtoallthemembersoftheschoolnwhatwasconsidered"goodmanners."

As"Abe"worealinsey-woolseyshirt,buckskinbreecheswhichweretooshortandverytight,andlowshoes,andwastallandawkward,henodoubtcreatedconsiderablemerrimentwhenhisturncame.Hewasgrowingatafearfulrate;hewasfifteenyearsofage,andtwoyearslaterattainedhisfullheightofsixfeetfourinches.

HADRESPECTFORTHEEGGS.

Earlyin1831,"Abe"wasoneoftheguestsofhonorataboat-launching,heand

twoothershavingbuiltthecraft.Theaffairwasanotableone,peoplebeingpresentfromtheterritorysurrounding.AlargepartycamefromSpringfieldwithanamplesupplyofwhisky,togivetheboatanditsbuildersasend-off.Itwasasortofbipartisanmass-meeting,buttherewasoneprevailingspirit,thatbornofryeandcorn.Speechesweremadeinthebestoffeeling,someinfavorofAndrewJacksonandsomeinfavorofHenryClay.AbrahamLincoln,thecook,toldanumberoffunnystories,anditisrecordedthattheywerenotoftoorefinedacharactertosuitthetasteofhisaudience.Asleight-of-handperformerwaspresent,andamongothertricksperformed,hefriedsomeeggsinLincoln'shat.JudgeHerndonsays,asexplanatorytothedelayinpassingupthehatfortheexperiment,Lincolndrollyobserved:"Itwasoutofrespectfortheeggs,notcareformyhat."

HOWWASTHEMILKUPSET?

WilliamG.Greene,anold-timefriendofLincoln,wasastudentatIllinoisCollege,andonesummerbroughthomewithhim,onavacation,RichardYates(afterwardsGovernorofIllinois)andsomeotherboys,and,inordertoentertainthem,tookthemuptoseeLincoln.

Hefoundhiminhisusualpositionandathisusualoccupation--flatonhisback,onacellardoor,readinganewspaper.ThiswasthemannerinwhichaPresidentoftheUnitedStatesandaGovernorofIllinoisbecameacquaintedwitheachother.

GreenesaysLincolnrepeatedthewholeofBurns,andalargequantityofShakespearefortheentertainmentofthecollegeboys,and,inreturn,wasinvitedtodinewiththemonbreadandmilk.Howhemanagedtoupsethisbowlofmilkisnotamatterofhistory,butthefactisthathedidso,asisthefurtherfactthatGreene'smother,wholovedLincoln,triedtosmoothovertheaccidentandrelievetheyoungman'sembarrassment.



"PULLEDFODDER"FORABOOK.

Once"Abe"borrowedWeems'"LifeofWashington"fromJosephCrawford,aneighbor."Abe"devouredit;readitandre-readit,andwhenasleepputitbyhimbetweenthelogsofthewall.Onenightarainstormwetitthroughandruinedit.

"I'venomoney,"said"Abe,"whenreportingthedisastertoCrawford,"butI'llworkitout."

"Allright,"wasCrawford'sresponse;"youpullfodderforthreedays,an'thebookisyour'n."

"Abe"pulledthefodder,butheneverforgaveCrawfordforputtingsomuchworkuponhim.Heneverlostanopportunitytocrackajokeathisexpense,andthename"Blue-noseCrawford""Abe"appliedtohimstucktohimthroughouthislife.

PRAISESHISRIVALFOROFFICE.

WhenMr.LincolnwasacandidatefortheLegislature,itwasthepracticeatthatdateinIllinoisfortworivalcandidatestotraveloverthedistricttogether.Thecustomledtomuchgood-naturedraillerybetweenthem;andinsuchcontestsLincolnwasrarely,ifever,worsted.Hecouldeventurnthegenerosityofa

rivaltoaccountbyhiswhimsicaltreatment.

Ononeoccasion,saysMr.Weir,aformerresidentofSangamoncounty,hehaddrivenoutfromSpringfieldincompanywithapoliticalopponenttoengageinjointdebate.Thecarriage,itseems,belongedtohisopponent.Inaddressingthegatheringoffarmersthatmetthem,Lincolnwaslavishinpraiseofthegenerosityofhisfriend.

"Iamtoopoortoownacarriage,"hesaid,"butmyfriendhasgenerouslyinvitedmetoridewithhim.Iwantyoutovoteformeifyouwill;butifnotthenvoteformyopponent,forheisafineman."

Hisextravagantandpersistentpraiseofhisopponentappealedtothesenseof

humorinhisruralaudience,towhomhisinabilitytoownacarriagewasbynomeansadisqualification.

ONETHING"ABE"DIDN'TLOVE.

Lincolnadmittedthathewasnotparticularlyenergeticwhenitcametorealhardwork.

"Myfather,"saidheoneday,"taughtmehowtowork,butnottoloveit.Ineverdidliketowork,andIdon'tdenyit.I'dratherread,tellstories,crackjokes,talk,laugh--anythingbutwork."

THEMODESTYOFGENIUS.

Theopeningoftheyear1860foundMr.Lincoln'snamefreelymentionedinconnectionwiththeRepublicannominationforthePresidency.TobeclassedwithSeward,Chase,McLean,andothercelebrities,wasenoughtostimulateanyIllinoislawyer'spride;butinMr.Lincoln'scase,ifithadanysucheffect,hewasmostartfulinconcealingit.Nowandthen,someardentfriend,aneditor,forexamp



le,wouldrunhisnameuptothemasthead,butinallcaseshediscouragedtheattempt.

"Inregardtothematteryouspokeof,"heansweredonemanwhoproposedhisname,"Ibegyouwillnotgiveitafurthermention.Seriously,IdonotthinkIamfitforthePresidency."

WHYSHEMARRIEDHIM.

Therewasa"social"atLincoln'shouseinSpringfield,and"Abe"introducedhiswifetoWardLamon,hislawpartner.Lamontellsthestoryinthesewords:

"AfterintroducingmetoMrs.Lincoln,heleftusinconversation.IremarkedtoherthatherhusbandwasagreatfavoriteintheeasternpartoftheState,whereIhadbeenstopping.

"'Yes,'shereplied,'heisagreatfavoriteeverywhere.HeistobePresidentoftheUnitedStatessomeday;ifIhadnotthoughtsoIneverwouldhavemarriedhim,foryoucanseeheisnotpretty.

"'Butlookathim,doesn'thelookasifhewouldmakeamagnificentPresident?'"

NIAGARAFALLS.

(WrittenByAbrahamLincoln.)

ThefollowingarticleonNiagaraFalls,inMr.Lincoln'shandwriting,wasfoundamonghispapersafterhisdeath:

"NiagaraFalls!BywhatmysteriouspowerisitthatmillionsandmillionsaredrawnfromallpartsoftheworldtogazeuponNiagaraFalls?Thereisnomysteryaboutthethingitself.Everyeffectisjustasanyintelligentman,knowingth

ecauses,wouldanticipatewithoutseeingit.Ifthewatermovingonwardinagreatriverreachesapointwherethereisaperpendicularjogofahundredfeetindescentinthebottomoftheriver,itisplainthewaterwillhaveaviolentandcontinuousplungeatthatpoint.Itisalsoplain,thewater,thusplunging,willfoamandroar,andsendupamistcontinuously,inwhichlast,duringsunshine,therewillbeperpetualrainbows.ThemerephysicalofNiagaraFallsisonlythis.Yetthisisreallyaverysmallpartofthatworld'swonder.Itspowertoexcitereflectionandemotionisitsgreatcharm.Thegeologistwilldemonstratethattheplunge,orfall,wasonceatLakeOntario,andhaswornitswaybacktoitspresentposition;hewillascertainhowfastitiswearingnow,andsogetabasisfordetermininghowlongithasbeenwearingbackfromLakeOntario,andfinallydemonstratebyitthatthisworldisatleastfourteenthousandyearsold.Aphilosopherofaslightlydifferentturnwillsay,'NiagaraFallsiso

nlythelipofthebasinoutofwhichpoursallthesurpluswaterwhichrainsdownontwoorthreehundredthousandsquaremilesoftheearth'ssurface.'Hewillestimatewithapproximateaccuracythatfivehundredthousandtonsofwaterfallwiththeirfullweightadistanceofahundredfeeteachminute--thusexertingaforceequaltotheliftingofthesameweight,throughthesamespace,inthesametime.

"Butstillthereismore.Itcallsuptheindefinitepast.WhenColumbusfirstsoughtthiscontinent--whenChristsufferedonthecross--whenMosesledIsraelthroughtheRedSea--nay,evenwhenAdamfirstcamefromthehandofhisMaker;



then,asnow,Niagarawasroaringhere.TheeyesofthatspeciesofextinctgiantswhosebonesfillthemoundsofAmericahavegazedonNiagara,asoursdonow.Contemporarywiththefirstraceofmen,andolderthanthefirstman,Niagaraisstrongandfreshto-dayastenthousandyearsago.TheMammothandMastodon,solongdeadthatfragmentsoftheirmonstrousbonesalonetestifythattheyeverlived,havegazedonNiagara--inthatlong,longtimeneverstillforasinglemoment(neverdried),neverfroze,neverslept,neverrested."

MADEITHOTFORLINCOLN.

Aladyrelative,wholivedfortwoyearswiththeLincolns,saidthatMr.Lincolnwasinthehabitoflyingonthefloorwiththebackofachairforapillowwhenheread.

Oneevening,wheninthispositioninthehall,aknockwasheardatthefrontdoor,and,althoughinhisshirtsleeves,heansweredthecall.Twoladieswereatthedoor,whomheinvitedintotheparlor,notifyingtheminhisopen,familiarway,thathewould"trotthewomenfolksout."

Mrs.Lincoln,fromanadjoiningroom,witnessedtheladies'entrance,and,overhearingherhusband'sjocoseexpression,herindignationwassoinstantaneousshemadethesituationexceedinglyinterestingforhim,andhewasgladtoretreat

fromthehouse.Hedidnotreturntillverylateatnight,andthenslippedquietlyinatareardoor.

WOULDN'THOLDTITLEAGAINSTHIM.

DuringtherebelliontheAustrianMinistertotheUnitedStatesGovernmentintroducedtothePresidentacount,asubjectoftheAustriangovernment,whowasdesirousofobtainingapositionintheAmericanarmy.

BeingintroducedbytheaccreditedMinisterofAustriaherequirednofurtherrecommendationtosecuretheappointment;but,fearingthathisimportancemight

notbefullyappreciatedbytherepublicanPresident,thecountwasparticularinimpressingthefactuponhimthatheborethattitle,andthathisfamilywasancientandhighlyrespectable.

PresidentLincolnlistenedwithattention,untilthisunnecessarycommendationwasmentioned;then,withamerrytwinkleinhiseye,hetappedthearistocraticsprigofhereditarynobilityontheshoulderinthemostfatherlyway,asifthegentlemanhadmadeaconfessionofsomeunfortunatecircumstanceconnectedwithhislineage,forwhichhewasinnowayresponsible,andsaid:

"Nevermind,youshallbetreatedwithjustasmuchconsiderationforallthat.Iwillseetoitthatyourbearingatitleshan'thurtyou."

ONLYONELIFETOLIVE.

AyoungmanlivinginKentuckyhadbeenenticedintotherebelarmy.Afterafewmonthshebecamedisgusted,andmanagedtomakehiswaybackhome.Soonafterhisarrival,theUnionofficerincommandofthemilitarystationedinthetownhadhimarrestedasarebelspy,and,afteramilitarytrialhewascondemnedtobehanged.



PresidentLincolnwasseenbyoneofhisfriendsfromKentucky,whoexplainedhiserrandandaskedformercy."Oh,yes,Iunderstand;someonehasbeencrying,andworkeduponyourfeelings,andyouhavecomeheretoworkonmine."

Hisfriendthenwentmoreintodetail,andassuredhimofhisbeliefinthetruthofthestory.Aftersomedeliberation,Mr.Lincoln,evidentlyscarcelymorethanhalfconvinced,butstillpreferringtoerronthesideofmercy,replied:

"Ifamanhadmorethanonelife,Ithinkalittlehangingwouldnothurtthisone;butafterheisoncedeadwecannotbringhimback,nomatterhowsorrywemaybe;sotheboyshallbepardoned."

Andareprievewasgivenonthespot.

COULDN'TLOCATEHISBIRTHPLACE.

Whilethecelebratedartist,Hicks,wasengagedinpaintingMr.Lincoln'sportrait,justaftertheformer'sfirstnominationforthePresidency,heaskedthegreatstatesmanifhecouldpointouttheprecisespotwherehewasborn.

Lincolnthoughtthematteroverforadayortwo,andthengavetheartistthefollowingmemorandum:

"Springfield,Ill.,June14,1860

"IwasbornFebruary12,1809,inthenHardincounty,Kentucky,atapointwithinthenowcountyofLarue,amileoramileandahalffromwhereRodgen'smillnowis.Myparentsbeingdead,andmyownmemorynotserving,Iknownomeansofidentifyingthepreciselocality.ItwasonNolenCreek.

"A.LINCOLN."

"SAMBO"WAS"AFEARED."

InhismessagetoCongressinDecember,1864,justafterhisre-election,PresidentLincoln,inhismessageofDecember6th,lethimselfout,inplain,unmistakableterms,totheeffectthatthefreedmenshouldneverbeplacedinbondageagain."FrankLeslie'sIllustratedNewspaper"ofDecember24th,1864,printedthecartoonweherewithreproduce,thetextunderneathrunninginthisway:

UNCLEABE:"Sambo,youarenothandsome,anymorethanmyself,butastosendingyoubacktoyouroldmaster,I'mnotthemantodoit--and,what'smore,Iwon't."(VicePresident'smessage.)

Congress,attheprevioussitting,hadneglectedtopasstheresolutionfortheConstitutionalamendmentprohibitingslavery,but,onthe31stofJanuary,1865

,theresolutionwasfinallyadopted,andtheUnitedStatesConstitutionsoonhadthenewfeatureasoneofitsclauses,thenecessarynumberofStateLegislaturesapprovingit.PresidentLincolnregardedthepassageofthisresolutionbyCongressasmostimportant,astheamendment,inhismind,coveredwhateverdefectsarigidconstructionoftheConstitutionmightfindinhisEmancipationProclamation.

Afterthelatterwasissued,negroeswereallowedtoenlistintheArmy,andtheyfoughtwellandbravely.AftertheWar,inthereorganizationoftheRegularArmy,fourregimentsofcoloredmenwereprovidedfor--theNinthandTenthCaval



ryandtheTwenty-fourthandTwenty-fifthInfantry.Inthecartoon,Sambohasevidentlybeenasking"UncleAbe"astotheprobabilityorpossibilityofhisbeingagainenslaved.

WHENMONEYMIGHTBEUSED.

SomeLincolnenthusiastinKansas,withmuchmorepretensionsthanpower,wrotehiminMarch,1860proposingtofurnishaLincolndelegationfromthatStatetotheChicagoConvention,andsuggestingthatLincolnshouldpaythelegitimateexpensesoforganizing,electing,andtakingtotheconventionthepromisedLincolndelegates.

TothisLincolnrepliedthat"inthemain,theuseofmoneyiswrong,butforcertainobjectsinapoliticalcontesttheuseofsomeisbothrightandindispensable."Andheadded:"IfyoushallbeappointedadelegatetoChicago,Iwillfurnish$100tobeartheexpensesofthetrip."

HeheardnothingfurtherfromtheKansasmanuntilhesawanannouncementinthenewspapersthatKansashadelecteddelegatesandinstructedthemforSeward.

"ABE"WASNOBEAUTY.

Lincoln'smilitaryserviceintheBackHawkwarhadincreasedhispopularityatNewSalem,andhewasputupasacandidatefortheLegislature.

A.Y.Ellisdescribeshispersonalappearanceatthistimeasfollows:"Heworeamixedjeancoat,claw-hammerstyle,shortinthesleevesandbob-tailed;infact,itwassoshortinthetailthathecouldnotsitonit;flaxandtowlinenpantaloonsandastrawhat.Ithinkheworeavest,butdonotrememberhowitlooked;heworepot-metalboots."

"HE'SJUSTBEAUTIFUL."

Lincoln'sgreatloveforchildreneasilywontheirconfidence.

Alittlegirl,whohadbeentoldthatthePresidentwasveryhomely,wastakenbyherfathertoseethePresidentattheWhiteHouse.

Lincolntookheruponhiskneeandchattedwithherforamomentinhismerryway,whensheturnedtoherfatherandexclaimed:

"Oh,Pa!heisn'tuglyatall;he'sjustbeautiful!"

BIGENOUGHHOGFORHIM.

Toacuriosity-seekerwhodesiredapermittopassthelinestovisitthefieldofBullRun,afterthefirstbattle,Lincolnmadethefollowingreply:

"AmaninCortlandtcountyraisedaporkerofsuchunusualsizethatstrangerswentoutoftheirwaytoseeit.

"Oneofthemtheotherdaymettheoldgentlemanandinquiredabouttheanimal.



"'Wall,yes,'theoldfellowsaid,'I'vegotsuchacritter,mi'tybigun;butIguessI'llhavetochargeyouaboutashillin'forlookin'athim.'

"Thestrangerlookedattheoldmanforaminuteorso,pulledoutthedesiredcoin,handedittohimandstartedtogooff.'Holdon,'saidtheother,'don'tyouwanttoseethehog?'

"'No,'saidthestranger;'IhaveseenasbigahogasIwanttosee!'

"Andyouwillfindthatfactthecasewithyourself,ifyoushouldhappentoseeafewliverebelsthereaswellasdeadones."

"ABE"OFFERSASPEECHFORSOMETHINGTOEAT.

WhenLincoln'sspecialtrainfromSpringfieldtoWashingtonreachedtheIllinoisStateline,therewasastopfordinner.TherewassuchacrowdthatLincolncouldscarcelyreachthedining-room."Gentlemen,"saidhe,ashesurveyedthecrowd,"ifyouwillmakemealittlepath,sothatIcangetthroughandgetsomethingtoeat,IwillmakeyouaspeechwhenIgetback."

THEYUNDERSTOODEACHOTHER.

WhencomplaintsweremadetoPresidentLincolnbyvictimsofSecretaryofWarStanton'sharshness,rudeness,andrefusaltobeobliging--particularlyincaseswhereSecretaryStantonhadrefusedtohonorLincoln'spassesthroughthelines--thePresidentwouldoftenremarktothiseffect"Icannotalwaysbesurethatpermitsgivenbymeoughttobegranted.ThereisanunderstandingbetweenmyselfandStantonthatwhenIsendarequesttohimwhichcannotconsistentlybegranted,heistorefusetohonorit.Thishesometimesdoes."

FEWFENCERAILSLEFT.

"Therewon'tbeatarbarrelleftinIllinoisto-night,"saidSenatorStephenA.Douglas,inWashington,tohisSenatorialfriends,whoaskedhim,whenthenewsofthenominationofLincolnreachedthem,"WhoisthismanLincoln,anyhow?"

Douglaswasright.Notonlythetarbarrels,buthalfthefencesoftheStateofIllinoiswentupinthefireofrejoicing.

THE"GREATSNOW"OF1830-31.

InexplanationofLincoln'sgreatpopularity,D.W.Bartlett,inhis"LifeandSpeechesofAbrahamLincoln,"publishedin1860makesthisstatementof"Abe's"efficientservicetohisneighborsinthe"GreatSnow"of1830-31:

"Thedeepsnowwhichoccurredin1830-31wasoneofthechieftroublesenduredbytheearlysettlersofcentralandsouthernIllinois.Itsconsequenceslastedthroughseveralyears.Thepeoplewereill-preparedtomeetit,astheweatherhadbeenmildandpleasant--unprecedentedlysouptoChristmas--whenasnow-stormsetinwhichlastedtwodays,somethingneverbeforeknownevenamongthetraditionsoftheIndians,andneverapproachedintheweatherofanywintersince.



"ThepioneerswhocameintotheState(thenaterritory)in1800saytheaveragedepthofsnowwasnever,previousto1830,morethanknee-deeptoanordinaryman,whileitwasbreast-highallthatwinter.Itbecamecrustedover,soas,insomecases,tobearteams.Cattleandhorsesperished,thewinterwheatwaskilled,themeagerstockofprovisionsranout,andduringthethreemonths'continuanceofthesnow,iceandcontinuouscoldweatherthemostwealthysettlerscamenearstarving,whilesomeofthepooronesactuallydid.ItwasinthemidstofsuchscenesthatAbrahamLincolnattainedhismajority,andcommencedhiscareerofboldandmanlyindependence.....

"Communicationbetweenhouseandhousewasoftenentirelyobstructedforteams,sothattheyoungandstrongmenhadtodoallthetravelingonfoot;carryingfromoneneighborwhatofhisstorehecouldsparetoanother,andbringingbackinreturnsomethingofhisstoresorelyneeded.Menlivingfive,ten,twentyandthirtymilesapartwerecalled'neighbors'then.YoungLincolnwasalwaysreadytoperformtheseactsofhumanity,andwasforemostinthecounselsofthesettlerswhentheirtroublesseemedgatheringlikeathickcloudaboutthem."

CREDIT

ORPAIDDEBTORSDEBT.

AcertainrichmaninSpringfield,Illinois,suedapoorattorneyfor$2.50,andLincolnwasaskedtoprosecutethecase.Lincolnurgedthecreditortoletthematterdrop,adding,"Youcanmakenothingoutofhim,anditwillcostyouagooddealmorethanthedebttobringsuit."Thecreditorwasstilldeterminedtohavehisway,andthreatenedtoseeksomeotherattorney.Lincolnthensaid,"Well,ifyouaredeterminedthatsuitshouldbebrought,Iwillbringit;butmychargewillbe$10."

Themoneywaspaidhim,andperemptoryordersweregiventhatthesuitbebroughtthatday.Aftertheclient'sdepartureLincolnwentoutoftheoffice,returninginaboutanhourwithanamusedlookonhisface.

Askedwhatpleasedhim,hereplied,"Ibroughtsuitagainst----,andthenhuntedhimup,toldhimwhatIhaddone,handedhimhalfofthe$10,andwewentovertothesquire'soffice.Heconfessedjudgmentandpaidthebill."

Lincolnaddedthathedidn'tseeanyotherwaytomakethingssatisfactoryforhisclientaswellastheother.

HELPEDOUTTHESOLDIERS.

JudgeThomasB.Bryan,ofChicago,amemberoftheUnionDefenseCommitteeduringtheWar,relatedthefollowingconcerningtheoriginalcopyoftheEmancipati

onProclamation:

"IaskedMr.LincolnfortheoriginaldraftoftheProclamation,"saidJudgeBryan,"forthebenefitofourSanitaryFair,in1865.Hesentitandaccompanieditwithanoteinwhichhesaid:

"'Ihadintendedtokeepthispaper,butifitwillhelpthesoldiers,Igiveittoyou.'

"Thepaperwasputupatauctionandbrought$3,000.Thebuyerafterwardsoldi



tagaintofriendsofMr.Lincolnatagreatlyadvancedprice,anditwasplacedintheroomsoftheChicagoHistoricalSociety,whereitwasburnedinthegreatfireof1871."

EVERYFELLOWFORHIMSELF.

AnelegantlydressedyoungVirginianassuredLincolnthathehaddoneagreatdealofhardmanuallaborinhistime.Muchamusedatthissolemndeclaration,Lincolnsaid:

"Oh,yes;youVirginiansshedbarrelsofperspirationwhilestandingoffatadistanceandsuperintendingtheworkyourslavesdoforyou.Itisdifferentwithus.Hereitiseveryfellowforhimself,orhedoesn'tgetthere."

"BUTCHER-KNIFEBOYS"ATTHEPOLLS.

WhenyoungLincolnhadfullydemonstratedthathewasthechampionwrestlerinthecountrysurroundingNewSalem,themenof"degang"atClary'sGrove,whoseleader"Abe"haddowned,werehisswornpoliticalfriendsandallies.

Theirworkatthepollswasremarkablyeffective.Whenthe"Butcherknifeboys,"the"huge-pawedboys,"andthe"half-horse-half-alligatormen"declaredforacandidatethelatterwasneverdefeated.

NO"SECONDCOMING"FORSPRINGFIELD.

SoonaftertheopeningofCongressin1861,Mr.Shannon,fromCalifornia,madethecustomarycallattheWhiteHouse.Intheconversationthatensued,MrShannonsaid:"Mr.President,ImetanoldfriendofyoursinCalifornialastsummer,aMr.Campbell,whohadagooddealtosayofyourSpringfieldlife."

"Ah!"returnedMr.Lincoln,"Iamgladtohearofhim.Campbellusedtobeadryfellowinthosedays,"hecontinued."ForatimehewasSecretaryofState.Onedayduringthelegislativevacation,ameek,cadaverous-lookingman,withawhiteneck-cloth,introducedhimselftohimathisoffice,and,statingthathehadbeeninformedthatMr.C.hadthelettingofthehallofrepresentatives,hewishedtosecureit,ifpossible,foracourseoflectureshedesiredtodeliverinSpringfield.

"'MayIask,'saidtheSecretary,'whatistobethesubjectofyourlectures?'

"'Certainly,'wasthereply,withaverysolemnexpressionofcountenance.'ThecourseIwishtodeliverisontheSecondComingofourLord.'

"'Itisofnouse,'saidC.;'ifyouwilltakemyadvice,youwillnotwasteyourtimeinthiscity.Itismyprivateopinionthat,iftheLordhasbeeninSpringfieldonce,Hewillnevercomethesecondtime!'"

HOWHEWONAFRIEND.

J.S.Moulton,ofChicago,amasterinchanceryandinfluentialinpublicaffairs,lookeduponthecandidacyofMr.LincolnforPresidentassomethinginthen



atureofajoke.HedidnotratetheIllinoismaninthesameclasswiththegiantsoftheEast.InfacthehadexpressedhimselfasbynomeansfriendlytotheLincolncause.

StillhehadbeenagoodfriendtoLincolnandhadoftenmethimwhentheSpringfieldlawyercametoChicago.Mr.LincolnheardofMoulton'sattitude,butdidnotseeMoultonuntilaftertheelection,whenthePresident-electcametoChicagoandwastenderedareceptionatoneofthebighotels.

Moultonwentupinthelinetopayhisrespectstothenewly-electedchiefmagistrate,purelyasaformality,heexplainedtohiscompanions.AsMoultoncamealongthelineMr.LincolngraspedMoulton'shandwithhisright,andwithhislefttookthemasterofchancerybytheshoulderandpulledhimoutoftheline.

"Youdon'tbelonginthatline,Moulton,"saidMr.Lincoln."Youbelongherebyme."

EveryoneatthereceptionwasawitnesstothehonoringofMoulton.FromthathoureveryfacultythatMoultonpossessedwasattheserviceofthePresident.Alittleactofkindness,skillfullybestowed,hadwonhim;andhestayedontotheend.

NEVERSUEDACLIENT.

Ifaclientdidnotpay,Lincolndidnotbelieveinsuingforthefee.Whenafeewaspaidhimhiscustomwastodividethemoneyintotwoequalparts,putonepartintohispocket,andtheotherintoanenvelopelabeled"Herndon'sshare."

THELINCOLNHOUSEHOLDGOODS.

Itisrecordedthatwhen"Abe"wasborn,thehouseholdgoodsofhisfatherconsistedofafewcookingutensils,alittlebedding,somecarpentertools,andfourhundredgallonsofthefierceproductofthemountainstill.

RUNNINGTHEMACHINE.

Oneofthecartoon-postersissuedbytheDemocraticNationalCampaignCommitteeinthefallof1864isgivenhere.Ithadthelegend,"RunningtheMachine,"printedbeneath;the"machine"wasSecretaryChase's"GreenbackMill,"andthemillwasturningoutpapermoneybythemilliontosatisfythedemandsofgreedycontractors."UncleAbe"ispicturedasabouttotelloneofhisfunnystories,ofwhichthescene"reminds"him;SecretaryofWarStantonisreceivingamessagefromthefront,describingagreatvictory,inwhichoneprisonerandonegunweretaken;SecretaryofStateSewardishandinganordertoamessengerforthea

rrestofamanwhohadcalledhima"humbug,"thehabeascorpusbeingsuspendedthroughouttheUnionatthatperiod;SecretaryoftheNavyWelles--thelong-haired,long-beardedmanattheheadofthetable--isfiguringoutanavalproblem;atthesideofthetable,opposite"UncleAbe,"areseatedtwoGovernmentcontractors,shoutingfor"moregreenbacks,"andattheextremeleftisSecretaryoftheTreasuryFessenden(whosucceededChasewhenthelatterwasmadeChiefJusticeoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt),whocomplainsthathecannotsatisfythegreedofthecontractorsfor"moregreenbacks,"althoughheisgrindingawayatthemilldayandnight.



WAS"BOSS"WHENNECESSARY.

Lincolnwastheactualheadoftheadministration,andwheneverhechosetodosohecontrolledSecretaryofWarStantonaswellastheotherCabinetministers.

SecretaryStantonononeoccasionsaid:"Now,Mr.President,thosearethefactsandyoumustseethatyourordercannotbeexecuted."

Lincolnrepliedinasomewhatpositivetone:"Mr.Secretary,Ireckonyou'llhavetoexecutetheorder."

Stantonrepliedwithvigor:"Mr.President,Icannotdoit.Thisorderisanimproperone,andIcannotexecuteit."

LincolnfixedhiseyesuponStanton,and,inafirmvoiceandaccentthatclearlyshowedhisdetermination,said:"Mr.Secretary,itwillhavetobedone."

Itwasdone.

"RATHERSTARVETHANSWINDLE."

WardLamon,onceLincoln'slawpartner,relatesastorywhichplacesLincoln'shighsenseofhonorinaprominentlight.Inacertaincase,LincolnandLamonbeingretainedbyagentlemannamedScott,Lamonputthefeeat$250,andScottagreedtopayit.SaysLamon:

"Scottexpectedacontest,but,tohissurprise,thecasewastriedinsideoftwentyminutes;oursuccesswascomplete.Scottwassatisfied,andcheerfullypaidoverthemoneytomeinsidethebar,Lincolnlookingon.Scottthenwentout,andLincolnasked,'Whatdidyouchargethatman?'

"Itoldhim$250.Saidhe:'Lamon,thatisallwrong.Theservicewasnotworth

thatsum.Givehimbackatleasthalfofit.'

"Iprotestedthatthefeewasfixedinadvance;thatScottwasperfectlysatisfied,andhadsoexpressedhimself.'Thatmaybe,'retortedLincoln,withalookofdistressandofundisguiseddispleasure,'butIamnotsatisfied.Thisispositivelywrong.Go,callhimbackandreturnhalfthemoneyatleast,orIwillnotreceiveonecentofitformyshare.'

"Ididgo,andScottwasastonishedwhenIhandedbackhalfthefee.

"Thisconversationhadattractedtheattentionofthelawyersandthecourt.JudgeDavidDavis,thenonourcircuitbench(afterwardsAssociateJusticeontheUnitedStatesSupremebench),calledLincolntohim.TheJudgenevercouldwhisp

er,butinthisinstanceheprobablydidhisbest.Atallevents,inattemptingtowhispertoLincolnhetrumpetedhisrebukeinaboutthesewords,andinraspingtonesthatcouldbeheardalloverthecourt-room:'Lincoln,IhavebeenwatchingyouandLamon.Youareimpoverishingthisbarbyyourpicayunechargesoffees,andthelawyershavereasontocomplainofyou.YouarenowalmostaspoorasLazarus,andifyoudon'tmakepeoplepayyoumoreforyourservicesyouwilldieaspoorasJob'sturkey!'

"JudgeO.L.Davis,theleadinglawyerinthatpartoftheState,promptlyapplaudedthismaledictionfromthebench;butLincolnwasimmovable.



"'Thatmoney,'saidhe,'comesoutofthepocketofapoor,dementedgirl,andIwouldratherstarvethanswindleherinthismanner.'"

DON'TAIMTOOHIGH.

"Billy,don'tshoottoohigh--aimlower,andthecommonpeoplewillunderstandyou,"Lincolnoncesaidtoabrotherlawyer.

"Theyaretheonesyouwanttoreach--atleast,theyaretheonesyououghttoreach.

"Theeducatedandrefinedpeoplewillunderstandyou,anyway.Ifyouaimtoohigh,yourideawillgoovertheheadsofthemasses,andonlyhitthosewhoneednohitting."

NOTMUCHATRAIL-SPLITTING.

OnewhoafterwardbecameoneofLincoln'smostdevotedfriendsandadherentstellsthisstoryregardingthemannerinwhichLincolnreceivedhimwhentheymet

forthefirsttime:

"Afteracomicalsurveyofmyfashionabletoggery,--myswallow-tailcoat,whiteneck-cloth,andruffledshirt(anastonishingoutfitforayounglimbofthelawinthatsettlement),Lincolnsaid:

"'Goingtotryyourhandatthelaw,areyou?IshouldknowataglancethatyouwereaVirginian;butIdon'tthinkyouwouldsucceedatsplittingrails.Thatwasmyoccupationatyourage,andIdon'tthinkIhavetakenasmuchpleasureinanythingelsefromthatdaytothis.'"

GAVETHESOLDIERTHEPREFERENCE.

July27th,1863,LincolnwrotethePostmaster-General:

"Yesterdaylittleindorsementsofminewenttoyouintwocasesofpostmasterships,soughtforwidowswhosehusbandshavefalleninthebattlesofthiswar.

"Thesecases,occurringonthesameday,broughtmetoreflectmoreattentivelythanwhatIhadbeforedoneastowhatisfairlyduefromushereindispensingofpatronagetowardthemenwho,byfightingourbattles,bearthechiefburdenofsavingourcountry.

"Myconclusionisthat,otherclaimsandqualificationsbeingequal,theyhave

theright,andthisisespeciallyapplicabletothedisabledsoldierandthedeceasedsoldier'sfamily."

THEPRESIDENTWASNOTSCARED.

WhentoldhowuneasyallhadbeenathisgoingtoRichmond,Lincolnreplied:

"Why,ifanyoneelsehadbeenPresidentandhadgonetoRichmond,Iwouldhave



beenalarmed;butIwasnotscaredaboutmyselfabit."

JEFF.DAVIS'REPLYTOLINCOLN.

Onthe20thofJuly,1864,HoraceGreeleycrossedintoCanadatoconferwithrefugeerebelsatNiagara.HeborewithhimthispaperfromthePresident:

"ToWhomItMayConcern:Anypropositionwhichembracestherestorationofpeace,theintegrityofthewholeUnion,andtheabandonmentofslavery,andwhichcomesbyandwithanauthoritythatcancontrolthearmiesnowatwarwiththeUnitedStates,willbereceivedandconsideredbytheexecutivegovernmentoftheUnitedStates,andwillbemetbyliberaltermsandothersubstantialandcollateralpoints,andthebearerorbearersthereofshallhavesafeconductbothways."

TothisJeffersonDavisreplied:"Wearenotfightingforslavery;wearefightingforindependence."

LINCOLNWASaGENTLEMAN.

Lincolnwascompelledtocontendwiththeresultsoftheill-judgedzealofpoliticians,whoforcedaheadhisflatboatandrail-splittingrecord,withthehomelysurroundingsofhisearlierdays,andthus,obscuredforthetime,theotherfactthat,alwayshavingtheheart,hehadlongsinceacquiredthemannersofatruegentleman.

So,too,didhesufferfromEasterncensors,whodidnottakethosesurroundingsintoaccount,andallowednothingforhisoriginalityofcharacter.OneofthesecriticsheardatWashingtonthatMr.Lincoln,inspeakingatdifferenttimesofsomemoveorthing,said"ithadpeteredout;"thatsomeotherone'splan"wouldn'tgibe;"andbeingaskediftheWarandthecauseoftheUnionwerenotagreatcaretohim,replied:

"Yes,itisaheavyhogtohold."

ThefirsttwophrasesaresofamiliarhereintheWestthattheyneednoexplanation.Ofthelastandmorepioneeroneitmaybesaidthatithadaspecialforce,andwaspeculiarlyLincoln-likeinthewayappliedbyhim.

IntheearlytimesinIllinois,thosehavinghogs,didtheirownkilling,assistedbytheirneighbors.Strippedofitshair,oneheldthecarcassnearlyperpendicularintheair,headdown,whileothersputonepointofthegambrel-barthroughaslitinitshock,thenoverthestring-pole,andtheotherpointthroughtheotherhock,andsoswungtheanimalclearoftheground.Whileallthiswasbeingdone,ittookagoodmanto"holdthehog,"greasy,warmlymoist,andweighingsometwohundredpounds.Andoftenthosewiththegambrelprolongedthestr

ain,beingprovokinglyslow,inhopestomaketheholderdrophisburden.

ThislatterthoughtisagainexpressedwherePresidentLincoln,writingofthepeacewhichhehopedwould"comesoon,tostay;andsocomeastobeworththekeepinginallfuturetime,"addedthatwhiletherewould"besomeblackmenwhocanrememberthatwithsilenttongueandclenchedteethandsteadyeye,andwell-poisedbayonet,theyhavehelpedmankindontothisgreatconsummation,"hefearedtherewould"besomewhiteonesunabletoforgetthat,withmalignantheartanddeceitfultongue,theyhadstriventohinderit."



Hehadtwoseeminglyoppositeelementslittleunderstoodbystrangers,andwhichthoseinmoreintimaterelationswithhimfinddifficulttoexplain;anopen,boyishtonguewheninahappymood,andwiththisareserveofpower,aforceofthoughtthatimpresseditselfwithoutwordsonobserversinhispresence.Withthecaresofthenationonhismind,hebecamemoremeditative,andlostmuchofhislivelywaysremembered"backinIllinois."

HISPOORRELATIONS.

OneofthemostbeautifultraitsofMr.Lincoln'scharacterwashisconsiderateregardforthepoorandobscurerelativeshehadleft,ploddingalongintheirhumblewaysoflife.Whereveruponhiscircuithefoundthem,healwayswenttotheirdwellings,atewiththem,and,whenconvenient,madetheirhouseshishome.Heneverassumedintheirpresencetheslightestsuperioritytothem.Hegavethemmoneywhentheyneededitandhehadit.Countlesstimeshewasknowntoleavehiscompanionsatthevillagehotel,afterahardday'sworkinthecourt-room,andspendtheeveningwiththeseoldfriendsandcompanionsofhishumblerdays.Ononeoccasion,whenurgednottogo,hereplied,"Why,Aunt'sheartwouldbebrokenifIshouldleavetownwithoutcallinguponher;"yet,hewasobligedtowalkseveralmilestomakethecall.

DESERTER'SSINSWASHEDOUTINBLOOD.

ThiswasthereplymadebyLincolntoanapplicationforthepardonofasoldierwhohadshownhimselfbraveinwar,hadbeenseverelywounded,butafterwarddeserted:

"Didyousayhewasoncebadlywounded?

"Then,astheScripturessaythatinthesheddingofbloodistheremissionofsins,Iguesswe'llhavetolethimoffthistime."

SURECUREFORBOILS.

PresidentLincolnandPostmaster-GeneralBlairweretalkingofthewar.

"Blair,"saidthePresident,"didyoueverknowthatfrighthassometimesprovenacureforboils?""No,Mr.President,howisthat?""I'lltellyou.Notlongagowhenacolonel,withhiscavalry,wasatthefront,andtheRebsweremakingthingsratherlivelyforus,thecolonelwasorderedouttoareconnaissance.Hewastroubledatthetimewithabigboilwhereitmadehorsebackridingdecidedlyuncomfortable.Hefinallydismountedandorderedthetroopsforwardwithouthim.Soonhewasstartledbytherapidreportsofpistolsandthehelter-skelterapproachofhistroopsinfullretreatbeforeayellingrebelforce.Heforgot

everythingbuttheyells,sprangintohissaddle,andmadecapitaltimeoverthefencesandditchestillsafewithinthelines.Thepainfromhisboilwasgone,andtheboil,too,andthecolonelsworethattherewasnocureforboilssosureasfrightfromrebelyells."

PAYFOREVERYTHING.

WhenPresidentLincolnissuedamilitaryorder,itwasusuallyexpressive,ast



hefollowingshows:

"WarDepartment,Washington,July22,'62.

"First:OrderedthatmilitarycommanderswithintheStatesofVirginia,SouthCarolina,Georgia,Florida,Alabama,Mississippi,Louisiana,TexasandArkansas,inanorderlymanner,seizeanduseanyproperty,realorpersonal,whichmaybenecessaryorconvenientfortheirseveralcommands,forsupplies,orforothermilitarypurposes;andthatwhilepropertymaybeallstoredforpropermilitaryobjects,noneshallbedestroyedinwantonnessormalice.

"Second:ThatmilitaryandnavalcommandersshallemployaslaborerswithinandfromsaidStates,somanypersonsofAfricandescentascanbeadvantageouslyusedformilitaryornavalpurposes,givingthemreasonablewagesfortheirlabor.

"Third:ThatastobothpropertyandpersonsofAfricandescent,accountsshallbekeptsufficientlyaccurateandindetailtoshowquantitiesandamounts,andfromwhombothpropertyandsuchpersonsshallhavecome,asabasisuponwhichcompensationcanbemadeinpropercases;andtheseveraldepartmentsofthisGovernmentshallattendtoandperformtheirappropriatepartstowardstheexecutionoftheseorders.

"ByorderofthePresident."

BASHFULWITHLADIES.

JudgeDavidDavis,JusticeoftheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt,andUnitedStatesSenatorfromIllinois,wasoneofLincoln'smostintimatefriends.Hetoldthisstoryon"Abe":

"Lincolnwasverybashfulwheninthepresenceofladies.Irememberoncewewereinvitedtotaketeaatafriend'shouse,andwhileintheparlorIwascalledtothefrontgatetoseesomeone.

"WhenIreturned,Lincoln,whohadundertakentoentertaintheladies,wastwistingandsquirminginhischair,andasbashfulasaschoolboy."

SAWHUMORINEVERYTHING.

Therewasmuchthatwasirritatinganduncomfortableinthecircuit-ridingoftheIllinoiscourt,buttherewasmorewhichwasamusingtoatemperamentlikeLincoln's.Thefreedom,thelongdaysintheopenair,theunexpectediftrivialadventures,themeetingwithwayfarersandsettlers--allwasanentertainmenttohim.Hefoundhumorandhumaninterestontheroutewherehiscompanionssawnothingbutcommonplaces.

"Hesawtheludicrousinanassemblageoffowls,"saysH.C.Whitney,oneofhisfellow-itinerants,"inamanspadinghisgarden,inaclothes-linefullofclothes,inagroupofboys,inalotofpigsrootingatamilldoor,inamotherduckteachingherbroodtoswim--ineverythingandanything."

SPECIFICFORFOREIGN"RASH."



Itwasinthelatterpartof1863thatRussiaoffereditsfriendshiptotheUnitedStates,andsentastrongfleetofwarships,togetherwithmunitionsofwar,tothiscountrytobeusedinanywaythePresidentmightseefit.RussiawasnotfriendlytoEnglandandFrance,thesenationshavingdefeatedherintheCrimeaafewyearsbefore.AsGreatBritainandtheEmperoroftheFrenchwerecontinuallybotheringhim,PresidentLincolnusedRussia'skindlyfeelingandactionasameansofkeepingtheothertwopowersnamedinaneutralstateofmind.Underneaththecartoonweherereproduce,whichwaslabeled"DrawingThingstoaHead,"andappearedintheissueof"Harper'sWeekly,"ofNovember28,1863,wasthisDR.LINCOLN(tosmartboyoftheshop):"MildapplicationsofRussianSalveforourfriendsovertheway,andheavydoses--andplentyofitforourSouthernpatient!!"

SecretaryofStateSewardwasthe"smartboy"oftheshop,and"ourfriendovertheway"wereEnglandandFrance.ThelatterbotheredPresidentLincolnnomore,butitisafactthattheConfederateprivateerAlabamawasmannedalmostentirelybyBritishseamen;also,thatwhentheAlabamawassunkbytheKearsarge,inthesummerof1864,theConfederateseamenwerepickedupbyanEnglishvessel,takentoSouthhampton,andsetatliberty!

FAVOREDTHEOTHERSIDE.

Lincolnwascandoritselfwhenconductinghissideofacaseincourt.GeneralMasonBraymantellsthisstoryasanillustration:

"Itiswellunderstoodbytheprofessionthatlawyersdonotreadauthorsfavoringtheoppositeside.IonceheardMr.Lincoln,intheSupremeCourtofIllinois,readingfromareportedcasesomestrongpointsinfavorofhisargument.Readingalittletoofar,andbeforebecomingawareofit,plungedintoanauthorityagainsthimself.

"Pausingamoment,hedrewuphisshouldersinacomicalway,andhalflaughing,wenton,'There,there,mayitpleasethecourt,IreckonI'vescratchedupasnake.But,asI'minforit,IguessI'llreaditthrough.'

"Then,inhismostingeniousandmatchlessmanner,hewentonwithhisargument,andwonhiscase,convincingthecourtthatitwasnotmuchofasnakeafterall."

LINCOLNANDTHE"SHOW"

Lincolnwasfondofgoingallbyhimselftoanylittleshoworconcert.Hewouldoftenslipawayfromhisfellow-lawyersandspendtheentireeveningatalittlemagiclanternshowintendedforchildren.

AtravelingconcertcompanywasalwayssureofdrawingLincoln.AMrs.Hillis,

amemberofthe"NewhallFamily,"andagoodsinger,wastheonlywomanwhoeverseemedtoexhibitanylikingforhim--soLincolnsaid.Heattendedanegro-minstrelshowinChicago,once,whereheheardDixiesung.Itwasentirelynew,andpleasedhimgreatly.

"MIXING"AND"MINGLING."

AnEasternnewspaperwritertoldhowLincoln,afterhisfirstnomination,recei



vedcallers,themajorityofthemathislawoffice:

"Whiletalkingtotwoorthreegentlemenandstandingup,averyhardlookingcustomerrolledinandtumbledintotheonlyvacantchairandtheonelatelyoccupiedbyMr.Lincoln.Mr.Lincoln'skeeneyetookinthefact,butgavenoevidenceofthenotice.

"Turningaroundatlasthespoketotheoddspecimen,holdingouthishandatsuchadistancethatourfriendhadtovacatethechairifheacceptedtheprofferedshake.Mr.Lincolnquietlyresumedhischair.

"Itwasasmallmatter,yetonegivingproofmorepositivelythanalargereventofthatpeculiarwaythemanhasofminglingwithamixedcrowd."

TOOKPARTOFTHEBLAME.

AmongthelawyerswhotraveledthecircuitwithLincolnwasUsherF.Linder,whosedaughter,RoseLinderWilkinson,hasleftmanyLincolnreminiscences.

"OnecaseinwhichMr.Lincolnwasinterestedconcernedamemberofmyownfamily,"saidMrs.Wilkinson."Mybrother,Dan,intheheatofaquarrel,shotayoungmannamedBenBoyleandwasarrested.Myfatherwasseriouslyillwithinflam

matoryrheumatismatthetime,andcouldscarcelymovehandorfoot.HecertainlycouldnotdefendDan.Iwashissecretary,andIrememberitwasbutadayorsoaftertheshootingtilllettersofsympathybegantopourin.InthefirstbundlewhichIpickeduptherewasabigletter,thehandwritingonwhichIrecognizedasthatofMr.Lincoln.Theletterwasverysympathetic.

"'Iknowhowyoufeel,Linder,'itsaid.'Icanunderstandyourangerasafather,addedtoalltheothersentiments.Butmaywenotbeinameasuretoblame?Wehavetalkedaboutthedefenseofcriminalsbeforeourchildren;aboutoursuccessindefendingthem;havelefttheimpressionthatthegreaterthecrime,thegreaterthetriumphofsecuringanacquittal.Danknowsyoursuccessasacriminallawyer,andhedependsonyou,littleknowingthatofallcasesyouwouldbeofleastvalueinthis.'

"Heconcludedbyofferinghisservices,anofferwhichtouchedmyfathertotears.

"Mr.LincolntriedtohaveDanreleasedonbail,butBenBoyle'sfamilyandfriendsdeclaredthewoundedmanwoulddie,andfeelinghadgrownsobitterthatthejudgewouldnotgrantanybail.SothecasewaschangedtoMarshallcounty,butasBenfinallyrecovereditwasdismissed."

THOUGHTOFLEARNINGATRADE.

Lincolnatonetimethoughtseriouslyoflearningtheblacksmith'strade.Hewaswithoutmeans,andfelttheimmediatenecessityofundertakingsomebusinessthatwouldgivehimbread.Whileentertainingthisprojectaneventoccurredwhich,inhisundeterminedstateofmind,seemedtoopenawaytosuccessinanotherquarter.

ReubenRadford,keeperofasmallstoreinthevillageofNewSalem,hadincurredthedispleasureofthe"ClaryGroveBoys,"whoexercisedtheir"regulating"prerogativesbyirregularlybreakinghiswindows.WilliamG.Greene,afriendofyoungLincoln,ridingbyRadford'sstoresoonafterward,washailedbyhim,and



toldthatheintendedtosellout.Mr.Greenewentintothestore,andofferedhimatrandom$400forhisstock,whichofferwasimmediatelyaccepted.

Lincoln"happenedin"thenextday,andbeingfamiliarwiththevalueofthegoods,Mr.Greeneproposedtohimtotakeaninventoryofthestock,toseewhatsortofabargainhehadmade.Thishedid,anditwasfoundthatthegoodswereworth$600.

Lincolnthenmadeanofferof$125forhisbargain,withthepropositionthatheandamannamedBerry,ashispartner,takeoverGreene'snotesgiventoRadford.Mr.Greeneagreedtothearrangement,butRadforddeclinedit,exceptonconditionthatGreenewouldbetheirsecurity.Greeneatlastassented.

Lincolnwasnotafraidofthe"ClaryGroveBoys";onthecontrary,theyhadbeenhismostardentfriendssincethetimehethrashed"Jack"Armstrong,championbullyof"TheGrove"--buttheircustomwasnotheavy.

Thebusinesssoonbecameawreck;Greenehadtonotonlyassistinclosingitup,butpayRadford'snotesaswell.Lincolnafterwardsspokeofthesenotes,whichhefinallymadegoodtoGreene,as"theNationalDebt."

LINCOLNDEFENDSFIFTEENMRS.NATIONS.

WhenLincoln'ssympathieswereenlistedinanycause,heworkedlikeagianttowin.Atonetime(about1855)hewasinattendanceuponcourtatthelittletownofClinton,Ill.,andoneofthecasesonthedocketwaswherefifteenwomenfromaneighboringvillageweredefendants,theyhavingbeenindictedfortrespass.Theiroffense,asdulysetforthintheindictment,wasthatofswoopingdownupononeTanner,thekeeperofasalooninthevillage,andknockingintheheadsofhisbarrels.Lincolnwasnotemployedinthecase,butsatwatchingthetrialasitproceeded.

Indefendingtheladies,theirattorneyseemedtoevincealittlewantoftact,andthispromptedoneoftheformertoinviteMr.Lincolntoaddafewwordstothejury,ifhethoughthecouldaidtheircause.Hewastoogallanttorefuse,

andtheirattorneyhavingconsented,hemadeuseofthefollowingargument:

"InthiscaseIwouldchangetheorderofindictmentandhaveitreadTheStatevs.Mr.Whiskey,insteadofTheStatevs.TheLadies;andtouchingthesetherearethreelaws:thelawofself-protection;thelawoftheland,orstatutelaw;andthemorallaw,orlawofGod.

"Firstthelawofself-protectionisalawofnecessity,asevincedbyourforefathersincastingtheteaoverboardandassertingtheirrighttothepursuitoflife,libertyandhappiness:InthiscaseitistheonlydefensetheLadieshave,forTannerneitherfearedGodnorregardedman.

"Second,thelawoftheland,orstatutelaw,andTannerisrecreanttoboth.

"Third,themorallaw,orlawofGod,andthisisprobablyalawfortheviolationofwhichthejurycanfixnopunishment."

Lincolngavesomeofhisownobservationsontheruinouseffectsofwhiskeyinsociety,anddemandeditsearlysuppression.

Afterhehadconcluded,theCourt,withoutawaitingthereturnofthejury,dismissedtheladies,saying:



"Ladies,gohome.Iwillrequirenobondofyou,andifanyfineiseverwantedofyou,wewillletyouknow."

AVOIDEDEVENAPPEARANCEOFEVIL

FrankW.Tracy,PresidentoftheFirstNationalBankofSpringfield,tellsastoryillustrativeoftwotraitsinMr.Lincoln'scharacter.ShortlyaftertheNationalbankinglawwentintoeffecttheFirstNationalofSpringieldwaschartered,andMr.TracywrotetoMr.Lincoln,withwhomhewaswellacquaintedinabusinessway,andtenderedhimanopportunitytosubscribeforsomeofthestock.

InreplytothekindlyofferMr.Lincolnwrote,thankingMr.Tracy,butatthesametimedecliningtosubscribe.HesaidherecognizedthatstockinagoodNationalbankwouldbeagoodthingtohold,buthedidnotfeelthatheought,asPresident,profitfromalawwhichhadbeenpassedunderhisadministration.

"Heseemedtowishtoavoideventheappearanceofevil,"saidMr.Tracy,intellingoftheincident."Andsotheactprovedbothhisunvaryingprobityandhisunfailingpolicy."

WARDIDN'TADMITOFHOLIDAYS.

LincolnwrotealetteronOctober2d,1862,inwhichheobserved:

"Isincerelywishwarwasapleasanterandeasierbusinessthanitis,butitdoesnotadmitofholidays."

"NEUTRALITY."

OldJohnBullgothimselfintoapreciousfinescrapewhenhewentsofarasto"playdouble"withtheNorth,aswellastheSouth,duringthegreatAmericanC

ivilWar.InitsissueofNovember14th,1863,London"Punch"printedaratherclevercartoonillustratingthepredicamentBullhadcreatedforhimself.JohnisbeinglecturedbyMrs.NorthandMrs.South--bothgoodtalkersandeminentlyabletoholdtheirownineithersocialconversation,parliamentarydebateorpoliticalargument--buthebearsitwiththebestgracepossible.Thisisthewaythetextunderneaththepictureruns:

MRS.NORTH."HowabouttheAlabama,youwickedoldman?"MRS.SOUTH:"Where'smyrams?Takebackyourpreciousconsols--there!!""Punch"hadagooddealoffunwitholdJohnbeforeitwasthroughwithhim,but,astheConfederateprivateerAlabamawassentbeneaththewavesoftheoceanatCherbourgbytheKearsarge,andMrs.Southhadnoneedforanymorerams,Johngotoutofthedifficultywithoutpersonalinjury.Itwasatightsqueeze,though,forMrs.Northwasinafi

ghtinghumor,andpreparedtoscratchorpullhair.ThefactthattheprivateerAlabama,builtatanEnglishshipyardandmannedalmostentirelybyEnglishsailors,hadmanagedtodoabout$10,000,000worthofdamagetoUnitedStatescommerce,wasenoughtomakeanyoneangry.

DAYSOFGLADNESSPAST.

Afterthewarwaswellon,apatriotwomanoftheWesturgedPresidentLincoln



tomakehospitalsattheNorthwherethesickfromtheArmyoftheMississippicouldreviveinamorebracingair.Amongotherreasons,shesaid,feelingly:"Ifyougrantmypetition,youwillbegladaslongasyoulive."

Withalookofsadnessimpossibletodescribe,thePresidentsaid:

"Ishallneverbegladanymore."

WOULDN'TTAKETHEMONEY.

Lincolnalwaysregardedhimselfasthefriendandprotectorofunfortunateclients,andsuchhewouldneverpressforpayforhisservices.AclientnamedCogdalwasunfortunateinbusiness,andgaveanoteinsettlementoflegalfees.Soonafterwardhemetwithanaccidentbywhichhelostahand.MeetingLincolnsometimeafteronthestepsoftheState-House,thekindlawyeraskedhimhowhewasgettingalong.

"Badlyenough,"repliedCogdal;"Iambothbrokenupinbusinessandcrippled."Thenheadded,"Ihavebeenthinkingaboutthatnoteofyours."

Lincoln,whohadprobablyknownallaboutCogdal'stroubles,andhadpreparedhimselfforthemeeting,tookouthispocket-book,andsaying,withalaugh,"Wel

l,youneedn'tthinkanymoreaboutit,"handedhimthenote.

Cogdalprotesting,Lincolnsaid,"Evenifyouhadthemoney,Iwouldnottakeit,"andhurriedaway.

GRANTHELDONALLTHETIME.

(DispatchtoGeneralGrant,August17th,1864.)

"Ihaveseenyourdispatchexpressingyourunwillingnesstobreakyourholdwhereyouare.NeitheramIwilling.

"Holdonwithabulldoggrip."

CHEWEDTHECUDINSOLITUDE.

Asastudent(ifsuchatermcouldbeappliedtoLincoln),onewhodidnotknowhimmighthavecalledhimindolent.Hewouldpickupabookandrunrapidlyoverthepages,pausinghereandthere.

Attheendofanhour--nevermorethantwoorthreehours--hewouldclosethebook,stretchhimselfoutontheofficelounge,andthen,withhandsunderhishe

adandeyesshut,woulddigestthementalfoodhehadjusttaken.

"ABE'S"YANKEEINGENUITY.

WarGovernorRichardYates(hewaselectedGovernorofIllinoisin1860,whenLincolnwasfirstelectedPresident)toldagoodstoryatSpringfield(Ill.)aboutLincoln.



OnedaythelatterwasintheSangamonRiverwithhistrousersrolledupfivefeet--moreorless--tryingtopilotaflatboatoveramill-dam.Theboatwassofullofwaterthatitwashardtomanage.Lincolngottheprowover,andthen,insteadofwaitingtobailthewaterout,boredaholethroughtheprojectingpartandletitrunout,affordingaforcibleillustrationofthereadyingenuityofthefuturePresident.

LINCOLNPAIDHOMAGETOWASHINGTON.

TheMartyrPresidentthusspokeofWashingtoninthecourseofanaddress:

"Washingtonisthemightiestnameonearth--longsincethemightiestinthecauseofcivilliberty,stillmightiestinmoralreformation.

"Onthatnameaeulogyisexpected.Itcannotbe.

"ToaddbrightnesstothesunorglorytothenameofWashingtonisalikeimpossible.

"Letnoneattemptit.

"Insolemnawepronouncethename,and,initsnaked,deathlesssplendor,leave

itshiningon."

STIRREDEVENTHEREPORTERS.

Lincoln'sinfluenceuponhisaudienceswaswonderful.Hecouldswaypeopleatwill,andnothingbetterillustrateshisextraordinarypowerthanhemannerinwhichhestirredupthenewspaperreportersbyhisBloomingonspeech.

JosephMedill,editoroftheChicagoTribune,toldthestory:

"Itwasmyjournalisticduty,thoughadelegatetotheconvention,tomakea'l

onghand'reportofthespeechesdeliveredfortheTribune.IdidmakeafewparagraphsofwhatLincolnsaidinthefirsteightortenminutes,butIbecamesoabsorbedinhismagneticoratorythatIforgotmyselfandceasedtotakenotes,andjoinedwiththeconventionincheeringandstampingandclappingtotheendofhisspeech.

"IwellrememberthatafterLincolnsatdownandcalmhadsucceededthetempest,Iwakedoutofasortofhypnotictrance,andthenthoughtofmyreportforthepaper.Therewasnothingwrittenbutanabbreviatedintroduction.

"ItwassomesortofsatisfactiontofindthatIhadnotbeen'scooped,'asallthenewspapermenpresenthadbeenequallycarriedawaybytheexcitementcausedbythewonderfulorationandhadmadenoreportorsketchofthespeech."

WHEN"ABE"CAMEIN.

When"Abe"wasfourteenyearsofage,JohnHanksjourneyedfromKentuckytoIndianaandlivedwiththeLincolns.Hedescribed"Abe's"habitsthus:

"WhenLincolnandIreturnedtothehousefromwork,hewouldgotothecupboard,snatchapieceofcorn-bread,takedownabook,sitdownonachair,cockhis



legsupashighashishead,andread.

"HeandIworkedbarefooted,grubbedit,plowed,mowed,cradledtogether;plowedcorn,gatheredit,andshuckedcorn.'Abe'readconstantlywhenhehadanopportunity."

ETERNALFIDELITYTOTHECAUSEOFLIBERTY.

DuringtheHarrisonPresidentialcampaignof1840,Lincolnsaid,inaspeechatSpringfield,Illinois:

"Manyfreecountrieshavelosttheirliberty,andoursmaylosehers;butifsheshall,beitmyproudestplume,notthatIwaslasttodesert,butthatIneverdesertedher.

"IknowthatthegreatvolcanoatWashington,arousedanddirectedbytheevilspiritthatreignsthere,isbelchingforththelavaofpoliticalcorruptioninacurrentbroadanddeep,whichissweepingwithfrightfulvelocityoverthewholelengthandbreadthoftheland,biddingfairtoleaveunscathednogreenspotorlivingthing.

"Icannotdenythatallmaybesweptaway.Brokenbyit,I,too,maybe;bowto

itIneverwill.

"Thepossibilitythatwemayfailinthestruggleoughtnottodeterusfromthesupportofacausewhichwebelievetobejust.Itshallneverdeterme.

"IfeverIfeelthesoulwithinmeelevateandexpandtothosedimensionsnotwhollyunworthyofitsAlmightyArchitect,itiswhenIcontemplatethecauseofmycountry,desertedbyalltheworldbeside,andIstandingupboldlyalone,andhurlingdefianceathervictoriousoppressors.

"Here,withoutcontemplatingconsequences,beforeheaven,andinthefaceoftheworld,Isweareternalfidelitytothejustcause,asIdeemit,ofthelandofmylife,myliberty,andmylove;andwhothatthinkswithmewillnotfearles

slyadopttheoaththatItake?

"Letnonefalterwhothinksheisright,andwemaysucceed.

"Butif,afterall,weshallfail,beitso;wehavetheproudconsolationofsayingtoourconsciences,andtothedepartedshadeofourcountry'sfreedom,thatthecauseapprovedofourjudgment,and,adornedofourheartsindisaster,inchains,indeath,weneverfalteredindefending."

"ABE'S""DEFALCATIONS."

Lincolncouldnotrestforasinstantundertheconsciousnessthat,evenunwittingly,hehaddefraudedanybody.Ononeoccasion,whileclerkinginOffutt'sstore,atNewSalem,hesoldawomanalittlebaleofgoods,amounting,bythereckoning,to$2.20.Hereceivedthemoney,andthewomanwentaway.

Onaddingtheitemsofthebillagaintomakehimselfsureofcorrectness,hefoundthathehadtakensixandaquartercentstoomuch.

Itwasnight,and,closingandlockingthestore,hestartedoutonfoot,adistanceoftwoorthreemiles,forthehouseofhisdefraudedcustomer,and,deliv



eringtoherthesumwhosepossessionhadsomuchtroubledhim,wenthomesatisfied.

Onanotheroccasion,justashewasclosingthestoreforthenight,awomanenteredandaskedforhalfapoundoftea.Theteawasweighedoutandpaidfor,andthestorewasleftforthenight.

ThenextmorningLincoln,whenabouttobeginthedutiesoftheday,discoveredafour-ounceweightonthescales.Hesawatoncethathehadmadeamistake,and,shuttingthestore,hetookalongwalkbeforebreakfasttodelivertheremainderofthetea.

Theseareveryhumbleincidents,buttheyillustratetheman'sperfectconscientiousness--hissensitivehonesty--better,perhaps,thantheywouldiftheywereofgreatermoment.

HEWASN'TGUILELESS.

LeonardSwett,ofChicago,whosecounselsweredoubtlessamongthemostwelcometoLincoln,insummingupLincoln'scharacter,said:

"FromthecommencementofhislifetoitscloseIhavesometimesdoubtedwhethe

rheeveraskedanybody'sadviceaboutanything.Hewouldlistentoeverybody;hewouldheareverybody;butherarely,ifever,askedforopinions.

"AsapoliticianandasPresidenthearrivedatallhisconclusionsfromhisownreflections,andwhenhisconclusionswereonceformedheneverdoubtedbutwhattheywereright.

"Onegreatpublicmistakeofhis(Lincoln's)character,asgenerallyreceivedandacquiescedin,isthatheisconsideredbythepeopleofthiscountryasafrank,guileless,andunsophisticatedman.Thereneverwasagreatermistake.

"Beneathasmoothsurfaceofcandorandapparentdeclarationofallhisthoughtsandfeelingsheexercisedthemostexaltedtactandwisestdiscrimination.He

handledandmovedmenremotelyaswedopiecesuponachess-board.

"Heretainedthroughlifeallthefriendsheeverhad,andhemadethewrathofhisenemiestopraisehim.Thiswasnotbycunningorintrigueinthelowacceptationoftheterm,butbyfar-seeingreasonanddiscernment.Healwaystoldonlyenoughofhisplansandpurposestoinducethebeliefthathehadcommunicatedall;yethereservedenoughtohavecommunicatednothing."

SWEET,BUTMILDREVENGE.

WhentheUnitedStatesfoundthatawarwithBlackHawkcouldnotbedodged,Go

vernorReynolds,ofIllinois,issuedacallforvolunteers,andamongthecompaniesthatimmediatelyrespondedwasonefromMenardcounty,Illinois.ManyofthesevolunteerswerefromNewSalemandClary'sGrove,andLincoln,beingoutofbusiness,wasthefirsttoenlist.

Thecompanybeingfull,themenheldameetingatRichlandfortheelectionofofficers.Lincolnhadwonmanyhearts,andtheytoldhimthathemustbetheircaptain.Itwasanofficetowhichhedidnotaspire,andforwhichhefelthehadnospecialfitness;buthefinallyconsentedtobeacandidate.



Therewasbutoneothercandidate,aMr.Kirkpatrick,whowasoneofthemostinfluentialmenoftheregion.Previously,KirkpatrickhadbeenanemployerofLincoln,andwassooverbearinginhistreatmentoftheyoungmanthatthelatterlefthim.

Thesimplemodeofelectingacaptainadoptedbythecompanywasbyplacingthecandidatesapart,andtellingthementogoandstandwiththeonetheypreferred.Lincolnandhiscompetitortooktheirpositions,andthenthewordwasgiven.AtleastthreeoutofeveryfourwenttoLincolnatonce.

WhenitwasseenbythosewhohadarrangedthemselveswiththeothercandidatethatLincolnwasthechoiceofthemajorityofthecompany,theylefttheirplaces,onebyone,andcameovertothesuccessfulside,untilLincoln'sopponentinthefriendlystrifewasleftstandingalmostalone.

"Ifeltbadlytoseehimcutso,"saysawitnessofthescene.

Herewasanopportunityforrevenge.Thehumblelaborerwashisemployer'scaptain,buttheopportunitywasneverimproved.Mr.Lincolnfrequentlyconfessedthatnosubsequentsuccessofhislifehadgivenhimhalfthesatisfactionthatthiselectiondid.

DIDN'TTRUSTTHECOURT.

InoneofhismanystoriesofLincoln,hislawpartner,W.H.Herndon,toldthisasillustratingLincoln'sshrewdnessasalawyer:

"IwaswithLincolnonceandlistenedtoanoralargumentbyhiminwhichherehearsedanextendedhistoryofthelaw.Itwasacarefullypreparedandmasterlydiscourse,but,asIthought,entirelyuseless.Afterhewasthroughandwewerewalkinghome,Iaskedhimwhyhewentsofarbackinthehistoryofthelaw.Ipresumedthecourtknewenoughhistory.

"'That'swhereyou'remistaken,'washisinstantrejoinder.'Idarednotjustthecaseonthepresumptionthatthecourtknowseverything--infactIarguedit

onthepresumptionthatthecourtdidn'tknowanything,'astatement,which,whenonereviewsthedecisionofourappellatecourts,isnotsoextravagantasonewouldatfirstsuppose."

HANDSOMESTMANONEARTH.

OnedayThaddeusStevenscalledattheWhiteHousewithanelderlywoman,whosesonhadbeeninthearmy,butforsomeoffensehadbeencourt-martialedandsentencedtodeath.Thereweresomeextenuatingcircumstances,andafterafullhearingthePresidentturnedtoStevensandsaid:"Mr.Stevens,doyouthinkthisisacasewhichwillwarrantmyinterference?"

"Withmyknowledgeofthefactsandtheparties,"wasthereply,"Ishouldhavenohesitationingrantingapardon."

"Then,"returnedMr.Lincoln,"Iwillpardonhim,"andproceededforthwithtoexecutethepaper.

Thegratitudeofthemotherwastoodeepforexpression,savebyhertears,andnotawordwassaidbetweenherandStevensuntiltheywerehalfwaydownthestairsontheirpassageout,whenshesuddenlybrokeforthinanexcitedmannerw



iththewords:

"Iknewitwasacopperheadlie!"

"Whatdoyoureferto,madam?"askedStevens.

"Why,theytoldmehewasanugly-lookingman,"shereplied,withvehemence."HeisthehandsomestmanIeversawinmylife."

THATCOONCAMEDOWN.

"Lincoln'sLastWarning"wasthetitleofacartoonwhichappearedin"Harper'sWeekly,"onOctober11,1862.Underthepicturewasthetext:

"Nowifyoudon'tcomedownI'llcutthetreefromunderyou."

Thisillustrationwaspeculiarlyapt,as,onthe1stofJanuary,1863,PresidentLincolnissuedhisgreatEmancipationProclamation,declaringallslavesintheUnitedStatesforeverfree."OldAbe"wasahandymanwiththeaxe,hehavingsplitmanythousandsofrailswithitskeenedge.Asthe"SlaveryCoon"wouldn'theedthewarning,Lincolndidcutthetreefromunderhim,andsohecamedowntothegroundwithaheavythump.

ThisActofEmancipationputanendtothenotionoftheSouthernslaveholdersthatinvoluntaryservitudewasoneofthe"sacredinstitutions"ontheContinentofNorthAmerica.ItalsodemonstratedthatLincolnwasthoroughlyinearnestwhenhedeclaredthathewouldnotonlysavetheUnion,butthathemeantwhathesaidinthespeechwhereinheasserted,"ThisNationcannotexisthalfslaveandhalffree."

WROTE"PIECES"WHENVERYYOUNG.

Atfifteenyearsofage"Abe"wrote"pieces,"orcompositions,andevensomedo

ggerelrhyme,whichherecited,tothegreatamusementofhisplaymates.

Oneofhisfirstcompositionswasagainstcrueltytoanimals.Hewasverymuchannoyedandpainedattheconductoftheboys,whowereinthehabitofcatchingterrapinsandputtingcoalsoffireontheirbacks,whichthoroughlydisgustedAbraham.

"Hewouldchideus,"said"Nat"Grigsby,"tellusitwaswrong,andwouldwriteagainstit."

Wheneighteenyearsold,"Abe"wrotea"piece"on"NationalPolitics,"anditsopleasedalawyerfriend,namedPritchard,thatthelatterhaditprintedinanobscurepaper,therebyaddingmuchtotheauthor'spride."Abe"didnotconceal

hissatisfaction.Inthis"piece"hewrote,amongotherthings:

"TheAmericangovernmentisthebestformofgovernmentforanintelligentpeople.Itoughttobekeptsound,andpreservedforever,thatgeneraleducationshouldbefosteredandcarriedalloverthecountry;thattheConstitutionshouldbesaved,theUnionperpetuatedandthelawsrevered,respectedandenforced."

"TRYTOSTEERHERTHROUGH."



JohnA.LoganandafriendofIllinoiscalleduponLincolnatWillard'sHotel,Washington,February23d,themorningofhisarrival,andurgedavigorous,firmpolicy.

Patientlylistening,Lincolnrepliedseriouslybutcheerfully:

"Asthecountryhasplacedmeatthehelmoftheship,I'lltrytosteerherthrough."

GRAND,GLOOMYANDPECULIAR.

Lincolnwasamarkedandpeculiaryoungman.Peopletalkedabouthim.Hisstudioushabits,hisgreedforinformation,histhoroughmasteryofthedifficultiesofeverynewpositioninwhichhewasplaced,hisintelligenceonallmattersofpublicconcern,hisunwearyinggood-nature,hisskillintellingastory,hisgreatathleticpower,hisquaint,oddways,hisuncouthappearance--alltendedtobringhiminsharpcontrastwiththedullmediocritybywhichhewassurrounded.

DentonOffutt,hisoldemployer,said,afterhavinghadaconversationwithLincoln,thattheyoungman"hadtalentenoughinhimtomakeaPresident."

ONTHEWAYTOGETTYSBURG.

WhenLincolnwasonhiswaytotheNationalCemeteryatGettysburg,anoldgentlemantoldhimthathisonlysonfellonLittleRoundTopatGettysburg,andhewasgoingtolookatthespot.Mr.Lincolnreplied:"YouhavebeencalledontomakeaterriblesacrificefortheUnion,andavisittothatspot,Ifear,willopenyourwoundsafresh.

"But,oh,mydearsir,ifwehadreachedtheendofsuchsacrifices,andhadnothingleftforustodobuttoplacegarlandsonthegravesofthosewhohaveal

readyfallen,wecouldgivethanksevenamidstourtears;butwhenIthinkofthesacrificesoflifeyettobeoffered,andtheheartsandhomesyettobemadedesolatebeforethisdreadfulwarisover,myheartislikeleadwithinme,andIfeelattimeslikehidingindeepdarkness."Atoneofthestoppingplacesofthetrain,averybeautifulchild,havingabunchofrosebudsinherhand,waslifteduptoanopenwindowofthePresident'scar."FlowethforthePresident."ThePresidentsteppedtothewindow,tooktherosebuds,bentdownandkissedthechild,saying,"Youareasweetlittlerosebudyourself.Ihopeyourlifewillopenintoperpetualbeautyandgoodness."

STOODUPTHELONGEST.

Therewasaroughgallantryamongtheyoungpeople;andLincoln'soldcomradesandfriendsinIndianahaveleftmanytalesofhowhe"wenttoseethegirls,"ofhowhebroughtinthebiggestback-logandmadethebrightestfire;ofhowtheyoungpeople,sittingaroundit,watchingthewaythesparksflew,toldtheirfortunes.

Hehelpedpareapples,shellcornandcracknuts.Hetookthegirlstomeetingandtospellingschool,thoughhewasnotoftenallowedtotakepartinthespelling-match,fortheonewho"chosefirst"alwayschose"Abe"Lincoln,andthatw



asequivalenttowinning,astheothersknewthat"hewouldstandupthelongest."

AMORTIFYINGEXPERIENCE.

AladyreaderorelocutionistcametoSpringfieldin1857.Alargecrowdgreetedher.Amongotherthingssherecited"NothingtoWear,"apieceinwhichisdescribedtheperplexitiesthatbeset"MissFloraMcFlimsy"inhereffortstoappearfashionable.

Inthemidstofonestanzainwhichnoeffortismadetosayanythingparticularlyamusing,andduringthereadingofwhichtheaudiencemanifestedthemostrespectfulsilenceandattention,someoneintherearseatsburstoutwithaloud,coarselaugh,asuddenandexplosiveguffaw.

Itstartledthespeakerandaudience,andkindledastormofunsuppressedlaughterandapplause.Everybodylookedbacktoascertainthecauseofthedemonstration,andweregreatlysurprisedtofindthatitwasMr.Lincoln.

Heblushedandsquirmedwiththeawkwarddiffidenceofaschoolboy.Whatcausedhimtolaugh,noonewasabletoexplain.Hewasdoubtlesswrappedupinabrownstudy,andrecallingsomeamusingepisode,indulgedinlaughterwithoutrealiz

inghissurroundings.Theexperiencemortifiedhimgreatly.

NOHALFWAYBUSINESS.

SoonafterMr.LincolnbegantopracticelawatSpringfield,hewasengagedinacriminalcaseinwhichitwasthoughttherewaslittlechanceofsuccess.Throwingallhispowersintoit,hecameoffvictorious,andpromptlyreceivedforhisservicesfivehundreddollars.Alegalfriend,callinguponhimthenextmorning,foundhimsittingbeforeatable,uponwhichhismoneywasspreadout,countingitoverandover.

"Lookhere,Judge,"saidhe."SeewhataheapofmoneyI'vegotfromthiscase.Didyoueverseeanythinglikeit?Why,Ineverhadsomuchmoneyinmylifebefore,putitalltogether."Then,crossinghisarmsuponthetable,hismannersoberingdown,headded:"Ihavegotjustfivehundreddollars;ifitwereonlysevenhundredandfifty,Iwouldgodirectlyandpurchaseaquartersectionofland,andsettleituponmyoldstep-mother."

Hisfriendsaidthatifthedeficiencywasallheneeded,hewouldloanhimtheamount,takinghisnote,towhichMr.Lincolninstantlyacceded.

Hisfriendthensaid:

"Lincoln,Iwoulddojustwhatyouhaveindicated.Yourstep-motherisgetting

old,andwillnotprobablylivemanyyears.Iwouldsettlethepropertyuponherforheruseduringherlifetime,toreverttoyouuponherdeath."

Withmuchfeeling,Mr.Lincolnreplied:

"Ishalldonosuchthing.Itisapoorreturnatbestforallthegoodwoman'sdevotionandfidelitytome,andthereisnotgoingtobeanyhalfwaybusinessaboutit."Andsosaying,hegathereduphismoneyandproceededforthwithtocarryhislong-cherishedpurposeintoexecution.



DISCOURAGEDLITIGATION.

Lincolnbelievedinpreventingunnecessarylitigation,andcarriedoutthisinhispractice."Whowasyourguardian?"heaskedayoungmanwhocametohimtocomplainthatapartofthepropertylefthimhadbeenwithheld."EnochKingsbury,"repliedtheyoungman.

"IknowMr.Kingsbury,"saidLincoln,"andheisnotthemantohavecheatedyououtofacent,andIcan'ttakethecase,andadviseyoutodropthesubject."

Anditwasdropped.

GOINGHOMETOGETREADY.

EdwinM.Stantonwasoneoftheattorneysinthegreat"reaperpatent"caseheardinCincinnatiin1855,Lincolnalsohavingbeenretained.Thelatterwasratheranxioustodelivertheargumentonthegeneralpropositionsoflawapplicabletothecase,butitbeingdecidedtohaveMr.Stantondothis,theWesternermadenocomplaint.

SpeakingofStanton'sargumentandtheviewLincolntookofit,RalphEmerson,ayounglawyerwhowaspresentatthetrial,said:

"ThefinalsumminguponoursidewasbyMr.Stanton,andthoughhetookbutaboutthreehoursinitsdelivery,hehaddevotedasmany,ifnotmore,weekstoitspreparation.Itwasveryable,andMr.Lincolnwasthroughoutthewholeofitaraptlistener.Mr.Stantonclosedhisspeechinaflightofimpassionedeloquence.

"Thenthecourtadjournedfortheday,andMr.Lincolninvitedmetotakealongwalkwithhim.Forblockafterblockhewalkedrapidlyforward,notsayingaword,evidentlydeeplydejected.

"Atlastheturnedsuddenlytome,exclaiming,'Emerson,Iamgoinghome.'Apause.'Iamgoinghometostudylaw.'

"'Why,'Iexclaimed,'Mr.Lincoln,youstandattheheadofthebarinIllinoisnow!Whatareyoutalkingabout?'

"'Ah,yes,'hesaid,'Idooccupyagoodpositionthere,andIthinkthatIcangetalongwiththewaythingsaredonetherenow.Butthesecollege-trainedmen,whohavedevotedtheirwholelivestostudy,arecomingWest,don'tyousee?Andtheystudytheircasesasweneverdo.TheyhavegotasfarasCincinnatinow.TheywillsoonbeinIllinois.'

"Anotherlongpause;thenstoppingandturningtowardme,hiscountenancesudde

nlyassumingthatlookofstrongdeterminationwhichthosewhoknewhimbestsometimessawuponhisface,heexclaimed,'Iamgoinghometostudylaw!Iamasgoodasany,ofthem,andwhentheygetouttoIllinois,Iwillbereadyforthem.'"

"THE'RAIL-SPUTTER'REPAIRINGTHEUNION."

Thecartoongivenhereinfacsimilewasoneoftheposterswhichdecoratedthe



picturesquePresidentialcampaignof1864,andassistedinmakingtheperiodprevioustothevote-castingalivelyandmemorableone.Thisposterwasalithograph,and,asthetitle,"TheRail-SplitteratWorkRepairingtheUnion,"wouldindicate,thePresidentisusingtheVice-PresidentialcandidateontheRepublicanNationalticket(AndrewJohnson)asanaidinthework.Johnsonwas,inearlylife,atailor,andheispicturedasbusilyengagedinsewinguptherentsmadeinthemapoftheUnionbythesecessionists.

Bothmenarethoroughlyinearnest,and,ashistoryrelates,thetornplacesintheUnionmapwerestitchedtogethersonicelythatnoonecouldhavetold,bymereobservation,thatatearhadeverbeenmade.AndrewJohnson,whosucceededLincolnupontheassassinationofthelatter,wasaremarkableman.BorninNorthCarolina,heremovedtoTennesseewhenyoung,wasCongressman,Governor,andUnitedStatesSenator,beingmademilitaryGovernorofhisStatein1862.Astrong,stanchUnionman,hewasnominatedfortheVice-PresidencyontheLincolntickettoconciliatetheWarDemocrats.AfterservingouthistermasPresident,hewasagainelectedUnitedStatesSenatorfromTennessee,butdiedshortlyaftertakinghisseat.Buthewasjustthesortofamantoassist"UncleAbe"insewingupthetornplacesintheUnionmap,andasmilitaryGovernorofTennesseewasapowerfulfactorinwinningfriendsintheSouthtotheUnioncause.

"FINDOUTFORYOURSELVES."

"Severalofuslawyers,"remarkedoneofhiscolleagues,"intheeasternendofthecircuit,annoyedLincolnoncewhilehewasholdingcourtforDavisbyattemptingtodefendagainstanotetowhichthereweremanymakers.Wehadnolegal,butagoodmoraldefense,butwhatwewantedmostofallwastostaveitofftillthenexttermofcourtbyoneexpedientoranother.

"Webothered'thecourt'aboutittilllateonSaturday,thedayofadjournment.Headjournedforsupperwithnothingleftbutthiscasetodisposeof.Aftersupperheheardourtwaddlefornearlyanhour,andthenmadethisoddentry.

"'L.D.Chaddonvs.J.D.Beasleyetal.AprilTerm,1856.ChampaigncountyCourt.PleainabatementbyB.Z.Green,adefendantnotserved,filedSaturdayat

11o'clocka.m.,April24,1856,strickenfromthefilesbyorderofcourt.Demurrertodeclaration,ifthereeverwasone,overruled.Defendantswhoareservednow,at8o'clockp.m.,ofthelastdayoftheterm,asktopleadtothemerits,whichisdeniedbythecourtonthegroundthattheoffercomestoolate,andtherefore,asbynildicet,judgmentisrenderedforPl'ff.Clerkassessdamages.A.Lincoln,Judgeprotem.'

"Thelawyerwhoreadsthissingularentrywillappreciateitsoddityifnooneelsedoes.Aftermakingit,oneofthelawyers,onrecoveringfromhisastonishment,venturedtoenquire:'Well,Lincoln,howcanwegetthiscaseupagain?'

"Lincolneyedhimquizzicallyforamoment,andthenanswered,'Youhaveallbeensomightysmartaboutthiscase,youcanfindouthowtotakeitupagainyou

rselves."'

ROUGHONTHENEGRO.

Mr.Lincoln,oneday,wastalkingwiththeRev.Dr.SunderlandabouttheEmancipationProclamationandthefutureofthenegro.Suddenlyarippleofamusementbrokethesolemntoneofhisvoice."Asforthenegroes,Doctor,andwhatisgoingtobecomeofthem:ItoldBenWadetheotherday,thatitmademethinkofa



storyIreadinoneofmyfirstbooks,'Aesop'sFables.'Itwasanoldedition,andhadcuriousroughwoodcuts,oneofwhichshowedthreewhitemenscrubbinganegroinapotashkettlefilledwithcoldwater.Thetextexplainedthatthementhoughtthatbyscrubbingthenegrotheymightmakehimwhite.Justaboutthetimetheythoughttheyweresucceeding,hetookcoldanddied.Now,IamafraidthatbythetimewegetthroughthisWarthenegrowillcatchcoldanddie."

CHALLENGEDALLCOMERS.

PersonalencounterswereoffrequentoccurrenceinGentryvilleinearlydays,andtheprestigeofhavingthrashedanopponentgavethevictormarkedsocialdistinction.GreenB.Taylor,withwhom"Abe"workedthegreaterpartofonewinteronafarm,furnishedanaccountofthenotedfightbetweenJohnJohnston,"Abe's"stepbrother,andWilliamGrigsby,inwhichstirringdrama"Abe"himselfplayedanimportantrolebeforethecurtainwasrungdown.

Taylor'sfatherwasthesecondforJohnston,andWilliamWhittenofficiatedinasimilarcapacityforGrigsby."Theyhadaterriblefight,"relatedTaylor,"anditsoonbecameapparentthatGrigsbywastoomuchforLincoln'sman,Johnston.Aftertheyhadfoughtalongtimewithoutinterference,ithavingbeenagreednottobreakthering,'Abe'burstthrough,caughtGrigsby,threwhimoffandsomefeetaway.ThereGrigsbystood,proudasLucifer,and,swingingabottleofli

quoroverhishead,sworehewas'thebigbuckofthelick.'

"'Ifanyonedoubtsit,'heshouted,'hehasonlytocomeonandwhethishorns.'"

Ageneralengagementfollowedthischallenge,butattheendofhostilitiesthefieldwasclearedandthewoundedretiredamidtheexultantshoutsoftheirvictors.

"GOVERNMENTRESTSINPUBLICOPINION."

LincolndeliveredaspeechataRepublicanbanquetatChicago,December10th,1856,justafterthePresidentialcampaignofthatyear,inwhichhesaid:

"Ourgovernmentrestsinpublicopinion.Whoevercanchangepublicopinioncanchangethegovernmentpracticallyjustsomuch.

"Publicopinion,onanysubject,alwayshasa'centralidea,'fromwhichallitsminorthoughtsradiate.

"That'centralidea'inourpoliticalpublicopinionatthebeginningwas,anduntilrecentlyhascontinuedtobe,'theequalityofman.'

"Andalthoughithasalwayssubmittedpatientlytowhateverofinequalitythere

seemedtobeasamatterofactualnecessity,itsconstantworkinghasbeenasteadyprogresstowardthepracticalequalityofallmen.

"Leteveryonewhoreallybelieves,andisresolved,thatfreesocietyisnotandshallnotbeafailure,andwhocanconscientiouslydeclarethatinthepastcontesthehasdoneonlywhathethoughtbest--leteverysuchonehavecharitytobelievethateveryotheronecansayasmuch.

"Thus,letbygonesbebygones;letpartydifferencesasnothingbe,andwithsteadyeyeontherealissue,letusreinauguratethegoodold'centralideas'of



theRepublic.

"Wecandoit.Thehumanheartiswithus;Godiswithus.

"Weshallneverbeabletodeclarethat'allStatesasStatesareequal,'noryetthat'allcitizensareequal,'buttorenewthebroader,betterdeclaration,includingboththeseandmuchmore,that'allmenarecreatedequal.'"

HURRYMIGHTMAKETROUBLE.

UptotheverylastmomentofthelifeoftheConfederacy,theLondon"Punch"haditsflingattheUnitedStates.Inacartoon,printedFebruary18th,1865,labeled"TheThreateningNotice,""Punch"intimatesthatUncleSamisinsomewhatofahurrytoservenoticeonJohnBullregardingthecontentionsinconnectionwiththenorthernborderoftheUnitedStates.

Lincoln,however,asattorneyforhisreveredUncle,advisescaution.Accordingly,hetellshisUncle,accordingtothetextunderthepicture:

ATTORNEYLINCOLN:"Now,UncleSam,you'reinadarnedhurrytoservethisherenoticeonJohnBull.Now,it'smyduty,asyourattorney,totellyouthatyoumaydrivehimtogoovertothatcuss,Davis."(UncleSamconsiders.)Inthisins

tance,PresidentLincolnisgivencreditforjudgmentandcommonsense,hisadvicetohisUncleSamtobeprudentbeingsound.TherewastroubleallalongtheCanadianborderduringtheWar,whileCanadawastherefugeofNorthernconspiratorsandSouthernspies,who,attimes,crossedthelineandinflictedgreatdamageupontheStatesborderingonit.Theplottoseizethegreatlakecities--Chicago,Milwaukee,Detroit,Cleveland,Buffaloandothers--wasfiguredoutinCanadabytheSouthernersandNorthernallies.PresidentLincoln,inhismessagetoCongressinDecember,1864,saidtheUnitedStateshadgivennoticetoEnglandthat,attheendofsixmonths,thiscountrywould,ifnecessary,increaseitsnavalarmamentuponthelakes.WhatGreatBritainfearedwastheabrogationbytheUnitedStatesofalltreatiesregardingCanada.Bypreviousstipulation,theUnitedStatesandEnglandwereeachtohavebutonewarvesselontheGreatLakes.

SAWHIMSELFDEAD.

ThisstorycannotberepeatedinLincoln'sownlanguage,althoughhetolditoftenenoughtointimatefriends;but,asitwasnevertakendownbyastenographerinthemartyredPresident'sexactwords,thereadermustacceptasimplenarrationofthestrangeoccurrence.

ItwasnotlongafterthefirstnominationofLincolnforthePresidency,whenhesaw,orimaginedhesaw,thestartlingapparition.Oneday,feelingweary,hethrewhimselfuponaloungeinoneoftheroomsofhishouseatSpringfieldtorest.Oppositetheloungeuponwhichhewaslyingwasalarge,longmirror,and

hecouldeasilyseethereflectionofhisform,fulllength.

Suddenlyhesaw,orimaginedhesaw,twoLincolnsinthemirror,eachlyingfulllengthuponthelounge,buttheydifferedstrangelyinappearance.OnewasthenaturalLincoln,fulloflife,vigor,energyandstrength;theotherwasadeadLincoln,thefacewhiteasmarble,thelimbsnervelessandlifeless,thebodyinertandstill.

Lincolnwassoimpressedwiththisvision,whichheconsideredmerelyanopticalillusion,thathearose,putonhishat,andwentoutforawalk.Returningto



thehouse,hedeterminedtotestthematteragain--andtheresultwasthesameasbefore.HedistinctlysawthetwoLincolns--onelivingandtheotherdead.

Hesaidnothingtohiswifeaboutthis,shebeing,atthattime,inanervouscondition,andapprehensivethatsomeaccidentwouldsurelybefallherhusband.Shewasparticularlyfearfulthathemightbethevictimofanassassin.Lincolnalwaysmadelightofherfears,butyethewasnevereasyinhismindafterwards.

Tomorethoroughlytesttheso-called"opticalillusion,"andprove,beyondtheshadowofadoubt,whetheritwasamerefancifulcreationofthebrainorareflectionuponthebroadfaceofthemirrorwhichmightbeseenatanytime,Lincolnmadefrequentexperiments.Eachandeverytimetheresultwasthesame.HecouldnotgetawayfromthetwoLincolns--onelivingandtheotherdead.

LincolnneversawthisforbiddingreflectionwhileintheWhiteHouse.Timeaftertimeheplacedacouchinfrontofamirroratadistancefromtheglasswherehecouldviewhisentirelengthwhilelyingdown,butthelooking-glassintheExecutiveMansionwasfaithfultoitstrust,andonlythelivingLincolnwasobservable.

ThelateWardLamon,oncealawpartnerofLincoln,andMarshaloftheDistrictofColumbiaduringhisfirstadministration,tells,inhis"RecollectionsofAbrahamLincoln,"ofthedreamsthePresidenthad--allforetellingdeath.

LamonwasLincoln'smostintimatefriend,being,practically,hisbodyguard,andsleptintheWhiteHouse.InreferencetoLincoln's"deathdreams,"hesays:

"How,itmaybeasked,couldhemakelifetolerable,burdenedashewaswiththatportentoushorror,which,thoughvisionary,andoftriflingimportinoureyes,wasbyhisinterpretationapremonitionofimpendingdoom?Ianswerinaword:Hissenseofdutytohiscountry;hisbeliefthat'theinevitable'isright;andhisinnateandirrepressiblehumor.

"ButthemoststartlingincidentinthelifeofMr.Lincolnwasadreamhehadonlyafewdaysbeforehisassassination.Tohimitwasathingofdeadlyimport,andcertainlynovisionwaseverfashionedmoreexactlylikeadreadreality.

Coupledwithotherdreams,withthemirror-sceneandwithotherincidents,therewassomethingaboutitsoamazinglyreal,sotruetotheactualtragedywhichoccurredsoonafter,thatmorethanmortalstrengthandwisdomwouldhavebeenrequiredtoletitpasswithoutashudderorapang.

"Afterworryingoveritforsomedays,Mr.Lincolnseemednolongerabletokeepthesecret.IgiveitasnearlyinhisownwordsasIcan,fromnoteswhichImadeimmediatelyafteritsrecital.Therewereonlytwoorthreepersonspresent.

"ThePresidentwasinamelancholy,meditativemood,andhadbeensilentforsometime.Mrs.Lincoln,whowaspresent,ralliedhimonhissolemnvisageandwantofspirit.Thisseemedtoarousehim,and,withoutseemingtonoticehersally

,hesaid,inslowandmeasuredtones:

"'ItseemsstrangehowmuchthereisintheBibleaboutdreams.Thereare,Ithink,somesixteenchaptersintheOldTestamentandfourorfiveintheNew,inwhichdreamsarementioned;andtherearemanyotherpassagesscatteredthroughoutthebookwhichrefertovisions.Intheolddays,GodandHisangelscametomenintheirsleepandmadethemselvesknownindreams.'

"Mrs.Lincolnhereremarked,'Why,youlookdreadfullysolemn;doyoubelieveindreams?'



"'Ican'tsaythatIdo,'returnedMr.Lincoln;'butIhadonetheothernightwhichhashauntedmeeversince.Afteritoccurredthefirsttime,IopenedtheBible,and,strangeasitmayappear,itwasatthetwenty-eighthchapterofGenesis,whichrelatesthewonderfuldreamJacobhad.Iturnedtootherpassages,andseemedtoencounteradreamoravisionwhereverIlooked.Ikeptonturningtheleavesoftheoldbook,andeverywheremyeyesfelluponpassagesrecordingmattersstrangelyinkeepingwithmyownthoughts--supernaturalvisitations,dreams,visions,etc.'

"HenowlookedsoseriousanddisturbedthatMrs.Lincolnexclaimed'Youfrightenme!Whatisthematter?'

"'Iamafraid,'saidMr.Lincoln,observingtheeffecthiswordshaduponhiswife,'thatIhavedonewrongtomentionthesubjectatall;butsomehowthethinghasgotpossessionofme,and,likeBanquo'sghost,itwillnotdown.'

"ThisonlyinflamedMrs.Lincoln'scuriositythemore,andwhilebravelydisclaiminganybeliefindreams,shestronglyurgedhimtotellthedreamwhichseemedtohavesuchaholduponhim,beingsecondedinthisbyanotherlistener.Mr.Lincolnhesitated,butatlengthcommencedverydeliberately,hisbrowovercastwithashadeofmelancholy.

"'Abouttendaysago,'saidhe,'Iretiredverylate.Ihadbeenupwaitingfor

importantdispatchesfromthefront.IcouldnothavebeenlonginbedwhenIfellintoaslumber,forIwasweary.Isoonbegantodream.Thereseemedtobeadeathlikestillnessaboutme.ThenIheardsubduedsobs,asifanumberofpeoplewereweeping.

"'IthoughtIleftmybedandwandereddown-stairs.Therethesilencewasbrokenbythesamepitifulsobbing,butthemournerswereinvisible.Iwentfromroomtoroom;nolivingpersonwasinsight,butthesamemournfulsoundsofdistressmetmeasIpassedalong.Itwaslightinalltherooms;everyobjectwasfamiliartome;butwherewereallthepeoplewhoweregrievingasiftheirheartswouldbreak?Iwaspuzzledandalarmed.Whatcouldbethemeaningofallthis?

"'Determinedtofindthecauseofastateofthingssomysteriousandsoshocki

ng,IkeptonuntilIarrivedattheEastRoom,whichIentered.ThereImetwithasickeningsurprise.Beforemewasacatafalque,onwhichrestedacorpsewrappedinfuneralvestments.Arounditwerestationedsoldierswhowereactingasguards;andtherewasathrongofpeople,somegazingmournfullyuponthecorpse,whosefacewascovered,othersweepingpitifully.

"'"WhoisdeadintheWhiteHouse?"Idemandedofoneofthesoldiers.

"'"ThePresident,"washisanswer;"hewaskilledbyanassassin."

"'Thencamealoudburstofgrieffromthecrowd,whichawokemefrommydream.Isleptnomorethatnight;andalthoughitwasonlyadream,Ihavebeenstrangelyannoyedbyiteversince.'

"'Thatishorrid!'saidMrs.Lincoln.'Iwishyouhadnottoldit.IamgladIdon'tbelieveindreams,orIshouldbeinterrorfromthistimeforth.'

"'Well,'respondedMr.Lincoln,thoughtfully,'itisonlyadream,Mary.Letussaynomoreaboutit,andtrytoforgetit.'

"Thisdreamwassohorrible,soreal,andsoinkeepingwithotherdreamsandthreateningpresentimentsofhis,thatMr.Lincolnwasprofoundlydisturbedbyit.Duringitsrecitalhewasgrave,gloomy,andattimesvisiblypale,butperfec



tlycalm.Hespokeslowly,withmeasuredaccentsanddeepfeeling.

"Inconversationswithme,hereferredtoitafterwards,closingonewiththisquotationfrom'Hamlet':'Tosleep;perchancetodream!ay,there'stherub!'withastrongaccentuponthelastthreewords.

"OncethePresidentalludedtothisterribledreamwithsomeshowofplayfulhumor.'Hill,'saidhe,'yourapprehensionofharmtomefromsomehiddenenemyisdownrightfoolishness.Foralongtimeyouhavebeentryingtokeepsomebody-theLordknowswho--fromkillingme.

"'Don'tyouseehowitwillturnout?Inthisdreamitwasnotme,butsomeotherfellow,thatwaskilled.Itseemsthatthisghostlyassassintriedhishandonsomeoneelse.AndthisremindsmeofanoldfarmerinIllinoiswhosefamilyweremadesickbyeatinggreens.

"'Somepoisonousherbhadgotintothemess,andmembersofthefamilywereindangerofdying.Therewasahalf-wittedboyinthefamilycalledJake;andalwaysafterwardwhentheyhadgreenstheoldmanwouldsay,"Now,aforeweriskthesegreens,let'stry'emonJake.Ifhestands'emwe'reallright."Justsowithme.Aslongasthisimaginaryassassincontinuestoexercisehimselfonothers,Icanstandit.'

"Hethenbecameseriousandsaid:'Well,letitgo.IthinktheLordinHisown

goodtimeandwaywillworkthisoutallright.Godknowswhatisbest.'

"Thesewordshespokewithasigh,andratherinatoneofsoliloquy,asifhardlynotingmypresence.

"Mr.Lincolnhadanotherremarkabledream,whichwasrepeatedsofrequentlyduringhisoccupancyoftheWhiteHousethathecametoregarditisawelcomevisitor.Itwasofapleasingandpromisingcharacter,havingnothinginitofthehorrible.

"ItwasalwaysanomenofaUnionvictory,andcamewithunerringcertaintyjustbeforeeverymilitaryornavalengagementwhereourarmswerecrownedwithsuccess.Inthisdreamhesawashipsailingawayrapidly,badlydamaged,andourv

ictoriousvesselsinclosepursuit.

"Hesaw,also,thecloseofabattleonland,theenemyrouted,andourforcesinpossessionofvantagegroundofinestimableimportance.Mr.LincolnstateditasafactthathehadthisdreamjustbeforethebattlesofAntietam,Gettysburg,andothersignalengagementsthroughouttheWar.

"ThelasttimeMr.Lincolnhadthisdreamwasthenightbeforehisassassination.OnthemorningofthatlamentabledaytherewasaCabinetmeeting,atwhichGeneralGrantwaspresent.Duringanintervalofgeneraldiscussion,thePresidentaskedGeneralGrantifhehadanynewsfromGeneralSherman,whowasthenconfrontingJohnston.Thereplywasinthenegative,butthegeneraladdedthathewasinhourlyexpectationofadispatchannouncingJohnston'ssurrender.

"Mr.Lincolnthen,withgreatimpressiveness,said,'Weshallhearverysoon,andthenewswillbeimportant.'

"GeneralGrantaskedhimwhyhethoughtso.

"'Because,'saidMr.Lincoln,'Ihadadreamlastnight;andeversincethisWarbeganIhavehadthesamedreamjustbeforeeveryeventofgreatnationalimportance.Itportendssomeimportanteventwhichwillhappenverysoon.'



"Onthenightofthefateful14thofApril,1865,Mrs.Lincoln'sfirstexclamation,afterthePresidentwasshot,was,'Hisdreamwasprophetic!'

"Lincolnwasabelieverincertainphasesofthesupernatural.Assuredasheundoubtedlywasbyomenswhich,tohismind,wereconclusive,thathewouldrisetogreatnessandpower,hewasasfirmlyconvincedbythesametokensthathewouldbesuddenlycutoffattheheightofhiscareerandthefullnessofhisfame.Healwaysbelievedthathewouldfallbythehandofanassassin.

"Mr.Lincolnhadthisfurtheridea:Dreams,beingnaturaloccurrences,inthestrictestsense,heheldthattheirbestinterpretersarethecommonpeople;andthisaccounts,ingreatmeasure,fortheprofoundrespecthealwayshadforthecollectivewisdomofplainpeople--'thechildrenofNature,'hecalledthem--touchingmattersbelongingtothedomainofpsychicalmysteries.Therewassomebasisoftruth,hebelieved,forwhateverobtainedgeneralcredenceamongthese'childrenofNature.'

"Concerningpresentimentsanddreams,Mr.Lincolnhadaphilosophyofhisown,which,strangeasitmayappear,wasinperfectharmonywithhischaracterinallotherrespects.Hewasnodabblerindivination--astrology,horoscopy,prophecy,ghostlylore,orwitcheriesofanysort."

EVERYLITTLEHELPED.

AsthetimedrewnearatwhichMr.LincolnsaidhewouldissuetheEmancipationProclamation,someclergymen,whofearedthePresidentmightchangehismind,calledonhimtourgehimtokeephispromise.

"WewereusheredintotheCabinetroom,"saysDr.Sunderland."Itwasverydim,butonegasjetburning.Asweentered,Mr.Lincolnwasstandingatthefartherendofthelongtable,whichfilledthecenteroftheroom.AsIstoodbythedoor,Iamsoveryshort,thatIwasobligedtolookuptoseethePresident.Mr.Robbinsintroducedme,andIbeganatoncebysaying:'Ihavecome,Mr.President,toanticipatethenewyearwithmyrespects,andifImay,tosaytoyouawordabouttheseriousconditionofthiscountry.'

"'Goahead,Doctor,'repliedthePresident;'everylittlehelps.'ButIwastoomuchinearnesttolaughathissallyatmysmallness."

ABOUTTOLAYDOWNTHEBURDEN.

PresidentLincoln(attimes)saidhefeltsurehislifewouldendwiththeWar.AcorrespondentofaBostonpaperhadaninterviewwithhiminJuly,1864,andwroteregardingit:

"ThePresidenttoldmehewascertainheshouldnotoutlasttherebellion.Asw

illberemembered,therewasdissensionthenamongtheRepublicanleaders.Manyofhisbestfriendshaddesertedhim,andweretalkingofanoppositionconventiontonominateanothercandidate,anduniversalgloomwasamongthepeople.

"TheNorthwastiredoftheWar,andsupposedanhonorablepeaceattainable.Mr.Lincolnknewitwasnot--thatanypeaceatthattimewouldbeonlydisunion.Speakingofit,hesaid:'Ihavefaithinthepeople.Theywillnotconsenttodisunion.Thedangeris,theyaremisled.Letthemknowthetruth,andthecountryissafe.'



"Helookedhaggardandcareworn;andfurtheronintheinterviewIremarkedonhisappearance,'Youarewearingyourselfoutwithwork.'

"'Ican'tworkless,'heanswered;'butitisn'tthat--worknevertroubledme.Thingslookbadly,andIcan'tavoidanxiety.Personally,Icarenothingaboutare-election,butifourdivisionsdefeatus,Ifearforthecountry.'

"WhenIsuggestedthatrightmusteventuallytriumph,hereplied,'Igrantthat,butImayneverlivetoseeit.IfeelapresentimentthatIshallnotoutlasttherebellion.Whenitisover,myworkwillbedone.'

"Heneverintimated,however,thatheexpectedtobeassassinated."

LINCOLNWOULDHAVEPREFERREDDEATH.

HoraceGreeleysaid,sometimeafterthedeathofPresidentLincoln:

"AftertheCivilWarbegan,Lincoln'stenacityofpurposeparalleledhisformerimmobility;Ibelievehewouldhavebeennearlythelast,ifnottheverylast,maninAmericatorecognizetheSouthernConfederacyhaditsarmiesbeentriumphant.Hewouldhavepreferreddeath."

"PUNCH"ANDHISLITTLEPICTURE.

London"Punch"wasnotsatisfiedwithanythingPresidentLincolndid.OnDecember3rd,1864,afterMr.Lincoln'sre-electiontothePresidency,acartoonappearedinoneofthepagesofthatgenialpublication,thereproductionbeingprintedhere,labeled"TheFederalPhoenix."Itattractedgreatattentionatthetime,andwasparticularlypleasingtotheenemiesoftheUnitedStates,asitshowedLincolnasthePhoenixarisingfromtheashesoftheFederalConstitution,thePublicCredit,theFreedomofthePress,StateRightsandtheCommerceoftheNorthAmericanRepublic.

PresidentLincoln'sendorsementbythepeopleoftheUnitedStatesmeantthattheConfederacywastobecrushed,nomatterwhatthecost;thattheUnionofStateswastobepreserved,andthatStateRightswasathingofthepast."Punch"wishedtocreatetheimpressionthatPresidentLincoln'sre-electionwasapersonalvictory;thathewouldsetupadespotism,withhimselfatitshead,andtrampleupontheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesandalltherightsthecitizensoftheRepubliceverpossessed.

Theresultshowedthat"Punch"wassufferingfromanacuteattackofneedlessalarm.

FASCINATEDByTHEWONDERFUL

Lincolnwasparticularlyfascinatedbythewonderfulhappeningsrecordedinhistory.Helovedtoreadofthosemightyeventswhichhadbeenforetold,andoftenbroodeduponthesesubjects.Hisearlyconvictionsuponoccultmattersledhimtoreadallbookstending'tostrengthentheseconvictions.

Thefollowinglines,inByron's"Dream,"werefrequentlyquotedbyhim:

"Sleephathitsownworld,AboundarybetweenthethingsmisnamedDeathandexi



stence:SleephathitsownworldAndawiderealmofwildreality.Anddreamsintheirdevelopmenthavebreath,Andtearsandtortures,andthetouchofjoy;Theyleaveaweightuponourwakingthoughts,Theytakeaweightfromoffourwakingtoils,Theydodivideourbeing."

Thosewithwhomhewasassociatedinhisearlyyouthandyoungmanhood,andwithwhomhewasalwaysincordialsympathy,werethoroughbelieversinpresentimentsanddreams;andsoLincolndriftedonthroughyearsoftoilandexceptionalhardship--meditative,aspiring,certainofhisstar,butappalledattimesbyitsmalignantaspect.ManytimespriortohisfirstelectiontothePresidencyhewasbothelatedandalarmedbywhatseemedtohimarentintheveilwhichhidesfrommortalviewwhatthefutureholds.

Hesaw,orthoughthesaw,avisionofgloryandofblood,himselfthecentralfigureinascenewhichhisfancytransformedfromgiddyenchantmenttothemostappallingtragedy.

"WHYDON'TTHEYCOME!"

Thesuspenseofthedayswhenthecapitalwasisolated,theexpectedtroopsnotarriving,andanhourlyattackfeared,woreonMr.Lincolngreatly.

"Ibegintobelieve,"hesaidbitterly,oneday,tosomeMassachusettssoldiers,"thatthereisnoNorth.TheSeventhRegimentisamyth.RhodeIslandisanother.Youaretheonlyrealthing."

Andagain,afterpacingthefloorofhisdesertedofficeforahalf-hour,hewasheardtoexclaimtohimself,inananguishedtone:"Whydon'ttheycome!Whydon'ttheycome!"

GRANT'SBRANDOFWHISKEY.

Lincolnwasnotamanofimpulse,anddidnothinguponthespurofthemoment;

actionwithhimwastheresultofdeliberationandstudy.Hetooknothingforgranted;hejudgedmenbytheirperformancesandnottheirspeech.

Ifagenerallostbattles,Lincolnlostconfidenceinhim;ifacommanderwassuccessful,Lincolnputhimwherehewouldbeofthemostservicetothecountry.

"Grantisadrunkard,"assertedpowerfulandinfluentialpoliticianstothePresidentattheWhiteHousetimeaftertime;"heisnothimselfhalfthetime;hecan'tbereliedupon,anditisashametohavesuchamanincommandofanarmy."

"SoGrantgetsdrunk,doeshe?"queriedLincoln,addressinghimselftooneoftheparticularlyactivedetractorsofthesoldier,who,atthatperiod,wasinfli

ctingheavydamageupontheConfederates.

"Yes,hedoes,andIcanproveit,"wasthereply.

"Well,"returnedLincoln,withthefaintestsuspicionofatwinkleinhiseye,"youneedn'twasteyourtimegettingproof;youjustfindout,toobligeme,whatbrandofwhiskeyGrantdrinks,becauseIwanttosendabarrelofittoeachoneofmygenerals."

ThatendedthecrusadeagainstGrant,sofarasthequestionofdrinkingwasco



ncerned.

HISFINANCIALSTANDING.

ANewYorkfirmappliedtoAbrahamLincoln,someyearsbeforehebecamePresident,forinformationastothefinancialstandingofoneofhisneighbors.Mr.Lincolnreplied:

"IamwellacquaintedwithMr.----andknowhiscircumstances.Firstofall,hehasawifeandbaby;togethertheyoughttobeworth$50,000toanyman.Secondly,hehasanofficeinwhichthereisatableworth$1.50andthreechairsworth,say,$1.Lastofall,thereisinonecorneralargerathole,whichwillbearlookinginto.Respectfully,A.Lincoln."

THEDANDYANDTHEBOYS.

PresidentLincolnappointedasconsultoaSouthAmericancountryayoungmanfromOhiowhowasadandy.AwagmetthenewappointeeonhiswaytotheWhiteHousetothankthePresident.Hewasdressedinthemostextravagantstyle.Thewaghorrifiedhimbytellinghimthatthecountrytowhichhewasassignedwasnot

edchieflyforthebugsthataboundedthereandmadelifeunbearable.

"They'llboreaholecleanthroughyoubeforeaweekhaspassed,"wasthecomfortingassuranceofthewagastheypartedattheWhiteHousesteps.ThenewconsulapproachedLincolnwithdisappointmentclearlywrittenalloverhisface.InsteadofjoyouslythankingthePresident,hetoldhimthewag'sstoryofthebugs."Iaminformed,Mr.President,"hesaid,"thattheplaceisfullofverminandthattheycouldeatmeupinaweek'stime.""Well,youngman,"repliedLincoln,"ifthat'strue,allI'vegottosayisthatifsuchathinghappenedtheywouldleaveamightygoodsuitofclothesbehind."

"SOMEUGLYOLDLAWYER."

A.W.Swan,ofAlbuquerque,NewMexico,toldthisstoryonLincoln,beinganeyewitnessofthescene:

"OnedayPresidentLincolnwasmetintheparkbetweentheWhiteHouseandtheWarDepartmentbyanirateprivatesoldier,whowasswearinginahighkey,cursingtheGovernmentfromthePresidentdown.Mr.Lincolnpausedandaskedhimwhatwasthematter.'Matterenough,'wasthereply.'Iwantmymoney.Ihavebeendischargedhere,andcan'tgetmypay.'Mr.Lincolnaskedifhehadhispapers,sayingthatheusedtopracticelawinasmallway,andpossiblycouldhelphim.

"MyfriendandIsteppedbehindsomeconvenientshrubberywherewecouldwatch

theresult.Mr.Lincolntookthepapersfromthehandsofthecrippledsoldier,andsatdownwithhimatthefootofaconvenienttree,whereheexaminedthemcarefully,andwritingalineontheback,toldthesoldiertotakethemtoMr.Potts,ChiefClerkoftheWarDepartment,whowoulddoubtlessattendtothematteratonce.

"AfterMr.Lincolnhadleftthesoldier,westeppedoutandaskedhimifheknewwhomhehadbeentalkingwith.'Someuglyoldfellowwhopretendstobealawyer,'wasthereply.Mycompanionaskedtoseethepapers,andontheirbeinghandedtohim,pointedtotheindorsementtheyhadreceived:Thisindorsementread:



"'Mr.Potts,attendtothisman'scaseatonceandseethathegetshispay.A.L.'"

GOODMEMORYOFNAMES.

ThefollowingstoryillustratesthepowerofMr.Lincoln'smemoryofnamesandfaces.Whenhewasacomparativelyyoungman,andacandidatefortheIllinoisLegislature,hemadeapersonalcanvassofthedistrict.While"swingingaroundthecircle"hestoppedonedayandtookdinnerwithafarmerinSangamoncounty.

Yearsafterward,whenMr.LincolnhadbecomePresident,asoldiercametocallonhimattheWhiteHouse.AtthefirstglancetheChiefExecutivesaid:"Yes,Iremember;youusedtoliveontheDanvilleroad.ItookdinnerwithyouwhenIwasrunningfortheLegislature.IrecollectthatwestoodtalkingoutatthebarnyardgatewhileIsharpenedmyjackknife."

"Y-a-a-s,"drawledthesoldier,"youdid.Butsay,whereverdidyouputthatwhetstone?Ilookedforitadozentimes,butInevercouldfinditafterthedayyouusedit.Weallowedashowmabbyyoutookit'longwithyou."

"No,"saidLincoln,lookingseriousandpushingawayalotofdocumentsofstat

efromthedeskinfrontofhim."No,Iputitontopofthatgatepost--thathighone."

"Well!"exclaimedthevisitor,"mabbyyoudid.Couldn'tanybodyelsehaveputitthere,andnoneofuseverthoughtoflookingthereforit."

Thesoldierwasthenonhiswayhome,andwhenhegottherethefirstthinghedidwastolookforthewhetstone.Andsureenough,thereitwas,justwhereLincolnhadlaiditfifteenyearsbefore.ThehonestfellowwrotealettertotheChiefMagistrate,tellinghimthatthewhetstonehadbeenfound,andwouldneverbelostagain.

SETTLEDOUTOFCOURT.

WhenAbeLincolnusedtobedriftingaroundthecountry,practicinglawinFultonandMenardcounties,Illinois,anoldfellowmethimgoingtoLewiston,ridingahorsewhich,whileitwasaserviceableenoughanimal,wasnotofthekindtobetruthfullycalledafinesaddler.Itwasaweatherbeatennag,patientandplodding,andittoiledalongwithAbe--andAbe'sbooks,tuckedawayinsaddle-bags,layheavyonthehorse'sflank.

"Hello,UncleTommy,"saidAbe.

"Hello,Abe,"respondedUncleTommy."I'mpowerfulgladtoseeye,Abe,ferI'm

gwynetohavesumthin'feryeatLewistonco't,Ireckon."

"How'sthat,UncleTommy?"saidAbe.

"Well,JimAdams,hislandruns'longo'mine,he'spesterin'meaheapan'IgottogetthelawonJim,Ireckon."

"UncleTommy,youhaven'thadanyfightswithJim,haveyou?"

"No."



"He'safairtomiddlingneighbor,isn'the?"

"Onlytollable,Abe."

"He'sbeenaneighborofyoursforalongtime,hasn'the?"

"Nighontofifteenyear."

"Partofthetimeyougetalongallright,don'tyou?"

"Ireckonwedo,Abe."

"Well,now,UncleTommy,youseethishorseofmine?Heisn'tasgoodahorseasIcouldstraddle,andIsometimesgetoutofpatiencewithhim,butIknowhisfaults.Hedoesfairlywellashorsesgo,anditmighttakemealongtimetogetusedtosomeotherhorse'sfaults.Forallhorseshavefaults.YouandUncleJimmymustputupwitheachotherasIandmyhorsedowithoneanother."

"Ireckon,Abe,"saidUncleTommy,ashebitoffaboutfourouncesofMissouriplug."Ireckonyou'reaboutright."

AndAbeLincoln,withasmileonhisgauntface,rodeontowardLewiston.

THEFIVEPOINTSSUNDAYSCHOOL.

WhenMr.LincolnvisitedNewYorkin1860,hefeltagreatinterestinmanyoftheinstitutionsforreformingcriminalsandsavingtheyoungfromalifeofcrime.Amongothers,hevisited,unattended,theFivePointsHouseofIndustry,andthesuperintendentoftheSabbathschooltheregavethefollowingaccountoftheevent:

"OneSundaymorningIsawatall,remarkable-lookingmanentertheroomandtakeaseatamongus.Helistenedwithfixedattentiontoourexercises,andhiscountenanceexpressedsuchgenuineinterestthatIapproachedhimandsuggestedth

athemightbewillingtosaysomethingtothechildren.Heacceptedtheinvitationwithevidentpleasure,andcomingforwardbeganasimpleaddress,whichatoncefascinatedeverylittlehearerandhushedtheroomintosilence.Hislanguagewasstrikinglybeautiful,andhistonesmusicalwithintensefeeling.Thelittlefaceswoulddroopintosadconvictionwhenheutteredsentencesofwarning,andwouldbrightenintosunshineashespokecheerfulwordsofpromise.Onceortwiceheattemptedtoclosehisremarks,buttheimperativeshoutof,'Goon!Oh,dogoon!'wouldcompelhimtoresume.

"AsIlookeduponthegauntandsinewyframeofthestranger,andmarkedhispowerfulheadanddeterminedfeatures,nowtouchedintosoftnessbytheimpressionsofthemoment,Ifeltanirrepressiblecuriositytolearnsomethingmoreabouthim,andwhilehewasquietlyleavingtheroom,Ibeggedtoknowhisname.Hec

ourteouslyreplied:'ItisAbrahamLincoln,fromIllinois.'"

SENTINELOBEYEDORDERS.

AslightvariationofthetraditionalsentrystoryisrelatedbyC.C.Buel.Itwasacold,blusterouswinternight.SaysMr.Buel:

"Mr.Lincolnemergedfromthefrontdoor,hislankfigurebentoverashedrew



tightlyabouthisshoulderstheshawlwhichheemployedforsuchprotection;forhewasonhiswaytotheWarDepartment,atthewestcornerofthegrounds,whereintimesofbattlehewaswonttogetthemidnightdispatchesfromthefield.Astheblaststruckhimhethoughtofthenumbnessofthepacingsentry,and,turningtohim,said:'Youngman,you'vegotacoldjobto-night;stepinside,andstandguardthere.'

"'Myorderskeepmeouthere,'thesoldierreplied.

"'Yes,'saidthePresident,inhisargumentativetone;'butyourdutycanbeperformedjustaswellinsideasouthere,andyou'llobligemebygoingin.'

"'Ihavebeenstationedoutside,'thesoldieranswered,andresumedhisbeat.

"'Holdonthere!'saidMr.Lincoln,asheturnedbackagain;'itoccurstomethatIamCommander-in-Chiefofthearmy,andIorderyoutogoinside.'"

WHYLINCOLNGROWEDWHISKERS.

PerhapsthemajorityofpeopleintheUnitedStatesdon'tknowwhyLincoln"growed"whiskersafterhisfirstnominationforthePresidency.Beforethattimehisfacewascleanshaven.

InthebeautifulvillageofWestfield,Chautauquacounty,NewYork,therelived,in1860,littleGraceBedell.DuringthecampaignofthatyearshesawaportraitofLincoln,forwhomshefelttheloveandreverencethatwascommoninRepublicanfamilies,andhissmooth,homelyfaceratherdisappointedher.Shesaidtohermother:"Ithink,mother,thatMr.Lincolnwouldlookbetterifheworewhiskers,andImeantowriteandtellhimso."

Themothergaveherpermission.

Grace'sfatherwasaRepublican;hertwobrotherswereDemocrats.Gracewroteatoncetothe"Hon.AbrahamLincoln,Esq.,Springfield,Illinois,"inwhichshetoldhimhowoldshewas,andwhereshelived;thatshewasaRepublican;thats

hethoughthewouldmakeagoodPresident,butwouldlookbetterifhewouldlethiswhiskersgrow.Ifhewoulddoso,shewouldtrytocoaxherbrotherstovoteforhim.Shethoughttherailfencearoundthepictureofhiscabinwasverypretty."Ifyouhavenottimetoanswermyletter,willyouallowyourlittlegirltoreplyforyou?"

Lincolnwasmuchpleasedwiththeletter,anddecidedtoanswerit,whichhedidatonce,asfollows:

"Springfield,Illinois,October19,1860.

"MissGraceBedell.

"MyDearLittleMiss:Yourveryagreeableletterofthefifteenthisreceived.IregretthenecessityofsayingIhavenodaughter.Ihavethreesons;oneseventeen,onenineandonesevenyearsofage.They,withtheirmother,constitutemywholefamily.Astothewhiskers,havingneverwornany,doyounotthinkpeoplewouldcallitapieceofsillyaffectationifIshouldbeginitnow?Yourverysincerewell-wisher,A.LINCOLN."

WhenonthejourneytoWashingtontobeinaugurated,Lincoln'strainstoppedatWestfield.Herecollectedhislittlecorrespondentandspokeofhertoex-LieutenantGovernorGeorgeW.Patterson,whocalledoutandaskedifGraceBedellwas



present.

Therewasalargesurgingmassofpeoplegatheredaboutthetrain,butGracewasdiscoveredatadistance;thecrowdopenedapathwaytothecoach,andshecame,timidlybutgladly,tothePresident-elect,whotoldherthatshemightseethathehadallowedhiswhiskerstogrowatherrequest.Then,reachingouthislongarms,hedrewheruptohimandkissedher.Theactdrewanenthusiasticdemonstrationofapprovalfromthemultitude.

GracemarriedaKansasbanker,andbecameGraceBedellBillings.

LINCOLNASADANCER.

LincolnmadehisfirstappearanceinsocietywhenhewasfirstsenttoSpringfield,Ill.,asamemberoftheStateLegislature.Itwasnotanimposingfigurewhichhecutinaballroom,butstillhewasoccasionallytobefoundthere.MissMaryTodd,whoafterwardbecamehiswife,wasthemagnetwhichdrewthetall,awkwardyoungmanfromhisden.OneeveningLincolnapproachedMissTodd,andsaid,inhispeculiaridiom:

"MissTodd,Ishouldliketodancewithyoutheworstway."Theyoungwomanacceptedtheinevitable,andhobbledaroundtheroomwithhim.Whenshereturnedto

herseat,oneofhercompanionsaskedmischievously:

"Well,Mary,didhedancewithyoutheworstway."

"Yes,"sheanswered,"theveryworst."

SIMPLYPRACTICALHUMANITY.

AninstanceofyoungLincoln'spracticalhumanityatanearlyperiodofhislifeisrecordedinthisway:

Oneevening,whilereturningfroma"raising"inhiswideneighborhood,withanumberofcompanions,hediscoveredastrayhorse,withsaddleandbridleuponhim.Thehorsewasrecognizedasbelongingtoamanwhowasaccustomedtogetdrunk,anditwassuspectedatoncethathewasnotfaroff.Ashortsearchonlywasnecessarytoconfirmthebelief.

Thepoordrunkardwasfoundinaperfectlyhelplesscondition,uponthechillyground.Abraham'scompanionsurgedthecowardlypolicyofleavinghimtohisfate,butyoungLincolnwouldnotheartotheproposition.

Athisrequest,themiserablesotwasliftedonhisshoulders,andheactuallycarriedhimeightyrodstothenearesthouse.

Sendingwordtohisfatherthatheshouldnotbebackthatnight,withthereasonforhisabsence,heattendedandnursedthemanuntilthemorning,andhadthepleasureofbelievingthathehadsavedhislife.

HAPPYFIGURESOFSPEECH.

Ononeoccasion,exasperatedatthediscrepancybetweentheaggregateoftroopsforwardedtoMcClellanandthenumberthatsamegeneralreportedashavingrece



ived,Lincolnexclaimed:"Sendingmentothatarmyislikeshovelingfleasacrossabarnyard--halfofthemnevergetthere."

Toapoliticianwhohadcriticisedhiscourse,hewrote:"WouldyouhavemedroptheWarwhereitis,orwouldyouprosecuteitinfuturewithelderstalksquirtschargedwithrosewater?"

When,onhisfirstarrivalinWashingtonasPresident,hefoundhimselfbesiegedbyoffice-seekers,whiletheWarwasbreakingout,hesaid:"Ifeellikeamanlettinglodgingsatoneendofhishousewhiletheotherendisonfire."

AFEW"RHYTHMICSHOTS."

WardLamon,MarshaloftheDistrictofColumbiaduringLincoln'stimeinWashington,accompaniedthePresidenteverywhere.Hewasagoodsinger,and,whenLincolnwasinoneofhismelancholymoods,would"fireafewrhythmicshots"atthePresidenttocheerthelatter.Lincolnkeenlyrelishednonsenseintheshapeofwittyorcomicditties.Aparodyof"ALifeontheOceanWave"wasalwayspleasingtohim:

"Oh,alifeontheoceanwave,Andahomeontherollingdeep!WithratlinsfriedthreetimesadayAndaleakyoldberthfortosleep;Wherethegray-beardco

ckroachroams,Onthoughtsofkindintent,AndtheravingbedbugcomesTheroadthecockroachwent."

Lincolncouldnotcontrolhislaughterwhenheheardsongsofthissort.

Hewasfondofnegromelodies,too,and"TheBlue-TailedFly"wasagreatfavoritewithhim.HeoftencalledforthatbuzzingballadwhenheandLamonwerealone,andhewantedtothrowofftheweightofpublicandprivatecares.Theballadof"TheBlue-TailedFly"containedtwoverses,whichran:

"WhenIwasyoungIusedtowaitAtmassa'stable,'n'handdeplate,An'passdebottlewhenhewasdry,An'brushawaydeblue-tailedfly.

"Ol'Massa'sdead;oh,lethimrest!Deysayallthingsamfordebest;ButIcan'tforgetuntilIdieOl'massaan'deblue-tailedfly."

WhilehumoroussongsdelightedthePresident,healsolovedtolistentopatrioticairsandballadscontainingsentiment.Hewasfondofhearing"TheSwordofBunkerHill,""BenBolt,"and"TheLamentoftheIrishEmigrant."Hispreferenceoftheversesinthelatterwasthis:

"I'mlonelynow,Mary,Forthepoormakenonewfriends;But,oh,theylovethebetterstillThefewourFathersends!AndyouwereallIhad,Mary,Myblessingandmypride;There'snothinglefttocarefornow,SincemypoorMarydied."

ThosewhoknewLincolnwerewellawarehewasincapableofsomonstrousanact

asthatofwantonlyinsultingthedead,aswaschargedintheinfamouslibelwhichassertedthathelistenedtoacomicsongonthefieldofAntietam,beforethedeadwereburied.

OLDMANGLENN'SRELIGION.

Mr.LincolnonceremarkedtoafriendthathisreligionwaslikethatofanoldmannamedGlenn,inIndiana,whomheheardspeakatachurchmeeting,andwhos



aid:"WhenIdogood,Ifeelgood;whenIdobad,Ifeelbad;andthat'smyreligion."

Mrs.LincolnherselfhassaidthatMr.Lincolnhadnofaith--nofaith,intheusualacceptanceofthosewords."Heneverjoinedachurch;butstill,asIbelieve,hewasareligiousmanbynature.HefirstseemedtothinkaboutthesubjectwhenourboyWilliedied,andthenmorethaneveraboutthetimehewenttoGettysburg;butitwasakindofpoetryinhisnature,andheneverwasatechnicalChristian."

LASTACTSOFMERCY.

DuringtheafternoonprecedinghisassassinationthePresidentsignedapardonforasoldiersentencedtobeshotfordesertion,remarkingashedidso,"Well,Ithinktheboycandousmoregoodabovegroundthanunderground."

Healsoapprovedanapplicationforthedischarge,ontakingtheoathofallegiance,ofarebelprisoner,inwhosepetitionhewrote,"Letitbedone."

Thisactofmercywashislastofficialorder.

JUSTLIKESEWARD.

ThefirstcorpsofthearmycommandedbyGeneralReynoldswasoncereviewedbythePresidentonabeautifulplainatthenorthofPotomacCreek,abouteightmilesfromHooker'sheadquarters.Thepartyrodethitherinanambulanceoveraroughcorduroyroad,andastheypassedoversomeofthemoredifficultportionsofthejoltingwaytheambulancedriver,whosatwellinfront,occasionallyletflyavolleyofsuppressedoathsathiswildteamofsixmules.

Finally,Mr.Lincoln,leaningforward,touchedthemanontheshoulderandsaid,

"Excuseme,myfriend,areyouanEpiscopalian?"

Theman,greatlystartled,lookedaroundandreplied:

"No,Mr.President;IamaMethodist."

"Well,"saidLincoln,"IthoughtyoumustbeanEpiscopalian,becauseyouswearjustlikeGovernorSeward,whoisachurchwarder."

ACHEERFULPROSPECT.

ThefirstnightafterthedepartureofPresident-electLincolnfromSpringfield,onhiswaytoWashington,wasspentinIndianapolis.GovernorYates,O.H.Browning,JesseK.Dubois,O.M.Hatch,JosiahAllen,ofIndiana,andothers,aftertakingleaveofMr.Lincolntoreturntotheirrespectivehomes,tookWardLamonintoaroom,lockedthedoor,andproceededinthemostsolemnandimpressivemannertoinstructhimastohisdutiesasthespecialguardianofMr.Lincoln'spersonduringtherestofhisjourneytoWashington.Lamontellsthestoryasfollows:

"ThelessonwasconcludedbyUncleJesse,asMr.Duboiswascommonly,called,w



hosaid:

"'Now,Lamon,wehaveregardedyouastheTomHyerofIllinois,withMorrisseyattachment.WeintrustthesacredlifeofMr.Lincolntoyourkeeping;andifyoudon'tprotectit,neverreturntoIllinois,forwewillmurderyouonsight."'

THOUGHTGODWOULDHAVETOLDHIM.

ProfessorJonathanBaldwinTurnerwasoneofthefewmentowhomMr.LincolnconfidedhisintentiontoissuetheProclamationofEmancipation.

Mr.LincolntoldhisIllinoisfriendofthevisitofadelegationtohimwhoclaimedtohaveamessagefromGodthattheWarwouldnotbesuccessfulwithoutthefreeingofthenegroes,towhomMr.Lincolnreplied:"IsitnotalittlestrangethatHeshouldtellthistoyou,whohavesolittletodowithit,andshouldnothavetoldme,whohasagreatdealtodowithit?"

AtthesametimeheinformedProfessorTurnerhehadhisProclamationinhispocket.

LINCOLNANDABIBLEHERO.

AwriterwhoheardMr.Lincoln'sfamousspeechdeliveredinNewYorkafterhisnominationforPresidenthasleftthisrecordoftheevent:

"WhenLincolnrosetospeak,Iwasgreatlydisappointed.Hewastall,tall,oh,sotall,andsoangularandawkwardthatIhadforaninstantafeelingofpityforsoungainlyaman.Hebeganinalowtoneofvoice,asifhewereusedtospeakingoutofdoorsandwasafraidofspeakingtooloud.

"Hesaid'Mr.Cheerman,'insteadof'Mr.Chairman,'andemployedmanyotherwordswithanold-fashionedpronunciation.Isaidtomyself,'Oldfellow,youwon'tdo;itisallverywellfortheWildWest,butthiswillnevergodowninNewY

ork.'Butprettysoonhebegantogetintothesubject;hestraightenedup,maderegularandgracefulgestures;hisfacelightedaswithaninwardfire;thewholemanwastransfigured.

"Iforgottheclothing,hispersonalappearance,andhisindividualpeculiarities.Presently,forgettingmyself,Iwasonmyfeetwiththerest,yellinglikeawildIndian,cheeringthewonderfulman.Intheclosepartsofhisargumentyoucouldhearthegentlesizzlingofthegasburners.

"Whenhereachedaclimaxthethundersofapplausewereterrific.Itwasagreatspeech.WhenIcameoutofthehallmyfacewasglowingwithexcitementandmyframealla-quiver.Afriend,withhiseyesaglow,askedmewhatIthoughtof'Abe'Lincoln,therail-splitter.Isaid,'He'sthegreatestmansinceSt.Paul.'

AndIthinksoyet."

BOYWASCAREDFOR.

PresidentLincolnonedaynoticedasmall,pale,delicate-lookingboy,aboutthirteenyearsold,amongthenumberintheWhiteHouseantechamber.

ThePresidentsawhimstandingthere,lookingsofeebleandfaint,andsaid:"C



omehere,myboy,andtellmewhatyouwant."

Theboyadvanced,placedhishandonthearmofthePresident'schair,and,withabowedheadandtimidaccents,said:"Mr.President,Ihavebeenadrummerboyinaregimentfortwoyears,andmycolonelgotangrywithmeandturnedmeoff.Iwastakensickandhavebeenalongtimeinthehospital."

ThePresidentdiscoveredthattheboyhadnohome,nofather--hehaddiedinthearmy--nomother.

"Ihavenofather,nomother,nobrothers,nosisters,and,"burstingintotears,"nofriends--nobodycaresforme."

Lincoln'seyesfilledwithtears,andtheboy'sheartwassoonmadegladbyarequesttocertainofficials"tocareforthispoorboy."

THEJURYACQUITTEDHIM

OneofthemostnotedmurdercasesinwhichLincolndefendedtheaccusedwastriedinAugust,1859.Thevictim,Crafton,wasastudentinhisownlawoffice,thedefendant,"Peachy"Harrison,wasagrandsonofRev.PeterCartwright;bothwereconnectedwiththebestfamiliesinthecounty;theywerebrothers-in-law,a

ndhadalwaysbeenfriends.

SenatorJohnM.PalmerandGeneralJohnA.McClellandwereonthesideoftheprosecution.AmongthosewhorepresentedthedefendantwereLincolnandSenatorShelbyM.Cullom.Thetwoyoungmenhadengagedinapoliticalquarrel,andCraftonwasstabbedtodeathbyHarrison.ThetragicpathosofacasewhichinvolvedthedeepestaffectionsofalmostanentirecommunityreacheditsclimaxintheappearanceincourtofthevenerablePeterCartwright.LincolnhadbeatenhimforCongressin1846.

Eccentricandaggressiveashewas,hewashonoredfarandwide;andwhenhearosetotakethewitnessstand,hiswhitehaircrownedwiththiscruelsorrow,themostindifferentspectatorfeltthathisexaminationwouldbeunbearable.

ItfelltoLincolntoquestionCartwright.Withtherarestgentlenesshebegantoputhisquestions.

"Howlonghaveyouknowntheprisoner?"

Cartwright'sheaddroppedonhisbreastforamoment;thenstraighteninghimself,hepassedhishandacrosshiseyesandansweredinadeep,quaveringvoice:

"Ihaveknownhimsinceababe,helaughedandcriedonmyknee."

TheexaminationendedbyLincolndrawingfromthewitnessthestoryofhowCraftonhadsaidtohim,justbeforehisdeath:"Iamdying;Iwillsoonpartwitha

llIloveonearth,andIwantyoutosaytomyslayerthatIforgivehim.Iwanttoleavethisearthwithaforgivenessofallwhohaveinanywayinjuredme."

Thisexaminationmadeaprofoundimpressiononthejury.Lincolnclosedhisargumentbypicturingthesceneanew,appealingtothejurytopracticethesameforgivingspiritthatthemurderedmanhadshownonhisdeath-bed.Itwasundoubtedlytohishandlingofthegrandfather'sevidencethatHarrison'sacquittalwasdue.



TOOKNOTHINGBUTMONEY.

DuringtheWarCongressappropriated$10,000tobeexpendedbythePresidentindefendingUnitedStatesMarshalsincasesofarrestsandseizureswherethelegalityoftheiractionswastestedinthecourts.PreviouslytheMarshalssoughttheassistanceoftheAttorney-Generalindefendingthem,butwhentheyfoundthatthePresidenthadafundforthatpurposetheysoughttocontrolthemoney.

InspeakingoftheseMarshalsoneday,Mr.Lincolnsaid:

"TheyarelikeamaninIllinois,whosecabinwasburneddown,and,accordingtothekindlycustomofearlydaysintheWest,hisneighborsallcontributedsomethingtostarthimagain.Inhiscasetheyhadbeensoliberalthathesoonfoundhimselfbetteroffthanbeforethefire,andhegotproud.Onedayaneighborbroughthimabagofoats,butthefellowrefuseditwithscorn.

"'No,'saidhe,'I'mnottakingoatsnow.Itakenothingbutmoney.'"

NAUGHTYBOYHADTOTAKEHISMEDICINE.

Theresistancetothemilitarydraftof1863bytheCityofNewYork,theresul

tofwhichwasthekillingofseveralthousandpersons,wasillustratedonAugust29th,1863,by"FrankLeslie'sIllustratedNewspaper,"overthetitleof"TheNaughtyBoy,Gotham,WhoWouldNotTaketheDraft."Beneathwasalsothetext:

MAMMYLINCOLN:"Therenow,youbadboy,actingthatway,whenyourlittlesisterPenn(StateofPennsylvania)takesherslikealady!"

HoratioSeymourwasthenGovernorofNewYork,andaprominent"theWarisafailure"advocate.HewasinAlbany,theStatecapital,whentheriotsbrokeoutintheCityofNewYork,July13th,andafterthemobhadburnedtheColoredOrphanAsylumandkilledseveralhundrednegroes,cametothecity.Hehadonlysoftwordsfortherioters,promisingthemthatthedraftshouldbesuspended.ThentheGovernmentsentseveralregimentsofveterans,freshfromthefieldofGetty

sburg,wheretheyhadassistedindefeatingLee.Thesetroopsmadeshortworkofthebrutalruffians,shootingdownthreethousandorsoofthem,andtheriotingwassubdued.The"NaughtyBoyGotham"hadtotakehismedicine,afterall,butasthespiritofoppositiontotheWarwasstillrampant,thePresidentissuedaproclamationsuspendingthewritofhabeascorpusinalltheStatesoftheUnionwheretheGovernmenthadcontrol.ThishadaquietingeffectuponthosewhoweredoingwhattheycouldinobstructingtheGovernment.

WOULDBLOWTHEMTOH---.

Mr.LincolnhadadvisedLieutenant-GeneralWinfieldScott,commandingtheUnite

dStatesArmy,ofthethreatsofviolenceoninaugurationday,1861.GeneralScottwassickinbedatWashingtonwhenAdjutant-GeneralThomasMather,ofIllinois,calleduponhiminPresident-electLincoln'sbehalf,andtheveterancommanderwasmuchwroughtup.SaidhetoGeneralMather:

"PresentmycomplimentstoMr.LincolnwhenyoureturntoSpringfield,andtellhimIexpecthimtocomeontoWashingtonassoonasheisready;saytohimthatIwilllookafterthoseMarylandandVirginiarangersmyself.IwillplantcannonatbothendsofPennsylvaniaavenue,andifanyofthemshowtheirheadsorraiseafinger,I'llblowthemtoh---."



"YANKEE"GOODNESSOFHEART.

Oneday,whenthePresidentwaswiththetroopswhowerefightingatthefront,thewounded,bothUnionandConfederate,begantopourin.

AsonestretcherwaspassingLincoln,heheardthevoiceofaladcallingtohismotherinagonizingtones.Hisgreatheartfilled.Heforgotthecrisisofthehour.Stoppingthecarriers,heknelt,andbendingoverhim,asked:"WhatcanIdoforyou,mypoorchild?"

"Oh,youwilldonothingforme,"hereplied."YouareaYankee.Icannothopethatmymessagetomymotherwilleverreachher."

Lincoln,intears,hisvoicefulloftenderestlove,convincedtheboyofhissincerity,andhegavehisgood-byewordswithoutreserve.

ThePresidentdirectedthemcopied,andorderedthattheybesentthatnight,withaflagoftruce,intotheenemy'slines.

WALKEDASHETALKED.

WhenMr.LincolnmadehisfamoushumorousspeechinCongressridiculingGeneralCass,hebegantospeakfromnotes,but,ashewarmedup,helefthisdeskandhisnotes,tostridedownthealleytowardtheSpeaker'schair.

Occasionally,ashewouldcompleteasentenceamidshoutsoflaughter,hewouldreturnupthealleytohisdesk,consulthisnotes,takeasipofwaterandstartoffagain.

Mr.Lincolnreceivedmanycongratulationsattheclose,DemocratsjoiningtheWhigsintheircomplimentarycomments.

OneDemocrat,however(whohadbeennicknamed"Sausage"Sawyer),didn'tenthuseatall.

"Sawyer,"askedanEasternRepresentative,"howdidyoulikethelankyIllinoisan'sspeech?Veryable,wasn'tit?"

"Well,"repliedSawyer,"thespeechwasprettygood,butIhopehewon'tchargemileageonhistravelswhiledeliveringit."

THESONGDIDTHEBUSINESS.

TheVirginia(Ill.)Enquirer,ofMarch1,1879,tellsthisstory:

"JohnMcNamerwasburiedlastSunday,nearPetersburg,Menardcounty.AlongwhileagohewasAssessorandTreasureroftheCountyforseveralsuccessiveterms.Mr.McNamerwasanearlysettlerinthatsection,and,beforethetownofPetersburgwaslaidout,inbusinessinOldSalem,avillagethatexistedmanyyearsagotwomilessouthofthepresentsiteofPetersburg.

"'Abe'Lincolnwasthenpostmasteroftheplaceandsoldwhiskytoitsinhabitants.Thereareold-timersyetlivinginMenardwhoboughtmanyajugofcorn-jui



cefrom'OldAbe'whenhelivedatSalem.ItwasherethatAnneRutledgedwelt,andinwhosegraveLincolnwrotethathisheartwasburied.

"Asthestoryruns,thefairandgentleAnnewasoriginallyJohnMcNamer'ssweetheart,but'Abe'tooka'shine'totheyounglady,andsucceededinheadingoffMcNamerandwonheraffections.ButAnneRutledgedied,andLincolnwenttoSpringfield,wherehesometimeafterwardsmarried.

"ItisrelatedthatduringtheWaraladybelongingtoaprominentKentuckyfamilyvisitedWashingtontobegforherson'spardon,whowastheninprisonundersentenceofdeathforbelongingtoabandofguerrillaswhohadcommittedmanymurdersandoutrages.

"Withthemotherwasherdaughter,abeautifulyounglady,whowasanaccomplishedmusician.Mr.Lincolnreceivedthevisitorsinhisusualkindmanner,andthemothermadeknowntheobjectofhervisit,accompanyingherpleawithtearsandsobsandallthecustomaryromanticincidents.

"Therewereprobablyextenuatingcircumstancesinfavoroftheyoungrebelprisoner,andwhilethePresidentseemedtobedeeplyponderingtheyoungladymovedtoapianonearbyandtakingaseatcommencedtosing'GentleAnnie,'averysweetandpatheticballadwhich,beforetheWar,wasafamiliarsonginalmosteveryhouseholdintheUnion,andisnotyetentirelyforgotten,forthatmatter.

"Itistobepresumedthattheyoungladysangthesongwithmoreplaintivenessandeffectthan'OldAbe'hadeverhearditinSpringfield.Duringitsrendition,hearosefromhisseat,crossedtheroomtoawindowinthewestward,throughwhichhegazedforseveralminuteswitha'sad,far-awaylook,'whichhassooftenbeennotedasoneofhispeculiarities.

"Hismemory,nodoubt,wentbacktothedaysofhishumblelifeontheSangamon,andwithvisionsofOldSalemanditsrusticpeople,whooncegatheredinhisprimitivestore,cameapictureofthe'GentleAnnie'ofhisyouth,whoseasheshadrestedformanylongyearsunderthewildflowersandbramblesoftheoldruralburying-ground,butwhosespiritthen,perhaps,guidedhimtothesideofmercy.

"Bethatasitmay,PresidentLincolndrewalargeredsilkhandkerchieffromhiscoatpocket,withwhichhewipedhisfacevigorously.Thenheturned,advancedquicklytohisdesk,wroteabriefnote,whichhehandedtothelady,andinformedherthatitwasthepardonshesought.

"Thescenewasnodoubttouchinginagreatdegreeandprovesthatanicesong,wellsung,hasoftenapowerfulinfluenceinrecallingtenderrecollections.Itproves,also,thatAbrahamLincolnwasamanoffinefeelings,andthat,iftheoccurrencewasaput-upjobonthelady'spart,itaccomplishedthepurposeallthesame."

A"FREEFORALL."

LincolnmadeapoliticalspeechatPappsville,Illinois,whenacandidatefortheLegislaturethefirsttime.Afree-for-allfightbegansoonaftertheopeningofthemeeting,andLincoln,noticingoneofhisfriendsabouttosuccumbtotheenergeticattackofaninfuriatedruffian,edgedhiswaythroughthecrowd,and,seizingthebullybytheneckandtheseatofhistrousers,threwhim,bymeansofhisstrengthandlongarms,asonewitnessstoutlyinsists,"twelvefeetaway."Returningtothestand,andthrowingasidehishat,heinauguratedhiscampaignwiththefollowingbriefbutpertinentdeclaration:



"Fellow-citizens,IpresumeyouallknowwhoIam.IamhumbleAbrahamLincoln.IhavebeensolicitedbymanyfriendstobecomeacandidatefortheLegislature.Mypoliticsareshortandsweet,liketheoldwoman'sdance.Iaminfavorofthenationalbank;Iaminfavoroftheinternalimprovementsystemandahighprotectivetariff.Thesearemysentiments;ifelected,Ishallbethankful;ifnot,itwillbeallthesame."

THREEINFERNALBORES.

Oneday,whenPresidentLincolnwasaloneandbusilyengagedonanimportantsubject,involvingvexationandanxiety,hewasdisturbedbytheunwarrantedintrusionofthreemen,who,withoutapology,proceededtolaytheirclaimbeforehim.

ThespokesmanofthethreeremindedthePresidentthattheyweretheownersofsometorpedoorotherwarlikeinventionwhich,ifthegovernmentwouldonlyadoptit,wouldsooncrushtherebellion.

"Now,"saidthespokesman,"wehavebeenheretoseeyoutimeandagain;youhavereferredustotheSecretaryofWar,theChiefofOrdnance,andtheGeneraloftheArmy,andtheygiveusnosatisfaction.Wehavebeenkeptherewaiting,ti

llmoneyandpatienceareexhausted,andwenowcometodemandofyouafinalreplytoourapplication."

Mr.Lincolnlistenedtothisinsolenttirade,andatitsclosetheoldtwinklecameintohiseye.

"YouthreegentlemenremindmeofastoryIonceheard,"saidhe,"ofapoorlittleboyoutWestwhohadlosthismother.Hisfatherwantedtogivehimareligiouseducation,andsoplacedhiminthefamilyofaclergyman,whomhedirectedtoinstructthelittlefellowcarefullyintheScriptures.EverydaytheboyhadtocommittomemoryandreciteonechapteroftheBible.ThingsproceededsmoothlyuntiltheyreachedthatchapterwhichdetailsthestoryofthetrialofShadrach,MeshachandAbednegointhefieryfurnace.Whenaskedtorepeatthesethr

eenamestheboysaidhehadforgottenthem.

"Histeachertoldhimthathemustlearnthem,andgavehimanotherdaytodoso.Thenextdaytheboyagainforgotthem.

"'Now,'saidtheteacher,'youhaveagainfailedtorememberthosenamesandyoucangonofartheruntilyouhavelearnedthem.Iwillgiveyouanotherdayonthislesson,andifyoudon'trepeatthenamesIwillpunishyou.'

"Athirdtimetheboycametorecite,andgotdowntothestumblingblock,whentheclergymansaid:'Nowtellmethenamesofthemeninthefieryfurnace.'

"'Oh,'saidtheboy,'herecomethosethreeinfernalbores!Iwishthedevilha

dthem!'"

Havingreceivedtheir"finalanswer,"thethreepatriotsretired,andattheCabinetmeetingwhichfollowed,thePresident,inhighgoodhumor,relatedhowhehaddismissedhisunwelcomevisitors.

LINCOLN'SMENWERE"HUSTLERS."



IntheChicagoConventionof1860thefightforSewardwasmaintainedwithdesperateresolveuntilthefinalballotwastaken.ThurlowWeedwastheSewardleader,andhewassimplyincomparableasamasterinhandlingaconvention.WithhimwereGovernorMorgan,HenryJ.Raymond,oftheNewYorkTimes,withWilliamM.EvartsaschairmanoftheNewYorkdelegation,whosespeechnominatingSewardwasthemostimpressiveutteranceofhislife.TheBatesmen(BateswasafterwardsLincoln'sAttorney-General)wereledbyFrankBlair,theonlyRepublicanCongressmanfromaslaveState,whowasnothingifnotheroic,aidedbyhisbrotherMontgomery(afterwardsLincoln'sPostmasterGeneral),whowasapoliticianofuncommoncunning.WiththemwasHoraceGreeley,whowaschairmanofthedelegationfromthethenalmostinaccessibleStateofOregon.

ItwasLincoln'sfriends,however,whowerethe"hustlers"ofthatbattle.TheyhadmenforsobercounsellikeDavidDavis;menofsupremesagacitylikeLeonardSwett;menoftirelesseffortlikeNormanB.Judd;andtheyhadwhatwasmoreimportantthanall--aseethingmultitudewildwithenthusiasmfor"OldAbe."

ASLOWHORSE.

OnoneoccasionwhenMr.Lincolnwasgoingtoattendapoliticalconventiononeofhisrivals,aliveryman,providedhimwithaslowhorse,hopingthathewouldnotreachhisdestinationintime.Mr.Lincolngotthere,however,andwhenhe

returnedwiththehorsehesaid:"Youkeepthishorseforfunerals,don'tyou?""Oh,no,"repliedtheliveryman."Well,I'mgladofthat,forifyoudidyou'dnevergetacorpsetothegraveintimefortheresurrection."

DODGING"BROWSINGPRESIDENTS."

GeneralMcClellan,afterbeingputincommandoftheArmy,resentedany"interference"bythePresident.Lincoln,inhisanxietytoknowthedetailsoftheworkinthearmy,wentfrequentlytoMcClellan'sheadquarters.ThatthePresidenthadaseriouspurposeinthesevisitsMcClellandidnotsee.

"Iencloseacardjustreceivedfrom'A.Lincoln,'"hewrotetohiswifeoneday;"itshowstoomuchdeferencetobeseenoutside."

InanotherlettertoMrs.McClellanhespokeofbeing"interrupted"bythePresidentandSecretarySeward,"whohadnothinginparticulartosay,"andagainofconcealinghimself"tododgeallenemiesinshapeof'browsing'Presidents,"etc.

"IambecomingdailymoredisgustedwiththisAdministration--perfectlysickofit,"hewroteearlyinOctober;andafewdayslater,"IwasobligedtoattendameetingoftheCabinetat8P.M.,andwasboredandannoyed.TherearesomeofthegreatestgeeseintheCabinetIhaveeverseen--enoughtotaxthepatienceofJob."

AGREENBACKLEGEND.

AtaCabinetmeetingonce,theadvisabilityofputtingalegendongreenbackssimilartotheInGodWeTrustlegendonthesilvercoinswasdiscussed,andthePresidentwasaskedwhathisviewwas.Hereplied:"Ifyouaregoingtoputalegendonthegreenback,IwouldsuggestthatofPeterandPaul:'Silverandgoldwehavenot,butwhatwehavewe'llgiveyou.'"



GOD'SBESTGIFTTOMAN.

OneofMr.Lincoln'snotablereligiousutteranceswashisreplytoadeputationofcoloredpeopleatBaltimorewhopresentedhimaBible.Hesaid:

"Inregardtothegreatbook,IhaveonlytosayitisthebestgiftwhichGodhasevergivenman.AllthegoodfromtheSavioroftheworldiscommunicatedtousthroughthisbook.Butforthisbookwecouldnotknowrightfromwrong.Allthosethingsdesirabletomanarecontainedinit."

SCALPINGINTHEBLACKHAWKWAR.

WhenLincolnwasPresidenthetoldthisstoryoftheBlackHawkWar:

Theonlytimeheeversawbloodinthiscampaign,wasonemorningwhen,marchingupalittlevalleythatmakesintotheRockRiverbottom,toreinforceasquadofoutpoststhatwerethoughttobeindanger,theycameuponthetentoccupiedbytheotherpartyjustatsunrise.Themenhadneglectedtoplaceanyguardatnight,andhadbeenslaughteredintheirsleep.

Asthereinforcingpartycameuptheslopeonwhichthecamphadbeenmade,Lincolnsawthemalllyingwiththeirheadstowardstherisingsun,andtheroundredspotthatmarkedwheretheyhadbeenscalpedgleamedmoreredlyyetintheruddylightofthesun.Thissceneyearsafterwardsherecalledwithashudder.

MATRIMONIALADVICE.

ForawhileduringtheCivilWar,GeneralFremontwaswithoutacommand.OnedayindiscussingFremont'scasewithGeorgeW.Julian,PresidentLincolnsaidhedidnotknowwheretoplacehim,andthatitremindshimoftheoldmanwhoadvi

sedhissontotakeawife,towhichtheyoungmanresponded:"Allright;whosewifeshallItake?"

OWEDLOTSOFMONEY.

OnApril14,1865,afewhoursprevioustohisassassination,PresidentLincolnsentamessagebyCongressmanSchuylerColfax,Vice-PresidentduringGeneralGrant'sfirstterm,totheminersintheRockyMountainsandtheregionsboundedbythePacificocean,inwhichhesaid:

"NowthattheRebellionisoverthrown,andweknowprettynearlytheamountof

ourNationaldebt,themoregoldandsilverwemine,wemakethepaymentofthatdebtsomucheasier.

"NowIamgoingtoencouragethatineverypossibleway.Weshallhavehundredsofthousandsofdisbandedsoldiers,andmanyhavefearedthattheirreturnhomeinsuchgreatnumbersmightparalyzeindustrybyfurnishing,suddenly,agreatersupplyoflaborthantherewillbedemandfor.Iamgoingtotrytoattractthemtothehiddenwealthofourmountainranges,wherethereisroomenoughforall.Immigration,whicheventheWarhasnotstopped,willlanduponourshoreshundredsofthousandsmoreperyearfromovercrowdedEurope.Iintendtopointth



emtothegoldandsilverthatwaitforthemintheWest.

"TelltheminersformethatIshallpromotetheirintereststotheutmostofmyability;becausetheirprosperityastheprosperityofthenation;and,"saidhe,hiseyekindlingwithenthusiasm,"weshallprove,inaveryfewyears,thatweareindeedthetreasuryoftheworld."

"ONTHELORD'SSIDE."

PresidentLincolnmadeasignificantremarktoaclergymanintheearlydaysoftheWar.

"Letushavefaith,Mr.President,"saidtheminister,"thattheLordisonoursideinthisgreatstruggle."

Mr.Lincolnquietlyanswered:"Iamnotatallconcernedaboutthat,forIknowthattheLordisalwaysonthesideoftheright;butitismyconstantanxietyandprayerthatIandthisnationmaybeontheLord'sside."

WANTEDTOBENEAR"ABE."

ItwasLincoln'scustomtoholdaninformalreceptiononceaweek,eachcallertakinghisturn.

UpononeoftheseeventfuldaysanoldfriendfromIllinoisstoodinlineforalmostanhour.AtlasthewassonearthePresidenthisvoicecouldreachhim,and,callingouttohisoldassociate,hestartledeveryonebyexclaiming,"Hallo,'Abe';howareye?I'minlineandhevcomeforanorfice,too."

Lincolnsingledoutthemanwiththestentorianvoice,andrecognizingaparticularlyoldfriend,onewhosewifehadbefriendedhimatapeculiarlytryingtime,thePresidentrespondedtohisgreetinginacordialmanner,andtoldhim"tohangontohimselfandnotkickthetraces.Keepinlineandyou'llsoongethere

."

Theymetandshookhandswiththeoldfervorandrenewedtheirfriendship.

Theinformalreceptionover,Lincolnsentforhisoldfriend,andthelatterbegantourgehisclaims.

Afterhavinggivenhimsomegoodadvice,Lincolnkindlytoldhimhewasincapableofholdinganysuchpositionasheaskedfor.ThedisappointmentoftheIllinoisfriendwasplainlyshown,andwithaperceptibletremorinhisvoicehesaid,"Martha'sdead,thegalismarried,andI'veguvJimtheforty."

ThenlookingatLincolnhecamealittlenearerandalmostwhispered,"Iknowed

Iwasn'teddicatedenoughtogittheplace,butIkinderwanttostaywhereIkensee'Abe'Lincoln."

HewasgivenemploymentintheWhiteHousegrounds.

AfterwardsthePresidentsaid,"Thesebriefinterviews,strippedofeventhesemblanceofceremony,givemeabetterinsightintotherealcharacterofthepersonandhistruereasonforseekingone."



GOTHISFOOTINIT.

WilliamH.Seward,idoloftheRepublicansoftheEast,sixmonthsafterLincolnhadmadehis"DividedHouse"speech,deliveredanaddressatRochester,NewYork,containingthisfamoussentence:

"Itisanirrepressibleconflictbetweenopposingandenduringforces,anditmeansthattheUnitedStatesmust,andwill,soonerorlater,becomeeitherentirelyaslave-holdingnation,orentirelyafree-labornation."

Seward,whohadsimplyfollowedinLincoln'ssteps,wasdefeatedforthePresidentialnominationattheRepublicanNationalConventionof1860,becausehewas"tooradical,"andLincoln,whowasstill"radicaler,"wasnamed.

SAVEDBYALETTER.

ThechiefinterestoftheIllinoiscampaignof1843layintheraceforCongressintheCapitaldistrict,whichwasbetweenHardin--fiery,eloquent,andimpetuousDemocrat--andLincoln--plain,practical,andennobledWhig.Theworldknowstheresult.Lincolnwaselected.

Itisnotsomuchhiselectionasthemannerinwhichhesecuredhisnominationwithwhichwehavetodeal.Beforethatever-memorablespringLincolnvacillatedbetweenthecourtsofSpringfield,ratedasaplain,honest,logicalWhig,withnoambitionhigherpoliticallythantooccupysomegoodhomeoffice.

Lateinthefallof1842hisnamebegantobementionedinconnectionwithCongressionalaspirations,whichfactgreatlyannoyedtheleadersofhispoliticalparty,whohadalreadyselectedastheWhigcandidateE.D.Baker,afterwardthegallantColonelwhofellsobravelyanddiedsuchanhonorabledeathonthebattlefieldofBall'sBluff.

Despitealleffortsofhisopponentswithinhisparty,thenameofthe"gauntrail-splitter"washailedwithacclaimbythemasses,towhomhehadendearedhim

selfbyhiswitticisms,honesttongue,andquaintphilosophywhenonthestump,orminglingwiththemintheirhomes.

Theconvention,whichmetinearlyspring,inthecityofSpringfield,wastobecomposedoftheusualnumberofdelegates.Thecontestforthenominationwasspiritedandexciting.

AfewweeksbeforethemeetingoftheconventionthefactwasfoundbytheleadersthattheadvantagelaywithLincoln,andthatunlesstheypulledsomeveryfinewiresnothingcouldsaveBaker.

Theyattemptedtoplaythegamethathassooftenwon,by"convincing"delegatesunderinstructionsforLincolntoviolatethem,andvoteforBaker.Theyhada

pparentlysucceeded.

"Thebestlaidplansofmiceandmengangaftagley."Soitwasinthiscase.TwodaysbeforetheconventionLincolnreceivedanintimationofthis,and,lateatnight,wrotethefollowingletter.

TheletterwasaddressedtoMartinMorris,whoresidedatPetersburg,anintimatefriendofhis,andbyhimcirculatedamongthosewhowereinstructedforhimatthecountyconvention.



Ithadthedesiredeffect.Theconventionmet,theschemeoftheconspiratorsmiscarried,Lincolnwasnominated,madeavigorouscanvass,andwastriumphantlyelected,thuspavingthewayforhismoreextendedandbrilliantconquests.

Thisletter,Lincolnhadoftentoldhisfriends,gavehimultimatelytheChiefMagistracyofthenation.Hehasalsosaid,that,hadhebeenbeatenbeforetheconvention,hewouldhavebeenforeverobscured.Thefollowingisaverbatimcopyoftheepistle:

"April14,1843.

"FriendMorris:IhavehearditintimatedthatBakeristryingtogetyouorMiles,orbothofyou,toviolatetheinstructionsofthemeetingthatappointedyou,andtogoforhim.Ihaveinsisted,andstillinsist,thatthiscannotbetrue.

"SureBakerwouldnotdothelike.AswellmightHardinaskmetovoteforhimintheconvention.

"Again,itissaidtherewillbeanattempttogetinstructionsinyourcountyrequiringyoutogoforBaker.Thisisallwrong.Uponthesamerule,whymightInotflyfromthedecisionagainstmeatSangamonandgetupinstructionstotheirdelegatestogoforme.Thereareatleast1,200Whigsinthecountythattooknopart,andyetIwouldassoonstickmyheadinthefireasattemptit.

"Besides,ifanyoneshouldgetthenominationbysuchextraordinarymeans,allharmonyinthedistrictwouldinevitablybelost.HonestWhigs(andverynearlyallofthemarehonest)wouldnotquietlyabidesuchenormities.

"Irepeat,suchanattemptonBaker'spartcannotbetrue.WritemeatSpringfieldhowthematteris.Don'tshoworspeakofthisletter.

"A.LINCOLN."

Mr.Morrisdidshowtheletter,andMr.Lincolnalwaysthankedhisstarsthath

edid.

HISFAVORITEPOEM.

Mr.Lincoln'sfavoritepoemwas"Oh!WhyShouldtheSpiritofMortalBeProud?"writtenbyWilliamKnox,aScotchman,althoughMr.Lincolnneverknewtheauthor'sname.Heoncesaidtoafriend:

"Thispoemhasbeenagreatfavoritewithmeforyears.Itwasfirstshowntome,whenayoungman,byafriend.Iafterwardsawitandcutitfromanewspaperandlearneditbyheart.Iwouldgiveagreatdealtoknowwhowroteit,butI

haveneverbeenabletoascertain."

"Oh!whyshouldthespiritofmortalbeproud?--Likeaswift-fleeingmeteor,afast-flyingcloud,Aflashofthelightning,abreakofthewave,Hepassethfromlifetohisrestinthegrave.

"Theleavesoftheoakandthewillowshallfade,Bescatteredaround,andtogetherbelaid;Andtheyoungandtheold,andthelowandthehigh,Shallmouldertodust,andtogethershalllie.



"Theinfantamotherattendedandloved;Themother,thatinfant'saffectionwhoproved,Thehusband,thatmotherandinfantwhoblessed--Each,all,areawaytotheirdwellingsofrest.

"Themaidonwhosecheek,onwhosebrow,inwhoseeye,Shonebeautyandpleasure--hertriumphsareby;Andthememoryofthosewholovedherandpraised,Arealikefromthemindsofthelivingerased.

"Thehandoftheking,thatthesceptrehathborne,Thebrowofthepriest,thatthemitrehathworn,Theeyeofthesage,andtheheartofthebrave,Arehiddenandlostinthedepthsofthegrave.

"Thepeasant,whoselotwastosowandtoreap,Theherdsman,whoclimbedwithhisgoatsupthesteep;Thebeggar,whowanderedinsearchofhisbread,Havefadedawaylikethegrassthatwetread.

"Thesaint,whoenjoyedthecommunionofheaven,Thesinner,whodaredtoremainunforgiven;Thewiseandthefoolish,theguiltyandjust,Havequietlymingledtheirbonesinthedust.

"Sothemultitudegoes--liketheflowerortheweedThatwithersawaytoletotherssucceed;Sothemultitudecomes--eventhosewebehold,Torepeateverytalethathasoftenbeentold:

"Forwearethesameourfathershavebeen;Weseethesamesightsourfathershaveseen;Wedrinkthesamestream,weviewthesamesun,Andrunthesamecourseourfathershaverun.

"Thethoughtswearethinking,ourfatherswouldthink;Fromthedeathweareshrinking,ourfatherswouldshrink;Tothelifeweareclinging,theyalsowouldcling--Butitspeedsfromusalllikeabirdonthewing.

"Theyloved--butthestorywecannotunfold;Theyscorned--buttheheartofthehaughtyiscold;Theygrieved--butnowailfromtheirslumberwillcome;Theyjoyed--butthetongueoftheirgladnessisdumb.

"Theydied--aye,theydied--andwethingsthatarenow,Thatwalkontheturft

hatlieso'ertheirbrow,Andmakeintheirdwellingsatransientabode,Meetthethingsthattheymetontheirpilgrimageroad.

"Yea!hopeanddespondency,pleasureandpain,Aremingledtogetherinsunshineandrain;Andthesmileandthetear,thesongandthedirge,Stillfolloweachother,likesurgeuponsurge.

"'Tisthewinkofaneye,--'tisthedraughtofabreath;--Fromtheblossomofhealthtothepalenessofdeath,Fromthegildedsaloontothebierandtheshroud:--Oh!whyshouldthespiritofmortalbeproud?"

FIVE-LEGGEDCALF.

PresidentLincolnhadgreatdoubtastohisrighttoemancipatetheslavesundertheWarpower.Indiscussingthequestion,heusedtolikethecasetothatoftheboywho,whenaskedhowmanylegshiscalfwouldhaveifhecalleditstailaleg,replied,"five,"towhichthepromptresponsewasmadethatcallingthetailalegwouldnotmakeitaleg.



ASTAGE-COACHSTORY.

ThefollowingistoldbyThomasH.Nelson,ofTerreHaute,Indiana,whowasappointedministertoChilibyLincoln:

JudgeAbramHammond,afterwardsGovernorofIndiana,andmyselfarrangedtogofromTerreHautetoIndianapolisinastage-coach.

Aswesteppedinwediscoveredthattheentirebackseatwasoccupiedbyalong,lankindividual,whoseheadseemedtoprotrudefromoneendofthecoachandhisfeetfromtheother.Hewasthesoleoccupant,andwassleepingsoundly.Hammondslappedhimfamiliarlyontheshoulder,andaskedhimifhehadcharteredthecoachthatday.

"Certainlynot,"andheatoncetookthefrontseat,politelygivingustheplaceofhonorandcomfort.Anodd-lookingfellowhewas,withatwenty-fivecenthat,withoutvestorcravat.Regardinghimasagoodsubjectformerriment,weperpetratedseveraljokes.

Hetookthemallwithutmostinnocenceandgoodnature,andjoinedinthelaugh,althoughathisownexpense.

Afteranastoundingdisplayofwordypyrotechnics,thedazedandbewilderedstrangerasked,"Whatwillbetheupshotofthiscometbusiness?"

LateintheeveningwereachedIndianapolis,andhurriedtoBrowning'shotel,losingsightofthestrangeraltogether.

Weretiredtoourroomtobrushourclothes.InafewminutesIdescendedtotheportico,andtheredescriedourlong,gloomyfellowtravelerinthecenterofanadmiringgroupoflawyers,amongwhomwereJudgesMcLeanandHuntington,AlbertS.White,andRichardW.Thompson,whoseemedtobeamusedandinterestedinastoryhewastelling.IinquiredofBrowning,thelandlord,whohewas."AbrahamLincoln,ofIllinois,amemberofCongress,"washisresponse.

Iwasthunderstruckattheannouncement.IhastenedupstairsandtoldHammondthestartlingnews,andtogetherweemergedfromthehotelbyabackdoor,andwe

ntdownanalleytoanotherhouse,thusavoidingfurthercontactwithourdistinguishedfellowtraveler.

Yearsafterward,whenthePresident-electwasonhiswaytoWashington,Iwasinthesamehotellookingoverthedistinguishedparty,whenalongarmreachedtomyshoulder,andashrillvoiceexclaimed,"Hello,Nelson!doyouthink,afterall,thewholeworldisgoingtofollowthedarnedthingoff?"Thewordsweremyowninanswertohisquestioninthestage-coach.ThespeakerwasAbrahamLincoln.

THE"400"GATHEREDTHERE.

Lincolnhadperiodswhile"clerking"intheNewSalemgrocerystoreduringwhichtherewasnothingforhimtodo,andwasthereforeincircumstancesthatmadelazinessalmostinevitable.Hadpeoplecometohimforgoods,theywouldhavefoundhimwillingtosellthem.Hesoldallthathecould,doubtless.

Thestoresoonbecamethesocialcenterofthevillage.Ifthepeopledidnotcare(orwereunable)tobuygoods,theylikedtogowheretheycouldtalkwiththeirneighborsandlistentostories.TheseLincolngavetheminabundance,andofararesort.



Itwasinthesegatheringsofthe"FourHundred"atthevillagestorethatLincolngothistrainingasadebater.Publicquestionswerediscussedtheredailyandnightly,andLincolnalwaystookaprominentpartinthediscussions.Manyofthedebaterscametoconsider"AbeLinkin"asaboutthesmartestmaninthevillage.

ONLYLEVEL-HEADEDMENWANTED.

Lincolnwantedmenoflevelheadsforimportantcommands.Notinfrequentlyhegavehisgeneralsadvice.

HeappreciatedHooker'sbravery,dashandactivity,butwasfearfuloftheresultsofwhathedenominated"swashingaround."

ThiswasoneofhistelegramstoHooker:

"Andnow,bewareofrashness;bewareofrashness,but,withenergyandsleeplessvigilance,goforwardandgiveusvictories."

HISFAITHINTHEMONITOR.

WhentheConfederateiron-cladMerrimacwassentagainsttheUnionvesselsinHamptonRoadsPresidentLincolnexpressedhisbeliefintheMonitortoCaptainFox,theadviserofCaptainEricsson,whoconstructedtheMonitor."WehavethreeofthemosteffectivevesselsinHamptonRoads,andanynumberofsmallcraftthatwillhangonthesternoftheMerrimaclikesmalldogsonthehaunchesofabear.Theymaynotbeabletotearherdown,buttheywillinterferewiththecomfortofhervoyage.Hertrialtripwillnotbeapleasuretrip,Iamcertain.

"Wehavehadabigshareofbadluckalready,butIdonotbelievethefuturehasanysuchmisfortunesinstoreforusasyouanticipate."SaidCaptainFox:"IftheMerrimacdoesnotsinkourships,whoistopreventherfromdroppingher

anchorinthePotomac,wherethatsteamerlies,"pointingtoasteameratanchorbelowthelongbridge,"andthrowingherhundred-poundshellsintothisroom,orbatteringdownthewallsoftheCapitol?"

"TheAlmighty,Captain,"answeredthePresident,excitedly,butwithouttheleastaffectation."Iexpectset-backs,defeats;wehavehadthemandshallhavethem.Theyarecommontoallwars.ButIhavenottheslightestfearofanyresultwhichshallfatallyimpairourmilitaryandnavalstrength,orgiveotherpowersanyrighttointerfereinourquarrel.ThedestructionoftheCapitolwoulddoboth.

"Idonotfearit,forthisisGod'sfight,andHewillwinitinHisowngoodtime.Hewilltakecarethatourenemieswillnotpushustoofar.

"Speakingofiron-clads,"saidthePresident,"youdonotseemtotakethelittleMonitorintoaccount.IbelieveintheMonitorandhercommander.IfCaptainWordendoesnotgiveagoodaccountoftheMonitorandofhimself,IshallhavemadeamistakeinfollowingmyjudgmentforthefirsttimesinceIhavebeenhere,Captain.

"IhavenotmadeamistakeinfollowingmyclearjudgmentofmensincethisWarbegan.IfollowedthatjudgmentwhenIgaveWordenthecommandoftheMonitor.Iwouldmaketheappointmentoveragainto-day.TheMonitorshouldbeinHampton



Roadsnow.SheleftNewYorkeightdaysago."

AfterthecaptainhadagainpresentedwhatheconsideredthepossibilitiesoffailurethePresidentreplied,"No,no,Captain,Irespectyourjudgmentsasyouhavereasontoknow,butthistimeyouareallwrong.

"TheMonitorwasoneofmyinspirations;IbelievedinherfirmlywhenthatenergeticcontractorfirstshowedmeEricsson'splans.CaptainEricsson'splainbutratherenthusiasticdemonstrationmademyconversionpermanent.Itwascalledafloatingbatterythen;Icalleditaraft.Icaughtsomeoftheinventor'senthusiasmandithasbeengrowinguponme.Ithoughtthen,andIamconfidentnow,itisjustwhatwewant.IamsurethattheMonitorisstillafloat,andthatshewillyetgiveagoodaccountofherself.SometimesIthinkshemaybetheveritableslingwithastonethatwillyetsmitetheMerrimacPhilistineintheforehead."

SoonwasthePresident'sjudgmentverified,forthe"FightoftheMonitorandMerrimac"changedalltheconditionsofnavalwarfare.

Afterthevictorywasgained,thepresidingCaptainFoxandotherswentonboardtheMonitor,andCaptainWordenwasrequestedbythePresidenttonarratethehistoryoftheencounter.

CaptainWordendidsoinamodestmanner,andapologizedfornotbeingablebet

tertoprovideforhisguests.ThePresidentsmilinglyresponded"SomecharitablepeoplesaythatoldBourbonisanindispensableelementinthefightingqualitiesofsomeofourgeneralsinthefield,but,Captain,aftertheaccountthatwehaveheardto-day,noonewillsaythatanyDutchcourageisneededonboardtheMonitor."

"Itneverhasbeen,sir,"modestlyobservedthecaptain.

CaptainFoxthengaveadescriptionofwhathesawoftheengagementanddescribeditasindescribablygrand.Then,turningtothePresident,hecontinued,"Nowstandinghereonthedeckofthisbattle-scarredvessel,thefirstgenuineiron-clad--thevictorinthefirstfightofiron-clads--letmemakeaconfession,andperformanactofsimplejustice.

"IneverfullybelievedinarmoredvesselsuntilIsawthisbattle.

"IknowallthefactswhichunitedtogiveustheMonitor.IwithholdnocreditfromCaptainEricsson,herinventor,butIknowthatthecountryisprincipallyindebtedfortheconstructionofthevesseltoPresidentLincoln,andforthesuccessofhertrialtoCaptainWorden,hercommander."

HERONLYIMPERFECTION.

AtonetimeacertainMajorHillchargedLincolnwithmakingdefamatoryremarks

regardingMrs.Hill.

HillwasinsultinginhislanguagetoLincolnwhoneverlosthistemper.

Whenhesawhischancetoedgeawordin,Lincolndeniedemphaticallyusingthelanguageoranythinglikethatattributedtohim.

Heentertained,heinsisted,ahighregardforMrs.Hill,andtheonlythingheknewtoherdiscreditwasthefactthatshewasMajorHill'swife.



THEOLDLADY'SPROPHECY.

AmongthosewhocalledtocongratulateMr.LincolnuponhisnominationforPresidentwasanoldlady,veryplainlydressed.SheknewMr.Lincoln,butMr.Lincolndidnotatfirstrecognizeher.Thensheundertooktorecalltohismemorycertainincidentsconnectedwithhisrideuponthecircuit--especiallyhisdiningatherhouseupontheroadatdifferenttimes.Thenherememberedherandherhome.

Havingfixedherownplaceinhisrecollection,shetriedtorecalltohimacertainscantydinnerofbreadandmilkthatheonceateatherhouse.Hecouldnotrememberit--onthecontrary,heonlyrememberedthathehadalwaysfaredwellatherhouse.

"Well,"shesaid,"onedayyoucamealongafterwehadgotthroughdinner,andwehadeatenupeverything,andIcouldgiveyounothingbutabowlofbreadandmilk,andyouateit;andwhenyougotupyousaiditwasgoodenoughforthePresidentoftheUnitedStates!"

Thegoodwomanhadcomeinfromthecountry,makingajourneyofeightortenmiles,torelatetoMr.Lincolnthisincident,which,inhermind,haddoubtlesstakentheformofaprophecy.Mr.Lincolnplacedthehonestcreatureatherease

,chattedwithherofoldtimes,anddismissedherinthemosthappyframeofmind.

HOWTHETOWNOFLINCOLN,ILL.,WASNAMED.

ThestoryofnamingthetownofLincoln,thecountyseatofLogancounty,Illinois,isthusgivenongoodauthority:

Thefirstrailroadhadbeenbuiltthroughthecounty,andastationwasabouttobelocatedthere.Lincoln,VirgilHitchcock,ColonelR.B.Lathamandseveralothersweresittingonapileoftiesandtalkingaboutmovingacountyseatfro

mMountPulaski.Mr.Lincolnroseandstartedtowalkaway,whenColonelLathamsaid:"Lincoln,ifyouwillhelpustogetthecountyseathere,wewillcalltheplaceLincoln."

"Allright,Latham,"hereplied.

ColonelLathamthendeededhimalotonthewestsideofthecourthouse,andheowneditatthetimehewaselectedPresident.

"OLDJEFF'S"BIGNIGHTMARE.

"Jeff"DavishadalargeandthreateningnightmareinNovember,1864,andwhathesawinhistroubleddreamswasthelongandlankyfigureofAbrahamLincoln,whohadjustbeenendorsedbythepeopleoftheUnitedStatesforanothertermintheWhiteHouseatWashington.Thecartoonreproducedhereisfromtheissueof"FrankLeslie'sIllustratedNewspaper"ofDecember3rd,1864,itbeingentitled"JeffDavis'NovemberNightmare."

DavishadbeentoldthatMcClellan,"theWarisafailure"candidateforthePresidency,wouldhavenodifficultywhateverindefeatingLincoln;thatnegotiationswiththeConfederateofficialsforthecessationofhostilitieswouldbeent



eredintoassoonasMcClellanwasseatedintheChiefExecutive'schair;thattheConfederacywould,inallprobability,berecognizedasanindependentgovernmentbytheWashingtonAdministration;thatthe"sacredinstitution"ofslaverywouldcontinuetodobusinessattheoldstand;thattheConfederacywouldbeoneofthegreatnationsoftheworld,andhaveallthe"StateRights"andotherthingsitwanted,withabsolutelynointerferencewhateveruponthepartoftheNorth.

Therefore,Lincoln'sre-electionwasarough,rudeshocktoDavis,whohadnotpreparedhimselfforsuchanevent.Sixmonthsfromthedateofthatnightmare-dreamhewasaprisonerinthehandsoftheUnionforces,andtheConfederacywasathingofthepast.

LINCOLN'SLASTOFFICIALACT.

ProbablythelastofficialactofPresidentLincoln'slifewasthesigningofthecommissionreappointingAlvinSaundersGovernorofNebraska.

"IsawMr.Lincolnregardingthematter,"saidGovernorSaunders,"andhetoldmetogohome;thathewouldattendtoitallright.IleftWashingtononthemorningofthe14th,andwhileenroutethenewsoftheassassinationontheeveningofthesamedayreachedme.Iimmediatelywiredbacktofindoutwhathadbec

omeofmycommission,andwastoldthattheroomhadnotbeenopened.Whenitwasopened,thedocumentwasfoundlyingonthedesk.

"Mr.Lincolnsigneditjustbeforeleavingforthetheaterthatfatalevening,andleftitlyingthere,unfolded.

"Anotewasfoundbelowthedocumentasfollows:'Ratheralengthycommission,bestowinguponMr.AlvinSaunderstheofficialauthorityofGovernoroftheTerritoryofNebraska.'ThencameLincoln'ssignature,which,withoneexception,thatofapenciledmessageonthebackofacardsentupbyafriendasMr.Lincolnwasdressingforthetheater,wastheverylastsignatureofthemartyredPresident."

THELADNEEDEDTHESLEEP.

ApersonalfriendofPresidentLincolnisauthorityforthis:

"IcalledonhimonedayintheearlypartoftheWar.Hehadjustwrittenapardonforayoungmanwhohadbeensentencedtobeshotforsleepingathispost.Heremarkedashereadittome:

"'Icouldnotthinkofgoingintoeternitywiththebloodofthepooryoungmanonmyskirts.'Thenheadded:

"'Itisnottobewonderedatthataboy,raisedonafarm,probablyinthehabitofgoingtobedatdark,should,whenrequiredtowatch,fallasleep;andIc

annotconsenttoshoothimforsuchanact.'"

"MASSALINKUMLIKEDELORD!"

BytheActofEmancipationPresidentLincolnbuiltforhimselfforeverthefirstplaceintheaffectionsoftheAfricanraceinthiscountry.Theloveandreverencemanifestedforhimbymanyofthesepeoplehas,onsomeoccasions,almostreachedadoration.OnedayColonelMcKaye,ofNewYork,whohadbeenoneofaco



mmitteetoinvestigatetheconditionofthefreedmen,uponhisreturnfromHiltonHeadandBeaufortcalleduponthePresident,andinthecourseoftheinterviewsaidthatuptothetimeofthearrivalamongthemintheSouthoftheUnionforcestheyhadnoknowledgeofanyotherpower.Theirmastersfledupontheapproachofoursoldiers,andthisgavetheslavestheconceptionofapowergreaterthantheirmastersexercised.Thispowertheycalled"MassaLinkum."

ColonelMcKayesaidtheirplaceofworshipwasalargebuildingtheycalled"thepraisehouse,"andtheleaderofthe"meeting,"avenerableblackman,wasknownas"thepraiseman."

Onacertainday,whentherewasquitealargegatheringofthepeople,considerableconfusionwascreatedbydifferentpersonsattemptingtotellwhoandwhat"MassaLinkum"was.Inthemidstoftheexcitementthewhite-headedleadercommandedsilence."Brederen,"saidhe,"youdon'tknownosen'whatyou'setalkin''bout.Now,youjustlistentome.MassaLinkum,heeberywhar.Heknoweberyting."

Then,solemnlylookingup,headded:"HewalkdeearflikedeLord!"

HOWLINCOLNTOOKTHENEWS.

OneofLincoln'smostdearlylovedfriends,UnitedStatesSenatorEdwardD.Baker,ofOregon,ColoneloftheSeventy-firstPennsylvania,aformertownsmanofMr.Lincoln,waskilledatthebattleofBall'sBluff,inOctober,1861.ThePresidentwenttoGeneralMcClellan'sheadquarterstohearthenews,andafriendthusdescribedtheeffectithaduponhim:

"WecouldheartheclickofthetelegraphintheadjoiningroomandlowconversationbetweenthePresidentandGeneralMcClellan,succeededbysilence,exceptingtheclick,clickoftheinstrument,whichwentonwithitstaleofdisaster.

"Fiveminutespassed,andthenMr.Lincoln,unattended,withbowedheadandtearsrollingdownhisfurrowedcheeks,hisfacepaleandwan,hisbreastheavingwithemotion,passedthroughtheroom.Healmostfellashesteppedintothestre

et.Wespranginvoluntarilyfromourseatstorenderassistance,buthedidnotfall.

"Withbothhandspresseduponhisheart,hewalkeddownthestreet,notreturningthesaluteofthesentinelpacinghisbeatbeforethedoor."

PROFANITYASASAFETY-VALVE.

Lincolnneverindulgedinprofanity,butconfessedthatwhenLeewasbeatenatMalvernHill,aftersevendaysoffighting,andRichmond,buttwelvemilesaway,wasatMcClellan'smercy,hefeltverymuchlikeswearingwhenhelearnedthat

theUniongeneralhadretiredtoHarrison'sLanding.

LeewassoconfidenthisopponentwouldnotgotoRichmondthathetookhisarmyintoMaryland--amovehewouldnothavemadehadanenergeticfightingmanbeeninMcClellan'splace.

ItistrueMcClellanfollowedanddefeatedLeeinthebloodiestbattleoftheWar--Antietam--afterwardsfollowinghimintoVirginia;butLincolncouldnotbringhimselftoforgivethegeneral'sinactionbeforeRichmond.



WHYWEWONATGETTYSBURG.

PresidentLincolnsaidtoGeneralSickles,justafterthevictoryofGettysburg:"Thefactis,General,inthestressandpinchofthecampaignthere,Iwenttomyroom,andgotdownonmykneesandprayedGodAlmightyforvictoryatGettysburg.ItoldHimthatthiswasHiscountry,andthewarwasHiswar,butthatwereallycouldn'tstandanotherFredericksburgorChancellorsville.AndthenandthereImadeasolemnvowwithmyMakerthatifHewouldstandbyyouboysatGettysburgIwouldstandbyHim.AndHedid,andIwill!AndafterthisIfeltthatGodAlmightyhadtakenthewholethingintoHishands."

HADTOWAITFORHIM.

PresidentLincoln,havingarrangedtogotoNewYork,waslateforhistrain,muchtothedisgustofthosewhoweretoaccompanyhim,andallwerecompelledtowaitseveralhoursuntilthenexttrainsteamedoutofthestation.PresidentLincolnwasmuchamusedatthedissatisfactiondisplayed,andthenventuredtheremarkthatthesituationremindedhimof"alittlestory."Saidhe:

"OutinIllinois,aconvictwhohadmurderedhiscellmatewassentencedtobeh

anged.Onthedaysetfortheexecution,crowdslinedtheroadsleadingtothespotwherethescaffoldhadbeenerected,andtherewasmuchjostlingandexcitement.Thecondemnedmantookmatterscoolly,andasonebatchofperspiring,anxiousmenrushedpastthecartinwhichhewasriding,hecalledout,'Don'tbeinahurry,boys.You'vegotplentyoftime.Therewon'tbeanyfununtilIgetthere.'

"That'stheconditionofthingsnow,"concludedthePresident;"therewon'tbeanyfunatNewYorkuntilIgetthere."

PRESIDENTANDCABINETJOINEDINPRAYER.

OnthedaythenewsofGeneralLee'ssurrenderatAppomattoxCourt-Housewasreceived,soanintimatefriendofPresidentLincolnrelates,theCabinetmeetingwasheldanhourearlierthanusual.NeitherthePresidentnoranymemberoftheCabinetwasable,foratime,togiveutterancetohisfeelings.AtthesuggestionofMr.Lincolnalldroppedontheirknees,andoffered,insilenceandintears,theirhumbleandheartfeltacknowledgmentstotheAlmightyforthetriumphHehadgrantedtotheNationalcause.

BELIEVEDHEWASACHRISTIAN.

Mr.Lincolnwasmuchimpressedwiththedevotionandearnestnessofpurposemanifestedbyacertainladyofthe"ChristianCommission"duringtheWar,andononeoccasion,aftershehaddischargedtheobjectofhervisit,saidtoher:

"Madam,IhaveformedahighopinionofyourChristiancharacter,andnow,aswearealone,Ihaveamindtoaskyoutogivemeinbriefyourideaofwhatconstitutesatruereligiousexperience."

Theladyrepliedatsomelength,statingthat,inherjudgment,itconsistedofaconvictionofone'sownsinfulnessandweakness,andapersonalneedoftheS



aviourforstrengthandsupport;thatviewsofmeredoctrinemightandwoulddiffer,butwhenonewasreallybroughttofeelhisneedofdivinehelp,andtoseektheaidoftheHolySpiritforstrengthandguidance,itwassatisfactoryevidenceofhishavingbeenbornagain.Thiswasthesubstanceofherreply.

Whenshehad,concludedMr.Lincolnwasverythoughtfulforafewmoments.Heatlengthsaid,veryearnestly:"IfwhatyouhavetoldmeisreallyacorrectviewofthisgreatsubjectIthinkIcansaywithsinceritythatIhopeIamaChristian.Ihadlived,"hecontinued,"untilmyboyWilliediedwithoutfullyrealizingthesethings.Thatblowoverwhelmedme.ItshowedmemyweaknessasIhadneverfeltitbefore,andifIcantakewhatyouhavestatedasatestIthinkIcansafelysaythatIknowsomethingofthatchangeofwhichyouspeak;andIwillfurtheraddthatithasbeenmyintentionforsometime,atasuitableopportunity,tomakeapublicreligiousprofession."

WITHTHEHELPOFGOD.

Mr.LincolnonceremarkedtoMr.NoahBrooks,oneofhismostintimatepersonalfriends:"IshouldbethemostpresumptuousblockheaduponthisfootstoolifIforonedaythoughtthatIcoulddischargethedutieswhichhavecomeuponme,sinceIcametothisplace,withouttheaidandenlightenmentofOnewhoisstrongerandwiserthanallothers."

Hesaidonanotheroccasion:"IamverysurethatifIdonotgoawayfromhereawiserman,Ishallgoawayabetterman,fromhavinglearnedherewhataverypoorsortofamanIam."

TURNEDTEARSTOSMILES.

OnenightSchuylerColfaxleftallotherbusinesstogototheWhiteHousetoaskthePresidenttorespitethesonofaconstituent,whowassentencedtobeshot,atDavenport,fordesertion.Mr.Lincolnheardthestorywithhisusualpatience,thoughhewasweariedoutwithincessantcalls,andanxiousforrest,and

thenreplied:

"SomeofourgeneralscomplainthatIimpairdisciplineandsubordinationinthearmybymypardonsandrespites,butitmakesmerested,afterahardday'swork,ifIcanfindsomegoodexcuseforsavingaman'slife,andIgotobedhappyasIthinkhowjoyousthesigningofmynamewillmakehimandhisfamilyandhisfriends."

Andwithahappysmilebeamingoverthatcare-furrowedface,hesignedthatnamethatsavedthatlife.

LINCOLN'SLASTWRITTENWORDS.

AsthePresidentandMrs.LincolnwereleavingtheWhiteHouse,afewminutesbeforeeighto'clock,ontheeveningofApril14th,1865,Lincolnwrotethisnote:

"AllowMr.Ashmunandfriendtocometoseemeat9o'clocka.m.,to-morrow,April15th,1865."



WOMENPLEADFORPARDONS.

OnedayduringtheWaranattractivelyandhandsomelydressedwomancalledonPresidentLincolntoprocurethereleasefromprisonofarelationinwhomsheprofessedthedeepestinterest.

Shewasagoodtalker,andherwinningwaysseemedtomakeadeepimpressiononthePresident.Afterlisteningtoherstory,hewroteafewwordsonacard:"Thiswoman,dearStanton,isalittlesmarterthanshelookstobe,"encloseditinanenvelopeanddirectedhertotakeittotheSecretaryofWar.

Onthesamedayanotherwomancalled,morehumbleinappearance,moreplainlyclad.Itwastheoldstory.

Fatherandsonbothinthearmy,theformerinprison.Couldnotthelatterbedischargedfromthearmyandsenthometohelphismother?

Afewstrokesofthepen,agentlenodofthehead,andthelittlewoman,hereyesfillingwithtearsandexpressingagratefulacknowledgmenthertongue,couldnotutter,passedout.

Aladysothankfulforthereleaseofherhusbandwasintheactofkneelinginthankfulness."Getup,"hesaid,"don'tkneeltome,butthankGodandgo."

Anoldladyforthesamereasoncameforwardwithtearsinhereyestoexpresshergratitude."Good-bye,Mr.Lincoln,"saidshe;"Ishallprobablyneverseeyouagaintillwemeetinheaven."ShehadthePresident'shandinhers,andhewasdeeplymoved.Heinstantlytookherrighthandinbothofhis,and,followinghertothedoor,said,"IamafraidwithallmytroublesIshallnevergettotheresting-placeyouspeakof;butifIdo,IamsureIshallfindyou.Thatyouwishmetogetthereis,Ibelieve,thebestwishyoucouldmakeforme.Good-bye."

ThenthePresidentremarkedtoafriend,"Itismorethanmanycanoftensay,thatindoingrightonehasmadetwopeoplehappyinoneday.Speed,diewhenImay,Iwantitsaidofmebythosewhoknowmebest,thatIhavealwayspluckeda

thistleandplantedaflowerwhenIthoughtaflowerwouldgrow."

LINCOLNWISHEDTOSEERICHMOND.

ThePresidentremarkedtoAdmiralDavidD.Porter,whileonboardtheflagshipMalvern,ontheJamesRiver,infrontofRichmond,thedaythecitysurrendered:

"ThankGodthatIhavelivedtoseethis!

"ItseemstomethatIhavebeendreamingahorriddreamforfouryears,andnowthenightmareisgone.

"IwishtoseeRichmond."

SPOKENLIKEACHRISTIAN.

FrederickDouglasstold,inthesewords,ofhisfirstinterviewwithPresidentLincoln:



"Iapproachedhimwithtrepidationastohowthisgreatmanmightreceiveme;butonewordandlookfromhimbanishedallmyfearsandsetmeperfectlyatease.Ihaveoftensaidsincethatmeetingthatitwasmucheasiertoseeandconversewithagreatmanthanitwaswithasmallman.

"Onthatoccasionhesaid:

"'Douglass,youneednottellmewhoyouare.Mr.Sewardhastoldmeallaboutyou.'

"Ithensawthattherewasnoreasontotellhimmypersonalstory,howeverinterestingitmightbetomyselforothers,soItoldhimatoncetheobjectofmyvisit.Itwastogetsomeexpressionfromhimuponthreepoints:

"1.Equalpaytocoloredsoldiers.

"2.Theirpromotionwhentheyhadearneditonthebattle-field.

"3.Shouldtheybetakenprisonersandenslavedorhanged,asJeffersonDavishadthreatened,anequalnumberofConfederateprisonersshouldbeexecutedwithinourlines.

"AdeclarationtothateffectIthoughtwouldpreventtheexecutionoftherebelthreat.Toallbutthelast,PresidentLincolnassented.Heargued,however,t

hatneitherequalpaynorpromotioncouldbegrantedatonce.Hesaidthatinviewofexistingprejudicesitwasagreatstepforwardtoemploycoloredtroopsatall;thatitwasnecessarytoavoideverythingthatwouldoffendthisprejudiceandincreaseoppositiontothemeasure.

"Hedetailedthestepsbywhichwhitesoldierswerereconciledtotheemploymentofcoloredtroops;howthesewerefirstemployedaslaborers;howitwasthoughttheyshouldnotbearmedoruniformedlikewhitesoldiers;howtheyshouldonlybemadetowearapeculiaruniform;howtheyshouldbeemployedtoholdfortsandarsenalsinsicklylocations,andnotenterthefieldlikeothersoldiers.

"Withalltheserestrictionsandlimitationsheeasilymademeseethatmuchwouldbegainedwhenthecoloredmanloomedbeforethecountryasafull-fledgedU

nitedStatessoldiertofight,flourishorfallindefenseoftheunitedrepublic.ThegreatsoulofLincolnhaltedonlywhenhecametothepointofretaliation.

"Thethoughtofhangingmenincoldblood,eventhoughtherebelsshouldmurderafewofthecoloredprisoners,wasahorrorfromwhichheshrank.

"'Oh,Douglass!Icannotdothat.IfIcouldgetholdoftheactualmurderersofcoloredprisonersIwouldretaliate;buttohangthosewhohavenohandinsuchmurders,Icannot.'

"Thecontemplationofsuchanactbroughttohiscountenancesuchanexpressionofsadnessandpitythatitmadeithardformetopressmypoint,thoughItol

dhimitwouldtendtosaveratherthandestroylife.He,however,insistedthatthisworkofblood,oncebegun,wouldbehardtostop--thatsuchviolencewouldbegetviolence.HearguedmorelikeadiscipleofChristthanacommander-in-chiefofthearmyandnavyofawarlikenationalreadyinvolvedinaterriblewar.

"Howsadandstrangethefateofthisgreatandgoodman,thesaviourofhiscountry,theembodimentofhumancharity,whoseheart,thoughstrong,wasastenderasaheartofchildhood;whoalwaystemperedjusticewithmercy;whosoughttosupplanttheswordwithcounselofreason,tosuppresspassionbykindnessandmoderation;whohadasighforeveryhumangriefandatearforeveryhumanwoe,



shouldatlastperishbythehandofadesperateassassin,againstwhomnothoughtofmalicehadeverenteredhisheart!"

"LINCOLNGOESINWHENTHEQUAKERSAREOUT"

Oneofthecampaignsongsof1860whichwillneverbeforgottenwasWhittier's"TheQuakersAreOut:--"

"Givetheflagstothewinds!Setthehillsallaflame!MakewayforthemanwithThePatriarch'sname!Awaywithmisgivings--awayWithalldoubt,ForLincolngoesinwhentheQuakersareout!"

Speakingofthissong(withwhichhewasgreatlypleased)onedayattheWhiteHouse,thePresidentsaid:"ItremindsmeofalittlestoryIheardyearsagooutinIllinois.Apoliticalcampaignwason,andtheatmospherewaskeptatahightemperature.Severalfightshadalreadyoccurred,manymenhavingbeenseriouslyhurt,andtheprospectswerethattheresultwouldbeclose.Oneofthecandidateswasaprofessionalpoliticianwithahugewartonhisnose,thisdisfigurementhavingearnedforhimthenicknameof'Warty.'Hisopponentwasayounglawyerwhowore'biled'shirts,'wasshavedbyabarber,andhadhisclothesmadetofithim.

"Now,'Warty'wasofQuakerstock,andaroundelectiontimemadeagreatparadeofthefact.WhentherewerenocampaignsinprogresshewasanythingbutQuakerishinhislanguageoractions.Theyounglawyerdidn'tknowwhattheinsideofameetinghouselookedlike.

"Well,thenightbeforeelection-daythetwocandidatescametogetheratajointdebate,bothbeingonthespeakers'platform.Theyounglawyerhadtospeakafter'Warty,'andhisreputationsufferedatthehandsoftheQuaker,whotoldthemanyFriendspresentwhatawickedfellowtheyoungmanwas--neverwenttochurch,swore,drank,smokedandgambled.

"After'Warty'hadfinishedtheotheraroseandfacedtheaudience.'I'mnotagoodman,'saidhe,'andwhatmyopponenthassaidaboutmeistrueenough,but

I'malwaysthesame.Idon'tprofessreligionwhenIrunforoffice,andthenturnaroundandassociatewithbadpeoplewhenthecampaign'sover.I'mnohypocrite.Idon'tsingmanypsalms.Neitherdoesmyopponent;and,talkingaboutsinging,I'djustliketohearmyfriendwhoisrunningagainstmesingthesong--forthebenefitofthisaudience--Iheardhimsingthenightafterhewasnominated.Iyieldthefloortohim:

"Ofcourse'Warty'refused,hisQuakersupportersgrewsuspicious,andwhentheyturnedoutatthepollsthefollowingdaytheyvotedforthewickedyounglawyer.

"So,it'struethatwhen'theQuakersareout'themantheysupportisapttogoin."

HADCONFIDENCEINHIM--"BUT--."

"GeneralBlankasksformoremen,"saidSecretaryofWarStantontothePresidentoneday,showingthelatteratelegramfromthecommandernamedappealingforre-enforcements.

"Iguesshe'skilledoffenoughmen,hasn'the?"queriedthePresident.



"Idon'tmeanConfederates--ourownmen.What'stheuseinsendingvolunteersdowntohimifthey'reonlyusedtofillgraves?"

"Hisdispatchseemstoimplythat,inhisopinion,youhavenottheconfidenceinhimhethinkshedeserves,"theWarSecretarywentontosay,ashelookedoverthetelegramagain.

"Oh,"wasthePresident'sreply,"heneedn'tloseanyofhissleeponthataccount.Justtelegraphhimtothateffect;also,thatIdon'tproposetosendhimanymoremen."

HOWHOMINYWASORIGINATED.

DuringtheprogressofaCabinetmeetingthesubjectoffoodforthemenintheArmyhappenedtocomeup.FromthattheconversationchangedtothestudyoftheLatinlanguage.

"IstudiedLatinonce,"saidMr.Lincoln,inacasualway.

"Wereyouinterestedinit?"askedMr.Seward,theSecretaryofState.

"Well,yes.Isawsomeverycuriousthings,"wasthePresident'srejoinder.

"What?"askedSecretarySeward.

"Well,there'sthewordhominy,forinstance.Wehavejustorderedalotofthatstuffforthetroops.Iseehowthewordoriginated.InoticeitcamefromtheLatinwordhomo--aman.

"Whenwedeclinehomo,itis:

"'Homo--aman.

"'Hominis--ofman.

"'Homini--forman.'

"Soyousee,hominy,being'forman,'comesfromtheLatin.Iguessthosesoldierswhodon'tknowLatinwillgetalongwithitallright--thoughIwon'trestrealeasyuntilIhearfromtheCommissaryDepartmentonit."

HISIDEA'SOLD,AFTERALL.

Oneday,whilelisteningtooneofthewisemenwhohadcalledattheWhiteHousetounloadalargecargoofadvice,thePresidentinterjectedaremarktothe

effectthathehadagreatreverenceforlearning.

"Thisisnot,"PresidentLincolnexplained,"becauseIamnotaneducatedman.Ifeeltheneedofreading.Itisalosstoamannottohavegrownupamongbooks."

"Menofforce,"thevisitoranswered,"cangetonprettywellwithoutbooks.Theydotheirownthinkinginsteadofadoptingwhatothermenthink."

"Yes,"saidMr.Lincoln,"butbooksservetoshowamanthatthoseoriginaltho



ughtsofhisaren'tverynew,afterall."

Thiswasapointthecallerwasnotwillingtodebate,andsohecuthiscallshort.

LINCOLN'SFIRSTSPEECH.

Lincolnmadehisfirstspeechwhenhewasamereboy,goingbarefoot,histrousersheldupbyonesuspender,andhisshockofhairstickingthroughaholeinthecrownofhischeapstrawhat.

"Abe,"incompanywithDennisHanks,attendedapoliticalmeeting,whichwasaddressedbyatypicalstumpspeaker--oneofthoseloud-voicedfellowswhoshoutedatthetopofhisvoiceandwavedhisarmswildly.

Attheconclusionofthespeech,whichdidnotmeettheviewseitherof"Abe"orDennis,thelatterdeclaredthat"Abe"couldmakeabetterspeechthanthat.Whereuponhegotadry-goodsboxandcalledon"Abe"toreplytothecampaignorator.

Lincolnthrewhisoldstrawhatontheground,and,mountingthedry-goodsbox,deliveredaspeechwhichheldtheattentionofthecrowdandwonhimconsiderab

leapplause.Eventhecampaignoratoradmittedthatitwasafinespeechandansweredeverypointinhisown"oration."

DennisHanks,whothought"Abe"wasaboutthegreatestmanthateverlived,wasdelighted,andheoftentoldhowyoung"Abe"gotthebetterofthetrainedcampaignspeaker.

"ABEWANTEDNOSNEAKIN''ROUND."

Itwasin1830,when"Abe"wasjusttwenty-oneyearsofage,thattheLincolnfamilymovedfromGentryville,Indiana,tonearDecatur,Illinois,theirhousehol

dgoodsbeingpackedinawagondrawnbyfouroxendrivenby"Abe."

Thewinterpreviousthelatterhad"worked"inacountrystoreinGentryvilleandbeforeundertakingthejourneyheinvestedallthemoneyhehad--somethirtydollars--innotions,suchasneedles,pins,thread,buttonsandotherdomesticnecessities.Thesehesoldtofamiliesalongtherouteandmadeaprofitofaboutonehundredpercent.

Thismercantileadventureofhisyouth"reminded"thePresidentofaverycleverstorywhilethemembersoftheCabinetwereonedaysolemnlydebatingaratherseriousinternationalproblem.ThePresidentwasintheminority,aswasfrequentlythecase,andhewas"inahole,"asheafterwardsexpressedit.Hedidn'twanttoarguethepointsraised,preferringtosettlethematterinahurry,and

anaptstorywashisonlysalvation.

SuddenlythePresident'sfactbrightened."Gentlemen,"saidhe,addressingthoseseatedattheCabinettable,"thesituationjustnowremindsmeofafixIgotintosomethirtyyearsorsoagowhenIwaspeddling'notions'onthewayfromIndianatoIllinois.Ididn'thavealargestock,butIchargedlargeprices,andImademoney.Perhapsyoudon'tseewhatIamdrivingat?"

SecretaryofStateSewardwaswearingamostgloomyexpressionofcountenance;SecretaryofWarStantonwassavageandinclinedtobemorose;Secretaryofthe



TreasuryChasewasindifferentandcynical,whiletheothersofthePresidentialadvisersresignedthemselvestothehearingoftheinevitable"story."

"Idon'tproposetoarguethismatter,"thePresidentwentontosay,"becauseargumentshavenoeffectuponmenwhoseopinionsarefixedandwhosemindsaremadeup.Butthislittlestoryofminewillmakesomethingswhichnowareinthedarkshowupmoreclearly."

Therewasanotherpause,andtheCabinetofficers,maintainingtheirprevioussilence,beganwonderingifthePresidenthimselfreallyknewwhathewas"drivingat."

"JustbeforeweleftIndianaandcrossedintoIllinois,"continuedMr.Lincolnsolemnly,speakinginagravetoneofvoice,"wecameacrossasmallfarmhousefullofnothingbutchildren.Theserangedinyearsfromseventeenyearstoseventeenmonths,andallwereintears.Themotherofthefamilywasred-headedandred-faced,andthewhipsheheldinherrighthandledtotheinferencethatshehadbeenchastisingherbrood.Thefatherofthefamily,ameek-looking,mild-mannered,tow-headedchap,wasstandinginthefrontdoor-way,awaiting--toallappearances--histurntofeelthethong.

"Ithoughttherewasn'tmuchuseinaskingtheheadofthathouseifshewantedany'notions.'Shewastoobusy.Itwasevidentaninsurrectionhadbeeninprogress,butitwasprettywellquelledwhenIgotthere.Themotherhadaboutsup

presseditwithanironhand,butshewasnotrunninganyrisks.Shekeptakeenandwaryeyeuponallthechildren,notforgettinganoccasionalglanceatthe'oldman'inthedoorway.

"ShesawmeasIcameup,andfromherlookIthoughtshewasoftheopinionthatIintendedtointerfere.Advancingtothedoorway,androughlypushingherhusbandaside,shedemandedmybusiness.

"'Nothing,madame,'Iansweredasgentlyaspossible;'ImerelydroppedinasIcamealongtoseehowthingsweregoing.'

"'Well,youneedn'twait,'wasthereplyinanirritatedway;'there'stroublehere,an'lotsofit,too,butIkinmanagemyownaffairswithoutthehelpofo

utsiders.Thisisjestafamilyrow,butI'llteachthesebratstheirplacesefIhevtolickthehideoffev'ryoneofthem.Idon'tdomuchtalkin',butIrunthishouse,an'Idon'twantnoonesneakin'roundtryin'tofindouthowIdoit,either.'

"That'sthecaseherewithus,"thePresidentsaidinconclusion."Wemustlettheothernationsknowthatweproposetosettleourfamilyrowinourownway,and'teachthesebratstheirplaces'(thesecedingStates)ifwehaveto'lickthehideoff'ofeachandeveryoneofthem.And,liketheoldwoman,wedon'twantany'sneakin''round'byothercountrieswhowouldliketofindouthowwearetodoit,either.

"Now,Seward,youwritesomediplomaticnotestothateffect."

AndtheCabinetsessionclosed.

DIDN'TEVENNEEDSTILTS.

AsthePresidentconsideredithisdutytokeepintouchwithalltheimprovementsinthearmamentofthevesselsbelongingtotheUnitedStatesNavy,hewasnecessarilyinterestedinthevarioustypesofthesefloatingfortresses.Notonl



ywasitrequiredoftheNavyDepartmenttofurnishseagoingwarships,deep-draughtvesselsforthegreatriversandthelakes,butthisDepartmentalsofounduseforlittlegunboatswhichcouldcreepalongintheshallowestofwaterandattacktheConfederatesinby-placesandswamps.

TheconsequenceoftheinteresttakenbyMr.LincolnintheNavywasthathewasbesieged,dayandnight,bysteamboatcontractors,eachoneeagertosellhisproducttotheWashingtonGovernment.Allsortsofexperimentsweretried,somebeingdirefailures,whileothersweremorethanfairlysuccessful.Morethanoncehadthesetinywarvesselsprovedthemselvesofgreatservice,andtheUnitedStatesGovernmenthadalargenumberofthembuilt.

TherewasoneparticularcontractorwhobotheredthePresidentmorethanalltheothersputtogether.HewasconstantlyimpressinguponMr.Lincolnthegreatsuperiorityofhisboats,becausetheywouldruninsuchshallowwater.

"Oh,yes,"repliedthePresident,"I'venodoubtthey'llrunanywherewherethegroundisalittlemoist!"

"HOWDOYOUGETOUTOFTHISPLACE?"

"Itseemstome,"remarkedthePresidentonedaywhilereading,oversomeofth

eappealingtelegramssenttotheWarDepartmentbyGeneralMcClellan,"thatMcClellanhasbeenwanderingaroundandhassortofgotlost.He'sbeenholleringforhelpeversincehewentSouth--wantssomebodytocometohisdeliveranceandgethimoutoftheplacehe'sgotinto.

"HeremindsmeofthestoryofamanoutinIllinoiswho,incompanywithanumberoffriends,visitedtheStatepenitentiary.Theywanderedallthroughtheinstitutionandsaweverything,butjustaboutthetimetodepartthisparticularmanbecameseparatedfromhisfriendsandcouldn'tfindhiswayout.

"Heroamedupanddownonecorridorafteranother,becomingmoredesperateallthetime,when,atlast,hecameacrossaconvictwhowaslookingoutfrombetweenthebarsofhiscell-door.Herewassalvationatlast.Hurryinguptothepri

sonerhehastilyasked,

"'Say!Howdoyougetoutofthisplace?"

"TAD"INTRODUCES"OURFRIENDS."

PresidentLincolnoftenavoidedinterviewswithdelegationsrepresentingvariousStates,especiallywhenheknewtheobjectsoftheirerrands,andwasawarehecouldnotgranttheirrequests.ThiswasthecasewithseveralcommissionersfromKentucky,whowereputofffromdaytoday.

Theywereabouttogiveupindespair,andwereleavingtheWhiteHouselobby,theirspeechbeinginterspersedwithvehementanduncomplimentarytermsconcerning"OldAbe,"when"Tad"happenedalong.Hecaughtatthesewords,andaskedoneofthemiftheywantedtosee"OldAbe,"laughingatthesametime.

"Yes,"hereplied.

"Waitaminute,"said"Tad,"andrushedintohisfather'soffice.Saidhe,"Papa,mayIintroducesomefriendstoyou?"



Hisfather,alwaysindulgentandreadytomakehimhappy,kindlysaid,"Yes,myson,Iwillseeyourfriends."

"Tad"wenttotheKentuckiansagain,andaskedaverydignifiedlookinggentlemanofthepartyhisname.Hewastoldhisname.Hethensaid,"Come,gentlemen,"andtheyfollowedhim.

LeadingthemuptothePresident,"Tad,"withmuchdignity,said,"Papa,letmeintroducetoyouJudge----,ofKentucky;"andquicklyadded,"NowJudge,youintroducetheothergentlemen."

Theintroductionsweregonethroughwith,andtheyturnedouttobethegentlemenMr.Lincolnhadbeenavoidingforaweek.Mr.Lincolnreachedfortheboy,tookhiminhislap,kissedhim,andtoldhimitwasallright,andthathehadintroducedhisfriendlikealittlegentlemanashewas.Tadwaselevenyearsoldatthistime.

ThePresidentwaspleasedwithTad'sdiplomacy,andoftenlaughedattheincidentashetoldothersofit.Onedaywhilecaressingtheboy,heaskedhimwhyhecalledthosegentlemen"hisfriends.""Well,"saidTad,"Ihadseenthemsooften,andtheylookedsogoodandsorry,andsaidtheywerefromKentucky,thatIthoughttheymustbeourfriends.""Thatisright,myson,"saidMr.Lincoln;"Iwouldhavethewholehumanraceyourfriendsandmine,ifitwerepossible."

MIXEDUPWORSETHANBEFORE.

ThePresidenttoldastorywhichmostbeautifullyillustratedthemuddledsituationofaffairsatthetimeMcClellan'sfatewashanginginthebalance.McClellan'sworkwasnotsatisfactory,butthePresidenthesitatedtoremovehim;thegeneralwassoslowthattheConfederatesmarchedallaroundhim;and,toaddtothedilemma,thePresidentcouldnotfindasuitablemantotakeMcClellan'splace.

Thelatterwasapolitical,aswellasamilitary,factor;hisfriendsthreatenedthat,ifhewasremoved,manywarDemocratswouldcasttheirinfluencewitht

heSouth,etc.Itwas,altogether,asadmix-up,andthePresident,foratime,wasathiswits'end.Hewasassailedonallsideswithadvice,butnoneofitwasworthactingupon.

"Thissituationremindsme,"saidthePresidentataCabinetmeetingonedaynotlongbeforetheappointmentofGeneralHalleckasMcClellan'ssuccessorincommandoftheUnionforces,"ofaUnionmaninKentuckywhosetwosonsenlistedintheFederalArmy.HiswifewasofConfederatesympathies.HisnearestneighborwasaConfederateinfeeling,andhistwosonswerefightingunderLee.Thisneighbor'swifewasaUnionwomananditnearlybrokeherhearttoknowthathersonswerearrayedagainsttheUnion.

"Finally,thetwomen,aftereachhadtalkedthematteroverwithhiswife,agr

eedtoobtaindivorces;thisthey,did,andtheUnionmanandUnionwomanwerewedded,asweretheConfederatemanandtheConfederatewoman--themenswappedwives,inshort.Butthisdidn'tseemtohelpmattersany,forthesonsoftheUnionwomanwerestillfightingfortheSouth,andthesonsoftheConfederatewomancontinuedintheFederalArmy;theUnionhusbandcouldn'tgetalongwithhisUnionwife,andtheConfederatehusbandandhisConfederatewifecouldn'tagreeuponanything,beingforeverfussingandquarreling.

"It'sthesamethingwiththeArmy.Itdoesn'tseemworthwhiletosecuredivorcesandthenmarrytheArmyandMcClellantoothers,fortheywon'tgetalongan



ybetterthantheydonow,andthere'llonlybeanewsetofheartachesstarted.Ithinkwe'dbetterwait;perhapsarealfightinggeneralwillcomealongsomeofthesedays,andthenwe'llallbehappy.Ifyougotomixinginamix-up,youonlymakethemuddleworse."

"LONGABE'S"FEET"PROTRUDEDOVER."

GeorgeM.Pullman,thegreatsleeping-carbuilder,oncetoldajokeinwhichLincolnwastheprominentfigure.Infact,therewouldn'thavebeenanyjokehaditnotbeenfor"LongAbe."Atthetimeoftheoccurrence,whichwasthefoundationforthejoke--andPullmanadmittedthatthelatterwasonhim--Pullmanwastheconductorofhisonlysleeping-car.Thelatterwasanexperiment,andPullmanwasdoingeverythingpossibletogettherailroadstotakeholdofit.

"Onenight,"saidPullmanintellingthestory,"aswewereaboutgoingoutofChicago--thiswaslongbeforeLincolnwaswhatyoumightcallarenownedman--along,lean,uglyman,withawartonhischeek,cameintothedepot.Hepaidmefiftycents,andhalfaberthwasassignedhim.Thenhetookoffhiscoatandvestandhungthemup,andtheyfittedthepegaboutaswellastheyfittedhim.Thenhekickedoffhisboots,whichwereofsurprisinglength,turnedintotheberth,and,undoubtedlyhavinganeasyconscience,wassleepinglikeahealthybabybeforethecarleftthedepot.

"Prettysoonalongcameanotherpassengerandpaidhisfiftycents.Intwominuteshewasbackatme,angryasawethen.

"'There'samaninthatberthofmine,'saidhe,hotly,'andhe'sabouttenfeethigh.HowamIgoingtosleepthere,I'dliketoknow?Goandlookathim.'

"InIwent--mad,too.Thetall,lankman'skneeswereunderhischin,hisarmswerestretchedacrossthebedandhisfeetwerestoredcomfortably--forhim.Ishookhimuntilheawoke,andthentoldhimifhewantedthewholeberthhewouldhavetopay$1.

"'Mydearsir,'saidthetallman,'acontractisacontract.Ihavepaidyouf

iftycentsforhalfthisberth,and,asyousee,I'moccupyingit.There'stheotherhalf,'pointingtoastripaboutsixincheswide.'Sellthatanddon'tdisturbmeagain.'

"Andsosaying,themanwithawartonhisfacewenttosleepagain.HewasAbrahamLincoln,andhenevergrewanyshorterafterward.Webecamegreatfriends,andoftenlaughedovertheincident."

COULDLICKANYMANINTHECROWD.

WhentheenemiesofGeneralGrantwerebotheringthePresidentwithemphatican

drepeateddemandsthatthe"SilentMan"beremovedfromcommand,Mr.Lincolnremainedfirm.Hewouldnotconsenttolosetheservicesofsovaluableasoldier."Grantfights,"saidheinresponsetothechargesmadethatGrantwasabutcher,adrunkard,anincompetentandageneralwhodidnotknowhisbusiness.

"Thatremindsmeofastory,"PresidentLincolnsaidonedaytoadelegationofthe"Grant-is-no-good"style.

"OutinmyStateofIllinoistherewasamannominatedforsheriffofthecounty.Hewasagoodmanfortheoffice,brave,determinedandhonest,butnotmuch



ofanorator.Infact,hecouldn'ttalkatall;hecouldn'tmakeaspeechtosavehislife.

"Hisfriendsknewhewasamanwhowouldpreservethepeaceofthecountyandperformthedutiesdevolvinguponhimallright,butthepeopleofthecountydidn'tknowit.Theywantedhimtocomeoutboldlyontheplatformatpoliticalmeetingsandstatehisconvictionsandprinciples;theyhadbeenusedtospeechesfromcandidates,andweresomewhatsuspiciousofamanwhowasafraidtoopenhismouth.

"Atlastthecandidateconsentedtomakeaspeech,andhisfriendsweredelighted.Thecandidatewasonhand,and,whenhewascalledupon,advancedtothefrontandfacedthecrowd.Therewasaglitterinhiseyethatwasn'tpleasing,andthewayhewalkedouttothefrontofthestandshowedthatheknewjustwhathewantedtosay.

"'FellerCitizens,'washisbeginning,thewordsspokenquietly,'I'mnotaspeakin'man;Iain'tnoorator,an'Ineverstoodupbeforealotofpeopleinmylifebefore;I'mnotgoin'tomakenospeech,'xcepttosaythatIcanlickanymaninthecrowd!'"

HISWAYTOACHILD'SHEART.

CharlesE.Anthony'sonemeetingwithMr.Lincolnpresentsaninterestingcontrasttothoseofthemenwhosharedtheemancipator'sinterestinpublicaffairs.Itwasinthelatterpartofthewinterof1861,ashorttimebeforeMr.LincolnleftforhisinaugurationatWashington.JudgeAnthonywenttotheShermanHouse,wherethePresident-electwasstopping,andtookwithhimhisson,Charles,thenbutalittleboy.Charlesplayedabouttheroomasachildwill,lookingatwhateverinterestedhimforthetime,andwhentheinterviewwithhisfatherwasoverhewasreadytogo.

ButMr.Lincoln,everinterestedinlittlechildren,calledtheladtohimandtookhimuponhisgreatknee.

"MyimpressionofhimallthetimeIhadbeenplayingabouttheroom,"saidMr.Anthony,"wasthathewasaterriblyhomelyman.Iwasratherrepelled.Butnosoonerdidhespeaktomethantheexpressionofhisfacechangedcompletely,or,rather,myviewofitchanged.Itatoncebecamekindlyandattractive.Heaskedmesomequestions,seeminginstantlytofindintheturmoilofallthegreatquestionsthatmusthavebeenheavyuponhim,theveryonesthatwouldgotothethoughtofachild.Iansweredhimwithouthesitation,andafteramomenthepattedmyshoulderandsaid:

"'Well,you'llbeamanbeforeyourmotheryet,'andputmedown.

"Ihadneverbeforeheardthehomelyoldexpression,anditpuzzledmeforatime.AfteramomentIunderstoodit,buthelookedatmewhileIwaspuzzlingove

rit,andseemedtobeamused,asnodoubthewas."

TheincidentsimplyillustratestheeaseandreadinesswithwhichLincolncouldturnfromthemightyquestionsbeforethenation,giveamoment'sinterestedattentiontoachild,andreturnatoncetomattersofstate.

"LEFTITTHEWOMENTOHOWLABOUTME."



DonnPiatt,oneofthebrightestnewspaperwritersinthecountry,toldagoodstoryonthePresidentinregardtotherefusalofthelattertosanctionthedeathpenaltyincasesofdesertionfromtheUnionArmy.

"Therewasfarmorepolicyinthiscourse,"saidPiatt,"thankindfeeling.ToassertthecontraryistodetractfromLincoln'sforceofcharacter,aswellasintellect.OurWarPresidentwasnotlostinhishighadmirationofbrigadiersandmajor-generals,andhadapositivedislikefortheirmethodsandthedespotismuponwhichanarmyisbased.Heknewthathewasdependentuponvolunteersforsoldiers,andtoforceuponsuchmenasthosethesterndisciplineoftheRegularArmywastorendertheserviceunpopular.Anditpleasedhimtobethesourceofmercy,aswellasthefountainofhonor,inthisdirection.

"IwassittingwithGeneralDanTyler,ofConnecticut,intheantechamberoftheWarDepartment,shortlyaftertheadjournmentoftheBuellCourtofInquiry,ofwhichwehadbeenmembers,whenPresidentLincolncameinfromtheroomofSecretaryStanton.Seeingus,hesaid:'Well,gentlemen,haveyouanymatterworthreporting?'

"'Ithinkso,Mr.President,'repliedGeneralTyler.'WehaditproventhatBragg,withlessthantenthousandmen,droveyoureighty-threethousandmenunderBuellbackfrombeforeChattanooga,downtotheOhioatLouisville,marchedaroundustwice,thendoubledusupatPerryville,andfinallygotoutoftheStateofKentuckywithallhisplunder.'

"'Now,Tyler,'returnedthePresident,'whatisthemeaningofallthis;whatisthelesson?Don'tourmenmarchaswell,andfightaswell,astheserebels?Ifnot,thereisafaultsomewhere.Weareallofthesamefamily--samesort.'

"'Yes,thereisalesson,'repliedGeneralTyler;'weareofthesamesort,butsubjecttodifferenthandling.Bragg'slittleforcewassuperiortoourlargernumberbecausehehaditundercontrol.Ifamanlefthisranks,hewaspunished;ifhedeserted,hewasshot.Wehadnothingofthatsort.Ifweattempttoshootadeserteryoupardonhim,andourarmyiswithoutdiscipline.'

"ThePresidentlookedperplexed.'Whydoyouinterfere?'continuedGeneralTyler.'Congresshastakenfromyouallresponsibility.'

"'Yes,'answeredthePresidentimpatiently,'Congresshastakentheresponsibilityandleftthewomentohowlallaboutme,'andsohestrodeaway."

HE'DRUINALLTHEOTHERCONVICTS.

OneofthedrollstoriesbroughtintoplaybythePresidentasanallyinsupportofhiscontention,provedmosteffective.PoliticswasrifeamongthegeneralsoftheUnionArmy,andtherewasmore"wire-pulling"topreventtheadvancementoffellowcommandersthanthelayingofplanstodefeattheConfederatesinbattle.

However,whenitsohappenedthatthenameofaparticularlyunpopulargeneralwassenttotheSenateforconfirmation,theprotestagainsthispromotionwasalmostunanimous.Thenominationdidn'tseemtopleaseanyone.GeneralswhowereenemiesbeforeconferredtogetherforthepurposeofbringingeverypossibleinfluencetobearupontheSenateandsecuringtherejectionofthehatedleader'sname.ThePresidentwassurprised.Hehadneverknownsuchunanimitybefore.

"Youremindme,"saidthePresidenttoadelegationofofficerswhichcalleduponhimonedaytopresentafreshprotesttohimregardingthenomination,"ofa



visitacertainGovernorpaidtothePenitentiaryofhisState.IthadbeenannouncedthattheGovernorwouldhearthestoryofeveryinmateoftheinstitution,andwaspreparedtorectify,eitherbycommutationorpardon,anywrongsthathadbeendonetoanyprisoner.

"OnebyonetheconvictsappearedbeforeHisExcellency,andeachonemaintainedthathewasaninnocentman,whohadbeensenttoprisonbecausethepolicedidn'tlikehim,orhisfriendsandrelativeswantedhisproperty,orhewastoopopular,etc.,etc.Thelastprisonertoappearwasanindividualwhowasnotallprepossessing.Hisfacewasagainsthim;hiseyeswereshifty;hedidn'thavetheappearanceofanhonestman,andhedidn'tactlikeone.

"'Well,'askedtheGovernor,impatiently,'Isupposeyou'reinnocentliketherestofthesefellows?'

"'No,Governor,'wastheunexpectedanswer;'Iwasguiltyofthecrimetheychargedagainstme,andIgotjustwhatIdeserved.'

"Whenhehadrecoveredfromhisastonishment,theGovernor,lookingthefellowsquarelyintheface,remarkedwithemphasis:'I'llhavetopardonyou,becauseIdon'twanttoleavesobadamanasyouareinthecompanyofsuchinnocentsufferersasIhavediscoveredyourfellow-convictstobe.Youmightcorruptthemandteachthemwickedtricks.AssoonasIgetbacktothecapital,I'llhavethepapersmadeout.'

"Yougentlemen,"continuedthePresident,"oughttobegladthatsobadaman,asyourepresentthisofficertobe,istogethispromotion,forthenyouwon'tbeforcedtoassociatewithhimandsufferthecontaminationofhispresenceandinfluence.IwilldoallIcantohavetheSenateconfirmhim."

Andhewasconfirmed.

INAHOPELESSMINORITY.

ThePresidentwasofteninoppositiontothegeneralpublicsentimentoftheNo

rthuponcertainquestionsofpolicy,buthebidedhistime,andthingsusuallycameoutashewantedthem.ItwasLincoln'sopinion,fromthefirst,thatapologyandreparationtoEnglandmustbemadebytheUnitedStatesbecauseofthearrest,uponthehighseas,oftheConfederateCommissioners,MasonandSlidell.Thecountry,however(theNorthernStates),waswildforaconflictwithEngland.

"Onewaratatime,"quietlyremarkedthePresidentataCabinetmeeting,wherehefoundthemajorityofhisadvisersunfavorablydisposedto"backingdown."ButonememberoftheCabinetwasareallystrongsupporterofthePresidentinhisattitude.

"Iamreminded,"thePresidentsaidafterthevariousargumentshadbeenputforwardbythemembersoftheCabinet,"ofafellowoutinmyStateofIllinoiswh

ohappenedtostrayintoachurchwhilearevivalmeetingwasinprogress.Tobetruthful,thisindividualwasnotentirelysober,andwiththatinstinctwhichseemstoimpelallmeninhisconditiontoassumeaprominentpartinproceedings,hewalkeduptheaisletotheveryfrontpew.

"Allnoticedhim,buthedidnotcare;forawhilehejoinedaudiblyinthesinging,said'Amen'atthecloseoftheprayers,but,drowsinessovercominghim,hewenttosleep.Beforethemeetingclosed,thepastoraskedtheusualquestion--'WhoareontheLord'sside?'--andthecongregationaroseenmasse.Whenheasked,'WhoareonthesideoftheDevil?'thesleeperwasaboutwakingup.Heheard



aportionoftheinterrogatory,and,seeingtheministeronhisfeet,arose.

"'Idon'texactlyunderstandthequestion,'hesaid,'butI'llstandbyyou,parson,tothelast.Butitseemstome,'headded,'thatwe'reinahopelessminority.'

"I'minahopelessminoritynow,"saidthePresident,"andI'llhavetoadmitit."

"DIDYEASKMORRISSEYYET?"

JohnMorrissey,thenotedprizefighter,wasthe"Boss"ofTammanyHallduringtheCivilWarperiod.ItpleasedhisfancytogotoCongress,andhisobedientconstituentssenthimthere.MorrisseywassuchanabsolutedespotthattheNewYorkCitydemocracycouldnotmakeamovewithouthisconsent,andmanyoftheTammanyitesweresoafraidofhimthattheywouldnotevenenterintobusinessventureswithoutconsultingtheautocrat.

PresidentLincolnhadbeenseriouslyannoyedbysomeofhisgenerals,whowereafraidtomaketheslightestmovebeforeaskingadvicefromWashington.Onecommander,inparticular,wassocautiousthathetelegraphedtheWarDepartmentupontheslightestpretext,theresultbeingthathistroopswerelyingincampdoi

ngnothing,whentheyshouldhavebeeninthefield.

"Thisgeneralremindsme,"thePresidentsaidonedaywhiletalkingtoSecretaryStanton,attheWarDepartment,"ofastoryIonceheardaboutaTammanyman.Hehappenedtomeetafriend,alsoamemberofTammany,onthestreet,andinthecourseofthetalkthefriend,whowasbeamingwithsmilesandgoodnature,toldtheotherTammanyitethathewasgoingtobemarried.

"ThisfirstTammanymanlookedmoreseriousthanmenusuallydouponhearingoftheimpendinghappinessofafriend.Infact,hisfaceseemedtotakeonalookofanxietyandworry.

"'Ain'tyougladtoknowthatI'mtogetmarried?'demandedthesecondTammanyi

te,somewhatinahuff.

"'OfcourseIam,'wasthereply;'but,'puttinghismouthclosetotheearoftheother,'haveyeaskedMorrisseyyet?'

"Now,thisgeneralofwhomwearespeaking,wouldn'tdareorderouttheguardwithoutaskingMorrissey,"concludedthePresident.

GOTTHELAUGHONDOUGLAS.

Atonetime,whenLincolnandDouglaswere"stumping"Illinois,theymetatac

ertaintown,anditwasagreedthattheywouldhaveajointdebate.Douglaswasthefirstspeaker,andinthecourseofhistalkremarkedthatinearlylife,hisfather,who,hesaid,wasanexcellentcooperbytrade,apprenticedhimouttolearnthecabinetbusiness.

ThiswastoogoodforLincolntoletpass,sowhenhisturncametoreply,hesaid:

"IhadunderstoodbeforethatMr.Douglashadbeenboundouttolearnthecabinet-makingbusiness,whichisallwellenough,butIwasnotawareuntilnowthat



ofMr.Shrigley,ofPhiladelphia,ashospitalchaplain."

ThePresidentresponded:"Oh,yes,gentlemen.IhavesenthisnametotheSenate,andhewillnodoubtbeconfirmedatanearlydate."Oneoftheyoungmenreplied:"Wehavenotcometoaskfortheappointment,buttosolicityoutowithdrawthenomination."

"Ah!"saidLincoln,"thataltersthecase;butonwhatgroundsdoyouwishthenominationwithdrawn?"

Theanswerwas:"Mr.Shrigleyisnotsoundinhistheologicalopinions."

ThePresidentinquired:"Onwhatquestionisthegentlemanunsound?"

Response:"Hedoesnotbelieveinendlesspunishment;notonlyso,sir,buthebelievesthateventherebelsthemselveswillbefinallysaved."

"Isthatso?"inquiredthePresident.

Themembersofthecommitteeresponded,"Yes,yes.'

"Well,gentlemen,ifthatbeso,andthereisanywayunderHeavenwherebytherebelscanbesaved,then,forGod'ssakeandtheirsakes,letthemanbeappointed."

TheRev.Mr.Shrigleywasappointed,andserveduntilthecloseofthewar.

TRIEDTODOWHATSEEMEDBEST.

JohnM.Palmer,Major-GeneralintheVolunteerArmy,GovernoroftheStateofIllinois,andUnitedStatesSenatorfromtheSuckerState,becameacquaintedwithLincolnin1839,andthelasttimehesawthePresidentwasattheWhiteHouseinFebruary,1865.SenatorPalmertoldthestoryofhisinterviewasfollows:

"IhadcometoWashingtonattherequestoftheGovernor,tocomplainthatIlli

noishadbeencreditedwith18,000toofewtroops.IsawMr.Lincolnoneafternoon,andheaskedmetocomeagaininthemorning.

"NextmorningIsatintheante-roomwhileseveralofficerswererelieved.AtlengthIwastoldtoenterthePresident'sroom.Mr.Lincolnwasinthehandsofthebarber.

"'Comein,Palmer,'hecalledout,'comein.You'rehomefolks.Icanshavebeforeyou.Icouldn'tbeforethoseothers,andIhavetodoitsometime.'

"Wechattedaboutvariousmatters,andatlengthIsaid:

"'Well,Mr.Lincoln,ifanybodyhadtoldmethatinagreatcrisislikethisth

epeopleweregoingouttoalittleone-horsetownandpickoutaone-horselawyerforPresidentIwouldn'thavebelievedit.'

"Mr.Lincolnwhirledaboutinhischair,hisfacewhitewithlather,atowelunderhischin.AtfirstIthoughthewasangry.Sweepingthebarberawayheleanedforward,and,placingonehandonmyknee,said:

"'NeitherwouldI.Butitwastimewhenamanwithapolicywouldhavebeenfataltothecountry.Ihaveneverhadapolicy.Ihavesimplytriedtodowhatseemedbesteachday,aseachdaycame.'"



"Astheprayerwaxedfervent,JohnsonbegantorespondintrueMethodiststyle.PresentlyhecrawledoveronhishandsandkneestoMoody'ssideandputhisarmsoverhim,manifestingthedeepestemotion.

"Closingtheprayerwithahearty'amen'fromeach,theyarose.

"Johnsontookalongbreath,andsaid,withemphasis:

"'Moody,Ifeelbetter.'

"Shortlyafterwardheasked:

"'Willyoustandbyme?'

"'CertainlyIwill,'wastheanswer.

"'Well,Moody,Icandependuponyou;youareoneinahundredthousand.'

"Hethencommencedpacingtheflooragain.Suddenlyhewheeled,thecurrentofhisthoughthavingchanged,andsaid:

"'Oh,Moody,Idon'twantyoutothinkIhavebecomeareligiousmanbecauseIaskedyoutopray.Iamsorrytosayit,Iamnot,andneverpretendedtobereligious.Nooneknowsthisbetterthanyou,but,Moody,thereisonethingabout

it,IdobelieveinAlmightyGod,andIbelievealsointheBible,andIsay,d--nmeifNashvilleshallbesurrendered!'

"AndNashvillewasnotsurrendered!"

HECOULDN'TWAITFORTHECOLONEL.

GeneralFisk,attendingareceptionattheWhiteHouse,sawwaitingintheante-roomapooroldmanfromTennessee,andlearnedthathehadbeenwaitingthreeorfourdaystogetanaudience,onwhichprobablydependedthelifeofhisson,undersentenceofdeathforsomemilitaryoffense.

GeneralFiskwrotehiscaseinoutlineonacardandsentitin,withaspecialrequestthatthePresidentwouldseetheman.Inamomenttheordercame;andpastimpatientsenators,governorsandgenerals,theoldmanwent.

HeshowedhispaperstoMr.Lincoln,whosaidhewouldlookintothecaseandgivehimtheresultnextday.

Theoldman,inanagonyofapprehension,lookedupintothePresident'ssympatheticfaceandactuallycriedout:

"To-morrowmaybetoolate!Mysonisundersentenceofdeath!Itoughttobedecidednow!"

Hisstreamingtearstoldhowmuchhewasmoved.

"Come,"saidMr.Lincoln,"waitabitandI'lltellyouastory;"andthenhetoldtheoldmanGeneralFisk'sstoryabouttheswearingdriver,asfollows:

"Thegeneralhadbegunhismilitarylifeasacolonel,andwhenheraisedhisregimentinMissouriheproposedtohismenthatheshoulddoalltheswearingoftheregiment.Theyassented;andformonthsnoinstancewasknownoftheviolationofthepromise.



"ThecolonelhadateamsternamedJohnTodd,who,asroadswerenotalwaysthebest,hadsomedifficultyincommandinghistemperandhistongue.

"Johnhappenedtobedrivingamuleteamthroughaseriesofmudholesalittleworsethanusual,when,unabletorestrainhimselfanylonger,heburstforthintoavolleyofenergeticoaths.

"ThecoloneltooknoticeoftheoffenseandbroughtJohntoaccount.

"'John,'saidhe,'didn'tyoupromisetoletmedoalltheswearingoftheregiment?'

"'Yes,Idid,colonel,'hereplied,'butthefactwas,theswearinghadtobedonethenornotatall,andyouweren'ttheretodoit.'"

Ashetoldthestorytheoldmanforgothisboy,andboththePresidentandhislistenerhadaheartylaughtogetheratitsconclusion.

Thenhewroteafewwordswhichtheoldmanread,andinwhichhefoundnewoccasionfortears;butthetearsweretearsofjoy,forthewordssavedthelifeofhisson.

LINCOLNPRONOUNCEDTHISSTORYFUNNY.

ThePresidentwasheardtodeclareonedaythatthestorygivenbelowwasoneofthefunniestheeverheard.

OneofGeneralFremont'sbatteriesofeightParrottguns,supportedbyasquadronofhorsecommandedbyMajorRichards,wasinsharpconflictwithabatteryoftheenemynearathand.Shellsandshotwereflyingthickandfast,whenthecommanderofthebattery,aGerman,oneofFremont'sstaff,rodesuddenlyuptothecavalry,exclaiming,inloudandexcitedterms,"Pringupdeshackasses!Pringupdeshackasses!ForCot'ssake,hurryupdeshackasses,im-me-di-ate-ly!"

Thenecessityofthisorder,thoughnotquiteapparent,willbemoreobviouswhenitisrememberedthat"shackasses"aremules,carrymountainhowitzers,whicharefiredfromthebacksofthatmuch-abusedbutvaluableanimal;andtheimmediateoccasionforthe"shackasses"wasthattworegimentsofrebelinfantrywereatthatmomentdiscoveredascendingahillimmediatelybehindourbatteries.

The"shackasses,"withthehowitzersloadedwithgrapeandcanister,weresoonontheground.

Themulessquaredthemselves,astheywellknewhow,fortheshock.

Aterrificvolleywaspouredintotheadvancingcolumn,whichimmediatelybrokeandretreated.

Twohundredandseventy-eightdeadbodieswerefoundintheravinenextday,piledcloselytogetherastheyfell,theeffectsofthatvolleyfromthebacksofthe"shackasses."

JOKEWASONLINCOLN.

Mr.Lincolnenjoyedajokeathisownexpense.Saidhe:"InthedayswhenIuse



dtobeinthecircuit,Iwasaccostedinthecarsbyastranger,whosaid,'Excuseme,sir,butIhaveanarticleinmypossessionwhichbelongstoyou.''Howisthat?'Iasked,considerablyastonished.

"Thestrangertookajackknifefromhispocket.'Thisknife,'saidhe,'wasplacedinmyhandssomeyearsago,withtheinjunctionthatIwastokeepituntilIhadfoundamanuglierthanmyself.Ihavecarrieditfromthattimetothis.Allowmetosay,sir,thatIthinkyouarefairlyentitledtotheproperty.'"

THEOTHERONEWASWORSE.

ItsohappenedthatanofficialoftheWarDepartmenthadescapedseriouspunishmentforaratherflagrantoffense,byshowingwheregrosserirregularitiesexistedinthemanagementofacertainbureauoftheDepartment.Sovaluablewastheinformationfurnishedthattheculpritwho"gavethesnapaway"wasnotevendischarged.

"Thatremindsme,"thePresidentsaid,whenthecasewaslaidbeforehim,"ofastoryaboutDanielWebster,whenthelatterwasaboy.

"Whenquiteyoung,atschool,Danielwasonedayguiltyofagrossviolationoftherules.Hewasdetectedintheact,andcalledupbytheteacherforpunishm

ent.

"Thiswastobetheold-fashioned'feruling'ofthehand.Hishandshappenedtobeverydirty.

"Knowingthis,onthewaytotheteacher'sdesk,hespituponthepalmofhisrighthand,wipingitoffuponthesideofhispantaloons.

"'Givemeyourhand,sir,'saidtheteacher,verysternly.

"Outwenttherighthand,partlycleansed.Theteacherlookedatitamoment,andsaid:

"'Daniel,ifyouwillfindanotherhandinthisschool-roomasfilthyasthat,Iwillletyouoffthistime!'

"Instantlyfrombehindthebackcamethelefthand.

"'Hereitis,sir,'wasthereadyreply.

"'Thatwilldo,'saidtheteacher,'forthistime;youcantakeyourseat,sir.'"

"I'DABEENMISSEDBYMYSE'F."

ThePresidentdidnotconsiderthateverysoldierwhoranawayinbattle,ordidnotstandfirmlytoreceiveabayonetcharge,wasacoward.Hewasofopinionthatself-preservationwasthefirstlawofNature,buthedidn'twantthisstatuteconstruedtooliberallybythetroops.

AtthesametimehetookoccasiontoillustrateapointhewishedtomakebyastoryinconnectionwithadarkywhowasamemberoftheNinthIllinoisInfantryRegiment.ThisregimentwasoneofthoseengagedatthecaptureofFortDonelson.Itbehavedgallantly,andlostasheavilyasany.



"Uponthehurricane-deckofoneofourgunboats,"saidthePresidentintellingthestory,"Isawanelderlydarky,withaveryphilosophicalandretrospectivecastofcountenance,squatteduponhisbundle,toastinghisshinsagainstthechimney,andapparentlyplungedintoastateofprofoundmeditation.

"Asthenegroratherinterestedme,Imadesomeinquiries,andfoundthathehadreallybeenwiththeNinthIllinoisInfantryatDonelson.andbegantoaskhimsomequestionsaboutthecaptureoftheplace.

"'Wereyouinthefight?'

"'Hadalittletasteofit,sa.'

"'Stoodyourground,didyou?'

"'No,sa,Iruns.'

"'Runatthefirstfire,didyou?

"'Yes,sa,andwouldhabrunsoona,hadIknowditwarcomin'."

"'Why,thatwasn'tverycreditabletoyourcourage.'

"'Datisn'tmyline,sa--cookin'smyprofeshun.'

"'Well,buthaveyounoregardforyourreputation?'

"'Reputation'snuffintomebydesideoblife.'

"'Doyouconsideryourlifeworthmorethanotherpeople's?'

"'It'sworthmoretome,sa.'

"'Thenyoumustvalueitveryhighly?'

"'Yes,sa,Idoes,moredanalldiswuld,moredanamillionobdollars,sa,fo

rwhatwoulddatbewuthtoamanwiddebrefoutobhim?Self-preserbationamdefustlawwidme.'

"'Butwhyshouldyouactuponadifferentrulefromothermen?'

"'Differentmensetdifferentvaluesontheirlives;mineisnotindemarket.'

"'Butifyoulostityouwouldhavethesatisfactionofknowingthatyoudiedforyourcountry.'

"'Datnosatisfactionwhenfeelin'sgone.'

"'Thenpatriotismandhonorarenothingtoyou?'

"'Nufinwhatever,sat--Iregardthemasamongthevanities.'

"'Ifoursoldierswerelikeyou,traitorsmighthavebrokenupthegovernmentwithoutresistance.'

"'Yes,sa,darwouldhabbeennohelpforit.Iwouldn'tputmylifeindescale'g'instanygobernmentdateberexisted,fornogobernmentcouldreplacedelosstome.'



"'Doyouthinkanyofyourcompanywouldhavemissedyouifyouhadbeenkilled?'

"'Maybenot,sa--adeadwhitemanain'tmuchtodesesogers,letaloneadeadnigga--butI'damissedmyse'f,anddatwasdep'intwidme.'

"Ionlytellthisstory,"concludedthePresident,"inordertoillustratetheresultofthetacticsofsomeoftheUniongeneralswhowouldbesadly'missed'bythemselves,ifnooneelse,iftheyevergotoutoftheArmy."

ITALL"DEPENDED"UPONTHEEFFECT.

PresidentLincolnandsomemembersofhisCabinetwerewithapartoftheArmysomedistancesouthoftheNationalCapitalatonetime,whenSecretaryofWarStantonremarkedthatjustbeforeheleftWashingtonhehadreceivedatelegramfromGeneralMitchell,inAlabama.GeneralMitchellaskedinstructionsinregardtoacertainemergencythathadarisen.

TheSecretarysaidhedidnotpreciselyunderstandtheemergencyasexplainedbyGeneralMitchell,buthadansweredback,"Allright;goahead."

"Now,"hesaid,asheturnedtoMr.Lincoln,"Mr.President,ifIhavemadean

errorinnotunderstandinghimcorrectly,Iwillhavetogetyoutocountermandtheorder."

"Well,"exclaimedPresidentLincoln,"thatisverymuchlikethehappeningontheoccasionofacertainhorsesaleIrememberthattookplaceatthecross-roadsdowninKentucky,whenIwasaboy.

"Aparticularlyfinehorsewastobesold,andthepeopleinlargenumbershadgatheredtogether.Theyhadasmallboytoridethehorseupanddownwhilethespectatorsexaminedthehorse'spoints.

"Atlastonemanwhisperedtotheboyashewentby:'Lookhere,boy,hain'tthathorsegotthesplints?'

"Theboyreplied:'Mister,Idon'tknowwhatthesplintsis,butifit'sgoodforhim,hehasgotit;ifitain'tgoodforhim,heain'tgotit.'

"Now,"saidPresidentLincoln,"ifthiswasgoodforMitchell,itwasallright;butifitwasnot,Ihavegottocountermandit."

TOOSWIFTTOSTAYINTHEARMY.

Therewerestrange,queer,oddthingsandhappeningsintheArmyattimes,but,asarule,thePresidentdidnotallowthemtoworryhim.Hehadenoughtoboth

erabout.

Aquartermasterhavingneglectedtopresenthisaccountsinpropershape,andthematterbeingdeemedofsufficientimportancetobringittotheattentionofthePresident,thelatterremarked:

"NowthisinstanceremindsmeofalittlestoryIheardonlyashorttimeago.Acertaingeneral'spursewasgettinglow,andhesaiditwasprobablehemightbeobligedtodrawonhisbankerforsomemoney.



"'Howmuchdoyouwant,father?'askedhisson,whohadbeenwithhimafewdays.

"'IthinkIshallsendforacoupleofhundred,'repliedthegeneral.

"Why,father,'saidhisson,veryquietly,'Icanletyouhaveit.'

"'Youcanletmehaveit!Wheredidyougetsomuchmoney?

"'Iwonitplayingdraw-pokerwithyourstaff,sir!'repliedtheyouth.

"Theearliestmorningtrainboretheyoungmantowardhishome,andI'vebeenwonderingifthatboyandthatquartermasterhadhappenedtomeetatthesametable."

ADMIREDTHESTRONGMAN.

GovernorHoytofWisconsintellsastoryofMr.Lincoln'sgreatadmirationforphysicalstrength.Mr.Lincoln,in1859,madeaspeechattheWisconsinStateAgriculturalFair.Afterthespeech,incompanywiththeGovernor,hestrolledaboutthegrounds,lookingattheexhibits.Theycametoaplacewhereaprofessional"strongman"wastossingcannonballsintheairandcatchingthemonhisarm

sandjugglingwiththemasthoughtheywerelightasbaseballs.Mr.Lincolnhadneverbeforeseensuchanexhibition,andhewasgreatlysurprisedandinterested.

Whentheperformancewasover,GovernorHoyt,seeingMr.Lincoln'sinterest,askedhimtogoupandbeintroducedtotheathlete.Hedidso,and,ashestoodlookingdownmusinglyontheman,whowasveryshort,andevidentlywonderingthatonesomuchsmallerthanhecouldbesomuchstronger,hesuddenlybrokeoutwithoneofhisquaintspeeches."Why,"hesaid,"why,Icouldlicksaltoffthetopofyourhat."

WISHEDTHEARMYCHARGEDLIKETHAT.

Aprominentvolunteerofficerwho,earlyintheWar,wasondutyinWashingtonandoftencarriedreportstoSecretaryStantonattheWarDepartment,toldacharacteristicstoryonPresidentLincoln.Saidhe:

"Iwaswithseveralotheryoungofficers,alsocarryingreportstotheWarDepartment,andonemorningwewerelate.Inthisinstancewewereinadesperatehurrytodeliverthepapers,inordertobeabletocatchthetrainreturningtocamp.

"Onthewinding,darkstaircaseoftheoldWarDepartment,whichmanywillremember,itwasourmisfortune,whiletakingaboutthreestairsatatime,toruna

certainheadlikeacatapultintothebodyofthePresident,strikinghimintheregionoftherightlowervestpocket.

"Theusualsurprisedandrelaxedgruntofamanthusassailedcamepromptly.

"Wequicklysentanapologyinthedirectionofthedimlyseenform,feelingthattheungraciousshockwasexpensive,eventothehumblestclerkinthedepartment.

"AsecondglancerevealedtousthePresidentasthevictimofthecollision.T



henfollowedaspecialtenderof'tenthousandpardons,'andthePresident'sreply:

"'One'senough;Iwishthewholearmywouldchargelikethat.'"

"UNCLEABRAHAM"HADEVERYTHINGREADY.

"Youcan'tdoanythingwiththemSouthernfellows,"theoldmanatthetablewassaying.

"Iftheygetwhipped,they'llretreattothemSouthernswampsandbayousalongwiththefishesandcrocodiles.Youhaven'tgotthefish-netsmadethat'llcatch'em."

"Lookhere,oldgentleman,"remarkedPresidentLincoln,whowassittingalongside,"we'vegotjustthenetsfortraitors,inthebayousoranywhere."

"Hey?Whatnets?"

"Bayou-nets!"and"UncleAbraham"pointedhisjokewithhisfork,spearingafishballsavagely.

NOTASSMOOTHASHELOOKED.

Mr.Lincoln'sskillinparryingtroublesomequestionswaswonderful.OncehereceivedacallfromCongressmanJohnGanson,ofBuffalo,oneoftheablestlawyersinNewYork,who,althoughaDemocrat,supportedallofMr.Lincoln'swarmeasures.Mr.Gansonwantedexplanations.Mr.Gansonwasverybaldwithaperfectlysmoothface.Hehadamostdirectandaggressivewayofstatinghisviewsorofdemandingwhathethoughthewasentitledto.Hesaid:"Mr.Lincoln,IhavesupportedallofyourmeasuresandthinkIamentitledtoyourconfidence.WearevotingandactinginthedarkinCongress,andIdemandtoknow--thinkIhavetherighttoaskandtoknow--whatisthepresentsituation,andwhataretheprospe

ctsandconditionsoftheseveralcampaignsandarmies."

Mr.Lincolnlookedathimcriticallyforamomentandthensaid:"Ganson,howcleanyoushave!"

Mostmenwouldhavebeenoffended,butGansonwastoobroadandintelligentamannottoseethepointandretireatonce,satisfied,fromthefield.

ASMALLCROP.

ChaunceyM.DepewsaysthatMr.Lincolntoldhimthefollowingstory,whichhe

claimedwasoneofthebesttwothingsheeveroriginated:HewastryingacaseinIllinoiswhereheappearedforaprisonerchargedwithaggravatedassaultandbattery.Thecomplainanthadtoldahorriblestoryoftheattack,whichhisappearancefullyjustified,whentheDistrictAttorneyhandedthewitnessovertoMr.Lincoln,forcross-examination.Mr.Lincolnsaidhehadnotestimony,andunlesshecouldbreakdownthecomplainant'sstoryhesawnowayout.Hehadcometotheconclusionthatthewitnesswasabumptiousman,whoratherpridedhimselfuponhissmartnessinreparteeand,so,afterlookingathimforsomeminutes,hesaid:



booksweretheBibleandAesop'sfables,whichhekeptalwayswithinreachandreadtimeandagain.

Thefirstlawbookheeverreadwas"TheStatutesofIndiana,"anditwasfromthisworkthathederivedhisambitiontobealawyer.

MADESPEECHESWHENABOY.

Whenhewasbutabarefootboyhewouldoftenmakepoliticalspeechestotheboysintheneighborhood,andwhenhehadreachedyoungmanhoodandwasengagedinthelaborofchoppingwoodorsplittingrailshecontinuedthispracticeofspeech-makingwithonlythestumpsandsurroundingtreesforhearers.

AttheageofseventeenhehadattainedhisfullheightofsixfeetfourinchesanditwasatthistimeheengagedasaferryboatmanontheOhioriver,atthirty-sevencentsaday.

ThathewasseriouslybeginningtothinkofpublicaffairsevenatthisearlyageisshownbythefactthataboutthistimehewroteacompositionontheAmericanGovernment,urgingthenecessityforpreservingtheConstitutionandperpetuatingtheUnion.ARockportlawyer,bythenameofPickert,whoreadthiscomposition,declaredthat"theworldcouldn'tbeatit."

Whenthedreadeddisease,knownasthe"milk-sick"createdsuchhavocinIndianain1829,thefatherofAbrahamLincoln,whowasofarovingdisposition,soughtandfoundanewhomeinIllinois,locatingnearthetownofDecatur,inMaconcounty,onabluffoverlookingtheSangamonriver.AshorttimethereafterAbrahamLincolncameofage,andhavingdonehisdutytohisfather,beganlifeonhisownaccount.

HisfirstemployerwasamannamedDentonOffut,whoengagedLincoln,togetherwithhisstep-brotherandJohnHanks,totakeaboat-loadofstockandprovisionstoNewOrleans.OffutwassowellpleasedwiththeenergyandskillthatLincolndisplayedonthistripthatheengagedhimasclerkinastorewhichOffutopenedafewmonthslateratNewSalem.

ItwaswhileclerkingforOffutthatLincolnperformedmanyofthosemarvelousfeatsofstrengthforwhichhewasnotedinhisyouth,anddisplayedhiswonderfulskillasawrestler.Inadditiontobeingsixfeetfourincheshighhenowweighedtwohundredandfourteenpounds.Andhisstrengthandskillweresogreatcombinedthathecouldout-wrestleandout-liftanymaninthatsectionofthecountry.

DuringhisclerkshipinOffut'sstoreLincolncontinuedtoreadandstudyandmadeconsiderableprogressingrammarandmathematics.Offutfailedinbusinessanddisappearedfromthevillage.InthelanguageofLincolnhe"peteredout,"andhistall,muscularclerkhadtoseekotheremployment.

ASSISTANTPILOTONASTEAMBOAT.

Inhisfirstpublicspeech,whichhadalreadybeendelivered,LincolnhadcontendedthattheSangamonriverwasnavigable,anditnowfelltohislottoassistingivingpracticalproofofhisargument.AsteamboathadarrivedatNewSalemfromCincinnati,andLincolnwashiredasanassistantinpilotingthevesselthroughtheuncertainchanneloftheSangamonrivertotheIllinoisriver.Thewaywasobstructedbyamilldam.Lincolninsistedtotheownersofthedamthatun



edformeanstopayhisboardasLincolnwas,wouldhavejumpedattheopportunity,butaquestionofprinciplewasinvolvedwhichhadtobesettledbeforeLincolnwouldaccept.CalhounwasaDemocratandLincolnwasaWhig,thereforeLincolnsaid,"IwilltaketheofficeifIcanbeperfectlyfreeinmypoliticalactions,butifmysentimentsorevenexpressionofthemaretobeabridgedinanyway,Iwouldnothaveitoranyotheroffice."

Withthisunderstandingheacceptedtheofficeandbegantostudybooksonsurveying,furnishedhimbyhisemployer.Hewasnotanaturalmathematician,andinworkingouthismostdifficultproblemshesoughttheassistanceofMentorGraham,afamousschoolmasterinthosedays,whohadpreviouslyassistedLincolninhisstudies.Hesoonbecameacompetentsurveyor,however,andwasnotedfortheaccuratewayinwhichheranhislinesandlocatedhiscorners.

Surveyingwasnotasprofitablethenasithassincebecome,andtheyoungsurveyoroftenhadtotakehispayinsomearticleotherthanmoney.OneoldsettlerrelatesthatforasurveymadeforhimbyLincolnhepaidtwobuckskins,whichHannahArmstrong"foxed"onhispantssothatthebriarswouldnotwearthemout.

Aboutthistime,1833,hewasmadepostmasteratNewSalem,thefirstFederalofficeheeverheld.Althoughthepostofficewaslocatedinastore,Lincolnusuallycarriedthemailaroundinhishatanddistributedittopeoplewhenhemetthem.

AMEMBEROFTHELEGISLATURE.

ThefollowingyearLincolnagainranfortheLegislature,thistimeasanavowedWhig.Ofthefoursuccessfulcandidates,Lincolnreceivedthesecondhighestnumberofvotes.

WhenLincolnwenttotakehisseatintheLegislatureatVandaliahewassopoorthathewasobligedtoborrow$200tobuysuitableclothesandupholdthedignityofhisnewposition.Hetooklittlepartintheproceedings,keepinginthebackground,butformingmanylastingacquaintancesandfriendships.

Twoyearslater,whenhewasagainacandidateforthesameoffice,thereweremorepoliticalissuestobemet,andLincolnmetthemwithcharacteristichonestyandboldness.Duringthecampaignheissuedthefollowingletter:

"NewSalem,June13,1836.

"TotheEditorofTheJournal:

"InyourpaperoflastSaturdayIseeacommunicationoverthesignatureof'ManyVoters'inwhichthecandidateswhoareannouncedinthejournalarecalleduponto'showtheirhands.'Agreed.Here'smine:

"Igoforallsharingtheprivilegesofthegovernmentwhoassistinbearingitsburdens.Consequently,Igoforadmittingallwhitestotherightofsuffragewhopaytaxesorbeararms(bynomeansexcludingfemales).

"Ifelected,IshallconsiderthewholepeopleofSangamonmyconstituents,aswellthosethatopposeasthosethatsupportme.

"WhileactingastheirRepresentative,IshallbegovernedbytheirwillonallsubjectsuponwhichIhavethemeansofknowingwhattheirwillis;anduponallothersIshalldowhatmyownjudgmentteachesmewillbestadvancetheirinte



Theprotestwasasfollows:

"ResolutionsuponthesubjectofdomesticslaveryhavingpassedbothbranchesoftheGeneralAssemblyatitspresentsession,theundersignedherebyprotestagainstthepassageofthesame.

"Theybelievethattheinstitutionofslaveryisfoundedonbothinjusticeandbadpolicy,butthatthepromulgationofabolitiondoctrinestendsrathertoincreasethanabateitsevils.

"TheybelievethattheCongressoftheUnitedStateshasnopowerundertheConstitutiontointerferewiththeinstitutionofslaveryinthedifferentStates.

"TheybelievethattheCongressoftheUnitedStateshasthepowerundertheConstitutiontoabolishslaveryintheDistrictofColumbia,butthatthepoweroughtnottobeexercisedunlessattherequestofthepeopleoftheDistrict.

"Thedifferencebetweentheseopinionsandthosecontainedintheaboveresolutionsistheirreasonforenteringthisprotest.

"DANSTONE,

"A.LINCOLN,

"RepresentativesfromthecountyofSangamon."

BEGINSTOPRACTICELAW.

AttheendofthissessionoftheLegislature,Mr.LincolndecidedtoremovetoSpringfieldandpracticelaw.HeenteredtheofficeofJohnT.Stuart,aformercomradeintheBlackhawkWar,andinMarch,1837,waslicensedtopractice.

StephenT.LoganwasjudgeoftheCircuitCourt,andStephenA.Douglas,whowasdestinedtobecomeLincoln'sgreatestpoliticalopponent,wasprosecutingattorney.WhenLincolnwasnotinhislawofficehisheadquarterswereinthestore

ofhisfriendJoshuaF.Speed,inwhichgatheredalltheyouthfuloratorsandstatesmenofthatday,andwheremanyexcitingargumentsanddiscussionswereheld.LincolnandDouglasbothtookpartinthediscussionheldinSpeed'sstore.DouglaswastheacknowledgedleaderoftheDemocraticsideandLincolnwasrapidlycomingtothefrontasaleaderamongtheWhigdebaters.OneeveninginthemidstofaheatedargumentDouglas,or"theLittleGiant,"ashewascalled,exclaimed:

"Thisstoreisnoplacetotalkpolitics."

HISFIRSTJOINTDEBATE.

ArrangementswereatoncemadeforajointdebatebetweentheleadingDemocratsandWhigstotakeplaceinalocalchurch.TheDemocratswererepresentedbyDouglas,Calhoun,LambornandThomas.TheWhigspeakerswereJudgeLogan,ColonelE.D.Baker,Mr.BrowningandLincoln.Thisdiscussionwastheforerunnerofthefamousjoint-debatebetweenLincolnandDouglas,whichtookplacesomeyearslaterandattractedtheattentionofthepeoplethroughouttheUnitedStates.AlthoughMr.Lincolnwasthelastspeakerinthefirstdiscussionheld,hisspeechattractedmoreattentionthananyoftheothersandaddedmuchtohisreputationasapublicdebater.



Mr.Lincoln'slastcampaignfortheLegislaturewasin1840.InthesameyearhewasmadeanelectorontheHarrisonpresidentialticket,andinhiscanvassoftheStatefrequentlymettheDemocraticchampion,Douglas,indebate.After1840Mr.Lincolndeclinedre-electiontotheLegislature,buthewasapresidentialelectorontheWhigticketsof1844and1852,andontheRepublicanticketfortheStateatlargein1856.

MARRIESASPRINGFIELDBELLE.

AmongthesocialbellesofSpringfieldwasMaryTodd,ahandsomeandcultivatedgirloftheillustriousdescentwhichcouldbetracedbacktothesixthcentury,towhomMr.Lincolnwasmarriedin1842.StephenA.Douglaswashiscompetitorinloveaswellasinpolitics.HecourtedMaryTodduntilitbecameevidentthatshepreferredMr.Lincoln.

PrevioustohismarriageMr.Lincolnhadtwoloveaffairs,oneofthemsoseriousthatitleftanimpressionuponhiswholefuturelife.OneoftheobjectsofhisaffectionwasMissMaryOwen,ofGreencounty,Kentucky,whodecidedthatMr.Lincoln"wasdeficientinthoselittlelinkswhichmakeupthechainofwoman'shappiness."TheaffairendedwithoutanydamagetoMr.Lincoln'sheartortheheartofthelady.

STORYOFANNERUTLEDGE.

Lincoln'sfirstlove,however,hadasadtermination.TheobjectofhisaffectionsatthattimewasAnneRutledge,whosefatherwasoneofthefoundersofNewSalem.LikeMissOwen,MissRutledgewasalsoborninKentucky,andwasgiftedwiththebeautyandgracesthatdistinguishmanySouthernwomen.AtthetimethatMr.LincolnandAnneRutledgewereengagedtobemarried,hethoughthimselftoopoortoproperlysupportawife,andtheydecidedtowaituntilsuchtimeashecouldbetterhisfinancialcondition.AshorttimethereafterMissRutledgewasattackedwithafatalillness,andherdeathwassuchablowtoherintendedh

usbandthatforalongtimehisfriendsfearedthathewouldlosehismind.

HISDUELWITHSHIELDS.

JustprevioustohismarriagewithMaryTodd,Mr.LincolnwaschallengedtofightaduelbyJamesShields,thenAuditorofState.ThechallengegrewoutofsomehumorouslettersconcerningShields,publishedinalocalpaper.ThefirstoftheseletterswaswrittenbyMr.Lincoln.TheothersbyMaryToddandhersister.Mr.Lincolnacknowledgedtheauthorshipoftheletterswithoutnamingtheladies,andagreedtomeetShieldsonthefieldofhonor.Ashehadthechoiceofweaponshenamedbroadswords,andactuallywenttotheplaceselectedfortheduel

.

Theduelwasneverfought.MutualfriendsgottogetherandpatchedupanunderstandingbetweenMr.Lincolnandthehot-headedIrishman.

FORMSNEWPARTNERSHIP.

BeforethistimeMr.LincolnhaddissolvedpartnershipwithStuartandentered



intoalawpartnershipwithJudgeLogan.In1843bothLincolnandLoganwerecandidatesfornominationforCongressandthepersonalill-willcausedbytheirrivalryresultedinthedissolutionofthefirmandtheformationofanewlawfirmofLincoln&Herndon,whichcontinued,nominallyatleast,untilMr.Lincoln'sdeath.

Thecongressionalnomination,however,wenttoEdwardD.Baker,whowaselected.TwoyearslatertheprincipalcandidatesfortheWhignominationforCongresswereMr.Lincolnandhisformerlawpartner,JudgeLogan.PartysentimentwassostronglyinfavorofLincolnthatJudgeLoganwithdrewandLincolnwasnominatedunanimously.ThecampaignthatfollowedwasoneofthemostmemorableandinterestingeverheldinIllinois.

DEFEATSPETERCARTWRIGHTFORCONGRESS.

Mr.Lincoln'sopponentontheDemocraticticketwasnolessapersonthanoldPeterCartwright,thefamousMethodistpreacherandcircuitrider.Cartwrighthadpreachedtoalmosteverycongregationinthedistrictandhadastrongfollowinginallthechurches.Mr.Lincolndidnotunderestimatethestrengthofhisgreatrival.Heabandonedhislawbusinessentirelyandgavehiswholeattentiontothecanvass.ThistimeMr.Lincolnwasvictoriousandwaselectedbyalargemajority.

WhenLincolntookhisseatinCongress,in1847,hewastheonlyWhigmemberfromIllinois.Hisgreatpoliticalrival,Douglas,wasintheSenate.TheMexicanWarhadalreadybrokenout,which,incommonwithhisparty,hehadopposed.LaterinlifehewaschargedwithhavingopposedthevotingofsuppliestotheAmericantroopsinMexico,butthiswasafalsehoodwhichheeasilydisproved.HewasstronglyopposedtotheWar,butafteritwasoncebegunheurgeditsvigorousprosecutionandvotedwiththeDemocratsonallmeasuresconcerningthecareandpayofthesoldiers.HisoppositiontotheWar,however,costhimare-election;itcosthispartythecongressionaldistrict,whichwascarriedbytheDemocratsin1848.Lincoln'sformerlawpartner,JudgeLogan,securedtheWhignominationthatyearandwasdefeated.

MAKESSPEECHESFOR"OLDZACH."

InthenationalconventionatPhiladelphia,in1848,Mr.LincolnwasadelegateandadvocatedthenominationofGeneralTaylor.

AfterthenominationofGeneralTaylor,or"OldZach,"or"roughandReady,"ashewascalled,Mr.LincolnmadeatourofNewYorkandseveralNewEnglandStates,makingspeechesforhiscandidate.

Mr.LincolnwenttoNewEnglandinthiscampaignonaccountofthegreatdefectionintheWhigparty.GeneralTaylor'snominationwasunsatisfactorytothefre

e-soilelement,andsuchleadersasHenryWilson,CharlesFrancisAdams,CharlesAllen,CharlesSumner,StephenC.Phillips,RichardH.Dana,Jr.,andAnsonBurlingame,wereinopenrevolt.Mr.Lincoln'sspeecheswereconfinedlargelytoadefenseofGeneralTaylor,butatthesametimehedenouncedthefree-soilersforhelpingtoelectCass.Amongotherthingshesaidthatthefree-soilershadbutoneprincipleandthattheyremindedhimoftheYankeepeddlergoingtosellapairofpantaloonsanddescribingthemas"largeenoughforanyman,andsmallenoughforanyboy."

ItisanoddfactinhistorythattheprominentWhigsofMassachusettsatthat



timebecametheopponentsofMr.Lincoln'selectiontothepresidencyandthepolicyofhisadministration,whilethefree-soilers,whomhedenounced,wereamonghisstrongestsupporters,advisersandfollowers.

AtthesecondsessionofCongressMr.Lincoln'soneactofconsequencewastheintroductionofabillprovidingforthegradualemancipationoftheslavesintheDistrictofColumbia.JoshuaR.Giddings,thegreatantislaveryagitator,andoneortwolesserlightssupportedit,butthebillwaslaidonthetable.

AfterGeneralTaylor'selectionMr.LincolnhadthedistributionofFederalpatronageinhisownCongressionaldistrict,andthisaddedmuchtohispoliticalimportance,althoughitwasaceaselesssourceofworrytohim.

DECLINESAHIGHOFFICE.

JustbeforethecloseofhisterminCongressMr.LincolnwasanapplicantfortheofficeofCommissioneroftheGeneralLandOffice,butwasunsuccessful.HehadbeensuchafactorinGeneralTaylor'selectionthattheadministrationthoughtsomethingwasduehim,andafterhisreturntoIllinoishewascalledtoWashingtonandofferedtheGovernorshipoftheTerritoryofOregon.ItislikelyhewouldhaveacceptedthishadnotMrs.Lincolnputherfootdownwithanemphaticno.

Hedeclinedapartnershipwithawell-knownChicagolawyerandreturningtohisSpringfieldhomeresumedthepracticeoflaw.

FromthistimeuntiltherepealoftheMissouriCompromise,whichopenedthewayfortheadmissionofslaveryintotheterritories,Mr.Lincolndevotedhimselfmoreindustriouslythanevertothepracticeoflaw,andduringthosefiveyearshewasprobablyagreaterstudentthanhehadeverbeenbefore.Hispartner,W.H.Herndon,hastoldofthechangesthattookplaceinthecourtsandinthemethodsofpracticewhileMr.Lincolnwasaway.

LINCOLNASALAWYER.

Whenhereturnedtoactivepracticehesawatoncethatthecourtshadgrownmorelearnedanddignifiedandthatthebarreliedmoreuponmethodandsystemandaknowledgeofthestatutelawthanuponthestumpspeechmethodofearlydays.

Mr.HerndontellsusthatLincolnwouldlieinbedandreadbycandlelight,sometimesuntiltwoo'clockinthemorning,whilehisfamouscolleagues,Davis,Logan,Swett,EdwardsandHerndon,weresoundlyandsometimesloudlysleeping.Hereadandrereadthestatutesandbooksofpractice,devouredShakespeare,whowasalwaysafavoriteofhis,andstudiedEuclidsodiligentlythathecouldeasilydemonstrateallthepropositionscontainedinthesixbooks.

Mr.Lincolndetestedofficework.Heleftallthattohispartner.Hedislikedtodrawuplegalpapersortowriteletters.Thefirmofwhichhewasamemberkeptnobooks.WheneitherLincolnorHerndonreceivedafeetheydividedthemoneythenandthere.IfhispartnerwerenotintheofficeatthetimeMr.Lincolnwouldwrapuphalfofthefeeinasheetofpaper,onwhichhewouldwrite,"Herndon'shalf,"givingthenameofthecase,andplaceitinhispartner'sdesk.

Butincourt,arguingacase,pleadingtothejuryandlayingdownthelaw,Lincolnwasinhiselement.Evenwhenhehadaweakcasehewasastrongantagonist,andwhenhehadrightandjusticeonhisside,ashenearlyalwayshad,noone



couldbeathim.

Helikedanoutdoorlife,hencehewasfondofridingthecircuit.Heenjoyedthecompanyofothermen,likeddiscussionandargument,lovedtotellstoriesandtohearthem,laughingasheartilyathisownstoriesashedidatthosethatweretoldtohim.

TELLINGSTORIESONTHECIRCUIT.

Thecourtcircuitinthosedayswasthesceneofmanyastory-tellingjoust,inwhichLincolnwasalwaysthechief.Frequentlyhewouldsitupuntilaftermidnightreelingoffstoryafterstory,eachonefollowedbyroarsoflaughterthatcouldbeheardalloverthecountrytavern,inwhichthestory-tellinggroupwasgathered.Everytypeofcharacterwouldberepresentedinthesegroups,fromthelearnedjudgeonthebenchdowntothevillageloafer.

Lincoln'sfavoriteattitudewastositwithhislonglegsproppedupontherailofthestove,orwithhisfeetagainstthewall,andthushewouldsitforhoursentertainingacrowd,orbeingentertained.

OnecircuitjudgewassofondofLincoln'sstoriesthatheoftenwouldsitupuntilmidnightlisteningtothem,andthendeclarethathehadlaughedsomuchhe

believedhisribswereshakenloose.

ThegreatsuccessofAbrahamLincolnasatriallawyerwasduetoanumberoffacts.Hewouldnottakeacaseifhebelievedthatthelawandjusticewereontheotherside.Whenheaddressedajuryhemadethemfeelthatheonlywantedfairplayandjustice.Hedidnottalkovertheirheads,butgotrightdowntoafriendlytonesuchasweuseinordinaryconversation,andtalkedatthem,appealingtotheirhonestyandcommonsense.

Andmakinghisargumentplainbytellingastoryortwothatbroughtthematterclearlywithintheirunderstanding.

Whenhedidnotknowthelawinaparticularcaseheneverpretendedtoknowit

.Iftherewerenoprecedentstocoveracasehewouldstatehissideplainlyandfairly;hewouldtellthejurywhathebelievedwasrightforthemtodo,andthenconcludewithhisfavoriteexpression,"itseemstomethatthisoughttobethelaw."

SometimebeforetherepealoftheMissouriCompromisealawyerfriendsaidtohim:"Lincoln,thetimeisnearathandwhenweshallhavetobeallAbolitionistsorallDemocrats."

"Whenthattimecomesmymindismadeup,"hereplied,"forIbelievetheslaveryquestionnevercanbecompromised."

THELIONISAROUSEDTOACTION.

WhileLincolntookamildinterestinpolitics,hewasnotacandidateforoffice,exceptasapresidentialelector,fromthetimeofleavingCongressuntiltherepealoftheMissouriCompromise.ThisrepealLegislationwastheworkofLincoln'spoliticalantagonist,StephenA.Douglas,andarousedMr.Lincolntoactionasthelionisrousedbysomefoeworthyofhisgreatstrengthandcourage.

Mr.Douglasarguedthatthetrueintentandmeaningoftheactwasnottolegis



lateslaveryintoanyterritoryorstate,nortoexcludeittherefrom,buttoleavethepeopleperfectlyfreetoformandregulatetheirdomesticinstitutionsintheirownway.

"Douglas'argumentamountstothis,"saidMr.Lincoln,"thatifanyonemanchoosestoenslaveanothernothirdmanshallbeallowedtoobject."

AftertheadjournmentofCongressMr.DouglasreturnedtoIllinoisandbegantodefendhisactionintherepealoftheMissouriCompromise.HismostimportantspeechwasmadeatSpringfield,andMr.Lincolnwasselectedtoanswerit.ThatspeechalonewassufficienttomakeMr.Lincolntheleaderofanti-SlaverysentimentintheWest,andsomeofthemenwhohearditdeclaredthatitwasthegreatestspeechheevermade.

WiththerepealoftheMissouriCompromisetheWhigpartybegantobreakup,themajorityofitsmemberswhowerepronouncedAbolitionistsbegantoformthenucleusoftheRepublicanparty.Beforethispartywasformed,however,Mr.LincolnwasinducedtofollowDouglasaroundtheStateandreplytohim,butafteronemeetingatPeoria,wheretheybothspoke,theyenteredintoanagreementtoreturntotheirhomesandmakenomorespeechesduringthecampaign.

SEEKSASEATINTHESENATE.

Mr.LincolnmadenosecretatthistimeofhisambitiontorepresentIllinoisintheUnitedStatesSenate.AgainsthisprotesthewasnominatedandelectedtotheLegislature,butresignedhisseat.Hisoldrival,JamesShields,withwhomhewasonceneartoaduel,wasthensenator,andhistermwastoexpirethefollowingyear.

Aletter,writtenbyMr.LincolntoafriendinParis,Illinois,atthistimeisinterestingandsignificant.Hewrote:

"IhaveasuspicionthataWhighasbeenelectedtotheLegislaturefromEagar.Ifthisisnotso,why,then,'nixcumarous;'butifitisso,thencouldyounotmakeamarkwithhimformeforUnitedStatessenator?Ireallyhavesomech

ance."

AnothercandidatebesidesMr.LincolnwasseekingtheseatintheUnitedStatesSenate,soontobevacatedbyMr.Shields.ThiswasLymanTrumbull,ananti-slaveryDemocrat.WhentheLegislaturemetitwasfoundthatMr.Lincolnlackedfivevotesofanelection,whileMr.Trumbullhadbutfivesupporters.AfterseveralballotsMr.LincolnfearedthatTrumbull'svoteswouldbegiventoaDemocraticcandidateandhedeterminedtosacrificehimselffortheprincipleatstake.AccordinglyheinstructedhisfriendsintheLegislaturetovoteforJudgeTrumbull,whichtheydid,resultinginTrumbull'selection.

TheAbolitionistsintheWesthadbecomeveryradicalintheirviews,anddidnothesitatetotalkofopposingtheextensionofslaverybytheuseofforceif

necessary.Mr.Lincoln,ontheotherhand,wasconservativeandcounseledmoderation.Inthemeantimemanyoutrages,growingoutoftheextensionofslavery,werebeingperpetratedonthebordersofKansasandMissouri,andtheynodoubtinfluencedMr.Lincolntotakeamoreradicalstandagainsttheslaveryquestion.

Anincidentoccurredatthistimewhichhadgreateffectinthisdirection.ThenegrosonofacoloredwomaninSpringfieldhadgoneSouthtowork.Hewasbornfree,butdidnothavehisfreepaperswithhim.Hewasarrestedandwouldhavebeensoldintoslaverytopayhisprisonexpenses,hadnotMr.Lincolnandsomefriendspurchasedhisliberty.PrevioustothisMr.Lincolnhadtriedtosecure



theboy'sreleasethroughtheGovernorofIllinois,buttheGovernorinformedhimthatnothingcouldbedone.

ThenitwasthatMr.Lincolnrosetohisfullheightandexclaimed:

"Governor,I'llmakethegroundinthiscountrytoohotforthefootofaslave,whetheryouhavethelegalpowertosecurethereleaseofthisboyornot."

HELPSTOORGANIZETHEREPUBLICANPARTY.

TheyearafterMr.Trumbull'selectiontotheSenatetheRepublicanpartywasformallyorganized.AstateconventionofthatpartywascalledtomeetatBloomingtonMay29,1856.ThecallforthisconventionwassignedbymanySpringfieldWhigs,andamongthenameswasthatofAbrahamLincoln.Mr.Lincoln'snamehadbeensignedtothecallbyhislawpartner,butwhenhewasinformedofthisactionheendorseditfully.AmongthefamousmenwhotookpartinthisconventionwereAbrahamLincoln,LymanTrumbull,DavidDavis,LeonardSwett,RichardYates,Norman,B.JuddandOwenLovejoy,theAltoneditor,whoselife,likeLincoln's,finallypaidthepenaltyforhisAbolitionviews.ThepartynominatedforGovernor,Wm.H.Bissell,aveteranoftheMexicanWar,andadoptedaplatformringingwithanti-slaverysentiment.

Mr.Lincolnwasthegreatestpowerinthecampaignthatfollowed.HewasoneoftheFremontPresidentialelectors,andhewenttoworkwithallhismighttospreadthenewpartygospelandmakevotesfortheold"Path-FinderoftheRockyMountains."

AnamusingincidentfollowedcloseaftertheBloomingtonconvention.AmeetingwascalledatSpringfieldtoratifytheactionatBloomington.Onlythreepersonsattended--Mr.Lincoln,hislawpartnerandamannamedJohnPaine.Mr.Lincolnmadeaspeechtohiscolleagues,inwhich,amongotherthings,hesaid:"Whileallseemsdead,theageitselfisnot.ItlivethassureasourMakerliveth."

InthiscampaignMr.Lincolnwasingeneraldemandnotonlyinhisownstate,butinIndiana,IowaandWisconsinaswell.

TheresultofthatPresidentialcampaignwastheelectionofBuchananasPresident,BissellasGovernor,leavingMr.Lincolntheundisputedleaderofthenewparty.HenceitwasthattwoyearslaterhewastheinevitablemantoopposeJudgeDouglasinthecampaignforUnitedStatesSenator.

THERAIL-SPLITTERvs.THELITTLEGIANT.

NorecordofAbrahamLincoln'scareerwouldbecompletewithoutthestoryofthememorablejointdebatesbetweenthe"Rail-SplitteroftheSangamonValley"andthe"LittleGiant."TheopeninglinesinMr.Lincoln'sspeechtotheRepublican

Conventionwerenotonlypropheticofthecomingrebellion,buttheyclearlymadetheissuebetweentheRepublicanandDemocraticpartiesfortwoPresidentialcampaignstofollow.Thememorablesentenceswereasfollows:

"Ahousedividedagainstitselfcannotstand.IbelievethisGovernmentcannotendurepermanentlyhalfslaveandhalffree.IdonotexpecttheUniontobedissolved;Idonotexpectthehousetofall;butIdoexpectitwillceasetobedivided.Itwillbecomealltheonethingortheother.Eithertheopponentsofslaverywillarrestthefurtherspreadofitandplaceitwherethepublicmindshallrestinthebeliefthatitisinthecourseofultimateextinction,orits



advocateswillpushitforwardtillitbecomesalikelawfulinallthestates,oldaswellasnew,NorthaswellasSouth."

ItisuniversallyconcededthatthisspeechcontainedthemostimportantutterancesofMr.Lincoln'slife.

Previoustoitsdelivery,theDemocraticconventionhadendorsedMr.Douglasforre-electiontotheSenate,andtheRepublicanconventionhadresolvedthat"AbrahamLincolnisourfirstandonlychoiceforUnitedStatesSenator,tofillthevacancyabouttobecreatedbytheexpirationofMr.Douglas'termofoffice."

BeforeJudgeDouglashadmademanyspeechesinthisSenatorialcampaign,Mr.Lincolnchallengedhimtoajointdebate,whichwasaccepted,andsevenmemorablemeetingsbetweenthesetwogreatleadersfollowed.Theplacesanddateswere:Ottawa,August21st;Freeport,August27th;Jonesboro,September15th;Charleston,September18th;Galesburg,October7th;Quincy,October13th;andAlton,October15th.

ThedebatesnotonlyattractedtheattentionofthepeopleinthestateofIllinois,butarousedaninterestthroughoutthewholecountryequaltothatofaPresidentialelection.

WERELIKECROWDSATACIRCUS.

Allthemeetingsofthejointdebatewereattendedbyimmensecrowdsofpeople.Theycameinallsortsofvehicles,onhorseback,andmanywalkedwearymilesonfoottohearthesetwogreatleadersdiscusstheissuesofthecampaign.Therehadneverbeenpoliticalmeetingsheldundersuchunusualconditionsasthese,andthereprobablyneverwillbeagain.Ateveryplacethespeakersweremetbygreatcrowdsoftheirfriendsandescortedtotheplatformsintheopenairwherethedebateswereheld.Theprocessionsthatescortedthespeakersweremostunique.Theycarriedflagsandbannersandwereprecededbybandsofmusic.Thepeopledischargedcannonswhentheyhadthem,and,whentheydidnot,blacksmiths'anvilsweremadetotaketheirplaces.

Oftentimesapartoftheescortwouldbemounted,andinmostoftheprocessionswerechariotscontainingyoungladiesrepresentingthedifferentstatesoftheUniondesignatedbybannerstheycarried.Besidesthebands,therewasusuallyvocalmusic.Patrioticsongsweretheorderoftheday,the"Star-SpangledBanner"and"HailColumbia"beinggreatfavorites.

Sofarasthecrowdswereconcerned,thesejointdebatestookontheappearanceofacircusday,andthiscomparisonwasstrengthenedbythesaleoflemonade,fruit,melonsandconfectioneryontheoutskirtsofthegatherings.

AtOttawa,afterhisspeech,Mr.Lincolnwascarriedaroundontheshouldersofhisenthusiasticsupporters,whodidnotputhimdownuntiltheyreachedtheplacewherehewastospendthenight.

Inthejointdebates,eachofthecandidatesaskedtheotheraseriesofquestions.JudgeDouglas'repliestoMr.Lincoln'sshrewdquestionshelpedDouglastowintheSenatorialelection,buttheylosthimthesupportoftheSouthinthecampaignforPresidenttwoyearsthereafter.Mr.LincolnwastoldwhenheframedhisquestionsthatifDouglasansweredtheminthewayitwasbelievedhewouldthattheanswerswouldmakehimSenator.

"Thatmaybe,"saidMr.Lincoln,"butifhetakesthatshoothenevercanbePresident."



Theprophecywascorrect.Mr.DouglaswaselectedSenator,buttwoyearslateronlycarriedonestate--Missouri--forPresident.

HISBUCKEYECAMPAIGN.

Afterthecloseofthiscanvass,Mr.Lincolnagaindevotedhimselftothepracticeofhisprofession,buthewasdestinedtoremainbutashorttimeinretirement.Inthefallof1859Mr.DouglaswenttoOhiotostumpthestateforhisfriend,Mr.Pugh,theDemocraticcandidateforGovernor.TheOhioRepublicansatonceaskedMr.Lincolntocometothestateandreplytothe"LittleGiant."Heacceptedtheinvitationandmadetwomasterlyspeechesinthecampaign.Inoneofthem,deliveredatCincinnati,heprophesiedtheoutcomeoftherebellioniftheSouthernpeopleattemptedtodividetheUnionbyforce.

AddressinghimselfparticularlytotheKentuckiansintheaudience,hesaid:

"Ihavetoldyouwhatwemeantodo.Iwanttoknow,now,whenthatthingtakesplace,whatdoyoumeantodo?IoftenhearitintimatedthatyoumeantodividetheUnionwheneveraRepublican,oranythinglikeit,iselectedPresidentoftheUnitedStates.[AVoice--"Thatisso."]'Thatisso,'oneofthemsays;IwonderifheisaKentuckian?[AVoice--"HeisaDouglasman."]Well,then,Iwant

toknowwhatyouaregoingtodowithyourhalfofit?

"AreyougoingtosplittheOhiodownthrough,andpushyourhalfoffapiece?Orareyougoingtokeepitrightalongsideofusoutrageousfellows?Orareyougoingtobuildupawallsomewaybetweenyourcountry,andours,bywhichthatmovablepropertyofyourscan'tcomeoverhereanymore,tothedangerofyourlosingit?Doyouthinkyoucanbetteryourselvesonthatsubjectbyleavingushereundernoobligationwhatevertoreturnthosespecimensofyourmovablepropertythatcomehither?

"YouhavedividedtheUnionbecausewewouldnotdorightwithyou,asyouthink,uponthatsubject;whenweceasetobeunderobligationstodoanythingforyou,howmuchbetteroffdoyouthinkyouwillbe?Willyoumakewaruponusand

killusall?Why,gentlemen,Ithinkyouareasgallantandasbravemenaslive;thatyoucanfightasbravelyinagoodcause,manforman,asanyotherpeopleliving;thatyouhaveshownyourselvescapableofthisuponvariousoccasions;but,manforman,youarenotbetterthanweare,andtherearenotsomanyofyouasthereareofus.

"Youwillnevermakemuchofahandatwhippingus.Ifwewerefewerinnumbersthanyou,Ithinkthatyoucouldwhipus;ifwewereequal,itwouldlikelybeadrawnbattle;but,beinginferiorinnumbers,youwillmakenothingbyattemptingtomasterus.

"ButperhapsIhaveaddressedmyselfaslong,orlonger,totheKentuckiansthanIoughttohavedone,inasmuchasIhavesaidthat,whatevercourseyoutake,

weintendintheendtobeatyou."

FIRSTVISITTONEWYORK.

LaterintheyearMr.LincolnalsospokeinKansas,wherehewasreceivedwithgreatenthusiasm,andinFebruaryofthefollowingyearhemadehisgreatspeechinCooperUnion,NewYork,toanimmensegathering,presidedoverbyWilliamCullenBryant,thepoet,whowastheneditoroftheNewYorkEveningPost.Therew



asgreatcuriositytoseetheWesternrail-splitterwhohadsolatelymetthefamous"LittleGiant"oftheWestindebate,andMr.Lincoln'sspeechwaslistenedtobymanyoftheablestmenintheEast.

ThisspeechwonforhimmanysupportersinthePresidentialcampaignthatfollowed,forhishearersatoncerecognizedhiswonderfulabilitytodealwiththequestionsthenuppermostinthepublicmind.

FIRSTNOMINATIONFORPRESIDENT.

TheRepublicanNationalConventionof1860metinChicago,May16,inanimmensebuildingcalledthe"Wigwam."TheleadingcandidatesforPresidentwereWilliamH.SewardofNewYorkandAbrahamLincolnofIllinois.AmongothersspokenofwereSalmonP.ChaseofOhioandSimonCameronofPennsylvania.

OnthefirstballotforPresident,Mr.Sewardreceivedonehundredandseventy-threeandone-halfvotes;Mr.Lincoln,onehundredandtwovotes,theothersscattering.Onthefirstballot,Vermonthaddividedhervote,butonthesecondthechairmanoftheVermontdelegationannounced:"VermontcastshertenvotesfortheyounggiantoftheWest--AbrahamLincoln."

ThiswastheturningpointintheconventiontowardMr.Lincoln'snomination.T

hesecondballotresulted:Seward,onehundredandeighty-fourandone-half;Lincoln,onehundredandeighty-one.Onthethirdballot,Mr.Lincolnreceivedtwohundredandthirtyvotes.Oneandone-halfvotesmorewouldnominatehim.Beforetheballotwasannounced,OhiomadeachangeoffourvotesinfavorofMr.Lincoln,makinghimthenomineeforPresident.

OtherstatestriedtofollowOhio'sexample,butitwasalongtimebeforeanyofthedelegatescouldmakethemselvesheard.Cannonsplantedontopofthewigwamwereroaringandbooming;thelargecrowdinthewigwamandtheimmensethrongoutsidewerecheeringatthetopoftheirlungs,whilebandswereplayingvictoriousairs.

Whenorderhadbeenrestored,itwasannouncedthatonthethirdballotAbraham

LincolnofIllinoishadreceivedthreehundredandfifty-fourvotesandwasnominatedbytheRepublicanpartytotheofficeofPresidentoftheUnitedStates.

Mr.LincolnheardthenewsofhisnominationwhilesittinginanewspaperofficeinSpringfield,andhurriedhometotellhiswife.

AsMr.Lincolnhadpredicted,JudgeDouglas'positiononslaveryintheterritorieslosthimthesupportoftheSouth,andwhentheDemocraticconventionmetatCharleston,theslave-holdingstatesforcedthenominationofJohnC.Breckinridge.AconsiderablenumberofpeoplewhodidnotagreewitheitherpartynominatedJohnBellofTennessee.

Intheelectionwhichfollowed,Mr.Lincolncarriedallofthefreestates,exc

eptNewJersey,whichwasdividedbetweenhimselfandDouglas;Breckinridgecarriedalltheslavestates,exceptKentucky,TennesseeandVirginia,whichwentforBell,andMissourigaveitsvotetoDouglas.

FORMATIONOFTHESOUTHERNCONFEDERACY.

TheelectionwasscarcelyoverbeforeitwasevidentthattheSouthernStatesdidnotintendtoabidebytheresult,andthataconspiracywasonfoottodivid



etheUnion.BeforethePresidentialelectioneven,theSecretaryofWarinPresidentBuchanan'sCabinethadremovedonehundredandfiftythousandmusketsfromGovernmentarmoriesintheNorthandsentthemtoGovernmentarmoriesintheSouth.

BeforeMr.Lincolnhadpreparedhisinauguraladdress,SouthCarolina,whichtooktheleadinthesecessionmovement,haddeclaredthroughherLegislatureherseparationfromtheUnion.BeforeMr.Lincolntookhisseat,otherSouthernStateshadfollowedtheexampleofSouthCarolina,andaconventionhadbeenheldatMontgomery,Alabama,whichhadelectedJeffersonDavisPresidentofthenewConfederacy,andAlexanderH.Stevens,ofGeorgia,Vice-President.

SouthernmenintheCabinet,SenateandHousehadresignedtheirseatsandgonehome,andSouthernStatesweredemandingthatSouthernfortsandGovernmentpropertyintheirsectionshouldbeturnedovertothem.

Betweenhiselectionandinauguration,Mr.Lincolnremainedsilent,reservinghisopinionsandadeclarationofhispolicyforhisinauguraladdress.

BeforeMr.Lincoln'sdeparturefromSpringfieldforWashington,threatshadbeenfreelymadethathewouldneverreachthecapitalalive,and,infact,aconspiracywasthenonfoottotakehislifeinthecityofBaltimore.

Mr.LincolnleftSpringfieldonFebruary11th,incompanywithhiswifeandthr

eesons,hisbrother-in-law,Dr.W.S.Wallace;DavidDavis,NormanB.Judd,ElmerE.Elsworth,WardH.Lamon,ColonelE.V.SunderoftheUnitedStatesArmy,andthePresident'stwosecretaries.

GOOD-BYETOTHEOLDFOLK.

EarlyinFebruary,beforeleavingforWashington,Mr.LincolnslippedawayfromSpringfieldandpaidavisittohisagedstep-motherinColescounty.Healsopaidavisittotheunmarkedgraveofhisfatherandorderedasuitablestonetomarkthespot.

BeforeleavingSpringfield,hemadeanaddresstohisfellow-townsmen,inwhichhedisplayedsinceresorrowatpartingfromthem.

"Friends,"hesaid,"noonewhohasneverbeenplacedinalikepositioncanunderstandmyfeelingsatthishour,northeoppressivesadnessIfeelatthisparting.FormorethanaquarterofacenturyIhavelivedamongyou,andduringallthattimeIhavereceivednothingbutkindnessatyourhands.HereIhavelivedfrommyyouthuntilnowIamanoldman.Herethemostsacredtiesofearthwereassumed.Hereallmychildrenwereborn,andhereoneofthemliesburied.

"Toyou,dearfriends,IoweallthatIhave,allthatIam.Allthestrange,checkeredpastseemstocrowdnowuponmymind.To-dayIleaveyou.IgotoassumeataskmoredifficultthanthatwhichdevolveduponWashington.Unlessthegre

atGodwhoassistedhimshallbewithandaidme,Imustfail;butifthesameomniscientmindandalmightyarmthatdirectedandprotectedhimshallguideandsupportme,Ishallnotfail--Ishallsucceed.LetusallpraythattheGodofourfathersmaynotforsakeusnow.

"ToHimIcommendyouall.PermitmetoaskthatwithequalsincerityandfaithyouwillinvokeHiswisdomandguidanceforme.WiththesewordsImustleaveyou,forhowlongIknownot.Friends,oneandall,Imustnowbidyouanaffectionatefarewell."



ThejourneyfromSpringfieldtoPhiladelphiawasacontinuousovationforMr.Lincoln.Crowdsassembledtomeethimatthevariousplacesalongtheway,andhemadethemshortspeeches,fullofhumorandgoodfeeling.AtHarrisburg,Pa.,thepartywasmetbyAllanPinkerton,whoknewoftheplotinBaltimoretotakethelifeofMr.Lincoln.

THE"SECRETPASSAGE"TOWASHINGTON.

Throughouthisentirelife,AbrahamLincoln'sphysicalcouragewasasgreatandsuperbashismoralcourage.WhenMr.PinkertonandMr.JuddurgedthePresident-electtoleaveforWashingtonthatnight,hepositivelyrefusedtodoit.HesaidhehadmadeanengagementtoassistataflagraisingintheforenoonofthenextdayandtoshowhimselftothepeopleofHarrisburgintheafternoon,andthatheintendedtokeepbothengagements.

AtPhiladelphiathePresidentialpartywasmetbyMr.Seward'sson,Frederick,whohadbeensenttowarnMr.Lincolnoftheplotagainsthislife.Mr.Judd,Mr.PinkertonandMr.LamonfiguredoutaplantotakeMr.LincolnthroughBaltimorebetweenmidnightanddaybreak,whenthewould-beassassinswouldnotbeexpectinghim,andthisplanwascarriedoutsothoroughlythateventheconductoronthetraindidnotknowthePresident-electwasonboard.

Mr.Lincolnwasputintohisberthandthecurtainsdrawn.Hewassupposedtobeasickman.Whentheconductorcamearound,Mr.Pinkertonhandedhimthe"sickman's"ticketandhepassedonwithoutquestion.

WhenthetrainreachedBaltimore,athalf-pastthreeo'clockinthemorning,itwasmetbyoneofMr.Pinkerton'sdetectives,whoreportedthateverythingwas"allright,"andinashorttimethepartywasspeedingontothenationalcapital,whereroomshadbeenengagedforMr.LincolnandhisguardatWillard'sHotel.

Mr.Lincolnalwaysregrettedthis"secretpassage"toWashington,foritwasrepugnanttoamanofhishighcourage.Hehadagreedtotheplansimplybecauseallofhisfriendsurgeditasthebestthingtodo.

Nowthatallthefactsareknown,itisassuredthathisfriendswereright,andthatthereneverwasamomentfromthedayhecrossedtheMarylandlineuntilhisassassinationthathislifewasnotindanger,andwasonlysavedaslongasitwasbytheconstantvigilanceofthosewhowereguardinghim.

HISELOQUENTINAUGURALADDRESS.

ThewonderfuleloquenceofAbrahamLincoln--clear,sincere,natural--foundgrandexpressioninhisfirstinauguraladdress,inwhichhenotonlyoutlinedhispolicytowardtheStatesinrebellion,butmadethatbeautifulandeloquentplea

forconciliation.TheclosingsentencesofMr.Lincoln'sfirstinauguraladdressdeservedlytakerankwithhisGettysburgspeech:

"Inyourhands,mydissatisfiedfellow-countrymen,"hesaid,"andnotinmine,isthemomentousissueofcivilwar.TheGovernmentwillnotassailyou.

"Youcanhavenoconflictwithoutbeingyourselvestheaggressors.YouhavenooathregisteredinheaventodestroytheGovernment,whileIshallhavethemostsolemnoneto'preserve,protectanddefend'it.



"Iamloathtoclose.Wearenotenemies,butfriends.Wemustnotbeenemies.Thoughpassionmayhavestrained,itmustnotbreakourbondsofaffection.

"Themysticcordofmemory,stretchingfromeverybattle-fieldandpatriotgravetoeverylivingheartandhearthstonealloverthisbroadland,willyetswellthechorusoftheUnion,whenagaintouched,assurelytheywillbe,bythebetterangelsofournature."

FOLLOWSPRECEDENTOFWASHINGTON.

InselectinghisCabinet,Mr.Lincoln,consciouslyorunconsciously,followedaprecedentestablishedbyWashington,ofselectingmenofalmostoppositeopinions.HisCabinetwascomposedofWilliamH.SewardofNewYork,SecretaryofState;SalmonP.ChaseofOhio,SecretaryoftheTreasury;SimonCameronofPennsylvania,SecretaryofWar;GideonE.WellesofConnecticut,SecretaryoftheNavy;CalebB.SmithofIndiana,SecretaryoftheInterior;MontgomeryBlairofMaryland,Postmaster-General;EdwardBatesofMissouri,Attorney-General.

Mr.Chase,althoughananti-slaveryleader,wasaStates-RightsFederalRepublican,whileMr.SewardwasaWhig,withouthavingconnectedhimselfwiththeanti-slaverymovement.

Mr.ChaseandMr.Seward,theleadingmenofMr.Lincoln'sCabinet,wereaswidelyapartandantagonisticintheirviewsaswereJefferson,theDemocrat,andHamilton,theFederalist,thetwoleadersinWashington'sCabinet.Butinbringingtogetherthesetwostrongmenashischiefadvisers,bothofwhomhadbeenrivalcandidatesforthePresidency,Mr.Lincolngaveanotherexampleofhisowngreatnessandself-reliance,andputthembothinapositiontorendergreaterservicetotheGovernmentthantheycouldhavedone,probably,asPresident.

Mr.LincolnhadbeeninofficelittlemorethanfiveweekswhentheWaroftheRebellionbeganbythefiringonFortSumter.

GREATERDIPLOMATTHANSEWARD.

TheWaroftheRebellionrevealedtothepeople--infact,tothewholeworld--themanysidesofAbrahamLincoln'scharacter.Itshowedhimasarealrulerofmen--notarulerbythemerepowerofmight,butbythepowerofagreatbrain.InhisCabinetweretheablestmeninthecountry,yettheyallknewthatLincolnwasablerthananyofthem.

Mr.Seward,theSecretaryofState,wasamanfamedinstatesmanshipanddiplomacy.DuringtheearlystagesoftheCivilWar,whenFranceandEnglandwereseekinganexcusetointerfereandhelptheSouthernConfederacy,Mr.SewardwrotealettertoourministerinLondon,CharlesFrancisAdams,instructinghimconcerningtheattitudeoftheFederalgovernmentonthequestionofinterference,whi

chwouldundoubtedlyhavebroughtaboutawarwithEnglandifAbrahamLincolnhadnotcorrectedandamendedtheletter.Hedidthis,too,withoutyieldingapointorsacrificinginanywayhisowndignityorthatofthecountry.

LINCOLNAGREATGENERAL.

Throughoutthefouryearsofwar,Mr.LincolnspentagreatdealoftimeintheWarDepartment,receivingnewsfromthefrontandconferringwithSecretaryof



WarStantonconcerningmilitaryaffairs.

Mr.Lincoln'sWarSecretary,EdwinM.Stanton,whohadsucceededSimonCameron,wasamanofwonderfulpersonalityandironwill.ItisgenerallyconcededthatnoothermancouldhavemanagedthegreatWarSecretarysowellasLincoln.Stantonhadhiswayinmostmatters,butwhentherewasanimportantdifferenceofopinionhealwaysfoundLincolnwasthemaster.

AlthoughMr.Lincoln'scommunicationstothegeneralsinthefieldwereoftenerinthenatureofsuggestionsthanpositiveorders,everymilitaryleaderrecognizedMr.Lincoln'sabilityinmilitaryoperations.Intheearlystagesofthewar,Mr.LincolnfollowedcloselyeveryplanandmovementofMcClellan,andthecorrespondencebetweenthemprovesMr.Lincolntohavebeenfartheablergeneralofthetwo.HekeptclosewatchofBurnside,too,andwhenhegavethecommandoftheArmyofthePotomacto"FightingJoe"Hookerhealsogavethatgeneralsomefatherlycounselandadvicewhichwasofgreatbenefittohimasacommander.

ABSOLUTECONFIDENCEINGRANT.

ItwasnotuntilGeneralGranthadbeenmadeCommander-in-ChiefthatPresidentLincolnfelthehadatlastfoundageneralwhodidnotneedmuchadvice.HewasthefirsttorecognizethatGrantwasagreatmilitaryleader,andwhenheonce

feltsureofthisfactnothingcouldshakehisconfidenceinthatgeneral.DelegationafterdelegationcalledattheWhiteHouseandaskedforGrant'sremovalfromtheheadofthearmy.Theyaccusedhimofbeingabutcher,adrunkard,amanwithoutsenseorfeeling.

PresidentLincolnlistenedtoalloftheseattacks,buthealwayshadanaptanswertosilenceGrant'senemies.GrantwasdoingwhatLincolnwanteddonefromthefirst--hewasfightingandwinningvictories,andvictoriesaretheonlythingsthatcountinwar.

REASONSFORFREEINGTHESLAVES.

ThecrowningactofLincoln'scareerasPresidentwastheemancipationoftheslaves.Allofhislifehehadbelievedingradualemancipation,butallofhisplanscontemplatedpaymenttotheslaveholders.Whilehehadalwaysbeenopposedtoslavery,hedidnottakeanystepstouseitasawarmeasureuntilaboutthemiddleof1862.HischiefobjectwastopreservetheUnion.

HewrotetoHoraceGreeleythatifhecouldsavetheUnionwithoutfreeinganyoftheslaveshewoulddoit;thatifhecouldsaveitbyfreeingsomeandleavingtheothersinslaveryhewoulddothat;thatifitbecamenecessarytofreealltheslavesinordertosavetheUnionhewouldtakethatcourse.

Theanti-slaverymenwerecontinuallyurgingMr.Lincolntosettheslavesfree

,buthepaidnoattentiontotheirpetitionsanddemandsuntilhefeltthatemancipationwouldhelphimtopreservetheUnionoftheStates.

TheoutlookfortheUnioncausegrewdarkeranddarkerin1862,andMr.Lincolnbegantothink,asheexpressedit,thathemust"changehistacticsorlosethegame."AccordinglyhedecidedtoissuetheEmancipationProclamationassoonastheUnionarmywonasubstantialvictory.ThebattleofAntietam,onSeptember17,gavehimtheopportunityhesought.HetoldSecretaryChasethathehadmadeasolemnvowbeforeGodthatifGeneralLeeshouldbedrivenbackfromPennsylvaniahewouldcrowntheresultbyadeclarationoffreedomtotheslaves.



Onthetwenty-secondofthatmonthheissuedaproclamationstatingthatattheendofonehundreddayshewouldissueanotherproclamationdeclaringallslaveswithinanyStateorTerritorytobeforeverfree,whichwasdoneintheformofthefamousEmancipationProclamation.

HARDTOREFUSEPARDONS.

IntheconductofthewarandinhispurposetomaintaintheUnion,AbrahamLincolnexhibitedawillofironanddeterminationthatcouldnotbeshaken,butinhisdailycontactwiththemothers,wivesanddaughtersbeggingforthelifeofsomesoldierwhohadbeencondemnedtodeathfordesertionorsleepingondutyhewasasgentleandweakasawoman.

Itwasadifficultmatterforhimtorefuseapardoniftheslightestexcusecouldbefoundforgrantingit.

SecretaryStantonandthecommandinggeneralswereloudindeclaringthatMr.Lincolnwoulddestroythedisciplineofthearmybyhiswholesalepardoningofcondemnedsoldiers,butwhenwecometoexaminetheindividualcaseswefindthatLincolnwasnearlyalwaysright,andwhenheerreditwasalwaysonthesideofhumanity.

DuringthefouryearsofthelongstruggleforthepreservationoftheUnion,Mr.Lincolnkept"openshop,"asheexpressedit,wherethegeneralpubliccouldalwaysseehimandmakeknowntheirwantsandcomplaints.EventheprivatesoldierwasnotdeniedadmittancetothePresident'sprivateoffice,andnorequestorcomplaintwastoosmallortrivialtoenlisthissympathyandinterest.

AFUN-LOVINGANDHUMOR-LOVINGMAN.

ItwasoncesaidofShakespearethatthegreatmindthatconceivedthetragediesof"Hamlet,""Macbeth,"etc.,wouldhavelostitsreasonifithadnotfoundv

entinthesparklinghumorofsuchcomediesas"TheMerryWivesofWindsor"and"TheComedyofErrors."

ThegreatstrainonthemindofAbrahamLincolnproducedbyfouryearsofcivilwarmightlikewisehaveovercomehisreasonhaditnotfoundventintheyarnsandstoriesheconstantlytold.Nomorefun-lovingorhumor-lovingmanthanAbrahamLincolneverlived.Heenjoyedajokeevenwhenitwasonhimself,andprobably,whilehegothisgreatestenjoymentfromtellingstories,hehadakeenappreciationofthehumorinthosethatweretoldhim.

HisfavoritehumorouswriterwasDavidR.Locke,betterknownas"PetroleumV.Nasby,"whosepoliticalsatireswerequitefamousintheirday.NearlyeveryprominentmanwhohaswrittenhisrecollectionsofLincolnhastoldhowthePreside

nt,inthemiddleofaconversationonsomeserioussubject,wouldsuddenlystopandaskhishearerifheeverreadtheNasbyletters.

Thenhewouldtakefromhisdeskapamphletcontainingthelettersandproceedtoreadthem,laughingheartilyatallthegoodpointstheycontained.ThereisprobablynobetterevidenceofMr.Lincoln'sloveofhumorandappreciationofitthanhislettertoNasby,inwhichhesaid:"FortheabilitytowritethesethingsIwouldgladlytradeplaceswithyou."

Mr.Lincolnwasre-electedPresidentin1864.HisopponentontheDemocraticti



cketwasGeneralGeorgeB.McClellan,whosecommandoftheArmyofthePotomachadbeensounsatisfactoryatthebeginningofthewar.Mr.Lincoln'selectionwasalmostunanimous,asMcClellancarriedbutthreeStates--Delaware,KentuckyandNewJersey.

GeneralGrant,inatelegramofcongratulation,saidthatitwas"avictoryworthmoretothecountrythanabattlewon."

Thewarwasfastdrawingtoaclose.Theblackwarcloudswerebreakingandrollingaway.Shermanhadmadehisfamousmarchtothesea.Throughswampandravine,GrantwasrapidlytighteningthelinesaroundRichmond.Thomashadwonhistitleofthe"RockofChickamauga."Sheridanhadwonhisspursasthegreatmoderncavalrycommander,andhadcleanedouttheShenandoahValley.ShermanwascomingbackfromhisfamousmarchtojoinGrantatRichmond.

TheConfederacywaswithoutanavy.TheKearsargehadsunktheAlabama,andFarraguthadfoughtandwonthefamousvictoryinMobileBay.ItwascertainthatLeewouldsoonhavetoevacuateRichmondonlytofallintothehandsofGrant.

Lincolnsawthedawnofpeace.Whenhecametodeliverhissecondinauguraladdress,itcontainednonoteofvictory,noexultationoverafallenfoe.Onthecontrary,itbreathedthespiritofbrotherlyloveandofprayerforanearlypeace:"Withmalicetowardnone,withcharityforall,withfirmnessintherightasGodgivesustoseetheright,letusfinishtheworkwearein,tobindupth

enation'swounds,tocareforhimwhoshallhavebornethebattleandforhiswidowandhisorphans,todoallwhichmayachieveandcherishajustandlastingpeaceamongourselvesandwithallnations."

Notlongthereafter,GeneralLeeevacuatedRichmondwithabouthalfofhisoriginalarmy,closelypursuedbyGrant.TheboysinblueovertooktheirbrothersingrayatAppomattoxCourtHouse,andthere,beneaththewarmraysofanAprilsun,thegreatConfederategeneralmadehisfinalsurrender.Thewarwasover,theAmericanflagwasfloatedoveralltheterritoryoftheUnitedStates,andpeacewasnowareality.Mr.LincolnvisitedRichmondandthefinalscenesofthewarandthenreturnedtoWashingtontocarryouthisannouncedplanof"bindingupthenation'swounds."

Hehadnowreachedtheclimaxofhiscareerandtouchedthehighestpointofhisgreatness.Hisgreattaskwasover,andtheheavyburdenthathadsolongwornuponhisheartwaslifted.

Whilethewholenationwasrejoicingoverthereturnofpeace,theSaviouroftheUnionwasstrickendownbythehandofanassassin.

WARNINGSOFHISTRAGICDEATH.

Fromearlyyouth,Mr.Lincolnhadpresentimentsthathewoulddieaviolentdeath,or,rather,thathisfinaldayswouldbemarkedbysomegreattragicevent.

FromthetimeofhisfirstelectiontothePresidency,hisclosestfriendshadtriedtomakehimunderstandthathewasinconstantdangerofassassination,but,notwithstandinghispresentiments,hehadsuchsplendidcouragethatheonlylaughedattheirfears.

DuringthesummermonthshelivedattheSoldiers'Home,somemilesfromWashington,andfrequentlymadethetripbetweentheWhiteHouseandtheHomewithoutaguardorescort.SecretaryofWarStantonandWardLamon,MarshaloftheDistrict,werealmostconstantlyalarmedoverMr.Lincoln'scarelessnessinexposinghimselftothedangerofassassination.



Theywarnedhimtimeandagain,andprovidedsuitablebody-guardstoattendhim.ButMr.Lincolnwouldoftengivetheguardstheslip,and,mountinghisfavoriteridinghorse,"OldAbe,"wouldsetoutaloneafterdarkfromtheWhiteHousefortheSoldiers'Home.

WhileridingtotheHomeonenight,hewasfireduponbysomeoneinambush,thebulletpassingthroughhishighhat.Mr.Lincolnwouldnotadmitthatthemanwhofiredtheshothadtriedtokillhim.Healwaysattributedittoanaccident,andbeggedhisfriendstosaynothingaboutit.

Nowthatallthecircumstancesoftheassassinationareknown,itisplainthattherewasadeep-laidandwell-conceivedplottokillMr.Lincolnlongbeforethecrimewasactuallycommitted.WhenMr.LincolnwasdeliveringhissecondinauguraladdressonthestepsoftheCapitol,anexcitedindividualtriedtoforcehiswaythroughtheguardsinthebuildingtogetontheplatformwithMr.Lincoln.

ItwasafterwardlearnedthatthismanwasJohnWilkesBooth,whoafterwardsassassinatedMr.LincolninFord'sTheatre,onthenightofthe14thofApril.

LINCOLNATTHETHEATRE.

ThemanagerofthetheatrehadinvitedthePresidenttowitnessaperformanceofanewplayknownas"OurAmericanCousin,"inwhichthefamousactress,LauraKeane,wasplaying.Mr.Lincolnwasparticularlyfondofthetheatre.HelovedShakespeare'splaysaboveallothersandnevermissedachancetoseetheleadingShakespeareanactors.

As"OurAmericanCousin"wasanewplay,thePresidentdidnotcareparticularlytoseeit,butasMrs.Lincolnwasanxioustogo,heconsentedandacceptedtheinvitation.

GeneralGrantwasinWashingtonatthetime,andashewasextremelyanxiousaboutthepersonalsafetyofthePresident,hereportedeverydayregularlyatthe

WhiteHouse.Mr.LincolninvitedGeneralGrantandhiswifetoaccompanyhimandMrs.Lincolntothetheatreonthenightoftheassassination,andthegeneralaccepted,butwhiletheyweretalkinghereceivedanotefromMrs.GrantsayingthatshewishedtoleaveWashingtonthateveningtovisitherdaughterinBurlington.GeneralGrantmadehisexcusestothePresidentandlefttoaccompanyMrs.Granttotherailwaystation.ItafterwardsbecameknownthatitwasalsoapartoftheplottoassassinateGeneralGrant,andonlyMrs.Grant'sdeparturefromWashingtonthateveningpreventedtheattemptfrombeingmade.

GeneralGrantafterwardssaidthatasheandMrs.GrantwereridingalongPennsylvaniaavenuetotherailwaystationahorsemanroderapidlybyatagallop,and,wheelinghishorse,rodeback,peeringintotheircarriageashepassed.

Mrs.Grantremarkedtothegeneral:"Thatistheverymanwhosatnearusatluncheonto-dayandtriedtooverhearourconversation.Hewassorude,youremember,astocauseustoleavethedining-room.Hereheisagain,ridingafterus."

GeneralGrantattributedtheactionofthemantoidlecuriosity,butlearnedafterwardthatthehorsemanwasJohnWilkesBooth.

LAMON'SREMARKABLEREQUEST.



ProbablyonereasonwhyMr.Lincolndidnotparticularlycaretogotothetheatrethatnightwasasortofhalfpromisehehadmadetohisfriendandbodyguard,MarshalLamon.TwodaysprevioushehadsentLamontoRichmondonbusinessconnectedwithacallofaconventionforreconstruction.Beforeleaving,Mr.LamonsawMr.Usher,theSecretaryoftheInterior,andaskedhimtopersuadeMr.Lincolntousemorecautionabouthispersonalsafety,andtogooutaslittleaspossiblewhileLamonwasabsent.TogethertheywenttoseeMr.Lincoln,andLamonaskedthePresidentifhewouldmakehimapromise.

"IthinkIcanventuretosayIwill,"saidMr.Lincoln."Whatisit?"

"PromisemethatyouwillnotgooutafternightwhileIamgone,"saidMr.Lamon,"particularlytothetheatre."

Mr.LincolnturnedtoMr.Usherandsaid:"Usher,thisboyisamonomaniaconthesubjectofmysafety.Icanhearhimorhearofhisbeingaroundatalltimesinthenight,topreventsomebodyfrommurderingme.HethinksIshallbekilled,andwethinkheisgoingcrazy.Whatdoesanyonewanttoassassinatemefor?Ifanyonewantstodoso,hecandoitanydayornightifheisreadytogivehislifeformine.Itisnonsense."

Mr.UshersaidtoMr.LincolnthatitwaswelltoheedLamon'swarning,ashewasthrownamongpeoplefromwhomhehadbetteropportunitiestoknowaboutsuch

mattersthanalmostanyone.

"Well,"saidMr.LincolntoLamon,"IpromisetodothebestIcantowardit."

HOWLINCOLNWASMURDERED.

TheassassinationofPresidentLincolnwasmostcarefullyplanned,eventothesmallestdetail.TheboxsetapartforthePresident'spartywasadoubleoneinthesecondtierattheleftofthestage.Theboxhadtwodoorswithspringlocks,butBoothhadloosenedthescrewswithwhichtheywerefastenedsothatitwasimpossibletosecurethemfromtheinside.Inonedoorhehadboredaholewi

thagimlet,sothathecouldseewhatwasgoingoninsidethebox.

AnemployeeofthetheatrebythenameofSpangler,whowasanaccompliceoftheassassin,hadevenarrangedtheseatsintheboxtosuitthepurposesofBooth.

Onthefatefulnightthetheatrewaspacked.ThePresidentialpartyarrivedafewminutesafternineo'clock,andconsistedofthePresidentandMrs.Lincoln,MissHarrisandMajorRathbone,daughterandstepsonofSenatorHarrisofNewYork.TheimmenseaudiencerosetoitsfeetandcheeredthePresidentashepassedtohisbox.

Boothcameintothetheatreaboutteno'clock.Hehadnotonly,plannedtokill

thePresident,buthehadalsoplannedtoescapeintoMaryland,andaswifthorse,saddledandreadyforthejourney,wastiedintherearofthetheatre.Forafewminuteshepretendedtobeinterestedintheperformance,andthengraduallymadehiswaybacktothedoorofthePresident'sbox.

Beforereachingthere,however,hewasconfrontedbyoneofthePresident'smessengers,whohadbeenstationedattheendofthepassageleadingtotheboxestopreventanyonefromintruding.TothismanBoothhandedacardsayingthatthePresidenthadsentforhim,andwaspermittedtoenter.



Onceinsidethehallwayleadingtotheboxes,heclosedthehalldoorandfasteneditbyabarpreparedfortheoccasion,sothatitwasimpossibletoopenitfromwithout.Thenhequicklyenteredtheboxthroughtheright-handdoor.ThePresidentwassittinginaneasyarmchairintheleft-handcorneroftheboxnearesttheaudience.Hewasleaningononehandandwiththeotherhadholdofaportionofthedrapery.Therewasasmileonhisface.Theothermembersofthepartywereintentlywatchingtheperformanceonthestage.

Theassassincarriedinhisrighthandasmallsilver-mountedderringerpistolandinhisleftalongdouble-edgeddagger.HeplacedthepistoljustbehindthePresident'sleftearandfired.

Mr.Lincolnbentslightlyforwardandhiseyesclosed,butineveryotherrespecthisattituderemainedunchanged.

ThereportofthepistolstartledMajorRathbone,whosprangtohisfeet.ThemurdererwasthenaboutsixfeetfromthePresident,andRathbonegrappledwithhim,butwasshakenoff.Droppinghispistol,BoothstruckatRathbonewiththedaggerandinflictedaseverewound.Theassassinthenplacedhislefthandlightlyontherailingoftheboxandjumpedtothestage,eightorninefeetbelow.

BOOTHBRANDISHESHISDAGGERANDESCAPES.

TheboxwasdrapedwiththeAmericanflag,and,injumping,Booth'sspurscaughtinthefolds,tearingdowntheflag,theassassinfallingheavilytothestageandspraininghisankle.Hearose,however,andwalkedtheatricallyacrossthestage,brandishedhisknifeandshouted,"Sicsempertyrannis!"andthenadded,"TheSouthisavenged."

Forthemomenttheaudiencewashorrifiedandincapableofaction.Onemanonly,alawyernamedStuart,hadsufficientpresenceofmindtoleapuponthestageandattempttocapturetheassassin.Boothwenttothereardoorofthestage,wherehishorsewasheldinreadinessforhim,and,leapingintothesaddle,dashedthroughthestreetstowardVirginia.MissKeanerushedtothePresident'sboxwithwaterandstimulants,andmedicalaidwassummoned.

Bythistimetheaudiencerealizedthetragedythathadbeenenacted,andthenfollowedascenesuchashasneverbeenwitnessedinanypublicgatheringinthiscountry.Womenwept,shriekedandfainted;menravedandswore,andhorrorwasdepictedoneveryface.Beforetheaudiencecouldbegottenoutofthetheatre,horsemenweredashingthroughthestreetsandthetelegraphwascarryingtheterribledetailsofthetragedythroughoutthenation.

WALTWHITMAN'SDESCRIPTION.

WaltWhitman,thepoet,hassketchedingraphiclanguagethescenesofthatmos

teventfulfourteenthofApril.Hisaccountoftheassassinationhasbecomehistoric,andisherewithgiven:

"Theday(April14,1865)seemstohavebeenapleasantonethroughoutthewholeland--themoralatmospherepleasant,too--thelongstorm,sodark,sofratricidal,fullofbloodanddoubtandgloom,overandendedatlastbythesunriseofsuchanabsolutenationalvictory,andutterbreakingdownofsecessionism--wealmostdoubtedoursenses!Leehadcapitulated,beneaththeappletreeatAppomattox.Theotherarmies,theflangesoftherevolt,swiftlyfollowed.



"Andcoulditreallybe,then?Outofalltheaffairsofthisworldofwoeandpassion,offailureanddisorderanddismay,wastherereallycometheconfirmed,unerringsignofpeace,likeashaftofpurelight--ofrightfulrule--ofGod?

"ButImustnotdwellonaccessories.Thedeedhastens.Thepopularafternoonpaper,thelittleEveningStar,hadscatteredalloveritsthirdpage,dividedamongtheadvertisementsinasensationalmannerinahundreddifferentplaces:

"'ThePresidentandhisladywillbeatthetheatrethisevening.'

"Lincolnwasfondofthetheatre.Ihavemyselfseenhimthereseveraltimes.Irememberthinkinghowfunnyitwasthathe,theleadingactorinthegreatestandstormiestdramaknowntorealhistory'sstage,throughcenturies,shouldsitthereandbesocompletelyinterestedinthosehumanjackstraws,movingaboutwiththeirsillylittlegestures,foreignspirit,andflatulenttext.

"Sotheday,asIsay,waspropitious.Earlyherbage,earlyflowers,wereout.IrememberwhereIwasstoppingatthetime,theseasonbeingadvanced,thereweremanylilacsinfullbloom.

"Byoneofthosecapricesthatenterandgivetingetoeventswithoutbeingapartofthem,Ifindmyselfalwaysremindedofthegreattragedyofthisdaybythesightandodoroftheseblossoms.Itneverfails.

"Onthisoccasionthetheatrewascrowded,manyladiesinrichandgaycostumes,officersintheiruniforms,manywell-knowncitizens,youngfolks,theusualclusterofgaslights,theusualmagnetismofsomanypeople,cheerfulwithperfumes,musicofviolinsandflutes--andoverall,thatsaturating,thatvast,vaguewonder,Victory,thenation'svictory,thetriumphoftheUnion,fillingtheair,thethought,thesense,withexhilarationmorethanalltheperfumes.

"ThePresidentcamebetimes,and,withhiswife,witnessedtheplayfromthelargestageboxesofthesecondtier,twothrownintoone,andprofuselydrapedwiththenationalflag.Theactsandscenesofthepiece--oneofthosesingularlywitlesscompositionswhichhaveattheleastthemeritofgivingentirerelieftoanaudienceengagedinmentalactionorbusinessexcitementsandcaresduringtheday,asitmakesnottheslightestcalloneitherthemoral,emotional,esth

eticorspiritualnature--apieceinwhichamongothercharacters,socalled,aYankee--certainlysuchaoneaswasneverseen,oratleastlikeiteverseeninNorthAmerica,isintroducedinEngland,withavariedfol-de-roloftalk,plot,scenery,andsuchphantasmagoriaasgoestomakeupamodernpopulardrama--hadprogressedperhapsthroughacoupleofitsacts,when,inthemidstofthiscomedy,ortragedy,ornon-such,orwhateveritistobecalled,andtooffsetit,orfinishitout,asifinNature'sandtheGreatMuse'smockeryofthesepoormimics,comesinterpolatedthatscene,notreallyorexactlytobedescribedatall(foronthemanyhundredswhowerethereitseemstothishourtohaveleftlittlebutapassingblur,adream,ablotch)--andyetpartiallydescribedasInowproceedtogiveit:

"Thereisasceneintheplay,representingthemodernparlor,inwhichtwounp

recedentedladiesareinformedbytheunprecedentedandimpossibleYankeethatheisnotamanoffortune,andthereforeundesirableformarriage-catchingpurposes;afterwhich,thecommentsbeingfinished,thedramatictriomakeexit,leavingthestageclearforamoment.

"Therewasapause,ahush,asitwere.AtthisperiodcamethedeathofAbrahamLincoln.

"Greatasthatwas,withallitsmanifoldtraincirclingaroundit,andstretchingintothefutureformanyacentury,inthepolitics,history,art,etc.,of



theNewWorld,inpointoffact,themainthing,theactualmurder,transpiredwiththequietandsimplicityofanycommonestoccurrence--theburstingofabudorpodinthegrowthofvegetation,forinstance.

"Throughthegeneralhumfollowingthestagepause,withthechangeofpositions,etc.,camethemuffledsoundofapistolshot,whichnotone-hundredthpartoftheaudienceheardatthetime--andyetamoment'shush--somehow,surelyavague,startledthrill--andthen,throughtheornamented,draperied,starredandstripedspace-wayofthePresident'sbox,asuddenfigure,aman,raiseshimselfwithhandsandfeet,standsamomentontherailing,leapsbelowtothestage,fallsoutofposition,catchinghisbootheelinthecopiousdrapery(theAmericanflag),fallsononeknee,quicklyrecovershimself,risesasifnothinghadhappened(hereallysprainshisankle,unfeltthen)--andthefigure,Booth,themurderer,dressedinplainblackbroadcloth,bareheaded,withafullheadofglossy,ravenhair,andhiseyes,likesomemadanimal's,flashingwithlightandresolution,yetwithacertainstrangecalmnessholdsaloftinonehandalargeknife--walksalongnotmuchbackofthefootlights--turnsfullytowardstheaudience,hisfaceofstatuesquebeauty,litbythosebasiliskeyes,flashingwithdesperation,perhapsinsanity--launchesoutinafirmandsteadyvoicethewords,'Sicsempertyrannis'--andthenwalkswithneitherslownorveryrapidpacediagonallyacrosstothebackofthestage,anddisappears.

"(Hadnotallthisterriblescene--makingthemimiconespreposterous--haditnotallbeenrehearsed,inblank,byBooth,beforehand?)

"Amoment'shush,incredulous--ascream--acryofmurder--Mrs.Lincolnleaningoutofthebox,withashycheeksandlips,withinvoluntarycry,pointingtotheretreatingfigure,'HehaskilledthePresident!'

"Andstillamoment'sstrange,increduloussuspense--andthenthedeluge!--thenthatmixtureofhorror,noises,uncertainty--thesound,somewhereback,ofahorse'shoofsclatteringwithspeed--thepeopleburstthroughchairsandrailings,andbreakthemup--thatnoiseaddstothequeernessofthescene--thereisinextricableconfusionandterror--womenfaint--quitefeeblepersonsfall,andaretrampledon--manycriesofagonyareheard--thebroadstagesuddenlyfillstosuffocationwithadenseandmotleycrowd,likesomehorriblecarnival--theaudiencerushgenerallyuponit--atleastthestrongmendo--theactorsandactressesa

rethereintheirplaycostumesandpaintedfaces,withmortalfrightshowingthroughtherouge--sometrembling,someintears--thescreamsandcalls,confusedtalk--redoubled,trebled--twoorthreemanagetopassupwaterfromthestagetothePresident'sbox,otherstrytoclamberup,etc.,etc.

"InthemidstofallthisthesoldiersofthePresident'sGuard,withothers,suddenlydrawntothescene,burstin--sometwohundredaltogether--theystormthehouse,throughallthetiers,especiallytheupperones--inflamedwithfury,literallychargingtheaudiencewithfixedbayonets,musketsandpistols,shouting,'Clearout!clearout!'

"Suchawildscene,orasuggestionofit,rather,insidetheplayhousethatnight!

"Outside,too,intheatmosphereofshockandcraze,crowdsofpeoplefilledwithfrenzy,readytoseizeanyoutletforit,camenearcommittingmurderseveraltimesoninnocentindividuals.

"Onesuchcasewasparticularlyexciting.Theinfuriatedcrowd,throughsomechance,gotstartedagainstoneman,eitherforwordsheuttered,orperhapswithoutanycauseatall,andwereproceedingtohanghimatoncetoaneighboringlamp-post,whenhewasrescuedbyafewheroicpolicemen,whoplacedhimintheirmidstandfoughttheirwayslowlyandamidgreatperiltowardthestation-house.



"Itwasafittingepisodeofthewholeaffair.Thecrowdrushingandeddyingtoandfro,thenight,theyells,thepalefaces,manyfrightenedpeopletryinginvaintoextricatethemselves,theattackedman,notyetfreedfromthejawsofdeath,lookinglikeacorpse;thesilent,resolutehalf-dozenpolicemen,withnoweaponsbuttheirlittleclubs,yetsternandsteadythroughallthoseeddyingswarms,made,indeed,afittingsidescenetothegrandtragedyofthemurder.Theygainedthestation-housewiththeprotectedman,whomtheyplacedinsecurityforthenight,anddischargedinthemorning.

"Andinthemidstofthatnightpandemoniumofsenselesshate,infuriatedsoldiers,theaudienceandthecrowd--thestage,andallitsactorsandactresses,itspaintpots,spangles,gas-light--thelife-bloodfromthoseveins,thebestandsweetestoftheland,dripsslowlydown,anddeath'soozealreadybeginsitslittlebubblesonthelips.

"Such,hurriedlysketched,weretheaccompanimentsofthedeathofPresidentLincoln.Sosuddenly,andinmurderandhorrorunsurpassed,hewastakenfromus.Buthisdeathwaspainless."

Theassassin'sbulletdidnotproduceinstantdeath,butthePresidentneveragainbecameconscious.Hewascarriedtoahouseoppositethetheatre,wherehediedthenextmorning.Inthemeantimetheauthoritieshadbecomeawareofthewide-reachingconspiracy,andthecapitalwasinastateofterror.

OnthenightofthePresident'sassassination,Mr.Seward,SecretaryofState,wasattackedwhileinbedwithabrokenarm,byBooth'sfellow-conspirators,andbadlywounded.

TheconspiratorshadalsoplannedtotakethelivesofVice-PresidentJohnsonandSecretaryStanton.BoothhadcalledonVice-PresidentJohnsonthedaybefore,and,notfindinghimin,leftacard.

SecretaryStantonactedwithhisusualpromptnessandcourage.DuringtheperiodofexcitementheactedasPresident,anddirectedtheplansforthecaptureofBooth.

Amongotherthings,heissuedthefollowingreward:

REWARDOFFEREDBYSECRETARYSTANTON.WarDepartment,Washington,April20,1865.Major-GeneralJohnA.Dix,NewYork:

ThemurdererofourlatebelovedPresident,AbrahamLincoln,isstillatlarge.FiftythousanddollarsrewardwillbepaidbythisDepartmentforhisapprehension,inadditiontoanyrewardofferedbymunicipalauthoritiesorStateExecutives.

Twenty-fivethousanddollarsrewardwillbepaidfortheapprehensionofG.W.Atzerodt,sometimescalled"PortTobacco,"oneofBooth'saccomplices.Twenty-fivethousanddollarsrewardwillbepaidfortheapprehensionofDavidC.Herold,

anotherofBooth'saccomplices.

Aliberalrewardwillbepaidforanyinformationthatshallconducetothearrestofeithertheabove-namedcriminalsortheiraccomplices.

Allpersonsharboringorsecretingthesaidpersons,oreitherofthem,oraidingorassistingtheirconcealmentorescape,willbetreatedasaccomplicesinthemurderofthePresidentandtheattemptedassassinationoftheSecretaryofState,andshallbesubjecttotrialbeforeamilitarycommission,andthepunishmentofdeath.



Letthestainofinnocentbloodberemovedfromthelandbythearrestandpunishmentofthemurderers.

Allgoodcitizensareexhortedtoaidpublicjusticeonthisoccasion.Everymanshouldconsiderhisownconsciencechargedwiththissolemnduty,andrestneithernightnordayuntilitbeaccomplished.

EDWINM.STANTON,SecretaryofWar.

BOOTHFOUNDINABARN.

Booth,accompaniedbyDavidC.Herold,afellow-conspirator,finallymadehiswayintoMaryland,whereelevendaysaftertheassassinationthetwowerediscoveredinabarnonGarrett'sfarmnearPortRoyalontheRappahannock.Thebarnwassurroundedbyasquadofcavalrymen,whocalledupontheassassinstosurrender.HeroldgavehimselfupandwasroundlycursedandabusedbyBooth,whodeclaredthathewouldneverbetakenalive.

Thecavalrymenthensetfiretothebarnandastheflamesleapedupthefigureoftheassassincouldbeplainlyseen,althoughthewalloffirepreventedhimfromseeingthesoldiers.ColonelCongersawhimstandinguprightuponacrutch

withacarbineinhishands.

WhenthefirefirstblazedupBoothcreptonhishandsandkneestothespot,evidentlyforthepurposeofshootingthemanwhohadappliedthetorch,buttheblazepreventedhimfromseeinganyone.Thenitseemedasifhewerepreparingtoextinguishtheflames,butseeingtheimpossibilityofthishestartedtowardthedoorwithhiscarbineheldreadyforaction.

Hiseyesshonewiththelightoffever,buthewaspaleasdeathandhisgeneralappearancewashaggardandunkempt.Hehadshavedoffhismustacheandhishairwascloselycropped.BothheandHeroldworetheuniformsofConfederatesoldiers.

BOOTHSHOTBY"BOSTON"CORBETT.

ThelastordersgiventothesquadpursuingBoothwere:"Don'tshootBooth,buttakehimalive."JustasBoothstartedtothedoorofthebarnthisorderwasdisobeyedbyasergeantnamedBostonCorbett,whofiredthroughacreviceandshotBoothintheneck.Thewoundedmanwascarriedoutofthebarnanddiedfourhoursafterwardonthegrasswheretheyhadlaidhim.BeforehediedhewhisperedtoLieutenantBaker,"TellmotherIdiedformycountry;IthoughtIdidforthebest."WhatbecameofBooth'sbodyhasalwaysbeenandprobablyalwayswillbeamystery.Manydifferentstorieshavebeentoldconcerninghisfinalrestingplace,butallthatisknownpositivelyisthatthebodywasfirsttakentoWashi

ngtonandapost-mortemexaminationofitheldontheMonitorMontauk.OnthenightofApril27thitwasturnedovertotwomenwhotookitinarowboatanddisposedofitsecretly.Howtheydisposedofitnonebutthemselvesknowandtheyhavenevertold.

FATEOFTHECONSPIRATORS.

TheconspiracytoassassinatethePresidentinvolvedaltogethertwenty-fivepeo



ple.AmongthenumbercapturedandtriedwereDavidC.Herold,G.W.Atzerodt,LouisPayne,EdwardSpangler,MichaelO'Loughlin,SamuelArnold,Mrs.SurrattandDr.SamuelMudd,aphysician,whosetBooth'sleg,whichwassprainedbyhisfallfromthestagebox.OftheseHerold,Atzerodt,PayneandMrs.Surrattwerehanged.Dr.MuddwasdeportedtotheDryTortugas.WhilethereanepidemicofyellowfeverbrokeoutandherenderedsuchgoodservicethathewasgrantedapardonanddiedanumberofyearsagoinMaryland.

JohnSurratt,thesonofthewomanwhowashanged,madehisescapetoItaly,wherehebecameoneofthePapalguardsintheVaticanatRome.HispresencetherewasdiscoveredbyArchbishopHughes,and,althoughtherewerenoextraditionlawstocoverhiscase,theItalianGovernmentgavehimuptotheUnitedStatesauthorities.

Hehadtwotrials.Atthefirstthejurydisagreed;thelongdelaybeforehissecondtrialallowedhimtoescapebypleadingthestatuteoflimitation.SpanglerandO'LoughlinweresenttotheDryTortugasandservedtheirtime.

Ford,theownerofthetheatreinwhichthePresidentwasassassinated,wasaSouthernsympathizer,andwhenheattemptedtore-openhistheatreafterthegreatnationaltragedy,SecretaryStantonrefusedtoallowit.TheGovernmentafterwardboughtthetheatreandturneditintoaNationalmuseum.

PresidentLincolnwasburiedatSpringfield,andonthedayofhisfuneralther

ewasuniversalgrief.

HENRYWARDBEECHER'SEULOGY.

NofinalwordsofthatgreatlifecanbemorefitlyspokenthantheeulogypronouncedbyHenryWardBeecher:

"Andnowthemartyrismovingintriumphalmarch,mightierthanwhenalive.Thenationrisesupateverystageofhiscoming.CitiesandStatesarehispall-bearers,andthecannonspeaksthehourswithsolemnprogression.Dead,dead,dead,heyetspeaketh.

"IsWashingtondead?IsHampdendead?Isanymanthatwaseverfittolivedead?Disenthralledofflesh,risentotheunobstructedspherewherepassionnevercomes,hebeginshisillimitablework.Hislifeisnowgraftedupontheinfinite,andwillbefruitfulasnoearthlylifecanbe.

"Passon,thouthathastovercome.Yepeople,beholdthemartyrwhoseblood,assomanyarticulatewords,pleadsforfidelity,forlaw,forliberty."

ABRAHAMLINCOLN'SFAMILY.

AbrahamLincolnwasmarriedonNovember4,1842,toMissMaryTodd,foursonsbeingtheissueoftheunion.

RobertTodd,bornAugust1,1843,removedtoChicagoafterhisfather'sdeath,practicedlaw,andbecamewealthy;in1881hewasappointedSecretaryofWarbyPresidentGarfield,andservedthroughPresidentArthur'sterm;wasmadeMinistertoEnglandin1889,andservedfouryears;becamecounselforthePullmanPalaceCarCompany,andsucceededtothepresidencyofthatcorporationuponthedeathofGeorgeM.Pullman.



EdwardBaker,bornMarch10,1846,diedininfancy.

WilliamWallace,bornDecember21,1850,diedintheWhiteHouseinFebruary,1862.

Thomas(knownas"Tad"),bornApril4,1853,diedin1871.

Mrs.Lincolndiedinhersixty-fourthyearatthehomeofhersister,Mrs.NinianW.Edwards,atSpringfield,Illinois,in1882.ShewasthedaughterofRobertS.Todd,ofKentucky.Hergreat-uncle,JohnTodd,andhergrandfather,LeviTodd,accompaniedGeneralGeorgeRogersClarktoIllinois,andwerepresentatthecaptureofKaskaskiaandVincennes.InDecember,1778,JohnToddwasappointedbyPatrickHenry,GovernorofVirginia,tobelieutenantoftheCountyofIllinois,thenapartofVirginia.ColonelJohnToddwasoneoftheoriginalproprietorsofthetownofLexington,Kentucky.Whileencampedonthesiteofthepresentcity,heheardoftheopeningbattleoftheRevolution,andnamedhisinfantsettlementinitshonor.

Mrs.Lincolnwasaproud,ambitiouswoman,well-educated,speakingFrenchfluently,andfamiliarwiththewaysofthebestsocietyinLexington,Kentucky,whereshewasbornDecember13,1818.ShewasapupilofMadameMantelli,whosecelebratedseminaryinLexingtonwasdirectlyoppositetheresidenceofHenryClay.TheconversationattheseminarywascarriedonentirelyinFrench.

ShevisitedSpringfield,Illinois,in1837,remainedthreemonthsandthenreturnedtohernativeState.In1839shemadeSpringfieldherpermanenthome.Shelivedwithhereldestsister,Elizabeth,wifeofNinianW.Edwards,Lincoln'scolleagueintheLegislature,anditwasnotstrangesheandLincolnshouldmeet.StephenA.DouglaswasalsoafriendoftheEdwardsfamily,andasuitorforherhand,butsherejectedhimtoacceptthefuturePresident.Shewasoneofthebellesofthetown.

SheisthusdescribedatthetimeshemadeherhomeinSpringfield--1839:

"Shewasoftheaverageheight,weighingaboutahundredandthirtypounds.Shewasrathercompactlybuilt,hadawellroundedface,richdark-brownhair,andbluish-grayeyes.Inherbearingshewasproud,buthandsomeandvivacious;she

wasagoodconversationalist,usingwithequalfluencytheFrenchandEnglishlanguages.

"Whensheusedapen,itspointwassuretobesharp,andshewrotewithwitandability.Shenotonlyhadaquickintellectbutanintuitivejudgmentofmenandtheirmotives.Ordinarilyshewasaffableandevencharminginhermanners;butwhenoffendedorantagonizedshecouldbeverybitterandsarcastic.

"Inherfigureandphysicalproportions,ineducation,bearing,temperament,history--ineverythingshewastheexactreverseofLincoln."

ThatMrs.Lincolnwasveryproudofherhusbandthereisnodoubt;anditisprobablethatshemarriedhimlargelyfrommotivesofambition.SheknewLincolnb

etterthanheknewhimself;sheinstinctivelyfeltthathewouldoccupyaproudpositionsomeday,anditisamatterofrecordthatshetoldWardLamon,herhusband'slawpartner,that"Mr.LincolnwillyetbePresidentoftheUnitedStates."

Mrs.Lincolnwasdecidedlypro-slaveryinherviews,butthisneverdisturbedLincoln.Invariouswaystheywereunlike.Herfearless,witty,andausterenaturehadnothingincommonwiththecalm,imperturbable,andsimplewaysofherthoughtfulandabsent-mindedhusband.Shewasbrightandsparklinginconversation,andfittograceanydrawing-room.ShewellknewthattomarryLincolnmeantno



talifeofluxuryandease,forLincolnwasnotamantoaccumulatewealth;butinhimshesawpositioninsociety,prominenceintheworld,andthegrandestsocialdistinction.Bythatmeansherambitionwascertainlysatisfied,fornineteenyearsafterhermarriageshewas"thefirstladyoftheland,"andthemistressoftheWhiteHouse.

Afterhismarriage,bydintofuntiringeffortsandtherecognitionofinfluentialfriends,thecouplemanagedthroughrarefrugalitytomovealong.

InLincoln'sstruggles,bothinthelawandforpoliticaladvancement,hiswifesharedhissacrifices.Shewasapluckylittlewoman,andinfactendowedwithamorerestlessambitionthanhe.Shewasgiftedwitharareinsightintothemotivesthatactuatemankind,andthereisnodoubtthatmuchofLincoln'ssuccesswasinameasureattributabletoheracutenessandthestimulusofherinfluence.

HiselectiontoCongresswithinfouryearsaftertheirmarriageaffordedherextremegratification.Shelovedpowerandprominence,andwasinordinatelyproudofhertallandungainlyhusband.Shesawinhimbrightprospectsahead,andhiseverymovewaswatchedbyherwiththeclosestinterest.Iftootherpersonsheseemedhomely,toherhewastheembodimentofnoblemanhood,andeachsucceedingdayimpresseduponherthewisdomofherchoiceofLincolnoverDouglas--ifinrealitysheeverseriouslyacceptedthelatter'sattentions.

"Mr.Lincolnmaynotbeashandsomeafigure,"shesaidonedayinLincoln'slawofficeduringherhusband'sabsence,whentheconversationturnedonDouglas,"butthepeopleareperhapsnotawarethathisheartisaslargeashisarmsarelong."

LINCOLNMONUMENTATSPRINGFIELD.

TheremainsofAbrahamLincolnrestbeneathamagnificentmonumentinOakRidgeCemetery,Springfield,Ill.Beforetheyweredepositedintheirfinalrestingplacetheyweremovedmanytimes.

OnMay4,1865,allthatwasmortalofAbrahamLincolnwasdepositedinthereceivingvaultatthecemetery,untilatombcouldbebuilt.In1876thievesmadeanunsuccessfulattempttostealtheremains.FromthetombthebodyofthemartyredPresidentwasremovedlatertothemonument.

Aflightofironsteps,commencingaboutfiftyyardseastofthevault,ascendsinacurvedlinetothemonument,anelevationofmorethanfiftyfeet.

ExcavationforthismonumentcommencedSeptember9,1869.Itisbuiltofgranite,fromquarriesatBiddeford,Maine.TheroughashlerswereshippedtoQuincy,Massachusetts,wheretheyweredressedandnumbered,thenceshippedtoSpringfield.Itis721feetfromeasttowest,1191/2feetfromnorthtosouth,and100feethigh.Thetotalcostisabout$230,000toMay1,1885.Allthestatuaryis

orange-coloredbronze.ThewholemonumentwasdesignedbyLarkinG.Mead;thestatuarywasmodeledinplasterbyhiminFlorence,Italy,andcastbytheAmesManufacturingCompany,ofChicopee,Massachusetts.AstatueofLincolnandCoatofArmswerefirstplacedonthemonument;thestatuewasunveiledandthemonumentdedicatedOctober15,1874.InfantryandNavalGroupswereputoninSeptember,1877,anArtilleryGroup,April13,1882,andaCavalryGroup,March13,1883.

Theprincipalfrontofthemonumentisonthesouthside,thestatueofLincolnbeingonthatsideoftheobelisk,overMemorialHall.Ontheeastsidearethreetablets,uponwhicharethelettersU.S.A.Totherightofthat,andbeginn



ingwithVirginia,wefindtheabbreviationsoftheoriginalthirteenStates.NextcomesVermont,thefirststateadmittedaftertheUnionwasperfected,theStatesfollowingintheordertheywereadmitted,endingwithNebraskaontheeast,thusformingthecordonofthirty-sevenStatescomposingtheUnitedStatesofAmericawhenthemonumentwaserected.ThenewStatesadmittedsincethemonumentwasbuilthavebeenadded.

ThestatueofLincolnisjustabovetheCoatofArmsoftheUnitedStates.ThegrandclimaxisindicatedbyPresidentLincoln,withhislefthandholdingoutasagoldensceptertheemancipationProclamation,whileinhisrightheholdsthepenwithwhichhehasjustwrittenit.Therighthandisrestingonanotherbadgeofauthority,theAmericanflag,thrownoverthefasces.Atthefootofthef li h f l l i h hi h h id h i

authenticated yarns & tall tales of abrahan lincoln

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