Abraham Lincoln by William Herndon Vol. I

8/2/2019 Abraham Lincoln by William Herndon Vol. I

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ABRAHAMLINCOLN

THETRUESTORYOFAGREATLIFE

ByWilliamH.HerndonAndJesseW.Weik

WithAnIntroductionByHoraceWhite

InTwoVolumes,Vol.I

1888

TO

THEMENANDWOMENOFAMERICA

WHOHAVEGROWNUPSINCEHISTRAGICDEATH,ANDWHOHAVEYETTOLEARNTHESTORYOFHISLIFE,THISRECORDOFABRAHAMLINCOLNISFAITHFULLYINSCRIBED

ORIGINALPREFACETOHERNDON'SLINCOLN.

Aquarterofacenturyhaswell-nighrolledbysincethetragicdeathofAbrahamLincoln.Theprejudiceandbitternesswithwhichhewasassailedhavedisappearedfromthemindsofmen,andtheworldisnowbeginningtoviewhimasagreathistoricalcharacter.Thosewhoknewandwalkedwithhimaregraduallypassingaway,anderelongthelastmanwhoeverheardhisvoiceorgraspedhishandwillhavegonefromearth.WithaviewtothrowingalightonsomeattributesofLincoln'scharacterheretoforeobscure,andthuscontributingtothegreatfundofhistorywhichgoesdowntoposterity,thesevolumesaregiventotheworld.

IfMr.Lincolnisdestinedtofillthatexaltedstationinhistoryorattainthathighrankintheestimationofthecominggenerationswhichhasbeenpredictedofhim,itisalikejusttohismemoryandtheproper

legacyofmankindthatthewholetruthconcerninghimshouldbeknown.Ifthestoryofhislifeistruthfullyandcourageouslytold-nothingcoloredorsuppressed;nothingfalseeitherwrittenorsuggested-thereaderwillseeandfeelthepresenceofthelivingman.Hewill,infact,livewithhimandbemovedtothinkandactwithhim.If,ontheotherhand,thestoryiscoloredorthefactsinanydegreesuppressed,thereaderwillbenotonlymisled,butimposeduponaswell.Atlastthetruthwillcome,andnomanneedhopetoevadeit.

"Thereisbutonetruehistoryintheworld,"saidoneofLincoln'sclosestfriendstowhomIconfidedtheprojectofwritingahistoryofhislifeseveralyearsago,"andthatistheBible.Itisoftensaidoftheoldcharactersportrayedtherethattheywerebadmen.Theyare

contrastedwithothercharactersinhistory,andmuchtothedetrimentoftheoldworthies.Thereasonis,thattheBiblicalhistoriantoldthewholetruth-theinnerlife.Theheartandsecretactsarebroughttolightandfaithfullyphotographed.Inotherhistoriesvirtuesareperpetuatedandvicesconcealed.IfthelifeofKingDavidhadbeenwrittenbyanordinaryhistoriantheaffairofUriahwouldatmosthavebeenaquashedindictmentwithadenialofallthesubstantialfacts.Youshouldnotforgetthereisaskeletonineveryhouse.Thefinestcharacterdugoutthoroughly,photographedhonestly,andjudgedbythatstandardofmoralityorexcellencewhichweexactforothermenisnever


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perfect.Somemenarecold,somelewd,somedishonest,somecruel,andmanyacombinationofall.Thetrailoftheserpentisoverthemall!Excellenceconsists,notintheabsenceoftheseattributes,butinthedegreeinwhichtheyareredeemedbythevirtuesandgracesoflife.Lincoln'scharacterwill,Iamcertain,bearclosescrutiny.Iamnotafraidofyouinthisdirection.Don'tletanythingdeteryoufromdiggingtothebottom;yetdon'tforgetthatifLincolnhadsomefaults,Washingtonhadmore--fewmenhaveless.IndrawingtheportraittelltheworldwhattheskeletonwaswithLincoln.Whatgavehimthatpeculiarmelancholy?Whatcancerhadheinside?"

Somepersonswilldoubtlessobjecttothenarrationofcertainfactswhichappearhereforthefirsttime,andwhichtheycontendshouldhavebeenconsignedtothetomb.Theirpretenseisthatnogoodcancomefromsuchghastlyexposures.Tosuchover-sensitivesouls,ifanysuchexist,myansweristhatthesefactsareindispensabletoafullknowledgeofMr.Lincolninallthewalksoflife.Inorderproperlytocomprehendhimandthestirring,bloodytimesinwhichhelived,andinwhichheplayedsuchanimportantpart,wemusthaveallthefacts--wemustbepreparedtotakehimashewas.

IndeterminingLincoln'stitletogreatnesswemustnotonlykeepinmindthetimesinwhichhelived,butwemust,toacertainextent,measurehimwithothermen.Manyofourgreatmenandourstatesmen,it

istrue,havebeenself-made,risinggraduallythroughstrugglestothetopmostroundoftheladder;butLincolnrosefromalowerdepththananyofthem.Hisoriginwasinthatunknownandsunlessboginwhichhistorynevermadeafoot-print.IshouldberemissinmydutyifIdidnotthrowthelightonthispartofthepicture,sothattheworldmayrealizewhatmarvellouscontrastonephaseofhislifepresentstoanother.

Thepurposeofthesevolumesistonarratefacts,avoidingasmuchaspossibleanyexpressionofopinion,andleavingthereadertoformhisownconclusions.Usehasbeenmadeoftheviewsandrecollectionsofotherpersons,butonlythoseknowntobetruthfulandtrustworthy.AthreadofthenarrativeofLincoln'sliferunsthroughthework,but

anespecialfeatureisananalysisofthemanandaportrayalofhisattributesandcharacteristics.Theattempttodelineatehisqualities,hisnatureanditsmanifestations,mayoccasionfrequentrepetitionsoffact,butiftruthfullydonethiscanonlyaugmentthestoreofmatterfromwhichposterityistolearnwhatmannerofmanhewas.

TheobjectofthisworkistodealwithMr.Lincolnindividuallyanddomestically;aslawyer,ascitizen,asstatesman.Especialattentionisgiventothehistoryofhisyouthandearlymanhood;andwhiledwellingonthisportionofhislifethelibertyistakentoinsertmanythingswhichwouldbeomittedorsuppressedinotherplaces,wherethecast-ironrulesthatgovernmagazine-writingareallowedtoprevail.Thusmuchisstatedinadvance,sothatnooneneedbedisappointedin

thescopeandextentofthework.TheendeavoristokeepLincolninsightallthetime;toclingclosetohissideallthewaythrough--leavingtoothersthemorecomprehensivetaskofwritingahistoryofhistimes.Ihavenotheoryofhislifetoestablishordestroy.Mr.Lincolnwasmywarm,devotedfriend.

Ialwayslovedhim,andIreverehisnametothisday.Mypurposetotellthetruthabouthimneedoccasionnoapprehension;forIknowthat"God'snakedtruth,"asCarlyleputsit,canneverinjurethefameofAbrahamLincoln.Itwillstandthatoranyothertest,andatlast


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untarnishedwillreachtheloftiestnicheinAmericanhistory.

MylongpersonalassociationwithMr.Lincolngavemespecialfacilitiesinthedirectionofobtainingmaterialsforthesevolumes.Suchwereourrelationsduringallthatportionofhislifewhenhewasrisingtodistinction,thatIhadonlytoexerciseamoderatevigilanceinordertogatherandpreservetherealdataofhispersonalcareer.Beingstronglydrawntotheman,andbelievinginhisdestiny,Iwasnotunobservantorcarelessinthisrespect.ItthushappenedthatIbecamethepersonaldepositaryofthelargerpartofthemostvaluableLincolnianainexistence.Outofthisstorethemajorportionofthematerialsofthefollowingvolumeshasbeendrawn.Itakethis,myfirstgeneralopportunity,toreturnthankstothescoresoffriendsinKentucky,Indiana,Illinois,andelsewherefortheinformationtheyhavesogenerouslyfurnishedandthefavorstheyhavesokindlyextendedme.Theirnamesaretoonumerousforseparatemention,buttherecompenseofeachonewillbetheconsciousnessofhavingcontributedasharetowardsatruehistoryofthe"firstAmerican."

OvertwentyyearsagoIbeganthisbook;butanactivelifeatthebarhascausedmetopostponetheworkofcomposition,until,now,beingsomewhatadvancedinyears,Ifindmyselfunabletocarryouttheundertaking.WithinthepastthreeyearsIhavebeenassistedinthepreparationofthebookbyMr.JesseW.Weik,ofGreencastle,Ind.,

whoseindustry,patience,andliteraryzealhavenotonlylessenedmylabors,buthavesecuredforhimtheapprobationofLincoln'sfriendsandadmirers.Mr.Weikhasbyhispersonalinvestigationgreatlyenlargedourcommontreasureoffactsandinformation.HehasforseveralyearsbeenindefatigableinexploringthecourseofLincoln'slife.Innoparticularhashebeensatisfiedwithanythingtakenatsecondhand.Hehasvisited--asIalsodidin1865--Lincoln'sbirthplaceinKentucky,hisearlyhomesinIndianaandIllinois,andtogether,sotospeak,heandIhavefollowedourherocontinuouslyandattentivelytillheleftSpringfieldin1861tobeinauguratedPresident.WehaveretainedtheoriginalMSS.inallcases,andtheyhaveneverbeenoutofourhands.Inrelatingfactstherefore,werefertotheminmostcases,ratherthantothestatementsofotherbiographers.

Thisbriefpreliminarystatementismadesothatposterity,insofarasposteritymaybeinterestedinthesubject,mayknowthatthevitalmatterofthisnarrativehasbeendeduceddirectlyfromtheconsciousness,reminiscences,andcollecteddataof

WilliamH.Herndon.

Springfield,Ill.,

November1,1888.

INTRODUCTION.

IwascalleduponduringthelifetimeofMr.HerndontowriteforthesecondeditionofthisworkachapterontheLincoln-Douglascampaignof1858.Afterthishadbeendoneandthebookhadbeenrevisedforthepress,IwasrequestedbythepublisherstoaddsomethinginthenatureofacharactersketchofMr.LincolnasIknewhimbeforehisfamehadspreadmuchbeyondtheconfinesofIllinois,andtotellwhatwerethose


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qualitiesthatmadehimsoattractivethen.Ofcourse,theywerethesamequalitieswhichmadehimattractiveafterwardonawiderscale.Thepopularjudgmentofhimis,inthemain,correctandunshakable.Isayinthemain,becausethereisinthisjudgmentatendencytoapotheosiswhich,whilepardonable,isnothistorical,andwillnotlast.

Atthetimewhenhewaspreparinghimselfunconsciouslytobethenation'sleaderinagreatcrisistheonlymeansofgainingpublicattentionwasbypublicspeech.Thepressdidnotexistforhim,orforthepeopleamongwhomhelived.Theambitiousyoungmenofthedaymustmaketheirmarkbyoratory,ornotatall.Therewasnodivisionoflaborbetweenthespeakerandtheeditor.Ifamanwastogainanypopularityhemustgainitbytalkingintothefacesofthepeople.Hemusthaveareadytongue,andmustbepreparedtomeetallcomersandtoacceptallchallenges.Stump-speaking,wrestling,story-telling,andhorse-racingweretheonlyamusementsofthepeople.InthefirstthreeoftheseMr.Lincolnexcelled.Hegrewupinthisatmosphere,asdidallhisrivals.Itwasaschooltodevelopallthedebatingpowersthatthecommunitypossessed,andtobringthemtoahighdegreeofperfection.Polishwasnotnecessarytosuccess,butplainnessofdictionwas.Thesuccessfulspeakerwashewhocouldmakehimselfbestunderstoodbythecommonpeople,andinturncouldbestunderstandthem.

AmongtheearliestaccountsthatwegetofMr.Lincolnwefindhim

talkingtootherboysfromsomekindofaplatform.Hehadanaturalgift,andheexerciseditasopportunitycametohim.Whenhearrivedatman'sestatetheseopportunitiescameasoftenascouldbedesired.Otheryoungmengiftedinthesamewayweregrowinguparoundhim.Douglas,Baker,Trumbull,Hardin,Browning,Yates,ArchibaldWilliams,JosiahLamborn,andLisleSmithwereamongthem.AllthesehadthesamekindoftrainingforpublicprefermentthatLincolnhad;someofthemhadmorebooklearning,butnotmuchmore.WehavehisownwordforitthathewasasambitiousofsuchprefermentasDouglaswas;andthiswasputtingitinthesuperlativedegree.

ThepopularconceptionofMr.Lincolnasonenotseekingpublichonors,butnotavoidingpublicduties,isapostbellumgrowth,verywide

ofthemark.Hewasentirelyhumaninthisregard,buthisdesireforpoliticalprefermentwashedgedaboutbyasenseofobligationtothetruthwhichnothingcouldshake.Thisfidelitytotruthwasingrainedandunchangeable.InallthespeechesIeverheardhimmake--andtheyweremany--henevereveninsinuatedanuntruth,nordidheeverfailwhenstatinghisopponent'spositionstostatethemfullyandfairly.Heoftenstatedhisopponent'spositionbetterthanhisopponentdidorcould.Tosaywhatwasfalse,oreventoleavehishearersunderawrongimpression,wasimpossibletohim.Withinthishighinclosurehewasasambitiousofearthlyhonorsasanymanofhistime.Furthermore,hewasanadeptatlog-rollingoranypoliticalgamethatdidnotinvolvefalsity.IwasSecretaryoftheRepublicanStateCommitteeofIllinoisduringsomeyearswhenhewasinactivecampaignwork.Hewasoften

presentatmeetingsofthecommittee,althoughnotamember,andtookpartinthecommitteework.Hisjudgmentwasverymuchdeferredtoinsuchmatters.HewasoneoftheshrewdestpoliticiansoftheState.Nobodyhadhadmoreexperienceinthatway,nobodyknewbetterthanhewhatwaspassinginthemindsofthepeople.Nobodyknewbetterhowtoturnthingstoadvantagepolitically,andnobodywasreadiertotakesuchadvantage,provideditdidnotinvolvedishonorablemeans.Hecouldnotcheatpeopleoutoftheirvotesanymorethanoutoftheirmoney.TheAbrahamLincolnthatsomepeoplehavepicturedtothemselves,sittinginhisdingylawoffice,workingoverhiscasestillthevoice


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ofdutyrousedhim,neverexisted.Ifthishadbeenhistypeheneverwouldhavebeencalledatall.Itwaspreciselybecausehewasupandstirring,andinhot,incessantcompetitionwithhisfellowsforearthlyhonors,thatthepubliceyebecamefixeduponhimandthepublicearattunedtohiswords.Fortunatewasitforallofusthathewasnoshrinkingpatriot,thathewasmovedasothermenaremoved,sothathisfellowsmighttakeheedofhimandknowhimasoneofthemselves,andasfittobetheirleaderinacrisis.

LetmerepeatandemphasizewhatIhaveheresaid.Mr.Lincolnnevergavehisassent,sofarasmyknowledgegoes,toanyplanorprojectforgettingvotesthatwouldnothavebornethefulllightofday.Atthesametime,hehadnoobjectiontothegettingofvotesbythepledgeofoffices,norwashetooparticularwhatkindofmengottheoffices.Hispreferencewasalwaysforgoodmen;buthecouldnotresistpressurewherepersonswereconcerned,eventhoughhisconsciencetoldhimthathewasdoingwrong.

WehaveseenwhatkindofdebatingschoolMr.Lincolngrewupin.Itwasthebestpossibleschoolforhim,anditwasanadvantagetohimthathehadablemenforhiscompetitors.AmongthemwasStephenA.Douglas,themostversatile,indomitable,andunscrupulousofallofthem.HewasLincoln'srival,asisshowninthesepages,foralmosteverything,fromthehandofMaryToddtothepresidencyoftheUnitedStates.Hehad

thestrengthandpresenceofalion,withallthecunningofafox.Hepossessedeveryqualitywhichwinspopularfavorandhighstationexceptveracity,andIknowofnothinginthepagesofhistorymorecheeringtopioussoulsthantheeventualtriumphofHonestAbeovertheLittleGiant.

Itwasbyrestlesscompetitionandrough-and-tumblewithDouglasandothersthatMr.Lincolnacquiredthatrarepowerofexpression,bymouthandpen,whichdrewtohimselftheattentionoftheStateandafterwardofthenationandtheworld.Herarelyusedornamentinhisspeeches.Althoughgiftedwiththepowerofhumortoanextraordinarydegree,heseldomemployeditinhislateryearsexceptinprivatecircles.Thusitcameaboutthatthisgrowingmasteroflogic,thisprofoundandearnest

debaterofthemostseriousquestionsoftheday,wasthemostpopularoftavernloungers,andcoulddrawmorepeopletogetherandholdthemlongerbymeredrolleryandcameraderiethananyothermanIeverknew.Mr.Lincoln'snaturewasoneofalmostchild-likesweetness.Hedidnot"putyouatyourease"whenyoucameintohispresence.Youfeltatyoureasewithoutbeingputthere.Heneverassumedsuperiorityoveranybodyintheordinaryintercourseoflife.

Agoodtestofthistraitinhischaracterwasfurnishedinmyownexperience.WhenIwasfirstthrownintohissocietyIwasjustoutofcollege,andwasascallowandasself-confidentasboysusuallyareatthattimeoflife.Mr.Lincolnwasatthematurityofhispowers.Iwasoftenwithhimwhenhehadnoothercompanion.Inourintercoursehe

alwayspaidmarkeddeferencetomyopinions,andifwedifferedhewouldarguethepointwithmeasearnestlyasthoughIhadbeentheopposingcounselinalawsuit.Andthishewoulddowithanybody,youngorold,ignorantorlearned.Ineverheardhimexpresscontemptforanyman'shonesterrors,althoughhewouldsometimesmakeadrollremarkortellafunnystoryaboutthem.Deferencetootherpeople'sopinionswashabitualtohim.Therewasnocalculation,nopoliticsinit.Itwaspartandparcelofhissenseofequalrights.Hisdemocracywasoftheunconsciouskind--hedidnotknowanythingdifferentfromit.Coupledwiththiswasahabitofunselfishnessandkindlytempermostengaging


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toallwhoknewhimorhadanydealingswithhim.Atthesametimeheknewwhenhewasimposedupon,anditwasunsafeforanybodytopresumeuponhisgoodnatureortotakehimforaflat.

Butmorethanintellectualgifts,morethangood-fellowship,didthesenseofjusticegivehimhisholdonothers.Thatwasamagneticfieldwhoseinfluencescouldnotbeescaped.Hecarrieditasunconsciouslyashecarriedhishair.TheAthenianswouldneverhaveostracizedhim--indeed,theywouldneverhavecalledhimtheJust.TheywouldhavetakenhimastheytookthebeesonHymettus--asonenaturallysearchingaftersweetthings.

TosaythatMr.Lincolnwasamanwhohadthecourageofhisconvictionswouldberatheranunder-statement.Thiswaspartandparcelofhissenseofjustice.Heworeitasheworehisclothes,exceptthatitfittedhimmuchbetterthanhisgarmentsusuallydid.AtthetimeIfirstknewhimitwasirksometoverymanyofhisfriendstobetoldthatthereoughttobeanefficientfugitiveslavelaw.Butitwashisconvictionasalawyerthatthereoughttobeone,andheneverfailedtosaysowheninterrogated,orwhenoccasionrequiredthatthatsubjectshouldbetouchedupon.AnditisafactthatabolitionistslikeLovejoyandCoddingwouldtakethisfromLincolnwithoutmurmuring,whentheywouldnottakeitfromanybodyelse.Heneverwouldechothepopularcry,"NomoreslaveStates!"Wheneverthissubjectwasdiscussedhe

wouldsaythatifaTerritoryhavingtherequisitepopulationandbelongingtousshouldapplyforadmissiontotheUnionwithoutfraudorconstraint,yetwithslavery,hecouldnotseeanyotherdispositiontobemadeofherthantoadmither.Andwhenhehadsaidthis,eventoanaudienceofradicalantislaverymen,therewouldbenoprotestations.Thosewhowerenotconvincedwouldobservearespectfulsilence.

Mr.Lincoln'sfacialexpressionwheninreposeandwhenanimatedpresentedmostremarkablecontrasts.IhavebeforemeaphotographofhimtakenatPittsfield,Illinois,duringthecampaignof1858.ItlooksasIhaveseenhimahundredtimes,hislanternjawsandlargemouthandsolidnosefirmlyset,hissunkeneyeslookingatnothingyetnotunexpressive,hiswrinkledandretreatingforeheadcutoffbyamass

oftousledhair,withashadeofmelancholydrawnlikeaveiloverhiswholeface.NothingmoreunlikethiscanbeimaginedthanthesameLincolnwhentakingpartinaconversation,oraddressinganaudience,ortellingastory.Thedull,listlessfeaturesdroppedlikeamask.Themelancholyshadowdisappearedinatwinkling.Theeyebegantosparkle,themouthtosmile,thewholecountenancewaswreathedwithanimation,sothatastrangerwouldhavesaid:"Why,thisman,soangularandsomberamomentago,isreallyhandsome."

WhatmorecanbesaidofthequalitiesthatfirstmadeMr.Lincolnattractivetohiscontemporaries?Theseweredebatingpower,honestyofpurpose,achild-liketemper,purityoflife,andcourageofconviction.Allthesetraitswillbeseeninthefollowingpages,rising,unfolding,

expandinginaregular,orderly,humanwayastheyoungLincolngrewtomatureyears.

WhatMr.LincolnwasafterhebecamePresidentcanbebestunderstoodbyknowingwhathewasbefore.TheworldowesmoretoWilliamH.Herndonforthisparticularknowledgethantoallotherpersonstakentogether.Itisnoexaggerationtosaythathisdeath,whichtookplaceathisfarmnearSpringfield,Illinois,March18,1891,removedfromearththepersonwho,ofallothers,hadmostthoroughlysearchedthesourcesofMr.Lincoln'sbiographyandhadmostattentively,intelligently,and


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alsolovinglystudiedhischaracter.Hewasgenerousinimpartinghisinformationtoothers.AlmosteverylifeofLincolnpublishedsincethetragedyatFord'sTheatrehasbeenenrichedbyhislabors.HewasnineyearsthejuniorofMr.Lincoln.Theirpartnershipbeganin1843,anditcontinueduntilitwasdissolvedbythedeathoftheseniormember.Betweenthemtherewasneveranunkindwordorthought.WhenMr.LincolnbecamePresident,Mr.HerndoncouldhavehadhisfortunesmateriallyadvancedunderthenewAdministrationbysayingaword.Hewasapoormanthenandalways,buthechosetoremaininhismorehumblestationandtoearnhisbreadbyhisdailylabor.

SomesixyearsagoMr.HerndonconceivedtheprojectofwritingaseriesofmagazinearticlesintendedtoportraytheyouthandearlymanhoodofLincoln.Beingsomewhatinfirm,hecalledMr.Weiktohisassistance,ashehasexplainedinhispreface.Themagazinearticlesexpandedinsensiblytothepresentvolumes.Lincolnianaisincreasingandisdestinedtoincrease.IthasbeenenrichedwithinrecentyearsbytheindispensablebuttoomassiveworkofNicolayandHay,bythemasterlyessayofSchurz,andbytheposthumouslectureofGreeley,whichlatter,beinginrealityifnotintermsahearty,ungrudgingconfessionthathehadunderestimatedLincolninhislifetime,isdoublywelcome.AsaportraitureofthemanLincoln--andthisiswhatwelookforaboveallthingsinabiography--IventuretothinkthatMr.Herndon'sworkwillneverbesurpassed.

HoraceWhite.

NewYork,February,1892.

THELIFEOFLINCOLN.

CHAPTERI.

BEYONDthefactthathewasbornonthe12thdayofFebruary,1809,inHardincounty,Kentucky,Mr.Lincolnusuallyhadbutlittletosayofhimself,thelivesofhisparents,orthehistoryofthefamilybeforetheirremovaltoIndiana.Ifhementionedthesubjectatall,itwaswithgreatreluctanceandsignificantreserve.Therewassomethingabouthisoriginhenevercaredtodwellupon.HisnominationforthePresidencyin1860,however,madethepublicationofhislifeanecessity,andattractedtoSpringfieldanarmyofcampaignbiographers

andnewspapermen.Theymethiminhisoffice,stoppedhiminhiswalks,andfollowedhimtohishouse.Artistscametopainthispicture,andsculptorstomakehisbust.Hisautographswereindemand,andpeoplecamelongdistancestoshakehimbythehand.ThissuddenelevationtonationalprominencefoundMr.Lincolnunpreparedinagreatmeasurefortheunaccustomeddemonstrationsthatawaitedhim.Whilehewaseasyofapproachandequallycourteoustoall,yet,ashesaidtomeoneeveningafteralongdayofhand-shaking,hecouldnotunderstandwhypeopleshouldmakesomuchoverhim.


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AmongtheearliestnewspapermentoarriveinSpringfieldaftertheChicagoconventionwasthelateJ.L.ScrippsoftheChicagoTribune,whoproposedtoprepareahistoryofhislife.Mr.Lincolndeprecatedtheideaofwritingevenacampaignbiography."Why,Scripps,"saidhe,"itisagreatpieceoffollytoattempttomakeanythingoutofmeormyearlylife.Itcanallbecondensedintoasinglesentence,andthatsentenceyouwillfindinGray'sElegy,

'Theshortandsimpleannalsofthepoor.'

That'smylife,andthat'sallyouoranyoneelsecanmakeoutofit."

Hedid,however,communicatesomefactsandmeagreincidentsofhisearlydays,and,withthematterthusobtained,Mr.Scrippspreparedhisbook.SoonafterthedeathofLincolnIreceivedaletterfromScripps,inwhich,amongotherthings,herecalledthemeetingwithLincoln,andtheviewhetookofthebiographymatter.

"Lincolnseemedtobepainfullyimpressed,"hewrote,"withtheextremepovertyofhisearlysurroundings,andtheutterabsenceofallromanticandheroicelements.Hecommunicatedsomefactstomeconcerninghisancestry,whichhedidnotwishtohavepublishedthen,andwhichIhaveneverspokenoforalludedtobefore."

WhatthefactsreferredtobyMr.Scrippswerewedonotknow;forhediedseveralyearsagowithout,sofarasisknownrevealingthemtoanyone.

OnthesubjectofhisancestryandoriginIonlyrememberonetimewhenMr.Lincolneverreferredtoit.Itwasabout1850,whenheandIweredrivinginhisone-horsebuggytothecourtinMenardcounty,Illinois.Thesuitweweregoingtotrywasoneinwhichwewerelikely,eitherdirectlyorcollaterally,totouchuponthesubjectofhereditarytraits.Duringtheridehespoke,forthefirsttimeinmyhearing,ofhismother,dwellingonhercharacteristics,andmentioningorenumeratingwhatqualitiesheinheritedfromher.Hesaid,amongotherthings,thatshewasthedaughterofLucyHanksandawell-bredbut

obscureVirginiafarmerorplanter;andhearguedthatfromthislastsourcecamehispowerofanalysis,hislogic,hismentalactivity,hisambition,andallthequalitiesthatdistinguishedhimfromtheothermembersanddescendantsoftheHanksfamily.

InonlytwoinstancesdidMr.Lincolnoverhisownhandleaveanyrecordofhishistoryorfamilydescent.OneofthesewasthemodestbitofautobiographyfurnishedtoJesseW.Fell,in1859,inwhich,afterstatingthathisparentswereborninVirginiaof"undistinguishedorsecondfamilies,"hemakesthebriefmentionofhismother,sayingthatshecame"ofafamilyofthenameofHanks."*Theotherrecordwastheregisterofmarriages,births,anddeathswhichhemadeinhisfather'sBible.Thelatternowliesbeforeme.Thatportionofthepagewhich

probablycontainedtherecordofthemarriageofhisparents,ThomasLincolnandNancyHanks,hasbeenlost;butfortunatelytherecordsofWashingtoncounty,Kentucky,andthecertificateoftheministerwhoperformedthemarriageceremony--theRev.JesseHead--fixthefactanddateofthelatteronthe12thdayofJune,1806.

*IfanyonewilltakethepainstoreadtheFellautobiographytheywillbestruckwithLincoln'smeagrereferencetohismother.HeevenfailstogivehermaidenorChristianname,anddevotesbutthreelinestoherfamily.A


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historyoftheLincolnsoccupiesalmostanentirepage.

Onthe10thdayofFebruaryinthefollowingyearadaughterSarah*wasborn,andtwoyearslater,onthe12thofFebruary,thesubjectofthesememoirscameintotheworld.Afterhimcamethelastchild,aboy--namedThomasafterhisfather--wholivedbutafewdays.NomentionofhisexistenceisfoundintheBiblerecord.

*MostbiographersofLincoln,inspeakingofMr.Lincoln'ssister,callherNancy,some--notablyNicolayandHay--insistingthatshewasknownbythatnameamongherfamilyandfriends.Inthistheyareinerror.IhaveinterviewedthedifferentmembersoftheHanksandLincolnfamilieswhosurvivedthePresident,andhernamewasinvariablygivenasSarah.Themistake,Ithink,arisesfromthefactthat,intheBiblerecordreferredto,allthatportionrelatingtothebirthof"Sarah,daughterofThomasandNancyLincoln,"downtothewordNancyhasbeentornaway,andthelatternamehasthereforebeentakenerroneouslyforthatofthedaughter.ReadingtheentryofAbraham'sbirthbelowsatisfiesonethatitmustrefertothemother.

AbrahamLincoln,thegrandfatherofthePresident,emigratedtoJeffersoncounty,Kentucky,fromVirginia,about1780,andfromthat

timeforwardtheformerStatebecameanimportantoneinthehistoryofthefamily,forinitwasdestinedtobebornitsmostillustriousmember.Aboutfiveyearsbeforethis,ahandfulofVirginianshadstartedacrossthemountainsforKentucky,andinthecompany,besidestheirhistorian,WilliamCalk,--whosediaryrecentlycametolight,--wasoneAbrahamHanks.Theywereevidentlyacrowdofjollyyoungmenbentonadventureandfun,buttheirsportwasattendedwithfrequentdisasters.Theirjourneybeganat"Mr.Priges'tavernontheRapidan."Whenonlyafewdaysout"Hanks'Dog'sleggotbroke."Laterinthecourseofthejourney,Hanksandanothercompanionbecameseparatedfromtherestofthepartyandwerelostinthemountainsfortwodays;incrossingastream"Abraham'ssaddleturnedoverandhisloadallfellinIndiancreek";finallytheymeettheirbrethrenfromwhomtheyhave

beenseparatedandthenpursuetheirwaywithoutfurtherinterruption.Returningemigrantswhomtheymeet,accordingtothejournalofCalk,tellsuch"newsoftheindians"thatcertainmembersofthecompanyare"afradetogoaneyfurther."Thefollowingdaymoreorlessdemoralizationtakesplaceamongthemembersofthispioneerpartywhentheannouncementismade,astheirchroniclersofaithfullyrecordsit,that"PhilipDrakeBakesbreadwithoutwashinghishands."Thiswasanunpardonablesin,andatittheyrevolted.Adaylatertherecordshowsthat"AbramturnsBack."BeyondthisweshallneverknowwhatbecameofAbrahamHanks,fornofurthermentionofhimismadeinthisoranyotherhistory.HemayhavereturnedtoVirginiaandbecome,foraughtweknow,oneofthePresident'sancestorsonthematernalsideofthehouse;butifsohisillustriousdescendantwasneverabletoestablish

thefactortracehislineagesatisfactorilybeyondthefirstgenerationwhichprecededhim.Henevermentionedwhohismaternalgrandfatherwas,ifindeedheknew.

Hispaternalgrandfather,AbrahamLincoln,*thepioneerfromVirginia,methisdeathwithintwoyearsafterhissettlementinKentuckyatthehandsoftheIndians;"notinbattle,"ashisdistinguishedgrandsontellsus,"butbystealth,whenhewaslaboringtoopenafarmintheforest."ThestoryofhisdeathinsightofhisyoungestsonThomas,thenonlysixyearsold,isbynomeansanewonetotheworld.In


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factIhaveoftenheardthePresidentdescribethetragedyashehadinheritedthestoryfromhisfather.Thedeadpioneerhadthreesons,Mordecai,Josiah,andThomas,intheordernamed.Whenthefatherfell,Mordecai,havinghastilysentJosiahtotheneighboringfortafterassistance,ranintothecabin,andpointinghisriflethroughacrackbetweenthelogs,preparedfordefense.PresentlyanIndiancamestealinguptothedeadfather'sbody.BesidethelattersatthelittleboyThomas.MordecaitookdeliberateaimatasilvercrescentwhichhungsuspendedfromtheIndian'sbreast,andbroughthimtotheground.Josiahreturnedfromthefortwiththedesiredrelief,andthesavageswereeasilydispersed,leavingbehindonedeadandonewounded.

*"They[theLincolns]werealsocalledLinkhorns.Theoldsettlershadawayofpronouncingnamesnotastheywerespelled,butrather,itseemed,astheypleased.ThustheycalledMedcalf'Medcap,'andKastertheypronounced'Custard.'"--MS.letter,CharlesFriend,March19,1866.

ThetragicdeathofhisfatherfilledMordecaiwithanintensehatredoftheIndians--afeelingfromwhichheneverrecovered.Itwaseverwithhimlikeanavengingspirit.FromJeffersoncountyheremovedtoGrayson,wherehespenttheremainderofhisdays.Acorrespondent*fromtherewrotemein1865:"OldMordecaiwaseasilystirredupbythesightofanIndian.Onetime,hearingofafewIndianspassingthroughthe

county,hemountedhishorse,andtakinghisrifleonhisshoulder,followedonafterthemandwasgonetwodays.Whenhereturnedhesaidheleftonelyinginasinkhole.TheIndians,hesaid,hadkilledhisfather,andhewasdeterminedbeforehediedtohavesatisfaction."Theyoungestboy,Thomas,retainedavividrecollectionofhisfather'sdeath,which,togetherwithotherreminiscencesofhisboyhood,hewasfondofrelatinglaterinlifetohischildrentorelievethetediumoflongwinterevenings.MordecaiandJosiah,**bothremaininginKentucky,becametheheadsofgood-sizedfamilies,andalthoughneverknownorheardofoutsidethelimitsoftheneighborhoodsinwhichtheylived,wereintelligent,well-to-domen.

*W.T.Claggett,unpublishedMS.

**"IknewMordecaiandJosiahLincolnintimately.Theywereexcellentmen,plain,moderatelyeducated,candidintheirmannersandintercourse,andlookeduponashonorableasanymenIhaveeverheardof.Mordecaiwastheoldestson,andhisfatherhavingbeenkilledbytheIndiansbeforethelawofprimogeniturewasrepealed,heinheritedaverycompetentestate.Theotherswerepoor.Mordecaiwascelebratedforhisbravery,andhadbeenintheearlycampaignsoftheWest"-HenryPirtle,letter,June17,1865,MS.

InThomas,rovingandshiftless,towhomwas"reservedthehonorofanillustriouspaternity,"arewealoneinterested.Hewas,wearetold,

fivefeettenincheshigh,weighedonehundredandninety-fivepounds,hadawell-roundedface,darkhazeleyes,coarseblackhair,andwasslightlystoop-shouldered.HisbuildwassocompactthatDennisHanksusedtosayhecouldnotfindthepointofseparationbetweenhisribs.Hewasproverbiallyslowofmovement,mentallyandphysically;wascareless,inert,anddull;wassinewy,andgiftedwithgreatstrength;wasinoffensivelyquietandpeaceable,butwhenrousedtoresistanceadangerousantagonist.Hehadalikingforjokesandstories,whichwasoneofthefewtraitshetransmittedtohisillustriousson;wasfondofthechase,andhadnomarkedaversionforthebottle,thoughinthe


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lattercaseheindulgednomorefreelythantheaverageKentuckianofhisday.AtthetimeofhismarriagetoNancyHankshecouldneitherreadnorwrite;buthiswife,whowasgiftedwithmoreeducation,andwasotherwisehismentalsuperior,taughthim,itissaid,towritehisnameandtoread--atleast,hewasableinlateryearstospellhiswayslowlythroughtheBible.InhisreligiousbeliefhefirstaffiliatedwiththeFree-WillBaptists.AfterhisremovaltoIndianahechangedhisadherencetothePresbyterians--orPredestinarians,astheywerethencalled--andlaterunitedwiththeChristian--vulgarlycalledCampbelliteChurch,inwhichlatterfaithheissupposedtohavedied.Hewasacarpenterbytrade,andessayedfarmingtoo;butinthis,asinalmosteveryotherundertaking,hewassingularlyunsuccessful.Hewasplacedinpossessionofseveraltractsoflandatdifferenttimesinhislife,butwasneverabletopayforasingleoneofthem.Thefarmonwhichhediedwasonehissonpurchased,providingalifeestatethereinforhimandhiswife.Heneverfellinwiththeroutineoflabor;waswhatsomepeoplewouldcallunfortunateorunluckyinallhisbusinessventures--ifinrealityheevermadeone--anddiednearthevillageofFarmingtoninColescounty,Illinois,onthe17thdayofJanuary,1851.Hisson,onaccountofsicknessinhisownfamily,wasunabletobepresentathisfather'sbedside,orwitnesshisdeath.Tothosewhonotifiedhimofhisprobabledemisehewrote:"Isincerelyhopethatfathermayyetrecoverhishealth;butatalleventstellhimtoremembertocalluponandconfideinourgreatandgoodandmerciful

Maker,whowillnotturnawayfromhiminanyextremity.Henotesthefallofasparrow,andnumbersthehairsofourheads;andHewillnotforgetthedyingmanwhoputshistrustinhim.Saytohimthatifwecouldmeetnowitisdoubtfulwhetheritwouldnotbemorepainfulthanpleasant;butthatifitbehislottogonowhewillsoonhaveajoyousmeetingwiththemanylovedonesgonebefore,andwheretherestofus,throughthehelpofGod,hopeerelongtojointhem."*

*MS.lettertoJohnJohnston,Jan.12,1851.

NancyHanks,themotherofthePresident,ataveryearlyagewastakenfromhermotherLucy--afterwardsmarriedtoHenrySparrow--andsenttolivewithherauntanduncle,ThomasandBetsySparrow.Underthissame

rooftheirrepressibleandcheerfulwaif,DennisHanks*--whosenamewillbefrequentlyseeninthesepages--alsofoundashelter.AtthetimeofhermarriagetoThomasLincoln,Nancywasinhertwenty-thirdyear.Shewasabovetheordinaryheightinstature,weighedabout130pounds,wasslenderlybuilt,andhadmuchtheappearanceofoneinclinedtoconsumption.Herskinwasdark;hairdarkbrown;eyesgrayandsmall;foreheadprominent;facesharpandangular,withamarkedexpressionofmelancholywhichfixeditselfinthememoryofeveryonewhoeversaworknewher.Thoughherlifewasseeminglybecloudedbyaspiritofsadness,shewasindispositionamiableandgenerallycheerful.Mr.Lincolnhimselfsaidtomein1851,onreceivingthenewsofhisfather'sdeath,thatwhatevermightbesaidofhisparents,andhoweverunpromisingtheearlysurroundingsofhismothermayhavebeen,shewas

highlyintellectualbynature,hadastrongmemory,acutejudgment,andwascoolandheroic.Fromamentalstandpointshenodoubtroseabovehersurroundings,andhadshelived,thestimulusofhernaturewouldhaveacceleratedherson'ssuccess,andshewouldhavebeenamuchmoreambitiousprompterthanhisfathereverwas.

*DennisHanks,stilllivingattheageofninetyyearsinIllinois,wasthesonofanotherNancyHanks--theauntofthePresident'smother.HefurnishedMr.Weikandmewithmuchinterestinginformation,especiallyfactsandincidents


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relatingtoearlylifeinIndiana.

AsafamilytheHankseswerepeculiartothecivilizationofearlyKentucky.Illiterateandsuperstitious,theycorrespondedtothatnomadicclassstilltobemetwiththroughouttheSouth,andknownas"poorwhites."Theyarehappilyandvividlydepictedinthedescriptionofacamp-meetingheldatElizabethtown,Kentucky,in1806,whichwasfurnishedmeinAugust,1865,byaneye-witness.*

*J.B.Helm,MS.

"TheHanksgirls,"narratesthelatter,"weregreatatcamp-meetings.Irememberonein1806.Iwillgiveyouascene,andifyouwillthenreadthebookswrittenonthesubjectyoumayfindsomeapologyforthesuperstitionthatwassaidtobeinAbeLincoln'scharacter.Itwasatacamp-meeting,asbeforesaid,whenageneralshoutwasabouttocommence.Preparationswerebeingmade;ayoungladyinvitedmetostandonabenchbyhersidewherewecouldseealloverthealtar.Totherightastrong,athleticyoungman,abouttwenty-fiveyearsold,wasbeingputintrimfortheoccasion,whichwasdonebydivestinghimofallapparelexceptshirtandpants.Ontheleftayoungladywasbeingputintriminmuchthesamemanner,sothatherclotheswouldnotbeintheway,andsothat,whenhercombsflewout,herhairwouldgointogracefulbraids.She,too,wasyoung--notmorethantwentyperhaps.The

performancecommencedaboutthesametimebytheyoungmanontherightandtheyoungladyontheleft.Slowlyandgracefullytheyworkedtheirwaytowardsthecentre,singing,shouting,huggingandkissing,generallytheirownsex,untilatlastnearerandnearertheycame.Thecentreofthealtarwasreached,andthetwoclosed,withtheirarmsaroundeachother,themansingingandshoutingatthetopofhisvoice,

"'IhavemyJesusinmyarmsSweetashoney,strongasbaconham.'

"Justatthismomenttheyoungladyholdingtomyarmwhispered,'Theyaretobemarriednextweek;hernameisHanks.'Therewereveryfewwhodidnotbelievethistruereligion,inspiredbytheHolySpirit,and

themanwhocouldnotbelieveit,didwelltokeepittohimself.TheHankseswerethefinestsingersandshoutersinourcountry."

Heremyinformantstops,andonaccountofhisdeathseveralyearsagoIfailedtolearnwhethertheyoungladyshouterwhofiguredintheforegoingscenewasthePresident'smotherornot.ThefactthatNancyHanksdidmarrythatyeargivescolortothebeliefthatitwasshe.AstotheprobabilityoftheyoungmanbeingThomasLincolnitisdifficulttosay;suchaperformanceastheonedescribedmusthaverequiredalittlemoreemotionandenthusiasmthanthetardyandinertcarpenterwasinthehabitofmanifesting.

CHAPTERII.

Sarah,thesisterofAbrahamLincoln,thoughinsomerespectslikeherbrother,lackedhisstature.Shewasthick-set,haddark-brownhair,deep-grayeyes,andanevendisposition.Incontactwithothersshewaskindandconsiderate.Hernaturewasoneofamiability,andGodhadendowedherwiththatinvinciblecombination--modestyandgoodsense.Strangetosay,Mr.Lincolnneversaidmuchabouthissisterinafter


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years,andwearereallyindebtedtotheHankses--DennisandJohn--forthelittlewehavelearnedaboutthisratherunfortunateyoungwoman.ShewasmarriedtoAaronGrigsby,inSpencercounty,Indiana,inthemonthofAugust,1826,anddiedJanuary20,1828.HerbrotheraccompaniedhertoschoolwhiletheylivedinKentucky,butashewasonlyseven,andasshehadnotyetfinishedherninthyearwhentheirfatherremovedwiththemtoIndiana,itistobepresumedthatneithermademuchprogressinthematterofschooleducation.Stillitisauthoritativelystatedthattheyattendedtwoschoolsduringthisshortperiod.OneofthesewaskeptbyZachariahRiney,theotherbyCalebHazel.ItisdifficultatthislatedaytolearnmuchoftheboyAbraham'slifeduringthosesevenyearsofresidenceinKentucky.Oneman,*whowasaclerkintheprincipalstoreinthevillagewheretheLincolnspurchasedtheirfamilysupplies,remembershimasa"smallboywhocamesometimestothestorewithhismother.Hewouldtakehisseatonakegofnails,andIwouldgivehimalumpofsugar.Hewouldsitthereandeatitlikeanyotherboy;buttheselittleactsofkindness,"observesmyinformant,inanenthusiasticstatementmadein1865,"soimpressedhismindthatImadeasteadfastfriendinamanwhosepowerandinfluencehavesincebeenfeltthroughouttheworld."Aschool-mate**ofLincoln'satHazel'sschool,speakingofthemaster,says:"Heperhapscouldteachspellingandreadingandindifferentwriting,andpossiblycouldciphertotheruleofthree;buthehadnootherqualificationofateacher,unlessweacceptlargesizeandbodily

strength.Abewasamerespindleofaboy,hadhisdueproportionofharmlessmischief,butaswelivedinacountryaboundinginhazelswitches,inthevirtueofwhichthemasterhadgreatfaith,Abeofcoursereceivedhisdueallowance."

Thispartoftheboy'shistoryispainfullyvagueanddim,andevenafterarrivingatman'sestateMr.Lincolnwassignificantlyreservedwhenreferencewasmadetoit.ItisbarelymentionedintheautobiographyfurnishedtoFellin1859.JohnDuncan,***afterwardsapreacherofsomeprominenceinKentucky,relateshowheandAbeononeoccasionranaground-hogintoacrevicebetweentworocks,andafterworkingvainlyalmosttwohourstogethimout,"Aberanoffaboutaquarterofamiletoablacksmithshop,andreturnedwithanironhook

fastenedtotheendofapole,"andwiththisrudecontrivancetheyvirtually"hooked"theanimaloutofhisretreat.AustinGollaherofHodgensville,claimstohavesavedLincolnfromdrowningonedayastheyweretryingto"coonit"acrossKnobcreekonalog.Theboyswereinpursuitofbirds,whenyoungLincolnfellintothewater,andhisvigilantcompanion,whostillsurvivestonarratethethrillingstory,fishedhimoutwithasycamorebranch.

*JohnB.Helm,June20,1865.

**SamuelHaycraft,December6,1866.

***Letter,February21,1867.

MeanwhileThomasLincolnwasbecomingdailymoredissatisfiedwithhissituationandsurroundings.Hehadpurchased,sincehismarriage,ontheeasytermsthenprevalent,twofarmsortractsoflandinsuccession;notermswereeasyenoughforhim,andtheland,whenthetimeforthepaymentofthepurchase-moneyrolledaround,revertedtoitsformerowner.Kentucky,atthatday,affordedfewifanyprivileges,andpossessedfeweradvantagestoallurethepoorman;andnodoubtsoitseemedtoThomasLincoln.Thelandheoccupiedwassterileandbroken.Amerebarrenglade,anddestituteoftimber,itrequiredapersistent


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efforttocoaxalivingoutofit;andtooneofhiseasy-goingdisposition,lifetherewasanever-endingstruggle.StoriesofvaststretchesofrichandunoccupiedlandsinIndianareachinghisears,anddespairingoftheprospectofanybettermentinhisconditionsolongasheremainedinKentucky,heresolved,atlast,toleavetheStateandseekamoreinvitinglodgmentbeyondtheOhio.TheassertionmadebysomeofMr.Lincoln'sbiographers,andsooftenrepeatedbysentimentalwriters,thathisfatherleftKentuckytoavoidthesightoforcontactwithslavery,lacksconfirmation.InallHardincounty--atthattimealargeareaofterritory--therewerenotoverfiftyslaves;anditisdoubtfulifhesawenoughofslaverytofillhimwiththerighteousoppositiontotheinstitutionwithwhichhehassofrequentlybeencredited.Moreover,heneverinlateryearsmanifestedanyespecialaversiontoit.

HavingdeterminedonemigratingtoIndiana,hebeganpreparationsforremovalinthefallof1816bybuildingforhisuseaflat-boat.Loadingitwithhistoolsandotherpersonaleffects,includingintheinvoice,aswearetold,fourhundredgallonsofwhiskey,helaunchedhis"crazycraft"onatributaryofSaltcreekknownastheRollingFork.AlongwiththecurrenthefloateddowntotheOhioriver,buthisrudely-madevessel,eitherfromthewantofexperienceinitsnavigator,orbecauseofitsilladaptationtowithstandtheforceandcapricesofthecurrentsinthegreatriver,capsizedoneday,andboatandcargowent

tothebottom.Thelucklessboatmansettoworkhowever,andbydintofgreatpatienceandlaborsucceededinrecoveringthetoolsandthebulkofthewhiskey.Rightinghisboat,hecontinueddowntheriver,landingatapointcalledThompson'sFerry,inPerrycounty,ontheIndianaside.Herehedisposedofhisvessel,andplacinghisgoodsinthecareofasettlernamedPosey,hestruckoutthroughtheinteriorinsearchofalocationforhisnewhome.Sixteenmilesbackfromtheriverhefoundonethatpleasedhisfancy,andhemarkeditoffforhimself.HisnextmoveintheorderofbusinesswasajourneytoVincennestopurchasethetractattheLandOffice--underthe"two-dollar-an-acrelaw,"asDennisHanksputsit--andareturntothelandtoidentifyitbyblazingthetreesandpilingupbrushonthecornerstoestablishtheproperboundarylines.Havingsecuredaplaceforhishomehetrudged

backtoKentucky--walkingalltheway--forhisfamily.TwohorsesbroughtthemandalltheirhouseholdeffectstotheIndianashore.Poseykindlygaveorhiredthemtheuseofawagon,intowhichtheypackednotonlytheirfurnitureandcarpentertools,buttheliquor,whichitispresumedhadlainundisturbedintheformer'scellar.Slowlyandcarefullypickingtheirwaythroughthedensewoods,theyatlastreachedtheirdestinationonthebanksofLittlePigeoncreek.Thereweresomedetentionsontheway,butnoseriousmishaps.

Theheadofthehouseholdnowsetresolutelytoworktobuildashelterforhisfamily.

Thestructure,whencompleted,wasfourteenfeetsquare,andwasbuilt

ofsmallunhewnlogs.Inthelanguageoftheday,itwascalleda"half-facedcamp,"beingenclosedonallsidesbutone.Ithadneitherfloor,door,norwindows.Inthisforbiddinghovelthesedoughtyemigrantsbravedtheexposureofthevaryingseasonsforanentireyear.AttheendofthattimeThomasandBetsySparrowfollowed,bringingwiththemDennisHanks;andtothemThomasLincolnsurrenderedthe"half-facedcamp,"whilehemovedintoamorepretentiousstructure--acabinenclosedonallsides.Thecountrywasthicklycoveredwithforestsofwalnut,beech,oak,elm,maple,andanundergrowthofdog-wood,sumac,andwildgrape-vine.Inplaceswherethegrowthwasnot


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sothickgrasscameupabundantly,andhogsfoundplentyoffoodintheunlimitedquantityofmastthewoodsafforded.Thecountryaboundedinbear,deer,turkey,andotherwildgame,whichnotonlysatisfiedthepioneer'sloveforsport,butfurnishedhistablewithitssupplyofmeat.

ThomasLincoln,withtheaidoftheHanksesandSparrows,wasforatimeanattentivefarmer.Theimplementsofagriculturetheninusewereasrudeastheywererare,andyetthereisnothingtoshowthatinspiteoftheslowmethodstheninvoguehedidnotmakecommendablespeed."Weraisedcornmostly"--relatesDennis--"andsomewheat--enoughforacakeSundaymorning.Hogandvenisonhamswerealegaltender,andcoonskinsalso.Weraisedsheepandcattle,buttheydidnotbringmuch.Cowsandcalveswereonlyworthsixtoeightdollars;corntencents,andwheattwenty-fivecents,abushel."Sowithallhisapplicationandfrugalitytheheadofthisill-assortedhouseholdmadebutlittleheadwayintheaccumulationoftheworld'sgoods.Wearetoldthathewasindeedapoorman,andthatduringhisentirestayinIndianahislandbarelyyieldedhimsufficientreturntokeephislardersuppliedwiththecommonestnecessariesoflife.Hisskillasahunter--thoughneverbroughtintoplayunlessattheangereddemandofastomachhungryformeat--innoslightdegreemadeupforthelackofgoodmanagementinthecultivationofhisland.HissonAbraham*neverevincedthesamefondnessforhunting,althoughhiscousinDenniswithmuchpridetellsushowhe

couldkillawildturkeyonthewing."Atthattime,"relatesoneofthelatter'splaymates**descantingontheabundanceofwildgame,"therewereagreatmanydeer-licks;andAbeandmyselfwouldgototheselickssometimesandwatchofnightstokilldeer,thoughAbewasnotsofondofagunorthesportasIwas."***

*"Abewasagoodboy--anaffectionateone--aboywholovedhisparentswellandwasobedienttotheireverywish.Althoughanythingbutanimpudentorrudeboyhewassometimesuncomfortablyinquisitive.Whenstrangerswouldridealongorpassbyhisfather'sfencehealways--eitherthroughboyishprideortoteasehisfather--wouldbesuretoaskthefirstquestion.Hisfatherwouldsometimesknock

himover.Whenthuspunishedheneverbellowed,butdroppedakindofsilent,unwelcometearasevidenceofhissensitivenessorotherfeelings."--DennisHanks,MS.,June13,1865.

**DavidTurnham,MS.letter,June10,1866.

***Mr.Lincolnusedtorelatethefollowing"coon"story:Hisfatherhadathomealittleyellowhouse-dog,whichinvariablygavethealarmiftheboysundertooktoslipawayunobservedafternighthadsetin--astheyoftentimesdid--togocoonhunting.OneeveningAbeandhisstep-brother,JohnJohnston,withtheusualcomplementofboysrequiredin

asuccessfulcoonhunt,tooktheinsignificantlittlecurwiththem.Theylocatedthecovetedcoon,killedhim,andtheninasportiveveinsewedthehideonthediminutiveyellowdog.Thelatterstruggledvigorouslyduringtheoperationofsewingon,andbeingreleasedfromthehandsofhiscaptorsmadeabee-lineforhome.Otherlargeandmoreimportantcanines,ontheway,scentingcoon,trackedthelittleanimalhome,andpossiblymistakinghimforrealcoon,speedilydemolishedhim.ThenextmorningoldThomasLincolndiscoveredlyinginhisyardthelifelessremainsof


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yellow"Joe,"withstrongproofofcoon-skinaccompaniment.

"Fatherwasmuchincensedathisdeath,"observedMr.Lincoln,inrelatingthestory,"butasJohnandI,scantilyprotectedfromthemorningwind,stoodshiveringinthedoorway,wefeltassuredlittleyellowJoewouldneverbeableagaintosoundthecallforanothercoonhunt."

ThecabintowhichtheLincolnfamilyremovedafterleavingthelittlehalf-facedcamptotheSparrowswasinsomerespectsapretentiousstructure.Itwasofhewedlogs,andwaseighteenfeetsquare.Itwashighenoughtoadmitofaloft,whereAbeslept,andtowhichheascendedeachnightbymeansofpegsdriveninthewall.Therudefurniturewasinkeepingwiththesurroundings.Three-leggedstoolsansweredforchairs.Thebedstead,madeofpolesfastenedinthecracksofthelogsononeside,andsupportedbyacrotchedstickdriveninthegroundfloorontheother,wascoveredwithskins,leaves,andoldclothes.Atableofthesamefinishasthestools,afewpewterdishes,aDutchoven,andaskilletcompletedthehouseholdoutfit.InthisuninvitingfrontierstructurethefuturePresidentwasdestinedtopassthegreaterpartofhisboyhood.Withalhisspiritswerelight,anditcannotbedeniedthathemusthaveenjoyedunrestrainedpleasureinhissurroundings.Itisrelatedthatonedaytheonlythingthatgracedthedinner-tablewasadishofroastedpotatoes.TheelderLincoln,true

tothecustomoftheday,returnedthanksfortheblessing.Theboy,realizingthescantproportionsofthemeal,lookedupintohisfather'sfaceandirreverentlyobserved,"Dad,Icallthese"--meaningthepotatoes--"mightypoorblessings."Amongotherchildrenofasimilarageheseemedunconsciouslytotakethelead,anditisnostretchofthetruthtosaythatthey,inturn,lookeduptohim.Hemayhavebeenalittleprecocious--childrensometimesare--butinviewofthesummarytreatmentreceivedatthehandsofhisfatheritcannottruthfullybesaidhewasa"spoiledchild."Onemorningwhenhismotherwasatworkheranintothecabinfromtheoutsidetoenquire,withaquizzicalgrin,"WhowasthefatherofZebedee'schildren?"Asmanyanothermotherbeforeandsincehasdone,shebrushedthemischievousyounginquirerasidetoattendtosomemoreimportantdetailofhouseholdconcern.*

*HarrietChapman,MS.letter.

Thedullroutineofchoresandhouseholderrandsintheboy'severy-daylifewasbrightenednowandthenbyavisittothemill.IofteninlateryearsheardMr.Lincolnsaythatgoingtomillgavehimthegreatestpleasureofhisboyhooddays.

"Wehadtogosevenmilestomill,"relatesDavidTurnham,thefriendofhisyouth,"andthenitwasahand-millthatwouldonlygrindfromfifteentotwentybushelsofcorninaday.Therewasbutlittlewheatgrownatthattime,andwhenwedidhavewheatwehadtogrinditinthemilldescribedanduseitwithoutbolting,astherewerenoboltsinthe

country.AbeandIhadtodothemilling,frequentlygoingtwicetogetonegrist."

InhiseleventhyearhebeganthatmarvellousandrapidgrowthinstatureforwhichhewassowidelynotedinthePigeoncreeksettlement."Asheshotup,"saysTurnham,"heseemedtochangeinappearanceandaction.Althoughquick-wittedandreadywithananswer,hebegantoexhibitdeepthoughtfulness,andwassooftenlostinstudiedreflectionwecouldnothelpnoticingthestrangeturninhisactions.Hedisclosedraretimidityandsensitiveness,especiallyinthepresenceofmenand


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women,andalthoughcheerfulenoughinthepresenceoftheboys,hedidnotappeartoseekourcompanyasearnestlyasbefore."*Itwasonlythedevelopmentwefindinthehistoryofeveryboy.NaturewasalittleabruptinthecaseofAbrahamLincoln;shetossedhimfromthenimblenessofboyhoodtothegravityofmanhoodinasinglenight.

*D.Turnham,MS.letter.

Inthefallof1818,thescantilysettledregioninthevicinityofPigeoncreek--wheretheLincolnswerethenliving--sufferedavisitationofthatdreaddiseasecommonintheWestinearlydays,andknowninthevernacularofthefrontieras"themilk-sick."IthoveredlikeaspectreoverthePigeoncreeksettlementforovertenyears,anditsfatalvisitationandinroadsamongtheLincolns,Hankses,andSparrowsfinallydrovethatcontingentintoIllinois.Tothisdaythemedicalprofessionhasneveragreeduponanydefinitecauseforthemalady,norhavetheyinalltheirscientificwranglingdeterminedexactlywhatthediseaseitselfis.Aphysician,whohasinhispracticemetanumberofcases,describesthesymptomstobe"awhitishcoatonthetongue,burningsensationofthestomach,severevomiting,obstinateconstipationofthebowels,coolnessoftheextremities,greatrestlessnessandjactitation,pulserathersmall,somewhatmorefrequentthannatural,andslightlychorded.Inthecourseofthediseasethecoatonthetonguebecomesbrownishanddark,thecountenancedejected,andtheprostrationofthe

patientisgreat.Afatalterminationmaytakeplaceinsixtyhours,orlifemaybeprolongedforaperiodoffourteendays.Thesearethesymptomsofthediseaseinanacuteform.Sometimesitrunsintothechronicform,oritmayassumethatformfromthecommencement,andaftermonthsoryearsthepatientmayfinallydieorrecoveronlyapartialdegreeofhealth."

WhenthediseasebrokeoutinthePigeoncreekregionitnotonlytookoffthepeople,butitmadesadhavocamongthecattle.Onemantestifiesthathe"lostfourmilchcowsandelevencalvesinoneweek."This,inadditiontotheriskoflosinghisownlife,wasenough,hedeclared,toruinhim,andpromptedhimtoleavefor"pointsfurtherwest."

EarlyinOctoberoftheyear1818,ThomasandBetsySparrowfellillofthediseaseanddiedwithinafewdaysofeachother.ThomasLincolnperformedtheservicesofundertaker.Withhiswhipsawhecutoutthelumber,andwithcommendablepromptnesshenailedtogethertherudecoffinstoenclosetheformsofthedead.Thebodieswerebornetoascantilyclearedknollinthemidstoftheforest,andthere,withoutceremony,quietlyletdownintothegrave.MeanwhileAbe'smotherhadalsofallenavictimtotheinsidiousdisease.Hersufferings,however,weredestinedtobeofbriefduration.Withinaweekshetoorestedfromherlabors."Shestruggledon,daybyday,"saysoneofthehousehold,"agoodChristianwoman,anddiedontheseventhdayaftershewastakensick.AbeandhissisterSarahwaitedontheirmother,anddidthe

littlejobsanderrandsrequiredofthem.Therewasnophysiciannearerthanthirty-fivemiles.Themotherknewshewasgoingtodie,andcalledthechildrentoherbedside.Shewasveryweak,andthechildrenleanedoverwhileshegaveherlastmessage.PlacingherfeeblehandonlittleAbe'sheadshetoldhimtobekindandgoodtohisfatherandsister;tobothshesaid,'Begoodtooneanother,'expressingahopethattheymightlive,astheyhadbeentaughtbyher,tolovetheirkindredandworshipGod."AmidthemiserablesurroundingsofahomeinthewildernessNancyHankspassedacrossthedarkriver.Thoughoflowlybirth,thevictimofpovertyandhardusage,shetakesaplacein


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historyasthemotherofasonwholiberatedaraceofmen.AthersidestandsanotherMotherwhosesonperformedasimilarserviceforallmankindeighteenhundredyearsbefore.

AfterthedeathoftheirmotherlittleAbeandhissisterSarahbeganadrearylife--indeed,onemorecheerlessandlessinvitingseldomfallstothelotofanychild.Inalog-cabinwithoutafloor,scantilyprotectedfromtheseveritiesoftheweather,deprivedofthecomfortofamother'slove,theypassedthroughawinterthemostdismaleitheroneeverexperienced.Withinafewmonths,andbeforethecloseofthewinter,DavidElkin,anitinerantpreacherwhomMrs.LincolnhadknowninKentucky,happenedintothesettlement,andinresponsetotheinvitationfromthefamilyandfriends,deliveredafuneralsermonoverhergrave.Nooneisablenowto'rememberthelanguageofParsonElkin'sdiscourse,butitisrecalledthathecommemoratedthevirtuesandgoodphasesofcharacter,andpassedinsilencethefewshortcomingsandfrailtiesofthepoorwomansleepingunderthewinter'ssnow.Shehaddoneherworkinthisworld.Stoop-shouldered,thin-breasted,sad,--attimesmiserable,--gropingthroughtheperplexitiesoflife,withoutprospectofanybettermentinhercondition,shepassedfromearth,littledreamingofthegrandfuturethatlayinstorefortheragged,haplesslittleboywhostoodatherbedsideinthelastdaysofherlife.

ThomasLincoln'swidowerhoodwasbrief.HehadscarcelymournedthedeathofhisfirstwifeayearuntilhereappearedinKentuckyatElizabethtowninsearchofanother.HisadmirationhadcentredforasecondtimeonSallyBush,thewidowofDanielJohnston,thejailerofHardincounty,whohaddiedseveralyearsbeforeofadiseaseknownasthe"coldplague."ThetraditionstillkeptaliveintheKentuckyneighborhoodisthatLincolnhadbeenasuitorforthehandoftheladybeforehismarriagetoNancyHanks,butthatshehadrejectedhimforthehandofthemorefortunateJohnston.Howeverthatmayhavebeen,itiscertainthathebeganhiscampaigninearnestthistime,andafterabriefsiegewonherheart."Hemadeaveryshortcourtship,"wroteSamuelHaycraft*tomeinaletter,December7,1866."HecametoseeheronthefirstdayofDecember,1819,andinastraightforward

mannertoldherthattheyhadknowneachotherfromchildhood.'MissJohnston,'saidhe,'Ihavenowifeandyounohusband.Icamea-purposetomarryyou.Iknowedyoufromagalandyouknowedmefromaboy.I'venotimetolose;andifyou'rewillin'letitbedonestraightoff.'Sherepliedthatshecouldnotmarryhimrightoff,asshehadsomelittledebtswhichshewantedtopayfirst.Hereplied,'Givemealistofthem.'Hegotthelistandpaidthemthatevening.NextmorningIissuedthelicense,andtheyweremarriedwithinsixtyyardsofmyhouse."Lincoln'sbrother-in-law,RalphKrume,andhisfourhorsesandspaciouswagonwereagainbroughtintorequisition.WithcommendablegenerosityhetransportedthenewlymarriedpairandtheirhouseholdeffectstotheirhomeinIndiana.ThenewMrs.Lincolnwasaccompaniedbyherthreechildren,John,Sarah,andMatilda.Hersocialstatusisfixedbythe

comparisonofaneighbor,whoobservedthat"lifeamongtheHankses,theLincolns,andtheEnlowswasalongwaysbelowlifeamongtheBushes."

*ClerkoftheCourt.MS.

Intheeyesofherspouseshecouldnotberegardedasapoorwidow.Shewastheownerofagoodlystockoffurnitureandhouseholdgoods;bringingwithheramongotherthingsawalnutbureauvaluedatfiftydollars.Whateffectthenewfamily,theircollectionoffurniture,cookingutensils,andcomfortablebeddingmusthavehadonthe


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astonishedandmotherlesspairwhofromthedoorofThomasLincoln'sforlorncabinwatchedthewell-filledwagonasitcamecreakingthroughthewoodscanbetterbeimaginedthandescribed.SurelySarahandAbe,asthestoresofsupplieswererolledinthroughthedoorlessdoorways,musthavebelievedthatagoldenfutureawaitedthem.Thepresenceandsmileofamotherlyfaceinthecheerlesscabinradiatedsunshineintoeveryneglectedcorner.IftheLincolnmansiondidnotineveryrespectcorrespondtotherepresentationsmadebyitsownertothenewMrs.Lincolnbeforemarriage,thelattergavenoexpressionofdisappointmentorevensurprise.Withtruewomanlycourageandzealshesetresolutelytoworktomakerightthatwhichseemedwrong.Herhusbandwasmadetoputafloorinthecabin,aswellastosupplydoorsandwindows.Thecracksbetweenthelogswereplasteredup.Aclothes-pressfilledthespacebetweenthechimneyjambandthewall,andthematofcornhusksandleavesonwhichthechildrenhadsleptinthecornergavewaytothecomfortableluxurianceofafeatherbed.Shewashedthetwoorphans,andfittedthemoutinclothestakenfromthestoresofherown.TheworkofrenovationinandaroundthecabincontinueduntilevenThomasLincolnhimself,underthegeneralstimulusofthenewwife'spresence,caughttheinspiration,anddevelopedsignsofintenseactivity.TheadventofSarahBushwascertainlyared-letterdayfortheLincolns.Shewasnotonlyindustriousandthrifty,butgentleandaffectionate;andhernewlyadoptedchildrenforthefirsttime,perhaps,realizedthebenigninfluenceofamother'slove.OfyoungAbeshewasespeciallyfond,and

wehavehertestimonythatherkindnessandcareforhimwerewarmlyandbountifullyreturned.Hergranddaughterfurnishedme*inafteryearswiththisdescriptionofher:

*HarrietChapman.MS.

"Mygrandmotherisaverytallwoman,straightasanIndian,offaircomplexion,andwas,whenIfirstrememberher,veryhandsome,sprightly,talkative,andproud.Sheworeherhaircurledtillgray;iskind-heartedandverycharitable,andalsoveryindustrious."InSeptember,1865,Ivisitedtheoldlady*andspentanentiredaywithher.Shewasthenlivingonthefarmherstepsonhadpurchasedandgivenher,eightmilessouthofthetownofCharleston,inIllinois.Shedied

onthe10thofApril,1869.

*DuringmyinterviewwiththisoldladyIwasmuchanddeeplyimpressedwiththesincerityofheraffectionforherillustriousstepson.ShedeclinedtosaymuchinanswertomyquestionsaboutNancyHanks,herpredecessorintheLincolnhousehold,butspokefeelinglyofthelatter'sdaughterandson.DescribingMr.Lincoln'slastvisittoherinFebruary,1861,shebrokeintotearsandwuptbitterly."IdidnotwantAbetorunforPresident,"shesobbed,"anddidnotwanttoseehimelected.Iwasafraidthatsomethingwouldhappentohim,andwhenhecamedowntoseeme,afterhewaselectedPresident,Istillfelt,andmyhearttold

me,thatsomethingwouldbefallhim,andthatIshouldneverseehimagain.Abeandhisfatherareinheavennow,Iamsure,andIexpectsoontogothereandmeetthem."

[.

ThetwosetsofchildrenintheLincolnhousehold--totheircreditbeitsaid--livedtogetherinperfectaccord.Abewasinhistenthyear,andhisstepmother,awaketotheimportanceofaneducation,madeawayforhimtoattendschool.Toherheseemedfullofpromise;andalthoughnot


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soquickofcomprehensionasotherboys,yetshebelievedinencouraginghiseveryeffort.HehadhadafewweeksofschoolingunderRineyandHazelinKentucky,butitishardlyprobablethathecouldread;hecertainlycouldnotwrite.Asillustratinghismoralmake-up,Idivergefromthechronologicalorderofthenarrativelongenoughtorelateanincidentwhichoccurredsomeyearslater.IntheLincolnfamily,MatildaJohnston,orTilda,ashermothercalledher,wastheyoungestchild.AfterAbehadreachedtheestateofmanhood,shewasstillinher'teens.ItwasAbe'shabiteachmorningonefall,toleavethehouseearly,hisaxeonhisshoulder,toclearapieceofforestwhichlaysomedistancefromhome.Hefrequentlycarriedhisdinnerwithhim,andremainedallday.Severaltimestheyoungandfrolicsome'Tildasoughttoaccompanyhim,butwaseachtimerestrainedbyhermother,whofirmlyforbadearepetitionoftheattempt.Onemorningthegirlescapedmaternalvigilance,andslylyfollowedaftertheyoungwoodman,whohadgonesomedistancefromthehouse,andwasalreadyhiddenfromviewbehindthedensegrowthoftreesandunderbrush.Followingadeer-path,hewentsingingalong,littledreamingofthegirlinclosepursuit.Thelattergainedonhim,andwhenwithinafewfeet,dartedforwardandwithacat-likeleaplandedsquarelyonhisback.Withonehandoneachshoulder,sheplantedherkneeinthemiddleofhisback,anddexterouslybroughtthepowerfulframeoftherail-splittertotheground.Itwasatrickfamiliartoeveryschoolboy.Abe,takenbysurprise,wasunableatfirsttoturnaroundorlearnwhohisassailant

was.Inthefalltotheground,thesharpedgeoftheaxeimbeddeditselfintheyounglady'sankle,inflictingawoundfromwhichtherecameagenerouseffusionofblood.WithsundrypiecesofclothtornfromAbe'sshirtandtheyounglady'sdress,theflowofbloodwasstanched,andthewoundrudelyboundup.Thegirl'scrieshavinglessenedsomewhat,hertallcompanion,lookingatherinblankastonishment,knowingwhatanin-fractionthewholethingwasofhermother'soft-repeatedinstructions,asked;"'Tilda,whatareyougoingtotellmotheraboutgettinghurt?""TellherIdiditwiththeaxe,"shesobbed."Thatwillbethetruth,won'tit?"TowhichlastinquiryAbemanfullyresponded,

"Yes,that'sthetruth,butit'snotallthetruth.Tellthewhole

truth,'Tilda,andtrustyourgoodmotherfortherest."

Thisincidentwas,manyyearsafterward,relatedtomeby'Tilda,whowasthenthemotherofadevotedandinterestingfamilyherself.

HazelDorseywasAbe'sfirstteacherinIndiana.HeheldforthamileandahalffromtheLincolnfarm.Theschool-housewasbuiltofroundlogs,andwasjusthighenoughforamantostanderectundertheloft.Thefloorwasofsplitlogs,orwhatwerecalledpuncheons.Thechimneywasmadeofpolesandclay;andthewindowsweremadebycuttingoutpartsoftwologs,placingpiecesofsplitboardsaproperdistanceapart,andovertheaperturethusformedpastingpiecesofgreasedpapertoadmitlight.AtschoolAbeevincedabilityenoughtogainhima

prominentplaceintherespectoftheteacherandtheaffectionsofhisfellow-scholars.*

*"Healwaysappearedtobeveryquietduringplaytime;neverwasrude;seemedtohavealikingforsolitude;wastheonechoseninalmosteverycasetoadjustdifficultiesbetweenboysofhisageandsize,andwhenappealedto,hisdecisionwasanendofthetrouble.Hewasalsorathernotedforkeepinghisclothescleanlongerthananyoftheothers,andalthoughconsideredaboyofcourage,hadfew,ifany,


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difficulties."--E.R.Burba,letter,March31,1866.

Elementsofleadershipinhimseemtohavemanifestedthemselvesalready.NathanielGrigsby--whosebrother,Aaron,afterwardsmarriedAbe'ssister,Sarah--attendedthesameschool.HecertifiestoAbe'sproficiencyandworthinglowingterms.

"Hewasalwaysatschoolearly,"writesGrigsby,"andattendedtohisstudies.Hewasalwaysattheheadofhisclass,andpassedusrapidlyinhisstudies.Helostnotimeathome,andwhenhewasnotatworkwasathisbooks.HekeptuphisstudiesonSunday,andcarriedhisbookswithhimtowork,sothathemightreadwhenherestedfromlabor."Nowandthen,thefamilyexchequerrunninglow,itwouldbefoundnecessaryfortheyoungrail-splittertostopschool,andeitherworkwithhisfatheronthefarm,orrenderlikeservicefortheneighbors.Theseperiodsofworkoccurredsooftenandcontinuedsolong,thatallhisschooldaysaddedtogetherwouldnotmakeayearintheaggregate.Whenheattendedschool,hissisterSarahusuallyaccompaniedhim."Sallywasaquick-mindedyoungwoman,"isthetestimonyofaschool-mate."ShewasmoreindustriousthanAbe,inmyopinion.Icanhearhergood-humoredlaughnow.Likeherbrother,shecouldgreetyoukindlyandputyouatease.Shewasreallyanintelligentwoman."*

*NatGrigsby,Sept.12,1865,MS.

Abe'sloveforbooks,andhisdeterminedefforttoobtainaneducationinspiteofsomanyobstacles,inducedthebeliefinhisfather'smind,thatbook-learningwasabsorbingagreaterproportionofhisenergyandindustrythanthedemandsofthefarm.Theoldgentlemanhadbutlittlefaithinthevalueofbooksorpapers,*andhencethefrequentdraftshemadeonthesontoaidinthedrudgeryofdailytoil.Heundertooktoteachhimhisowntrade**--hewasacarpenterandjoiner--butAbemanifestedsuchastrikingwantofinterestthattheefforttomakeacarpenterofhimwassoonabandoned.

*"IinducedmyhusbandtopermitAbetoreadandstudyathomeaswellasatschool.Atfirsthewasnoteasily

reconciledtoit,butfinallyhetooseemedwillingtoencouragehimtoacertainextent.Abewasadutifulsontomealways,andwetookparticularcarewhenhewasreadingnottodisturbhim--wouldlethimreadonandontillhequitofhisownaccord."--Mrs.ThomasLincoln,Sept.8,1865.

**Alittlewalnutcabinet,twofeethigh,andcontainingtworowsofneatdrawers,nowinthepossessionofCaptainJ.W.Wartmann,clerkoftheUnitedStatesCourtinEvansville,Ind.,iscarefullypreservedasaspecimenofthejointworkofLincolnandhisfatheratthistime.

AtDorsey'sschoolAbewastenyearsold;atthenextone,AndrewCrawford's,hewasaboutfourteen;andatSwaney'shewasinhisseventeenthyear.Thelastschoolrequiredawalkofoverfourmiles,andonaccountofthedistancehisattendancewasnotonlyirregularbutbrief.SchoolmasterCrawfordintroducedanewfeatureinhisschool,andwecanimagineitseffectonhispupils,whosetraininghadbeenlimitedtothesocialrequirementsofthebackwoodssettlement.Itwasinstructioninmanners.Onescholarwasrequiredtogooutside,andre-entertheroomasaladyorgentlemanwouldenteradrawing-roomorparlor.Anotherscholarwouldreceivethefirstpartyatthedoor,and


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escorthimorherabouttheroom,makingpoliteintroductionstoeachpersonintheroom.HowthegauntandclumsyAbewentthroughthisperformanceweshallprobablyneverknow.Ifhisawkwardmovementsgaverisetoanyamusement,hisschool-matesneverrevealedit.

ThebooksusedatschoolwereWebster'sSpellingBookandtheAmericanSpeller.Allthescholarslearnedtocipher,andafterwardsusedPike'sArithmetic.Mr.LincolntoldmeinlateryearsthatMurray'sEnglishReaderwasthebestschool-bookeverputintothehandsofanAmericanyouth.Iconclude,therefore,hemusthaveusedthatalso.AtCrawford'sschoolAbewascreditedwiththeauthorshipofseveralliteraryefforts--shortdissertationsinwhichhestrovetocorrectsometime-honoredandwantonsportoftheschoolboy.WhileinIndianaImetseveralpersonswhorecalledacommendableandsomewhatpretentiousprotesthewroteagainstcrueltytoanimals.Thewholesomeeffectsofatemperatelifeandthehorrorsofwarwerealsosubjectswhichclaimedtheservicesofhispenthen,astheyinlateryearsdemandedthedevotedattentionofhismindandheart.

Hewasnowoversixfeethighandwasgrowingatatremendousrate,forheaddedtwoinchesmorebeforethecloseofhisseventeenthyear,thusreachingthelimitofhisstature.Heweighedintheregionofahundredandsixtypounds;waswiry,vigorous,andstrong.Hisfeetandhandswerelarge,armsandlegslongandinstrikingcontrastwithhisslender

trunkandsmallhead."Hisskinwasshrivelledandyellow,"declaresoneofthegirls*whoattendedCrawford'sschool."Hisshoes,whenhehadany,werelow.Heworebuckskinbreeches,linsey-woolseyshirt,andacapmadeoftheskinofasquirrelorcoon.Hisbreecheswerebaggyandlackedbyseveralinchesmeetingthetopsofhisshoes,therebyexposinghisshinbone,sharp,blue,andnarrow."Inonebranchofschoollearninghewasagreatsuccess;thatwasspelling.WeareindebtedtoKateRoby,aprettymissoffifteen,foranincidentwhichillustratesalikehisproficiencyinorthographyandhisnaturalinclinationtohelpanotheroutofthemire.Theword"defied"hadbeengivenoutbySchoolmasterCrawford,buthadbeenmisspelledseveraltimeswhenitcameMissRoby'sturn."Abestoodontheoppositesideoftheroom"(relatedMissRoby**tomein1865)"andwaswatchingme.Ibegand-e-f--andthenIstopped,

hesitatingwhethertoproceedwithan'i'ora'y.'LookingupIbeheldAbe,agrincoveringhisface,andpointingwithhisindexfingertohiseye.Itookthehint,spelledthewordwithan'i,'anditwentthroughallright."

*KateGentry.

**MissRobyafterwardmarriedAllenGentry.

TherewasmoreorlessofanattachmentbetweenMissRobyandAbe,althoughtheladytookpainstoassuremethattheywereneverinlove.Shedescribedwithself-evidentpleasure,however,thedelightfulexperienceofanevening'sstrolldowntotheriverwithhim,wherethey

werewonttositonthebankandwatchthemoonasitslowlyroseovertheneighboringhills.Danglingtheiryouthfulfeetinthewater,theygazedonthepaleorbofnight,asmanyafondpairbeforethemhaddoneandwillcontinuetodountiltheendoftheworld.Oneevening,whenthusengaged,theirconversationandthoughtsturnedonthemovementoftheplanets."IdidnotsupposethatAbe,whohadseensolittleoftheworld,wouldknowanythingaboutit,butheprovedtomysatisfactionthatthemoondidnotgodownatall;thatitonlyseemedto;thattheearth,revolvingfromwesttoeast,carriedusunder,asitwere.'Wedothesinking,'heexplained;'whiletousthemooniscomparatively


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still.Themoon'ssinkingisonlyanillusion.'Iatoncedubbedhimafool,butlaterdevelopmentsconvincedmethatIwasthefool,nothe.Hewaswellacquaintedwiththegenerallawsofastronomyandthemovementsoftheheavenlybodies,butwherehecouldhavelearnedsomuch,orhowtoputitsoplainly,Inevercouldunderstand."

AbsalomRobyisauthorityforthestatementthatevenatthatearlydayAbewasapatientreaderofaLouisvillenewspaper,whichsomeoneatGentryvillekindlyfurnishedhim.AmongthebookshereadweretheBible,"sop'sFables,""RobinsonCrusoe,"Bunyan's"Pilgrim'sProgress,"a"HistoryoftheUnitedStates,"andWeems'"LifeofWashington."Alittlecircumstanceattendedthereadingofthelast-namedbook,whichonlywithinrecentyearsfounditswayintopublicprint.Thebookwasborrowedfromaclose-fistedneighbor,JosiahCrawford,andonenight,whilelyingonalittleshelfnearacrackbetweentwologsintheLincolncabinduringastorm,thecoversweredamagedbyrain.Crawford--nottheschoolmaster,butold"BlueNose,"asAbeandotherscalledhim--assessedthedamagetohisbookatseventy-fivecents,andtheunfortunateborrowerwasrequiredtopullfodderforthreedaysattwenty-fivecentsadayinsettlementoftheaccount.Whileatschoolitisdoubtfulifhewasabletoownanarithmetic.Hisstepmotherwasunabletorememberhiseverhavingownedone.Shegaveme,however,afewleavesfromabookmadeandbound

byAbe,inwhichhehadentered,inalarge,boldhand,thetablesofweightsandmeasures,andthe"sums"tobeworkedoutinillustrationofeachtable.WherethearithmeticwasobtainedIcouldnotlearn.Ononeofthepageswhichtheoldladygaveme,andjustunderneaththetablewhichtellshowmanypintsthereareinabushel,thefacetiousyoungstudenthadscrawledthesefourlinesofschoolboydoggerel:

"AbrahamLincoln,Hishandandpen,Hewillbegood,ButGodknowswhen."

Onanotherpagewerefound,inhisownhand,afewlineswhichitis

alsosaidhecomposed.Nothingindicatesthattheywereborrowed,andIhavealways,therefore,believedthattheywereoriginalwithhim.Althoughalittleirregularinmetre,thesentimentwould,Ithink,docredittoanolderhead.

Time,whatanemptyvapor'tis,Anddayshowswifttheyare:SwiftasanIndianarrow,Flyonlikeashootingstar.

Thepresentmomentjustishere,Thenslidesawayinhaste,Thatwecanneversaythey'reours,

Butonlysaythey'repast."

Hispenmanship,aftersomepractice,becamesoregularinformthatitexcitedtheadmirationofotherandyoungerboys.Oneofthelatter,JosephC.Richardson,saidthat"AbeLincolnwasthebestpenmanintheneighborhood."AtRichardson'srequesthemadesomecopiesforpractice.DuringmyvisittoIndianaImetRichardson,whoshowedthesetwolineswhichAbehadpreparedforhim:

"Goodboyswhototheirbooksapply


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Willallbegreatmenbyandby."

TocomprehendMr.Lincolnfullywemustknowinsubstancenotonlythefactsofhisorigin,butalsothemannerofhisdevelopment.ItwillalwaysbeamatterofwondertotheAmericanpeople,Ihavenodoubt--asithasbeentome--thatfromsuchrestrictedandunpromisingopportunitiesinearlylife,Mr.Lincolngrewintothegreatmanhewas.ThefoundationforhiseducationwaslaidinIndianaandinthelittletownofNewSaleminIllinois,andinbothplaceshegaveevidenceofanatureandcharacteristicsthatdistinguishedhimfromeveryassociateandsurroundinghehad.Hewasnotpeculiaroreccentric,andyetashrewdobserverwouldhaveseenthathewasdecidedlyuniqueandoriginal.Althoughimbuedwithamarkeddislikeformanuallabor,itcannotbetruthfullysaidofhimthathewasindolent.Fromamentalstandpointhewasoneofthemostenergeticyoungmenofhisday.Hedweltaltogetherinthelandofthought.Hisdeepmeditationandabstractioneasilyinducedthebeliefamonghishorny-handedcompanionsthathewaslazy.Infact,aneighbor,JohnRomine,makesthatcharge."Heworkedforme,"testifiesthelatter,"butwasalwaysreadingandthinking.Iusedtogetmadathimforit.Isayhewasawfullylazy.Hewouldlaughandtalk--crackhisjokesandtellstoriesallthetime;didn'tloveworkhalfasmuchashispay.Hesaidtomeonedaythathisfathertaughthimtowork,buthenevertaughthimtoloveit."VerilytherewasbutoneAbrahamLincoln!

Hischiefdelightduringtheday,ifunmolested,wastoliedownundertheshadeofsomeinvitingtreetoreadandstudy.Atnight,lyingonhisstomachinfrontoftheopenfireplace,withapieceofcharcoalhewouldcipheronabroadwoodenshovel.Whenthelatterwascoveredoveronbothsideshewouldtakehisfather'sdrawingknifeorplaneandshaveitoffclean,readyforafreshsupplyofinscriptionsthenextday.Heoftenmovedaboutthecabinwithapieceofchalk,writingandcipheringonboardsandtheflatsidesofhewnlogs.Wheneverybarewoodensurfacehadbeenfilledwithhislettersandciphershewoulderasethemandbeginanew.Thusitwasalways;andtheboywhomdulloldThomasLincolnandrusticJohnRomineconceivedtobelazywasinrealitythemosttirelessworkerinalltheregionaroundGentryvllle.

Hisstepmothertoldmehedevouredeverythinginthebooklinewithinhisreach.Ifinhisreadinghecameacrossanythingthatpleasedhisfancy,heentereditdowninacopy-book--asortofrepository,inwhichhewaswonttostoreeverythingworthyofpreservation."Frequently,"relatedhisstepmother,"hehadnopapertowritehispiecesdownon.Thenhewouldputthemwithchalkonaboardorplank,sometimesonlymakingafewsignsofwhatheintendedtowrite.Whenhegotpaperhewouldcopythem,alwaysbringingthemtomeandreadingthem.Hewouldaskmyopinionofwhathehadread,andoftenexplainedthingstomeinhisplainandsimplelanguage."HowhecontrivedattheageoffourteentoabsorbinformationisthustoldbyJohnHanks:"WhenAbeandIreturnedtothehousefromworkhewouldgotothecupboard,snatchapieceofcornbread,sitdown,takeabook,cockhislegsupashigh

ashishead,andread.Wegrubbed,plowed,mowed,andworkedtogetherbarefootedinthefield.WheneverAbehadachanceinthefieldwhileatwork,oratthehouse,hewouldstopandread."HekepttheBibleand"sop'sFables"alwayswithinreach,andreadthemoverandoveragain.Thesetwovolumesfurnishedhimwiththemanyfiguresofspeechandparableswhichheusedwithsuchhappyeffectinhislaterandpublicutterances.

Amidsuchrestrictedandunromanticenvironmentstheboydevelopedintotheman.Theintellectualfireburnedslowly,butwithasteadyand


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intenseglow.Althoughdeniedtherequisitetrainingoftheschool-room,hewasnonethelesscompetenttocopewiththosewhohadundergonethatdiscipline.Noonehadamoreretentivememory.Ifhereadorheardagoodthingitneverescapedhim.Hispowersofconcentrationwereintense,andintheabilitythroughanalysistostripbareapropositionhewasunexcelled.Histhoughtfulandinvestigatingminddugdownafterideas,andneverstoppedtillbottomfactswerereached.Withsuchamentalequipmentthedaywasdestinedtocomewhentheworldwouldneedtheservicesofhisintellectandheart.Thathewasequaltothegreattaskwhenthedemandcameisbutanotherstrikingproofofthegrandeurofhischaracter.

CHAPTERIII.

ThefirstlawbookLincolneverreadwas"TheStatutesofIndiana."HeobtainedthevolumefromhisfriendDavidTumham,whotestifiesthathefairlydevouredthebookinhiseagereffortstoabstractthestoreofknowledgethatlaybetweenthelids.Nodoubt,asTumhaminsists,thestudyofthestatutesatthisearlydayledAbetothinkofthelawashiscallinginmatureryears.Atanyratehenowbegantoevincenolittlezealinthematterofpublicspeaking--incompliancewiththe

oldnotion,nodoubt,thatalawyercanneversucceedunlesshehastheelementsoftheoratororadvocateinhisconstruction--andevenwhenatworkinthefieldhecouldnotresistthetemptationtomounttheneareststumpandpractiseonhisfellowlaborers.Thelatterwouldflockaroundhim,andactiveoperationswouldceasewheneverhebegan.Aclusteroftallandstatelytreesoftenmadehimamostdignifiedandapreciativeaudienceduringthedeliveryofthesemaidenforensicefforts.Hewasoldenoughtoattendmusters,log-rollings,andhorse-races,andwasrapidlybecomingafavoredaswellasfavoritecharacter."ThefirsttimeIeverrememberofseeingAbeLincoln,"isthetestimonyofoneofhisneighbors,*"waswhenIwasasmallboyandhadgonewithmyfathertoattendsomekindofanelection.Oneofourneighbors,JamesLarkins,wasthere.Larkinswasagreathandtobragon

anythingheowned.Thistimeitwashishorse.HesteppedupbeforeAbe,whowasinthecrowd,andcommencedtalkingtohim,boastingallthewhileofhisanimal.

"'Ihavegotthebesthorseinthecountry'"heshoutedtohisyounglistener."'Iranhimthreemilesinexactlynineminutes,andheneverfetchedalongbreath.'"

"'Ipresume,'saidAbe,ratherdryly,'hefetchedagoodmanyshortonesthough.'"

*JohnW.Lamar,MS.letter,June29,1866.

WithallhispeacefulpropensitiesAbewasnotaversetoacontestofstrength,eitherforsportorinsettlement--asinonememorablecase--ofgrievances.PersonalencounterswereoffrequentoccurrenceinGentryvilleinthosedays,andtheprestigeofhavingthrashedanopponentgavethevictormarkedsocialdistinction.GreenB.Taylor,withwhomAbeworkedthegreaterpartofonewinteronafarm,furnishedmewithanaccountofthenotedfightbetweenJohnJohnston,Abe'sstepbrother,andWilliamGrigsby,inwhichstirringdramaAbehimselfplayedanimportantrlebeforethecurtainwasrungdown.Taylor'sfatherwasthesecondforJohnston,andWilliamWhittenofficiatedin


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asimilarcapacityforGrigsby."Theyhadaterriblefight,"relatesTaylor,"anditsoonbecameapparentthatGrigsbywastoomuchforLincoln'sman,Johnston.Aftertheyhadfoughtalongtimewithoutinterference,ithavingbeenagreednottobreakthering,Abeburstthrough,caughtGrigsby,threwhimoffandsomefeetaway.Therehestood,proudasLucifer,andswingingabottleofliquoroverhisheadsworehewas'thebigbuckofthelick.''Ifanyonedoubtsit,'heshouted,'hehasonlytocomeonandwhethishorns.'"Ageneralengagementfollowedthischallenge,butattheendofhostilitiesthefieldwasclearedandthewoundedretiredamidtheexultantshoutsoftheirvictors.

MuchofthelatterendofAbe'sboyhoodwouldhavebeenlostinthemidstoftraditionbutforthestoreofinformationandrecollectionsIwasfortunateenoughtosecurefromaninterestingoldladywhomImetinIndianain1865.ShewasthewifeofJosiahCrawford*--"BlueNose,"asAbehadnamedhim--andpossessedrareaccomplishmentsforawomanrearedinthebackwoodsofIndiana.ShewasnotonlyimpressedwithAbe'searlyefforts,butexpressedgreatadmirationforhissisterSarah,whomsheoftenhadwithheratherownhospitablehomeandwhomshedescribedasamodest,industrious,andsensiblesisterofahumorousandequallysensiblebrother.FromMrs.CrawfordIobtainedthefewspecimensofAbe'searlyliteraryeffortsandmuchofthematterthatfollowsinthischapter.Theintroductionhereoftheliterary

featureasaffordingusaglimpseofLincoln'sboyhooddaysmaytoacertainextentgrateharshlyonover-refinedears;butstillnoapologyisnecessary,for,asintimatedattheoutset,IintendtokeepclosetoLincolnallthewaythrough.SomewriterswouldprobablyomitthesesongsandbackwoodsrecitalsassavoringtoostronglyoftheBacchanaliannature,butthatwouldbeanarrowviewtotakeofhistory.IfweexpecttoknowLincolnthoroughlywemustbepreparedtotakehimashereallywas.

*InoneofherconversationswithmeMrs.Crawfordtoldmeoftheexhibitionswithwhichatschooltheyoftenentertainedthefewpersonswhoattendedtheclosingday.Sometimes,inwarmweather,thescholarsmadeaplatformof

cleanboardscoveredoverheadwithgreenboughs.Generally,however,theseexhibitionstookplaceintheschool-room.Theexercisesconsistedofthevarietiesofferedatthisdayattheaverageseminaryorschool--declamationsanddialoguesordebates.Thedeclamationswereobtainedprincipallyfromabookcalled"TheKentuckyPreceptor,"whichvolumeMrs.Crawfordgavemeasasouvenirofmyvisit.Lincolnhadoftenusedithimself,shesaid.Thequestionsfordiscussionwerecharacteristicofthedayandage.Therelativemeritsofthe"BeeandtheAnt,"thedifferenceinstrengthbetween"WindandWater,"taxedtheirknowledgeofphysicalphenomena;andtheall-importantquestion"Whichhasthemostrighttocomplain,theIndian

ortheNegro?"calledouttheirconceptionsofagreatmoralornationalwrong.InthediscussionofallthesegravesubjectsLincolntookadeepinterest.

In1826Abe'ssisterSarahwasmarriedtoAaronGrigsby,andattheweddingtheLincolnfamilysangasongcomposedinhonoroftheeventbyAbehimself.Itisatiresomedoggerelandfullofpainfulrhymes.IreproduceitherefromthemanuscriptfurnishedmebyMrs.Crawford.Theauthorandcomposercalledit"AdamandEve'sWeddingSong."


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"WhenAdamwascreatedHedweltinEden'sshade,AsMoseshasrecorded,Andsoonabridewasmade.

TenthousandtimestenthousandOfcreaturesswarmedaroundBeforeabridewasformed,Andyetnomatewasfound.

TheLordthenwasnotwillingThatmanshouldbealone,Butcausedasleepuponhim,Andfromhimtookabone.

ThenAdamherejoicedToseehislovingbrideApartofhisownbody,Theproductofhisside.

ThewomanwasnottakenFromAdam'sfeetwesee,Sohemustnotabuseher,Themeaningseemstobe.

ThewomanwasnottakenFromAdam'shead,weknow,Toshowshemustnotrulehim,'Tisevidentlyso.

ThewomanshewastakenFromunderAdam'sarm,SoshemustbeprotectedFrominjuriesandharm."

PoorSarah,atwhoseweddingthissongwassung,neverlivedtoseetheglorynorshareinthehonorthatafterwardsfelltothelotofhertall

andangularbrother.Withintwoyearsafterhermarriageshediedinchildbirth.

AlthoughdevoidofanynaturalabilityasasingerAbeneverthelessmademanyeffortsandhadgreatappreciationofcertainsongs.Inafteryearshetoldmehedoubtedifhereallyknewwhattheharmonyofsoundwas.Thesongsinvoguethenwereprincipallyofthesacredorder.TheywerefromWatts'andDupuy'shymn-books.DavidTumhamfurnishedmewithalist,markingasespecialfavoritesthefollowing:"AmIaSoldieroftheCross";"HowTediousandTastelesstheHours";"ThereisaFountainFilledwithBlood,"and,"Alas,anddidmySaviourBleed?"OnesongpleasedAbenotalittle."IusedtosingitforoldThomasLincoln,"relatesTurnham,"atAbe'srequest.Theoldgentlemanlikeditandmade

mesingitoften.Icanonlyrememberonecouplet:

"'TherewasaRomishladyShewasbroughtupinPopery.'"

DennisHanksinsiststhatAbeusedtotryhishandandvoiceat"PooroldNed,"butneverwithanydegreeofsuccess."Rich,racyverses"weresungbythebigboysinthecountryvillagesofthatdaywithaskeenarelishastheyareto-day.ThereisnoreasonandlessevidenceforthebeliefthatAbedidnotpartakeofthisforbiddenfruitalongwithother


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boysofthesameageandconditioninlife.AmongwhatDenniscalled"fieldsongs"areafewlinesfromthisone:

"TheturbanedTurkthatscornstheworldAndstrutsaboutwithhiswhiskerscurled,Fornoothermanbuthimselftosee."

Ofanotherballadwehavethiscouplet:

"HailColumbia,happyland,IfyouaintdrunkthenI'llbedamned."

WecanimaginethemerryDennis,hilariouswiththeexhilarationofdeeppotationsatthevillagegrocery,singingthis"fieldsong"asheandAbewendedtheirwayhomeward.AstanzafromacampaignsongwhichAbewasinthehabitofrendering,accordingtoMrs.Crawford,attestshisearliestpoliticalpredilections:

"LetauldacquaintancebeforgotAndneverbroughttomind,MayJacksonbeourpresident,AndAdamsleftbehind."

Amournfulanddistressingballad,"JohnAnderson'sLamentation,"as

renderedbyAbe,waswrittenoutformebyMrs.Crawford,butthefirstlines,

"Oh,sinners,poorsinners,takewarningbyme,Thefruitsoftransgressionbeholdnowandsee,"

willsufficetoindicatehowmournfultherestofitwas.

ThecentreofwitandwisdominthevillageofGentryvillewasatthestore.ThisplacewasinchargeofoneJones,whosoonafterembarkinginbusinessseemedtotakequiteafancytoAbe.Hetooktheonlynewspaper--sentfromLouisville--andathisplaceofbusinessgatheredAbe,DennisHanks,Baldwintheblacksmith,andotherkindredspiritsto

discusssuchtopicsasaretheexclusivepropertyofthestorelounger.Abe'soriginalandridiculousstoriesnotonlyamusedthecrowd,butthedisplayofhisuniquefacultiesmadehimmanyfriends.Onewhosawhimatthistimesays:

"Lincolnwouldfrequentlymakepoliticalspeechestotheboys;hewasalwayscalm,logical,andclear.Hisjokesandstoriesweresoodd,original,andwittyallthepeopleintownwouldgatheraroundhim.Hewouldkeepthemtillmidnight.Abewasagoodtalker,agoodreasoner,andakindofnewsboy."Heattendedallthetrialsbeforethe"squire,"asthatimportantfunctionarywascalled,andfrequentlywanderedofftoBoonville,atownontheriver,distantfifteenmiles,andthecountyseatofWarrickCounty,tohearandseehowthecourtswereconducted

there.Ononeoccasion,atthelatterplace,heremainedduringthetrialofamurdererandattentivelyabsorbedtheproceedings.AlawyernamedBreckenridgerepresentedthedefense,andhisspeechsopleasedandthrilledhisyounglistenerthatthelattercouldnotrefrainfromapproachingtheeloquentadvocateatthecloseofhisaddressandcongratulatinghimonhissignalsuccess.HowBreckenridgeacceptedthefelicitationsoftheawkward,haplessyouthweshallprobablyneverknow.ThestoryistoldthatduringLincoln'stermasPresident,hewasfavoredonedayattheWhiteHousewithavisitbythissameBreckenridge,thenaresidentofTexas,whohadcalledtopayhis


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respects.InaconversationaboutearlydaysinIndiana,thePresident,recallingBreckenridge'sargumentinthemurdertrial,remarked,"IfIcould,asIthenthought,havemadeasgoodaspeechasthat,mysoulwouldhavebeensatisfied;foritwasuptothattimethebestspeechIhadeverheard."

NofeatureofhisbackwoodslifepleasedAbesowellasgoingtomill.Itreleasedhimfromaday'sworkinthewoods,besidesaffordinghimamuchdesiredopportunitytowatchthemovementofthemill'sprimitiveandcumbersomemachinery.ItwasonmanyofthesetripsthatDavidTumhamaccompaniedhim.InlateryearsMr.LincolnrelatedthefollowingreminiscenceofhisexperienceasamillerinIndiana;Oneday,takingabagofcorn,hemountedtheoldflea-bittengraymareandrodeleisurelytoGordon'smill.Arrivingsomewhatlate,histurndidnotcometillalmostsundown.Inobediencetothecustomrequiringeachmantofurnishhisownpowerhehitchedtheoldmaretothearm,andastheanimalmovedround,themachineryrespondedwithequalspeed.Abewasmountedonthearm,andatfrequentintervalsmadeuseofhiswhiptourgetheanimalontobetterspeed.Withacareless"Getup,youoldhussy,"heappliedthelashateachrevolutionofthearm.Inthemidstoftheexclamation,orjustashalfofithadescapedthroughhisteeth,theoldjade,resentingthecontinueduseofthegoad,elevatedhershoelesshoofandstrikingtheyoungengineerintheforehead,senthimsprawlingtotheearth.MillerGordonhurriedin,pickedupthebleeding,

senselessboy,whomhetookfordead,andatoncesentforhisfather.OldThomasLincolncame--cameassoonasembodiedlistlessnesscouldmoveloadedthelifelessboyinawagonanddrovehome.Abelayunconsciousallnight,buttowardsbreakofdaytheattendantsnoticedsignsofreturningconsciousness.Thebloodbeginningtoflownormally,histonguestruggledtoloosenitself,hisframejerkedforaninstant,andheawoke,blurtingoutthewords"youoldhussy,"orthelatterhalfofthesentenceinterruptedbythemare'sheelatthemill.

Mr.Lincolnconsideredthisoneoftheremarkableincidentsofhislife.Heoftenreferredtoit,andwehadmanydiscussionsinourlawofficeoverthepsychologicalphenomenainvolvedintheoperation.WithoutexpressingmyownviewsImaysaythathisideawasthatthelatterhalf

oftheexpression,"Getup,youoldhussy,"wascutoffbyasuspensionofthenormalflowofhismentalenergy,andthatassoonaslife'sforcesreturnedheunconsciouslyendedthesentence;or,asheinaplainerfigureputit:"JustbeforeIstrucktheoldmaremywillthroughthemindhadsetthemusclesofmytonguetouttertheexpression,andwhenherheelscameincontactwithmyheadthewholethingstoppedhalf-cocked,asitwere,andwasonlyfiredoffwhenmentalenergyorforcereturned."

Bythetimehehadreachedhisseventeenthyearhehadattainedthephysicalproportionsofafull-grownman.HewasemployedtoassistJamesTaylorinthemanagementofaferry-boatacrosstheOhiorivernearthemouthofAnderson'screek,butwasnotallowedaman's

wagesforthework.Hereceivedthirty-sevencentsadayforwhatheafterwardstoldmewastheroughestworkayoungmancouldbemadetodo.Inthemidstofwhateverworkhewasengagedonhestillfoundtimetoutilizehispen.HepreparedacompositionontheAmericanGovernment,callingattentiontothenecessityofpreservingtheConstitutionandperpetuatingtheUnion,whichwithcharacteristicmodestyheturnedovertohisfriendandpatron,WilliamWoods,forsafe-keepingandperusal.ThroughtheinstrumentalityofWoodsitattractedtheattentionofmanypersons,amongthemonePitcher,*alawyeratRockport,whowithfaintlyconcealedenthusiasmdeclared


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"theworldcouldn'tbeatit."AnarticleonTemperancewasshownundersimilarcircumstancetoAaronFarmer,aBaptistpreacheroflocalrenown,andbyhimfurnishedtoanOhionewspaperforpublication.Thething,however,whichgavehimsuchprominence--aprominencetoowhichcouldhavebeenattainedinnootherway--washisremarkablephysicalstrength,forhewasbecomingnotonlyoneofthelongest,butoneofthestrongestmenaroundGentryville.Heenjoyedthebriefdistinctionhisexhibitionsofstrengthgavehimmorethantheadmirationofhisfriendsforhisliteraryorforensicefforts.Someofthefeatsattributedtohimalmostsurpassbelief.Onewitnessdeclareshewasequaltothreemen,havingonacertainoccasioncarriedaloadofsixhundredpoundsAtanothertimehewalkedawaywithapairoflogswhichthreerobustmenwereskepticaloftheirabilitytocarry."Hecouldstrikewithamaulaheavierblow--couldsinkanaxedeeperintowoodthananymanIeversaw,"isthetestimonyofanotherwitness.

*Thisgentleman,JudgeJohnPitcher,ninety-threeyearsold,isstilllivinginMountVernon,Indiana.HesaysthatyoungLincolnoftencalledathisofficeandborrowedbookstoreadathomeduringleisurehours.OnoneoccasionheexpressedadesiretostudylawwithPitcher,butexplainedthathisparentsweresopoorthathecouldnotbesparedfromthefarmonwhichtheylived."Herelatedtomeinmyofficeoneday,"saysPitcher,"anaccountofhispaymentto

Crawfordofthedamagedonetothelatter'sbook--Weems''LifeofWashington.'Lincolnsaid,"Yousee,Iamtallandlong-armed,andIwenttoworkinearnest.Attheendofthetwodaystherewasnotacorn-bladeleftonastalkinthefield.Iwantedtopayfulldamageforallthewettingthebookgot,andImadeacleansweep."

Afterhehadpassedhisnineteenthyearandwasnearinghismajorityhebegantochafeandgrowrestlessundertherestraintsofhomerule.Seeingnoprospectofbettermentinhiscondition,solongashisfortunewasinterwovenwiththatofhisfather,heatlastendeavoredtostrikeoutintothebroadworldforhimself.HavinggreatfaithinthejudgmentandinfluenceofhisfastfriendWood,hesolicitedfromhim

arecommendationtotheofficersofsomeoneoftheboatsplyingupanddowntheriver,hopingtherebytoobtainemploymentmorecongenialthanthedull,fatiguingworkofthefarm.TothisprojectthejudiciousWoodwasmuchopposed,andthereforesuggestedtothewould-beboatmanthemoraldutythatrestedonhimtoremainwithhisfathertillthelawreleasedhimfromthatobligation.Withdeepregretheretracedhisstepstothepaternalmansion,seriouslydeterminednottoevadetheclaimfromwhichinafewwearymonthshewouldbefinallyreleased.Meanwhileoccurredhisfirstopportunitytoseetheworld.InMarch,1828,JamesGentry,forwhomhehadbeenatwork,hadfittedoutaboatwithastockofgrainandmeatforatradingexpeditiontoNewOrleans,andplacedhissonAlleninchargeofthecargoforthevoyage.Abe'sdesiretomakearivertripwasatlastsatisfied,andheaccompanied

theproprietor'sson,servingas"bowhand."Hispaywaseightdollarsamonthandboard.Induecourseoftimethenavigatorsreturnedfromtheirexpeditionwiththeevidenceofprofitableresultstogladdentheheartoftheowner.TheonlyoccurrenceofinteresttheycouldrelateofthevoyagewastheencounterwithapartyofmaraudingnegroesattheplantationofMadameDuchesne,afewmilesbelowBatonRouge.AbeandGentry,havingtiedupforthenight,werefastasleepontheirboatwhenarousedbythearrivalofacrowdofnegroesbentonplunder.Theysettoworkwit

Abraham Lincoln by William Herndon Vol. I

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