t
«
llA L .1 t . I
PAG
r ,.l I C.Ki K l l l i
have never stopped associating with
myself and with Washington and Clay
and Webster and Shakespeare and
Burns and DeFoe and Hcotl and
Blarkstone and Parsons
On the
whole. I’ve been In pretty good com
I'BOJ?
"He has not jet accomplished much
In the legislature. 1 don’t think that
he will until some big Issue cornea
along. ‘I'm not much of a hand at
hunting squirrels? he said to me the
other day. Walt till I see a hear The
people of Vandalia and Springfield
have never seen him yet. They don t
know him as I do. But they all re­
spect bint—Jusl for his good-fellow­
ship. honesty and decency. I guess
that every fellow with a foul mouth
hales himself for It and envies tha
man who Isn’t like him. They begin
to see bis skill as n politician, which
has shown Itself In the passage of a
bill removing the capital to Spring
field. Abe Lincoln was the man who
put It through But he has not yet un­
covered his best talents. Mark my
word, some duy Lincoln will be a big
man.
"The death of his sweetheart has
aged and sobered him When we are
together he often sits looking down
with a sad face. For a while not a
word out of him Suddenly he will
begin saying things, the effect of
which will go with me to my grave,
although I cannot call hack the words
and place them as he did. He Is what
I would call a great captain of words.
Seems as If I hedfrl the band playing
while they marched by me as well
dressed and stepping us proud and
regulur as the Boston Guards. In
some great battle between Hight and
Wrong you will henr from him. I
hope It may be the battle between
Slavery and Freedom, although at
present he thinks they must avoid
coming to u clinch. In my opinion It
cannot be done. I expect to live to
Bee the fight and to take part la It."
Laie In the session of 18381837 the
prophetic truth of these words began
to reveal Itself. A bill was being put
through the legislature denouncing the
growth of abolition sentiment and its
activity In organized societies and up­
holding the right of projierty In slaves.
Suddenly Lincoln had come to a fork
In the road. Popularity, the urge of
mnuy friends, the counsel of wealth
and power, and public opinion, the call
of good politics pointed In one dlrec-
I on and the crowd went that way. It
was a slani|>eile. Lincoln stood alone
at the corner. The crowd beckoned,
but In vslu. One man came back Htid
joined him. It was Dan Stone, who
was not a candidate for re-election.
His political carter was ended. There
were three words on Hie signboard
pointing toward the perilous and lone­
ly road that Lincoln proposed to fol­
low. They were ll.e words Justice and
Human Hights.
Lincoln and Dun
Stone took that road In a protest, de­
claring that they “believed the Institu­
tion of slavery was founded upon In­
justice and had policy.” Lincoln bad
followed his conscience, instead of the
crowd.
At twentyetglit years of age he had
Safely passed the great danger point
In his career. The declaration at De­
catur. the speeches against Dougins,
the miracle of turning 4,000,000 beasts
Into 4.000,000 men. the sublime utter­
ance at Gettysburg, the wise parables,
the second Inaugural, the Innumerable
acta of mercy, ull of which lifted him
Into undying fame, were uow possible.
Henceforth he was to go forward with
the growing approval of his owu spirit
aud the favor of God.
BOOK THREE
CHAPTER XVII.
W h erein
Young
M r.
Lincoln
B etrays
Ignorance of Two Highly Im portant
Subjects.
There were two subjects of which
Mr. Lincoln bad little understanding.
They were women and finance. Until
they had rightly appraised the value
of his friendship, women had been
wont to regard him with a riant curl
oslty. He hud been aware of this and
for years had avoided women, save
those of old acquaintance. When he
lived at the tavern In the village, often
be had gone without a meal rather
than expose himself to the eyes ot
strange women. The reason for this
was v ell understood by those who kuew
him. Tile young man was an exceed
Ingly sensitive human being
No
doubt he had suffered more than anv
one knew from III concealed ridicule
hut lie had been able In bear It with
composure In his callow youth. Ijitei
noth’ng roused his auger like au at
tempt to ridicule him.
Two women be had regarded wltl
great tenderness - his foster niotliei
the second wife of Thomas Llncolli
and Ann Rutledge. Others had bee,
to him, mostly, delightful hut Inscrn
table beings. The company of womci
and of dollars hsd been equally unfa
miliar to hltu. He had sold more that
once tn hla young manhood that he fel
embarrassed In the preseuce of elthei
and knew not quite how to hehav
him self - a n exaggeration In whh
there was no small amount of truth.
In ,830 the middle frontier had et
»•red upon a singular phase of Ils d
velopment. Emigrants from the Re»
and Mouth and from overseas had bee
|>onrtng Into It. The summer hefor.
th e lake and river steamers had bee
ATnwded with them, and their wagor
had come In long processions out o
the Fast Chicago had begun tta ph
UOiuensI gyowth. 4 f[qggled specula
(X T . 13. 1*21
cloyed ou bouse air and oratory and
x
I1
California
New One-way Fares
tlon In town lots had been under way
In that community Since the autumn
K lis t b o u n d t h r o u g h
of 56 It was spreading through the
state Imaginary u|yies were laid out
on the lonely prairies and all the cor
ner lots sold to euger buyers and paid
I
for with promises. Millions of conver­
sational. promissory dollars, based
upon the gold at the foot of the rain­
bow, were changing hands day by day.
Enable you w ithout additional cost to go wia San F ra n ­
I
The legislature, with an empty treas
cisco, Los Angeles, El Paso and K ansas City or San A n­
ury behind It. voted twelve millions for
river Improvements and Imaginary
tonio, Houston and New Orle-tns or via S ilt L ik e City and
railroads and canals, for which neither
Denver.
surveys nor estimates had been made,
to serve the dream built cities of the
Each route. Sunset, Golden S tate, Carriso Gorge and Og­
speculator. If Mr. Lincoln had had
den,
is distin ct in cbacteristics and affords a most fascin­
more experience Io the getting and use
ating and interesting trip across A m erica.
,
of dollars and more acquaintance with
the shrinking timidity of large sums,
he would have tried to dissipate these
Illusions of grandeur. But he went
with the crowd, every member of
which had a like Inexperience.
V IA
In the midst of the session Samson
Traylor arrived tn Vandalia on his
visit to Mr. Lincoln.
Connect with well known limited and express trains that pro­
“I have sold my farm." said Samson
to his old friend the evening of his ar­
vide excellent service and all modern comforts.
rival.
C alifornia roa this T ourist . ' our beautiful booklet, briefly
“Did you get a good price?" Mr.-Lin­
describes aad illustrates the charms and romance of California.
coln asked.
Copy FREE on request.
“All that my conscience would allow
me to take,” said Samson. “The man "I've Seen Cloyed on House A ir and
For fares, berths, train service, stopover regulations,
offered me three dollars an acre In
O ratory and Future Greatness.”
cash and ten dollars In notes. We
personal advice or helpful suggestions ask agents or write
compromised on seven dollars, all future greatness. The prairie wind
and your pessimism will straighten
*
c a sh f
“What are you gulng to do now that me up.”
Harry rode to the village that after­
you have sold out?"
JOHN M. SCOTT,
“I was thinking of going up to Taze­ noon to get “Colonel’’ and Mrs. Lukins
to come out to the farm and stay with
•
General Passenger Agent.
well couiity.”
"Why don't you go to the growing Sarah while he and Samson were
and prosperons town of Springfield?" away.
Josiah, now a sturdy boy of thirteen,
Mr. Lincoln asked. “The capitol will
be there, and so will I. It Is going to stood In the dooryard, holding the two
he a big city. Men who are to make saddle ponies from Nebraska which
history will live tn Springfield. You Samson had bought of a drover. Bet­
Mrs. Brlmstead had their dinner
must come and help. I shall need your sey. a handsome young miss almost fif­ "You are standing at the corner of cooking before the horses were cared
Grand
avenue
and
Empire
street,
in
teen
years
old,
stood
beside
him.
friendship, your wisdom and your sym­
for. “Well, what do you think of
pathy. I shall want to sit often by Sarah, whose face had begun to show the growing city of El Dorado, near Henry's plans?" she asked.
your fireside. You'll find a good school the wear of years full of loneliness the great water highway of Illinois,"
“I like the farm better."
there for the children. If you’ll think and hard work, was packing the sad­ Brlmstead declaimed.
"So do I." the woman declared. "But
dle-bags,
uow
nearly
filled,
with
extra
“Where’s
the
growIn’Y’
Samson
de-
i
of It seriously I'll try to get you Into
the men around here have gone crazy
socks
and
shirts
and
doughnuts
and
J mantled.
the public service.”
with dreams of sudden wealth.”
Brlmstead came closer and said In a
"We need you plenty," Samson an bread and butter.
“I’ve only a word of advice about It.
swered. “We kind o’ think o’ yon as I They met Abe Lincoln at the tavern, i confidential tone: “If you stand right If those Chicago men sell any more of
where
lie
was
waiting
on
a
big
horse
where
you
are
ah’
listen,
you’ll
hear
It
one o' the family. I'll talk It over with ;
your land make them take the notes
Sarah and see. Never mind the Jotf. which he had borrowed for the trip growln’.”
and you take the money. Where Is
from
James
Rutledge.
Without
de­
"It sounds s good deal like a turnip
If I keep you behavin’ yourself. It’ll be
Annabel?”
lay,
the
three
men
set
out
on
the
; growln' in a garden,” Samson re- I “Teaching the school at Hopedale.”
job enough. Anyway, I guess we can
north road In perfect weather. From 1 marked, thoughtfuHy.
manage to get along."
“We’re going up to Chicago to see
the hill’s edge they could look over a
"Give tt a fair chance,” Brimsteai
“I’ve had a talk with Stuart and
tie Kelsos,” said Samson.
wooded
plain
running
far
to
the
east.
went
on.
“Two
cellars
have
been
dug
have some good news for Harry and
“Glad you are. Some rich feller up
As they rode on, the young states­ over there in the pnsture. One is foi
Rim," said young Mr. Lincoln. “Stuart
here by thp name of Davis has fallen
man repeated a long passage from one the town hnll and the other for the
thinks she can get a divorce under the
n love with Blm an’ he don't give her
of the sermons of Dr. William Ellery university which the Methodists are
law of 1827. I suppose they are still
ny peace. He left here last night
Channing
on
the
“Instability
of
Hu­
going
to
build.
A
railroad
has
been
Interested In each other?"
oin’ north. Owns a lot o’ land In
man Affairs."
surveyed
and
Is
expected
this
sum­
"He’s like most at the Yankee«.
Tazewell county an’ wears a diamond
"I wish that I had your memory,” mer Every corner lot has been sold
in his shirt as big as your thumb
Dace he gets set. It's hard to change
Samson remarked.
and paid for, half cash and half nail. Blm has been teaching school In
him. The Kelsos have moved to Chi­
“My memory Is like a piece of notes."
cago. and I don't know how Him
Chicago this winter. It must he a
metal,’’ said the young legislator.
"The brokers In Chicago got the
stands. If Harry knows, he hasn't
wonderful place. Every one has loeds
“Learning
Is
not
easy
for
me.
It’s
ensh
and
you
got
the
notes?"
sulil a word to us about IL"
of money. The stores nn' houses are
ather slow work—like engraving with
"You've said IL. I’ve got a drawer
‘'I'm Interested 1« that little ro­
as thick as the hair on a dog's back—
a tool. But when a thing Is once full of notes."
mance," said the legislator. “It's our
some of ’em as big as all outdoors."
“And you've quit farmin’?”
duty to do what we can to secure the printed on my memory It seems to stay
Abe Lincoln and Harry entered
there.
It
doesn’t
nib
out.
When
I
"Say,
I’ll
tell
ye
the
land
has
gone
happiness of these young lovers. Tell
with their host and the travelers sat
run
across
a
great
Idea,
well
ex­
up
so
It
wouldn’t
pay.
Peasley
an’
I
llarry to come over here. 1 want to
down to a luncheon of pudding and
pressed, I like to put It on the wall of ral'ate that we're goln' to git rich this
talk with him.”
milk and doughnuts and pie.
my mind where I can live with It. In summer sellin’ lots."
“Flow far do you call It to the syca­
this way every man can have his own
"Wake up. man. You're dreamln’,”
CHAPTER XVIII. ,
more woods?” Lincoln asked as they
little art gallery and be In the com­ said Samson.
Henry came close to Samson and rose from the table.
In W hich Mr. Lincoln, 8smson and pany of great men."
“About thirty mile," said Brim-
said In a confidential tone: “Say.
They
forced
a
creek
In
deep
water,
H arry Take a Long Ride TogeL’t r
stead.
mobile
the
whole
state
Is
dreamln’
an’
where
a
bridge
had
been
washed
away.
and the L atter V isit the Flourishing
"We must be off If we are to get
As they came out dripping on the yellin’ In Its sleep ’bout canals an'
L ittle City of Chicago.
farther shore, Lincoln remarked: schools an’ factories an' mill« an' rail­ there before dark,” the young states­
Mr. Lincoln hHd brought the papers "The thlff? to do In fording a deep roads. We're havin’ a good time, any­ man declared.
They saddled their horses and
which Harry was tn take to lllm. and stream is to keep watch o’ your way."
This reminded Abe Lincoln of the mounted and rode up to the door. Aft­
made haste to deliver them. The boy horse's ears. As long as you can see
er their acknowledgments and fare­
was eager to be off on his mission. The ! 'em you’re all right "
: sto ry :
“There was a man In Pope county wells Brimstead came close to Sam­
fields were sown. The new buyer was
"Mr. Lincoln. I’m sorry—you got
who came home one evening and sal son and said In confidence: “I enjoy
coming to talp> possession tn two Into a hole," said Sainson.
weeks. Samson and Hurry had fin­
“I don’t mind that, but while we’re down In the middle of the barn floor bein' a millionaire for a few minutes
ished their work lu Ne« Salem.
traveling together, please don’t call me and began to sing. His wife asked now an' then. It’s ns good as guin'
to a circus an’ cheaper.”
“Walt till tomorrow aud tunyhe I’ll 'Mr. Lincoln.' I don't think I've done him :
“The feelings of a millionaire are
“ ’Are you drunk or craxy or a
go with ye." said Saiusou. “I’m anx anything to deserve such lack of re­
almost as good as the money while
fool ?’ ”
Ions to take a took at that little mush­ spect.”
“ ‘I don't know what you'd call It, they last," said Ahe Lincoln with a
room city of Chicago."
Haiuaon answered: “If you’re nice
"And buy a tew corner Iola?’ Abe | |o us. I don't know hut we'll call ye hut I know I ain't got a darn hit to laugh.
At early cnndlellght they reached
asked, with a smile.
’Abe' again. Just for a few days. You spare,' he answered, with a whoop of
the sycamore woods very hungry. It
"No; I’ll w all till next year. They’ll can't expect us to go too far with a Joy.”
"You're all goln’ to roll out o’ bed was a beautiful grovelike forest on
he cheaper then, I believe In Ch'cago. man who associates with Judges and
Il's placed right"—on the waterway to generals and governors and such trash. and hit the floor with a bump,” said the -shore of a stream. The crossing
w as a rough bridge of corduroy. A
the north ar.d east, with good country If you keep It up, you're bound to lose Sainson.
’Brlmstead declared In hla usual crude log tavern and a cruder store
on three sides and transportation on standing In our community."
stood on the farther shore of the
the other It can go Into partnership
"I know I've changed," said Ahe. tone of confidence:
"The worst part o’ bein’ a fool la creek. The tavern waa a dirty place
with Steam Power right away and be­ “Vve grown older since Ann died—
gin to do business. Your grain and years ago—but I don't want you fel­ lonesomeness. I was the only one In with a drunken proprietor. Three
pork can go straight from there to A, lows to throw me over. I’m on the Flea valley. Now I shall be In the com­ ragged, shiftless fanners and a half-
hunv and New York and Boston and same level that you are and I Intend pany of a governor an' dozens o’ well breed Indian sat In Its main room in
Baltimore without being rehandled to stay there. It's a fool notion that known statesmen. You’ll b« the only I varying stages of Inebriacy. A weli-
| dressed, handsome young man with a
When railroads come—If they ever do men go up some heavenly stairway to lonesome man tn Illinol»."
Stenin lYiwer will he shoving grain another plane when they begin to do
“I sometimes fear that he will en­ I diamond In his shirt-front was ma<l-
and meat and passengers Into Chicago things worth while. That's a kind of joy the loneliness of wisdom," said ! ing a horse back and forth In the
stable yard. The diamond led Samson
from every point of the compass."
feudal,Stic twaddle. The wise man Honest Abe.
"In some parts of the state every to Suspect that he was the man Davis
Abe Lincoln turned to Sarah and keeps his feet on the ground and lifts
said: "Thia Is a growing country. You his mind as high as possible. The farmer owns his own private city,” o f whom Mrs. Brlmstead had spoken.
ought to see the cities springing up higher he lifts It. the more respect he Sainson declared. "I hope Henry Slur travelers, not liking the look of
there In the legislature. I was looking will have for the common folk. Have Brlmstead does ns well raising cities | the place, got some oats and rode on.
w Itli great satisfaction at the crop either of you seen McNamar since he as he did raising grain. He was a . camping near the farther edge of the
i woods, where they built a fire, fed and
when Samson came aloug one day and got hack?"
very successful farmer.”
“1 knew you'd make fun o’ me but i tethered their horses and sat down
fell on It. He was like a frost In mid
I saw him the day he drove Into
snmiuer." >
,
the v lUnge," Harry answered. "He when you come aga'n you’ll see the and ate from the store In their saddle­
"The seed was sown too early," Sam wn« expecting to find Ann and make towers an' steeples." said Brlmstead. j bags.
Then with their knives Abe and
“Put up your horses and come Into I
son rejoined "You and I may live to good his promise to marry her."
Stun-I>n cut big armfuls of grass from
see all the dreams of Vandalia eoiue
Poor fool I It’s a sad story all the house nnd see the first lady of El (
true "
i the near prairie for the horses and a
around.” said Ahe Lincoln. “He’s not Dorado."
"And all the nightmare«, too." said
had fellow, 1 reckon, hui he broke
the young statesman.
Ann's heart. Didn't realise what a
"Yea. we're going te wake up and tender thing It was. I can't forgive
find a cold morning and not much to him ."
cat iu tlie house and the wolf at the
In the middle of the afternoon they
door, hut we'll live through It."
came In sight o f the home of Henry
Then the young eleteeman proponed : Brlmstead.
If you are going with Harry, I'll go
'Here's where we stop and feed
along and see what they've done on and listen to Henry's aecreta,". said
the llllnnle and Michigan renal. Some Ramson.
contracture who worked on the Erie
The level fields were ent Into
renal will etart from Chicago Monday squares outlined bv wooden stakes.
tn look the ground near end bid on the
Brimstead was mowing the grass to
construction of the southern end of It. his dooryard He dropped his scythe
I went to talk with them when they and came to welcome the travelers
route along down th e lin e "
“Say. don't yon know that you are
"1 guess a few days In th e saddle
standing In the center of a large and
f
tf
♦
$
I
?
i
Four Daily Trains
The Scenic Shasta Route
II
Southern Pacific Lines
{
I
J
i I
I
t
I 1
Fire, theft, collision, property damage and |
personal liability. Protect yourself against |
loss.
_____ j
w ould do yon good,' said Samson
promising city T’ Ue y a ij
/
to
Samson.
itua
:
t♦
; Automobile Insurance
i
bed upon which the three man lay
down for the night.
Samson had that gift of “sleeping
with one eye open" which the perils
of the wilderness had conferred upon
the pioneer. He had lain dojvn on
the side of their bed near theOnrses.
which were tethered to trees only a
'ew feet away. He had gone to sleep
with his pistol under his right hand.
C. P. STAFFORD, Agent. I
“ Hold
Up
Your
Hands,”
Shouted.
Samson
Late In the night he waa awakened
by an unusual movement among the
horses. In the dim light of the fire
he could see a man In the act of
bridling Abe's horse.
“Hold up your hands,” Samson
shouted as he covered the man with
his pistol. "If ye stir a foot Tl! bore
a hole In ye."
The man threw up his hands and
stood still.
In half a moment Abe Lincoln and
Harry hpd got up and captured the
man and the loosed horse.
Thia Is part of the entry which
Samson made In his diary a week or
so later:
"Harry put some wood on the fire
while Abe and I led him up into the
light. He was one of the dirty white
men we had seen at the tavern.
•“ .p„ g| Ve y0U four hundred dollars
for a hosa In good Michigan money,’
he sold.
“ Tf ye can't steal a horse you’re
willin' to buy one.’ I says.
• ‘No, sir. I only come to buy,’ says
he.
“I flopped him sudden and asked
him why he was putting on the bridle.
“He owned up then. Said a man
had hired him to steal the horse.
“ ’That man has got to have a hosa,'
he said. ‘He'll give ye any price ye
want to ask. If you’ll give me a few
dollars I'll take ye to him?
“ ‘You go and bring him here and
I’ll talk to him? I said.
“I let the feller go. I didn't ’ sup­
pose he’d come back, but he did.
Came a little before sunrise with that
well-dressed feller we saw at the
tavern.
“ ‘What’s your name?’ I says.
“He handed me a card on which I
read the words Lionel Davis, Real Es­
tate, Loans and Iusurance, 14 South
Water Street, Chicago, 111?
“ ‘There’s one branch o’ your busi­
ness that Isn't mentioned on the card,*
I says.
“ ’What’s that?1 says he.
“ ’Horse-thief? says I. ‘You sent
that feller here to steal a horse and
he got caught?
" ’Well I told him If h.-’d get me a
good horse I'd give him five hundred
dollars and that I didn't care how he
got him. The fact Is I’m desperate.
I’ll give you a thousand dollars for one
j of your horselC
j “ ‘You couldn’t buV one of 'em at any
| price,’ I said. 'There's two reasons. I
wouldn't do business with a horsethief
ami no money would tempt me to sell
an animal to be ridden to death?
"The two thieves had had enough
of us and they got out."
That night our party camped on the
shore of the Kankakee and next day
they met the contractors.
Lincoln
Joined the latter party and Harry and
Samson went on alone. Late that af­
ternoon they crossed the nine-mile prai­
rie. beyond which they could see the
shimmer of the lake and the sunlit
structures of the new city.
"There It Is," said Samson. "Four
thousand, one hundred aud eighty
people live there. It looks like a stur­
dy two-year-old.”
The houses were small and cheaply
built and of many colors. Some were
unpalnted.
Near the prairie they
stood like people oa the outer edge of
a crowd, looking over one another's
shoulders and pushing In a disordered
mass toward the center of Interest.
Some seemed to have straggled away
as If they had given up trying to see
or hear. So to one nearing It the town
had a helter-skelter look.
A sound of many hammers beating
upon boards coaid he heard above the
noises of the street and behind all was
the constant droning of a big steam
saw and the whir of the heavy atones
Io the new grist mill. It was the be­
ginning of that amazing diapason of
Industry which accompanied the build­
in g of the cities o fjth e Wes^