The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-01-08

COIN JakeS the true american poSlllon-
takes it often and readily. When that long
form swings iLsef into the White House
door, doubt hut it will create consterna-
ton among many of the exquisite habitues
of Washington but before there have been
many goings-in and conlings-out OF that
miracle of anatomy, respect. fear, fright,
flight and terror will have seized the whole
tribe, and the precincts of the Presidents
mansion will be, for the first time in eight
years, rid of the horde of sappers and min
ers which have so long infested it,"
a correspondent of The jamestown (Chau-
tauqua Coz Journal, while. travelling, met
with Mr.. VIM. Butler, Treasurer of the State
of Illinois, and learning that be resided at
Springfield, the correspondent said:
You must be acquainted with Honest
Old Abe as we call him" He replied. l."
ought to, for | have known him over thirty
four years and he has lived nine years in my
own family. We both came from Kentucky
many years ago. In the Summer of 1924
I be worked for me on my farm near Spring
field, breaking up prarie, and in the Fall
went down the river boating. Previously
he had by hard study acquired a knowledge
of surveying, and bad procured q horse and
surveying instruments. Before he left he
signed a note with friend of $500, and on
his return he found him gone, leaving the
note for him 20 pay. He said that he must
sell his horse, go down to Salem, work and
pay the note as it was an honest debt.
said I" Lincoln, it viii take a long time
to work it out; | will sell your horse take
mine, go down to Salem end do your busi-
ness. Come back to my house and carry
out your expressed wish to study law. Make
my house your home. Ny wife has fixed
up your clothes from the boat. and I will
see the holder of the note and he will not
trouble you about IT," Lincoln replied -
" cannot be dependent on any one as long
as | can labor" | went down and paid the
note without his knowledge, and the man
told him he would wait on him as long as
wanted him to. He finally concluded to
stay-to work and study-and such another
student never saw: night and day he
toled. With rapid strides he reached the
bar, and Immediately took his place at the
head of it. Soon he got the money, went
to Hogan, (the holder Of the note,) TO pay
IL Finding | had paid it long before, he
tried to pay me. l refused. He then tried
to have my wife take ii, but she refused
alsO--so well we loved the man.
/" He lived with US nine Jears-was re-
peatedly elected TO the Leeislature-Is long
as he would go-and finally to Congress, !
when he got married and went to live in a |
house OF his own. He never gets in debt
enters into no speculations, but has pursued |
his profession and the requirement of
knowledge with unwearied diligence. He |
earned the name Of Honest A be years ago, /
for, from him, all felt that they would /
always get an honest legal opinion. If the |
party could not convince him he had right !
and equality on his side, he would not es- |
pouse it for love or money, for friend or foe, /
but if be could make it appear that his cause !
was Just, rich or poor, he would take hold !
Oft with all his powers, and Il knowledge |
of this fact had great weight with the Court !
and Jury. He has not been known to utter |
an oath, or taste a drop of any intoxicating !
liquor for twenty years, and we always sup
posed he was member of the Presbyterian
church, which he regularly attended, TAX
ing part in the Sabbath school exercises
hut my wifo, who is a member, saya be ia /
not communicate, though his wife is an |
dd0erSdfy cannot scare drjce him, and lchot |
as more no man liong, hocecer great his frie,,d
can persuade hinn from deing 0l5at he thinks is !
right, or turn him from kaorn path Of duty /
10 the right or left. l tell you he is real
Old Hickory, yet he is fine, gOod-na-
tured, genial companion +; in short, he is the
best man | ever was acquainted with, and
you may rely upon it he will prove himself
equal to the position assigned him"