The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-11-15
The Honest Office Holder.

The Washington correspondent of the
Jeaoish Messenger reports the following story,
told him by the late President Lincoln,
which we do not remember before to have
seen in print:
"When first entered upon my duties as
President" said Mr.. Lincoln, grasping our
arm in his peculiar way, wifi one of his
long, bony hands, while he ran his fingers
through and brushed back his shaggy
black hair, ~ fully made up my mind to
appoint to Office those only whom knew
to be honest and who had suitable ability.
In any event honesty should be the pre-
requisite, as the lack of little ability
might be easily made up by an honest man
endeavoring to do his whole duty con-
scientiously. While this resolve was fresh
upon me there came to visit me very old
friend, a Baptist minister, who had travelled
SO fast that he had not yet shaken the Illi-
nois real estate off his capacious boots.
"Why, what brings you here, Mr.. Shofle p
(Which was not his name, but it will do
just as well)
"Well,' he replied, 4 came down here
firstly to see you and get an old-fashioned
shake of the hand, and secondly to say
that the folks of my congregation are so
poor that they can hardly afford me de-
cent living, and thought may be you could
give me some sort of an office that would
pay me better
"Certainly,' answered, quickly, for l
knew he was an honest man, and was
looking for stock of that kind. "Have you
in view any particular otfice2"
"No," said the Rev. Mr.. Shofe, compla-
Gently 81 would not know what to select
ifyou were to hand me list to chose from"
"Nor what to give you; but l will tell
you who will help you out. You know
Colonel Chootsper, OF your country. He is
now on duty in the Treasury Department,
Go and see him he is man of resources,
and will get you out of your difficulty.
Come back tomorrow and report"
The next day, according to promise Shofle
put in an appearance and said that the
Colonel had recommended him to apply for
certain position in the Revenue Depart
ment.
"What is the salary said /, while sign
ing, in mechanical way, pile OF commits
sions.
1.-TWO thousand dollars year.
"Well, do you think that enough I may
be able to do better for you," for l knew
he was an honest man and thought he might
just as we'll as not get place where he could
earn more money.
"Oh, plenty, Uncle Abe, for that is more
than double the amount I've been earning
for years past"
"Now begin to think" said our Martyr
President, shat l would have to force him
into a place paying larger salary, and
where the government would have q cores
ponding return for his valuable services, for
was more than ever--if that were possible
convinced that he was an honest man !;
but finally concluded to give him his own
way, and he was appointed accordingly.
of he went rejoicing, but felt rather
mean at my one horse gift to my good,
honest, reverend friend.
"Three years elapsed, and the anxieties
attending the war had completely driven
from my mind, for the time being, the Incl
dent just related, when my messenger
brought me card bearing the familiar
name, REV. Adam Shofe," and immedi-
ately there flashed across my mind all the
circumstances attending my appointing
him to office. | directed him to be shown
in, and in walked, with creaky boots, one
of the best and finest dressed men had seen
in many day. l recognized his counte
nance at glance, but it was his marvellous
clothes that truobled me. They sat easily
enough upon his body, but somehow or
other, they did not set SO easy upon my
mind, but wherefore could not for the life
of me tell, if had tried, which didn't.
"Good morning, Mr.. President"-no lon
ger Uncle Abe, as before-said he, in a
I sort of grandiloquent manner; 4 hope you
| a ra wall and yatfinr IN nicpIyn
"Oh, yes" said Il 1--WE poor folks exc out
a living after fashion !" intending to give
him the bit in his mouth, for knew what
an honest man he was, and how much-I
couldn't tell then exactly how much, for
had lost the run of him-we were indebted
to him.
"Mr. President, I've come to resign my
Office" .N