Smyrna times., 1872-10-02
MISce/IUW ID e o IL s.
How the Reverend Mr.. Shofe Acquired
Riches.

The Washington correspondent of the .je,0i>h
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 with one of his long, bOny
hands, while he ran his fingers through and
brushed back his shaggy black hair 9 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 prerequisite, as the lack of little ability
might be easily made up by an honest man en-
deavoring to DO his whole duty conscientiously.
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 Illinois real estate off his
capaclOus boots.
''Why, what brings you here, Mr.. ShOfeY
| (which was not his name, but it will do just as
we'll
"'Well,' he replied, 4 came down here first
ly to see you and you get an od-fashiOned shake
of the hand, and secondly to say that the folks
of my congregation are SO poor that they can
hardly affJred me decent living, and thought
maybe you could give me some sort Of an Office
that would pay me better.
Certainly | answered quickly, for knew
he was an honest man, and | was looking for
particular Office?'
"'No,' said the Rev. Mr. Shohe complacent-
ly; L would not know what to select if you
were to hand me list to choose FROM
:" Nor | what to give you. but | will tell you
who will help you out. You know Colonel
Chootsper, of your county? He is now on duty
in the Treasury Department. Go and see him
, he is a man of resources, and will get you Out
of your difficulty. Come back tomorrow and
: report.
1.-The next day, according to promise, ShOht
put in an appearance and said that the Col
I, onel had recommended him to apply for
!. certain position in the Revenue Department.
4 80 What is the salary?' said J. while signing
in a mechanical way pile of commissions.
1.-TWO thousand dollars year
y So Well, do you think that enough? | ma!
a be able to do better for you, for knew b.
j was an honest man and thought he might jus
n n as well as not get place where he could earl
!. more money.
e "'Oh, plenty, Uncle Abe, for that is NOR
:, than double the amount I've been earning 70
l. years past.
"Now | began to think" said our Marty
President, "that | would have to force him int
,o a place paying a large salary, and where th
government would have corresponding retur
Of for his valuable services, for | was more tina
be ever-if that were possible-convinced that b
70 "a; was an honest man but finally concluded
" give him his own way, and he was appointe
accordingly OFF he went rejoicing, but fe
rather mean at my one horse gilt to my goOt
:, honest, reverend friend.
ed ed Three years elapsed and the anxieties a
tending the war had completely driven fro
,St my mind, for the time being, the incident ju
lFFs related when my messenger brought me a ca
bearing the familiar name, Rev. Adam ShOht
Pple. and Immediately there flashed across my mil
Il.
her him to Office. | directed him to be shown
re-, re-, and in walked, with creaky boots, one Of t
,aii best and finest dressed men | had seen in ma
yes yes a day. | recognized his cOuntenance at
led glance, but it was his marvellous clothes tn
troubled me. They sat easily enough upon
body, but somehow or other they did not
=, 50 easy upon my mind, but wherefore [ COT
not for the life of me tell, if had tried, viii
sof [ didn't
9sds iisd "'Good morning, Mr. President, no Ions
a1d o %, Uncle Abe, as before-ssid he, in sort
@TE; grandiloquent manner; Ihope you are well a
DER. getting on nicely:
so, s,or "'Oh, yes, said I; we poor folks exc on
line living after fashion, intending to give
and the bit in his mouth, for knew what an hon
de. man he was, and how much-I couldn't
Sr i%e. then exactly how much, for had lost the
of him-we were indebted to him.
"' Mr.. President, I've come to resign my
sons fee.
"Feeling somewhat as though l had b.
TbSs ibos struck by lightning, managed to excaim,
elai; lat deedp
ibis bis "' Yes feel that there are many 9th
&c ssS o deserving Of the place. and that it is my
'igh. to make way for them
tSs "Was there ever such an honest mar
q ITO to that? said to myself, chuckling over my
shall stupidity on the clothes surprise. But 8
ances L, aOuu, VI diTdlu you are uOt couSluef
per uouraef friend Sho1e and that when Won
TO 4
ot hack TO preaching you Will De as hafd vi
ssSi aSa when you came here three years ago. HaC
! one you better hold on little longer, say
inca; :: more, and let US both go out Of Office
, hssG Ssl getherY
hun. 90 No, thank you. Tn going to Eur