Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-11-16
How Rev. Mr.. Shofie Acquired
Riches.

do not remember to have seen In print
"When first entered upon my duties as
President" said Mr.. Lincoln. srasping our
arms in his peculiar way, with one Of his larss
sony hands, while he ran his fingers through
aud brushed his shaggy, black hair, !" fully
made up my mind to appoint to Office those only
whom knew to be honest and who had suita-
bic ability. In any event honesty should bo
the prerequisite, as the lack Of little ability
might be easily made up by an honest man en-
dsavsring to do his whole duty concientiously.
While this resolve was fresh upon me there
came to visit me very old friend, a Baptist
minister, who had travelled SO fast that be had
not vet shaken the Illinois real estate Of his
capacisus boots.
"Why, what brings you here Mr.. Shofe ?"
which was not his name, but it will Dc just as
well)
".Well," hersplicd, al came down here
firstly tosee 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 ne decent living, and thought
may be you could give me some sort Of an
office that wsuId pay me better"
Certainly" answered quickly, for knew
he was an honest man, and | WAS looking for
stock of that kind. Have you in view any
particular ?"
"No," said the Rev Mr.. ShOne, complscsnt-
| ly, Il would not know what to select if ysu
were to hand me list to choose from"
Nor what to give you but | will tell
you who will help you out. You know Col.
Chootsper, of your county. lie is on duty in
the Treasury Department. Go and see him /;
he is Il man of resources, and will get you out
of your difficulty Come back tomorrow and
report.
"Ths next day, according to promise, Sho-
fe "put in an appearance" and said that the
Colonel had recommended him to apply for a
certain position in the Revenue Department.
"What is the salary" said |, while signing
in mechanical way pile of commissions.
1.-Two thousand dollars year.
We'll, do you think that enough? | may
be able to do better for you" for knew he
was an honest man aud thought he might just
as well as not get place whsra be could earn
more money"
ooh, plenty, Uncle Abe, for that is more
tnan double the amount I've bsen earning for
years past.
"Now began to think" said our Martyr
President, that would have to fsrcs him
into place paying larger salary, and where
the Government would have corresponding
return for his valuable services, for was mere
than ever--if that were poSsible-convinced
that he was an honest man but finally con-
cluded to give him his own way, and he was
appointed accordingly. Off he went rejoicing,
but felt rather mean at my oue-horse gift to
my good, honest reverend friend"
"Three years elapsed, and the anxietiss at
tending the war had completely driven from
my mind, for the time being, the incident just
related when my messenger brought me a card
bearing the familiar name, Rev. Adam Sho-
fle," and immediately there flashed across my
mind all the circumstances attending my ap-
pointing him to Office. / directed him to be
shown in, and in walked, with creaky boots,
one of the best aud fiuest dressed men | had
seen in many day. recognized his counte-
nance at glance, but it was his marvellous
clothes that troubled me. They sat easi y enough
on 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 l didn't.
"GOod morning, Mr. President-no longer
Uncle Abe, as before-said he, in sort of
srandloquent manner; hope You are we'll
and getting alsns nicely"
"'Oh, yes said |, we poor folks eke out
living after fashion; intending to put the
bit in his mouth, for knew what an honest
man be was, aud how much-I couldn't tell
them exactly how much, for had lost the run
of him-we we're indebted to him.
g" Mr.. President I've come to resign my Of
fce
"Fs,ing somewhat as though l had been
struck by lightning, | managed to excan,
Indeed =
"Yos. feel that there are many others
deserving of the place, and that it is my duty
to make way for them.
"Was there ever such an honest man as
that? ?" said to myself, chucklns over my own
stupidity on the clothes surprise 'Bu.,' said
l aloud, I'm afraid you are not coneidering
yourself, friend Shofe, and that when you 60
back to preaching you will be as hard up as
when you came here three years age. Hadu't
ysu better hold On little longer, say a year
mere, and let us both 90 out OF the Office to-
gsther?"
"Nc, thank you. I'm going to Europe
during that time, but hspe to see ysu here, as
President, when | return aad, after few
more kind expressions, of went the Rev
Shofe.
"Abeut month after one Of the reverend
gsntleman's uoighbors paid me visit, and
ansng other things remarked casually that |
had done pretty good thing for Shofe'-
Yes replied, / gave him 50, 200 year po-
sition for three years
Besides the balance added nv visitor