The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-05-16
OLD ABE And HIS"LTTTEE
| ~ - 80 ~ IL a - II
CLARK"


Z Among the ,nany anecdotes which are
/ toIk i'll The Sucker State, of Lincoln and
Douglas, is one relating to a period Of
their liTes when they were totally m
/ known outside of few counties in the
Sangamon circuit, where they both prac-
ticed. Those were in the days ere the
iron horse snorted on the praries, or even
wet his whistle in Chicago. Lawyers
rode their own steeds, while travelling
the circnit. and Lincoln and Douglas
were frequent companions: Tor though
even antagonistic on political questions,
they were personally OF congenial tenn
peraments. Lincoln was then, as up 10
the time of his death, a rough, tall, TN
calmly man, while Douglas, upon COM
mencing the practice of law, was dapper
little fellow, would not weigh more than
one hundred and ten pounds. Being
considerably the elder, Abe generally led
off IN conversation, at places where the
parties stopped at farm-houses or taverns.
Besides, he had been longer in the state
and knew the people better. Well, one
bitter cold night, about shutdown, in
December. this pair rode up to farm
| house in Mclean county. They could
go no further, for, in addition to the
polar air, the snow was being driven in
to their faces. The cabin where they
stopped contained but one room, eighteen
feet square. which served for parlor, din
ing-room, kitchen and sleeping room for
Mr.. Bailey, wife, and three little children.
Old Abe knew Mr. B. and wife, having
stopped at his house before, but Douglas
was stranger. In the early days Of the
west, it was usual for people to get &C
quainted without the formalities of an
introduction. The farmer and his wife
were "mighty glad TO see you, Mr.. Lin
colr," shook hands with him warmly,
but rather looked with indifference, if
not contempt, upon Douglas. Without
intending pun, will observe that small
estimated low. Ere long, an ample sup
per was spread in the cabin, to which
the lawyers did ample justice. After an
hours conversation between Lincoln and
the master and the mistress of the house
douglass remaining very reticent-
MIR. b. said to his wife; 81 reckon, moth
Ell, it's about bedtime; will you just fix
up the sleepin' fxens fur these ere men,"
So Mrs. B. went to the other side of the
room to prepare for the slumberers,
There was but one bed vacant III the
room, for the trundle bed was occupied
by three sweetly sleeping children. The
lady was engaged in this work for prob
ably half an hour. Old Abe watched her
movements closely, and he observed
narrow bed was being made in one cor
ner of the room, which he fancied would
be occupied by himself. But what would
become of Douglas! The future leader OF
the democracy, during this time, appear
ell to be studying the features of the
chimney. The labors of the lady were
now completed, and coming to her hus-
band she said: "The sleepin' il all ready
now, John "And how have you ranged
matters, Eannerl" remarked her hus-
band. 'W'y, Mr.. Lincoln sleeps in that
ar bed On the floor, an this ere little
clark o hizen, reckon, kin turn inter
the trundle bed, with the children-he
won't take up much room" And the
'.little clark did sleep with the children,
warmly and snugly, while Old Abe near
ly froze in his bed on the floor.