Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-08-24
HOW HE ACQUIRED WEALTH.

when | first entered upon my duties
as Pres ident," said Mr.. Lincoln, grasp.
ing our arm in bis peculiar way, with one
of his long bony hands, while he ran his
fingers through aud brushed his shaggy.
black hair. II fully made up M mind
to appasnt TO Office those cnly whom |
knew to be honest and who had suita hla
ability. In any event honesty should be
the prerequisite, as the lack Of little
ability might be easily made up by AN
honest msn endeayoring to do his whole
duty conscientiousy. While this resolve
was fresh upon me there came to visit
me very old friend, Baptist minister,
who had travelled so fast that he had not
yet shaken the Illinois real estate off his
cspacious boots.
- Why. what brings you here, Mr..
Shofs 2 (Which was not his name, but
will do just as well.)
Well, he replied, I am 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 shat they car hardly afford me a
decent living, and | thought maybe you
could give me some sort,of an Office that
would pay me better
'Certainy,' / answered, quickly, for
knew he was IN bonest msn, and / WAS
looking for stock OF :hat kind. Have
you in view any particular . flee 2
Ono said the Rev. Mr.. Shohe, com
pacently L would not know what to
select il you were to sand me q list to
choose from
"'Nor what TO give you but ] will
tell you who will help you out. You
know Col. Csootsper of ysur county. He
is now on duty in the Treasury Depart
ment Go ard see him he is a man of
resources, and he vii get ysu out OF your
difficulty. Come back to- morrow and
report
The next day, according to promise
Shohe put in an appearance and said
that the Colonel had commended him
10 apply for certain position in the
Revenue Department
"'Whst is the salary 2" said |, while
signing in mechanical way pile Of
commissions.
1.-TWO thousand year.
"Wcll, do you think that enough : l
may be able to do better for you for
knew he WAS an honest man and thought
he might just ms well MS not get place
whore he could earn mors money.
"'Oh, plenty, Uncle Abe, for that is
moro than double the amount I've been
earning for yeas past
"'Now | began to think laid our
martyr President, that would have to
fotce him into place paying a large sal
ary, and where the Government would
have corresponding return tor his valu
able services, for ! was more than ever
If that were ibIe-convinced that
he wA- nm honest man but finally con
cluded TO give him his own way, and he
was appointed accordingly. or he went
rejoicing, but felt rather mean at my
one hosc gift to my good, honest, rever-
end friend.
Three years had elapsed, and the anx-
ietiss attending the war had completely
driven from my mind far the time being
the incident just related, whoa my mes
sanger brought me a card bearing the IA
! 4. 4
Immediately there flashed across my
mind all the circumstances attending my
appointing him TO Office. directed him
to be shown in, and in hc walked. with
crenky boots. one Of the best and finest
dressed men had seen in mauy day
! recognized his countenance at II glance,
but it was his marvellous clothes that
troubled me. They sat easily enough
upon his bod. but some how or other
they did not set 50 easy on my mind, but
wherefore / could not for the lie of me
tell, if had tried, which didn't.
"'Good morning, Mr.. President
longer Uncle Abe ~ betore-said he,
]
hope you are well and getting on nicely
ION, yes, said | we poor folks eks
ont living after & fuqhon : intending to
give bim the biz in his mouth. for knew
what an HONEST man he was, and how
muoh--I coul! not tell then exactly how
much for hsd lost tho run OF him we
were indebted to him.
"'Mr. President, have como to resign
my office
"Feeling somewhat as though had
been struck by lightning, managed to
exclaim indeed =
"Yes. I feel that there are many
Others deserving of the place, and that il
is my duty to make way for them
"Was there ever such an honest man
MS that p said to- myself, chucking
over my own stupidity on the clothes sur
prise. But said aloud, i IN afraid
you are not considering yourself, friend
Sh.He, and that when you 70 back to
preaching you will be a. hard up AS when
you came here three years ago. Hadnt
you better hold on little longer, say
year or more, and let W. both 20 out Of
Office together ?
"'No, thaok you. Tn going to Eu
rope during thst time, but hope to SEQ
you hofe, IA President. when l return,
and, after n few more kind expressions,
of went the Rev. Mr.. Shonc.
about month after one of the rever-
end gentlemen's neiahbors paid me a
visit, and among other things, remarked
casually that had done IA pretty good
thing ior Shofe'
"'Yes.' replied, i gave him n g.. 900