The Press., 1891-01-01
LlNC0LN's QUESTION.

| When Lincoln was practising at the bar before Judge Davis, (afterward justice of the United States Supreme Court, a rather startling incident happened at one of the neighboring villages Some kind of a re- ligious meeting was being held. The weather was warm and the church windows were open. Somebody outside threw a live duck through the window, to the great consternation of some of the congregation and the merriment of the trifing It was fragrant and malicious breach of the law which protects religious meetings. Suspicion fell upon two young men of re- spectable family who were not i'll the church, but were known to be in the inn mediate vicinity at the time of the outrage. One of these young men went to the coun- ty prosecuting attorney and swore out an affidavit against his companion. The case was brought before the local squire, but under legal advice the young man waived preliminary examination and was held un- der quite considerable bonds to appear at the next circuit court at Springfield.
 The parents of the accused were in very great distress at the vexatious and deerad. ing predicament in which their son was placed. They went to Lincoln and offered him retainer.
 "Are you satisfied that your son is inno- cent ?" was MT. Lincoln's first question. The parents said they were satisfied of it.
 "Then, said the future president, ''let me have an hours private conference with the boy, after which will tell you whether will accept your retainer.
 The young man duly appeared at MT. Lincoln's office, and an interview of the most private nature took place between them. MT. Lincoln became then and there <1fNr 1<Nfk kIanI how cepted the parents retainer.
 When the day of trial arrived, there was full court room; for the friends and neighbors of the parties concerned Hooked to Springfield to be present at the trial. The prosecutor was very little man and lisped abominably. He did not feel himself big enough in the case, so he employed lawyer to assist him as big as Judge Davis himself; but who, unlike the judge, had voice as sonorous as fo2horn'
 Lincoln sat quietly at one of the tables in the bar, busily engaged in writing out a brief of some case entirely foreign to the one in hand. The case was called. Lin coin rose with calm dignity and said "Your Honor, I appear for the defendant" " Then he sat down and coolly resumed his writing.
 The jury was empanelled, but Mr. Lin coin had no objection to make to either one of them. The prosecution accepted the jury, wondering what Lincoln's game could be. The big prosecutor made the opening address to the jury and illuminated against the defendant in the approved style of prosecuting counsel. Lincoln went on with his writing. Witness after witness was called for the prosecution, but when they were turned over to Lincoln he had no question to ask them. He said so, and quietly resumed his work on that inter- mlnable brief.
 Then as coup de grace the prosecuting witness was put upon the stand. He was a wlly witness. His testimony was ap- parently perfect chain. It was delivered coolly, calmly, and with an assumption of candor. The witnesss was sometimes reti- cent, ana hao to ne orawn out by the little prosecutor when tne evidence was damna- tory of the defendant. AZ lasf his exami. nation Ill chiet was concluded, and the prosecutor said. with Gn air of triumph,
 MT. Lincoln, taKe the witness"