The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-08

He wasn't named after the President and
he doesn't come from Boston. His real
name is Allen Coffin and he halls from
the island town OF Nantucket
He is here with purpose, the success
full carrying out OF which demands
secrecy so that furor might not be raised
over his arrival, and for fear that his time
might be taken up with receptions and
public obseryances in his honor he chose
q name humber than his own.
But local fame found him out. A gene
illogical enthusiast saw that name on the
register and laid such a persistent seige at
the door OF room 81 that the gentleman
within finally told all.
.'It is true, A" he said, "that 1 am not
Abe Lincoln at all. / am Coffin. you
know OF course, now, Allen Coffin OF
Nantucket.
The enthusiast did know and begged
that he might grasp his hand just for one
chake. This boon was granted, and Mr..
Coffin was left alone robbed OF his dis
guise OF identity. Bot it was not too late.
II he hurried he might yet accomplish his
purpose before the fact that Allen Coffin
was in town should be noised about. He
dispatched a note TO Casey Brothers, ask
ing that one of the firm await upon him
Immediately at room 67, City Hotel. To
this he signed the assumed name, Abe
Lincoln.
THE SECRET OF HIS MISSION.
In an interview Mr.. Coffin, alias
Mr.. Lincoln, stated that he had come to
Providence to discover the source OF
libelous attacks against himself. Several
month ago, but previous TO an election at
Nantucket, printed circulars were distribA
uted to the voters setting forth some of
the reasons alleged TO be sufficient for
their not voting for Mr.. Coffin. AS the
gentleman attacked is the editorial "we'
OF both the local papers and writes many
communications to himself in his capac-
ity of two editors OF two publications he
had an opportunity every Wednesday and
Friday to say kind woros about himself
and to denounce the author of the circu-
lar whom he styled "serpent in the
grass"
More months elapsed and the serpent
Kissed again. From half a dozen towns
in New England bundles OF circulars were
received at Nantucket by persons who
took good care that they were distributd
for the fun of the thing.
The second circular read as follows:
BOMB NO. q
ALLEN COFFIN, ELF-DEFENDER, WILL
PLEASE ANSWER THIS.
FEW CANDID AND IMPERrINENT CUES
TIoNs FOR CONSIDERATION.
Will Allen Coffin, Esq, please answer
the following queries:
J. IL the "snake- nthe-grass p" circular
was in any way false, why is il that every
charge therein made, except one, has
been reiterated in the columns OF .he local
press by men surely as honest and gentle
manly as he?
q II he did not steal $1,000 from the DIR.
Ellis estate, why does he not sue Attor-
ney Newton, who makes the statement
openly? Does an honest man allow him
self to be branded a thief without taking
action?
g. III he didn't steal the money, why
did he mortgage his proprtey to his
bondsmen?
A. Why should not "Judge" Arthur
Gardner "frown down. on this circular?
Doesn't he know that he will be shown
up next?
5. IL Allen Coffin, Perpetual Candidate
for Anything and Everything, is honest,
why doesn't he seek something for honor's
sake alone? Does he not always try to
handle the currency himself? And isn't
there bird-lime on his itching palm?
THE SERPENT.
This was too much for the man who
has since called himself Lincoln. His
native town was flooded with the uues-
tions to himself. People read them on
the street corners and smiled as he
passed, ytorekeepers hung them up in
punches under the sign "take one, +" and
they were discussed at the sewing
circles.
HE GETS A CLEw.
One OF the original packages got TO Mr..
Coffin, and he discovered inside the
wrapper the address, "Casey Brothers,
printers, Providence. " That was enough.
Goaded to desperation, Mr.. Coffin
packed his carpet bag, the same one that
he has held I'm readiness so many times
before when he has been expecting 10 go
to tn Massachusetts, Leg stature and
came to Providence.
When Lincoln's note was received at
The publishing house of Casey Brothers,