The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-03-22

HOUSE IN WHICH THOMAS LINCOLN DIED.
tire year. At the end of that time Thomas
and Betsy Sparrow followed, bringing
with them Dennis Hanks, and to them
Thomas Lincoln surrendered the "half
faced camp" while he moved into more
pretentious structure-a cabin inclosed
on all sides.
Thomas Lincoln, with the aid of the
Hankses and Sparrows, was for time an
attentive farmer. The implements of ag
riculture then in use were as rude as they
were rare, and yet there is nothing to
show that in spite of the slow methods
then in vogue he did not make commend
able speed. 1--WE raised corn nasty" re-
lates Dennis, land some wheat-enough
for a cake Sunday morning. Hog and
venison hams were legal tender and coon
skins also. We raised sheep and cattle,
but they did not bring much. Cows and
calves were only worth Sc to So, corn 10
cents and wheat % cents bushel."
So with all his application and frugality
the head of this i'll assorted household
made but little Roadway in the accumula-
ton of the worlds goods. We are told
that he was indeed a poor man, and that
during his entire stay in Indiana his land
barely yielded him Sufficient return to keep
his larder supplied with the commonest
necessaries of life His skill as hunter
though never brought into play unless
at the angered demand of a stomach hun
cry for meat-in no slight degree made
up for the lack of good management In the
cultivation of his land. His son Abraham
never evinced the same fondness for hunt
Ing, although his cousin Dennis with much
pride tells us how he could kill wild
turkey on the wing "At that time, " re.
lates one of the latter's playmates, des-
canting on the abundance of wild game,
There were great many deer ticks, and
Abe and myself would go to these ticks
sometimes and watch of nights to kill
deer, though Abe was not SO fond of gun
or the sport as / was"
The cabin to which the Lincoln family
removed after leaving the little half faced
camp to the Sparrows was in some re-
spects pretentious structure. 1t was OF
hewed logs and was IS feet square. 1t was
high enough to admit of loft, where A be
slept and to which he assembled each night
by means of pegs driven in tlo wall. The
rude furniture was in keeping with the
surroundings. Three legged stools an
swered for chairs. The bedstead, made OF
poles fastened in the cracks of the logs on
one side and supported by crotched stick
driven in the ground floor on the other,
was covered with skins, leaves and old
clothes. A table of the same finish as the
stools few pewter dishes, Dutch oven
and skillet completed the household out
fit. In this uninviting frontier structure
the future president was destined to pass
the greater part of his boyhood. Withal
his spirits were light, and it cannot be de-
MED that he must have enjoyed unrestrain
ed pleasure in his surroundings 1t is re-
lated that one day the only thing that
graced the dinner table was dish of roast |
ed potatoes. The elder Lincoln, true to the
custom of the day, returned thanks for
the blessing The boy, realizing the scant
proportions of the meal, looked up into
his fathers face and irreverently observed
Dad, / call these''-meaning the pota.
toes-"mighty poor blessings"
Abrupt Nature.
In his eleventh year he began that mar |
velous and rapid growth in stature foI |
which he was SO widely noted in the Pi |
geon creek settlement. LAS he shot up, " |
says Turnham, The seemed to change In |
appearance and action. Although quick |
witted and ready with an answer, he be-
gan to exhibit deep thoughtfulness and |
was so often lost in studied reflection we |
could not help noticing the strange turn |
in his actions. He disclosed rare timidity |
and sensitiveness, especially in the pres
ence of men and women, and although |
cheerful enough in the presence of the |
boys he did not appear to seek our compa.
ny as earnestly as before" 1t was only |
the development we find in the history OF |
every boy. Nature was little abrupt in
A
him from the nimbleness of boyhood to
the gravity of manhood In a single night
Realized Premonition