The herald., 1895-04-22
VII


not to be wondered at. Russell Godby, an
old man who still survives told me in
1885 that he had often employed Lincoln to
do farm work for him and was surprised to
find him one day sitting barefoot on the
summit of wood pile and attentively
reading book. "This being an unusual
thing for farmhands in that early day to
do, asked him, relates Colby, "what
no was reading. I'm not reading he an
swered. I'm studying Studying what?'
] inquired Law, sir, was the emphatic
response. 1t was really too much for me
as looked at him sitting there proud as
Cicero Great God Almighty I ex-
claimed and passed on.
But Lincoln kept on at his studies.
Wherever he was and Whenever he could
do so the book was brought into use. He
carried it with him in his rambles through
tho woods and his walks to the river.
When night came, he read it by the aid Of
any friendly light he could find. FIRE.
quently he went down to the cooper's shop
and kindlod fire out of the waste ma
terial lying about, and by tho light it af-
torded read until far into the night.
Preliminary Practice.
One of his companions at this time re-
serving rs postmaster he would apply him
self as opportunity offered to his studies,
If it was but five minutes time; would
open his book, which he always kept at
hand study it, reciting to himsclf then
entertain the company present or wait on
customer without apparent annoyance
from tho interruption. Have frequently
seon him reading while walking along the
streets. Occasionally he would become abb
sorbed with his book; would stop and stand
for few moments, then walk oil, or pass
from one house to another, or from one
crowd or squad of men to another. He
was apparently seeking amusement, and
with his thoughtful face and i'll fitting
clothes was the last man one would have
singled out for student
1t was not long until he was able to
draw up dceds, contracts, mortgages and
other legal papers for his neighbors. He
figured conspicuously as a pettifogger be-
fore the justice of the peace, but, regarding
1t merely as kind Of preliminary prac-
tice, seldom made any charge for his serv-
ices. Meanwhile he was reading not only
lawbooks, but natural philosophy and
other scientific subjects.
1t has been denied as often as charged
that Lincoln narrated vulgar stories, but
the truth is he loved q story, however cx-
travagant or vulgar, if it had good point.
If 1t was merely q ribald recital and had
no sting in tho end-that is, if it exposed
no weakness or pointed no moral-he had
no use for it either in conversation or pub
lie speech, but If it had the necessary in
gradients Of nirth and moral no ono could
use 1t with more telling effect. AS MINI
10 he was unequaled, and with his char
acteristic gestures he built up q roputa-
srvx Fo~ e%0 FOL ,1t f,,lI
many of his narratives were borrowed as
original, which followed him through life.
One who listened to his carly stories in
New Salem says: His laugh was strik-
ing. Such awkward gestures belonged to
no other man. They attracted universal
attention, from the old sedatc down to
the schoolboy. Then in few moments he
was as calm and thoughtful rs a judge on
the bench and as ready to give advice on
the most important matters. Fun and
gravity grew on him alike"
A Striking Figure.
AS salesman Lincoln was lamentably
deficient. He was too promo to lead off
into a discussion of politics or morality,
leaving some ono else to finish the trade
which he had undertaken. One of his en-.
ployers says: He always disliked to wait
on the ladies, prefcrring, he said, to wait
on the men and boys. also remember he
used to sleep on the store counter when
they had too much company at the tavern.
He wore fax and tow linen pantaloons-I
thought about five inches too short in the
legs-and frequently had but one suspcn-
der, no vest or coat. He wore a calico
shirt, such as he had in the Black Hawk
war; coarse brogans, tan color; blue yarn
socks and straw hat, old style and with
out band" His friend Ellis attributed
his shyness in the presence Of tho ladies to
the consciousness of his awkward appear
ance and tho unpretentious condition of
his wearing apparel. 1t was more than
likely due to pure bashfulness ION one
OCCASION" continues Ellis, "while we
boarded at the tavern, there came family
consisting of an old lady, her son and
three stylish daughters, from the state of
Virginia, who stopped there for two or
three weeks. and during their stay l do
not remember Mr.. Lincoln's ever APP
pearing at the same table with Them
AS society man Lincoln was singular
~ deficient while he lived in New Salem
and even during the remainder of his life
Ho mover INDUCED in gossip about the la
dies nor aided in the circulation of vii
lage scandal For woman he had a high
regard, and can testify that during my
long acquaintance with him his CONVERSE
tion was free from injurious comment in
individual cases-frecr from unpleasant
illusions than that of most men.
While wooing that jealous eyed mis-
trcss, the law, Lincoln was earning no
money. AS another has said Ho had a
running board bill to pay and nothing to
pay 1t with" BY dint of sundry jobs here
and There helping ELLIS in his store today,
splitting rails for James Short tomorrow,
he managed to keep his head above the
waves, His friends were flrm-no young
man over had truer or better ones-but he
was of too Independent Il turn TO appeal to
them or complain of his condition. He
never at any time abandoned tho idea of
becoming a lawyer. That was always
spirit which bcckoncd him on in the dark
est hour of his adversely.
Some one, probably a Democrat who
voted for him in the preceding fall rec
commended him to john Calhoun, then
surveyor of the county, rs suitable mnto-
rial for ON assistant. This Office in view
Of tho prevailing speculation in lnnds and
town lots was tho most important and
possibly the most profitable in the county.
Calhoun, the incumbent, was a Yankee
and "a typical gentleman. He was bravo,
intellectual self ponscsSrI md c.,ltivntcl