Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1896-09-27

appllcaGlOn nc Rad made through the proper channels was promptly refused whenever it reached the eyes of the president. Of course the effect of this appeal on General Grant, who knew nothing relative to the presidents fam fly relations, was anything but pleasant, and under the circumstances ke very properly declined to forward the writ CTS complaint or interfere in his behalf With his characteristic modesty he quietly folded the letter and laid 1t aside without mentioning the matter to any one. Some time later, meeting an Illinois lawyer who stood close to the president and desiring to learn the facts in the case, he showed him the letter, but though the lawyer knew the presi- dent well he could furnish no material or authentic information regarding his family. Subsequent investigation, how ever. developed the fact that the letter was the work of Tom Johnston, the boy mentioned in the foregoing paragraph Being unfit to hold all office, the presi- dent had arranged permit for him to go within the lines of the army and take photographs, Q concession which ought to have yielded him abundant re- turns, but instead of profiting by it he neglected his opportunity, dissipated his means and then by charging him with ingratitude sought to bring down public censure on the head of his bene- facter, who had twice saved him from prison.
 Of all the lawyers on the circuit Mr Lincoln seemed to possess the least pro- pensity for speculating or i'll any other shrewd way making money. Opportuni- ties such as confronted him would be speedily utilized by lawyers of this day and even then Judge Davis and others of equally thr.f ' turn were making in- yestments ill lands which afterward in many cases quadrupled in value. All l this was foreign to Lincoln nature. He had no rent roll and his entire income came from his professional practice His business at one term of court yielded him only $50, to which he added $10 | collected on services rendered during a preceding term. The banker who cashed the check fer this last sum says he never saw happier man as he rolled up his $40 i'll bills and grasped his carpetsack to start for home. Returning to Spring field from q long trip on the circuit, he 1 informed friend that he had not been employed in single case except for the defense and that he had been defeated every time Compelled to subsist en such limifed and hard earned income his ideas cf money therefore were free from lavish. T never knew him to re- fuse to spend money for anything he needed, is the testimonyeof one of his companions. 'tYet he was always rigid l ly frugal and in no way indulged in himself or others idleness or wasteful- ness think he always gave to meri- torious objects, but I don't think he would in any one countenance thriftless- ness can therefore see how he would make 1t conditional with his foster brother if he thought it necessary for his good that while he helped him he should do something for himself This was austerely right. It was seeing the thing just as it was and is another proof that he always rigidly saw justice and truth 1 remember that not certainly to exceed three years before he was elected | ment holdin court at Clinton for Judge Davis A case was pending of mer- chant against the father of minor for payment for a suit of clothes sold with out authority from the father by the merchant to the son. The question was whether the others were necessary and suited to the son 5 condition in life. ThO father was 9 fair average farmer, living near Mount Pulaski, and owned 8 good 1 farm. The bill fer the entire suit was $28. happened in court just as Lincoln was announHing his decision. The sub stance of it was that the bill was toe much. I have rarely i'll my life, said he, 'wcrn suit of clothes eostng $26 y
 But must pass from these reminis- cences of Lincoln, the lawyer to other 1 features of his career quite as interest ing. Before doing 50 cannot refrain 1 from reproducing here an eloquent speech made iii behalf Of the plaiytiff in a suit in which two boys plead their minority as defense to note they had executed to an old man for oxen and blows wAaA which to break up their newly bought prairie farms Are you, gentlemen of the jury, he appealed, willing to allow these boys to begin life with this shame and disgrace at tached to their character? If you are, I am not. The best judge of human na- ture that ever wrote has left these i'm mortal words for all of us to ponder:
 Good name in man and wonaa, dear my lord, Is thaf f~o-e ffsAD i.,xtre I9p4 4i,..f,-
 Who steals my purse steals trash. 'Tis some.
 thing, nothing.
 Twas mine, 'tis his. and has been slave to thou sands.
 But he that flches from me my good name
 Robs ne of chat which not enriches him
 And makes me poor indeed.
 These poor boys would not have at tempted this low villainy had it net been for the advice of these lawyers, and