Evening star., 1896-07-18
LINCOLN STORIES,
no" He Made Briefs of His
Speeches.

Speeches.
The last installment of Lincoln's life In
McClures Magazine presents the great
American as practicing lawyer. 1t is full
of good stories. some Of which are here
reproduced.
IL would seem that even as early as 1852
Lincoln had acquired a reputation for story
telling. When not busy during the session
or the court he was "habitually whispering
stories to his neighbors. frequently to the
annoyance OF Judge Davis. who presided
over the eighth circuit" If Lincoln per-
sisted too long the judge would ran on the
chair and excaim: Come, come Mr.. Lin
coin. l can't stand this. There is no u.s..
Trying 10 carry on two courts. l must ad-
iourn mine or yours, and l think you will
nave to be the one" AS soon as the proup
had scattered the judge would call one of
the men to him and ask: What was that
Lincoln was teliing?'
In his law practice Lincoln seems to have
heen slngularly conscientious. his first ef-
1ort Delng to try to arrange matters so AS
to avoid litigation. Nor would he assume
case that he felt was not founded upon
right and Justice.
we will not take your case" he said to
man who had shown that by a legal
technlc aiity he could win property valued
at $500 You must remember that some
things legally right are not morally right.
We will not take your case, but will give
you little advice for which We will charge
you nothing. You seem to be sprightly,
energetic man: We would advise you to try
your hand at making $6O0 in some other
Way"
One of the most interesting anecdotes is
the one quoted from Joe Jefferson's auto
biography. Jefferson and his father We're
playing at Springfield during the session of
the legislature, and. there was no thea
ter in the town. had gone to the expense Of
building one. Hardly had this been done
when religious revival broke out. The
church people condemned the theater, and
prevailed upon the authorities to impose a
license, which was practically prohibition.
In the midst of our trouble" says Jeffer-
son. "a young lawyer called on the man.
ayers. He had heard of the injustice
and offered. if they would place the matter
in his hands, to have the license taken
fair play. and he would accept no fee
| whether he failed or succeeded. The
young lawyer began his harangue. He
handled the subject with tact, skill and
humor. tracing the history of the drama
from the time when Thespis acted in a
| cart to the stage Of today. He illustrated
his speech with a number of anecdotes. and
Kept the council in a roar of laughter.
His good humor prevailed. and the exor-
bitant tax was taken of. The young law
yer was Lincoln
The notes of one of his speeches in
case ag tinst fraudulent pension agent
have been preserved. They are amusingly
brief as were all Lincoln's notes:
NO contract-not professional services.
IN iedSolldD'e CndrSe-uaOnGy retained by
def't not given to pl'r-Revolutionary war
Soldiers bleeding feet-Prfs husband
Soldier leaving home for army-Skin def't--
Close"
Another one Of the anecdotes is related in
connection with a case involving a bodily
attack Mr.. Lincoln defended, and told the
jury that his client was in the fix of a man
who. in going along the highway with a
pitchfOrk over his shoulder was attacked
by fierce dog that ran out at him from a
farmers door-yard. In parrying off the
brute with the fork its prongs stuck into
him and killed him.
What made you kill my dos?" said the
farmer
What made him bite me?"
But why did you not go at him with the
other end OF the pitchfork?'
Why did he not come at me with his
other end?' At this Mr.. Lincoln whirled
| about in his long arms an imaginary dog
and pushed his tail end toward the jury.
This was the defensive plea of Son as
sault demesne"-loosely, that The other
fellow brought on the fight'-quick!y told
and in way the dullest mind would grasp
and retain.