Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-05-15

ABRAHAM LINCOLN " 1858
back from enc grove to another, the
prairics being entirely unoccupicd, and
a coed and apprrciative crowd always
greeted our arrival. The speaking would
begin in the forenoon, the candidates
alternating until all had had their turn,
and the entire day was generally con
sumed The discussions We're upon ma
/ tionaI and state questions, prominent
among which We're the subjects of ma
tional bank the tariff, a general system
of internal ! 870vements and the com
pletion Of illinois and Michigan
canal, then in process of construction.
In handling these questions Mr.. Lincoln
took a very prominent part, manifesting
the most c0nsummate skill and tact. I
shall never forget how he illustrated the
intricacies Of the tariff. I confess,
he said, that have not as clear views
ON the question as ] should have OF
course q revenue We must have. In or
der to keep house we must have break
fast dinner and supper, and this tariff
business seems necessary to bring them.
But yet there is something obscure
about it, after all.
Tt reminds me of the fellow who
came into our store at New Salem last
fall and asked my partner, Berry, for
picayunes worth Of crackers. After the
good were laid out for him he looked at
them for a few moments and then said
to Berry, II don't want these crackers
after all. Please take them back and
give me a glass Of cider instead. " Berry
thereupon restored the crackers to tho
box and handed the customer the cider.
After drinking it he started for the door.
Here, Bill, " shouted Berry. "Pay me
for your cider. why, - answered Bill,
Il gave you the crackers fer it. - tsWell,
then, pay me for. the crackers. - s.But I
amt had any, " retorted Bill "That' $
so, y said Berry in disgust. Well, then,
clear out 1t seems to me I've lost
picayune somewhere, but I can t make
it out exactly" SO, said Lincoln, it is
with the tariff. Somebody gets the
picayune, but L don't exactly under
stand how ~
On another occasion when with several
other andidates-Edward D Baker and
e. d. Taylor being among thom-after
he had made a strong Wing speech at
Kyle's store a group of Democrats of
local prominence, calling him aside, ex-
hibited to him d cannon ball ''Nev. -
said one Of them, IF you can throw
this ball farther than the best man in
our crowd we IL all vote for you. After
each of the others had tested his strength
Lincoln picked up the ball, rolled it over
in his hands as if to estimate its weight
and remarked "Well, boys, if throwing
this ball farthest is all you require of
me- III get your votes. - Fixing his left
foot firmly in the ground, he swung his
arm back and forth several times and
then sent the ball forward. On exami-
nation it was found he had thrown ii
almost three feet farther than any one
elsal
OF his administration Of the New
Salem post0ffice one incident remains
An ignorant, conspicuous fellow named
Johnston annoyed the postmaster by
constant and frRitless inquiries for
mail AT length Lincoln wrote and adj
dressed him a letter. which pretended to
have come from female negro in Ken
.Ucly, where Johnston had formerly
lived. The letter evinced considerable
affection en- Che part Of the writer She
invited Johnston to revisit her, promis-
ing him possala dinners and endless
fun at dances, corn stockings, etc. BE
sure to come, Johns, . she said affec-
tionately, and promise you old massa
shan't kick you out of the kitchen any
more. Being unable 70 read, Johnston
was forced to invoke tie aid Of another
to perform that service for him, but