The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-08-04

vival season we had plenty of visits
from the preachers and the fare was
better and we managed to- stand them
off some way in regard to our views
of future state by intimating that
Illinois was good enough for the aver
age fellow. But in the fishing season
of spring and fall to have foreordina
ton and predestination and universal
damnation drummed into a tender
youth from morning till night
is fatiguing and makes him want
TO go off somewhere. And so
it may be easily understood
what a treat it was to jump the game
over at the sanctuary and break for
the tavern to hear Lincoln tell stories.
He and Gridley were great cronies and
always were putting up jobs on each
other. 1t is a mistake to think that
Lincoln was not UP to the tricks of the
profession. He has been deified to such
an extent that it will not be surprising
II the next generation or two is called
upon to believe some such fake as the
cherry tree story at Mount Vernon. I
remember one time when he was re-
tanned in damage suit how he tricked
Gridley and got a verdict in about ten
minutes. a widow had sued the coun-
! ty commissioners for damages for
locating a road through her farm.
Gridley was employed to assist the
county attorney and the widow retain
ed Lincoln when she found out that the
stripping of an official had such emf
nent counsel to manage the case.
When the case was called Lincoln
made a preliminary statement and
submitted a map in evidence. Gridley
looked at it contemptuously and made
no objection. Lincoln rested and waiv-
ed any remarks except possibly a
word or two in summing up Then
Gridley took the floor and sailed in.
He was dead sure of his game. Vain
as a peacock, he was dressed to kill
The courtroom was packed and from
the start 1t was plain to be seen that
he was playing to the crowd.
He spoke of the duty of the citizen
to the state; his property must con-
tribute taxes for its support; under q
stress of circumstances it might be
confiscated; even the life of the either
might be required in it's defense. Here
was a great thoroughfare from the
metropolis on the lake to the capital Of
a great commonwealth over which
traffic was to pass forever. 1t must e
by the most direct route. AS in the
days of sacred writ, so In these late
times, the kings business requires
haste. and must not be delayed. VIVA
were few paltry acres of land to TIL
interests Of great people? 1t was ;
reasonable service to contribute tn
way for this vast artery of trade, ant
the citizen ought to esteem it a privi
lege. He spoke for an hour, and Their
was applause when he sat down ant
; wiped the perspiration from his fac
J and smiled complacently at Lincoln
! Then Lincoln unwound his legs an
, Strengthened himself up and said. II
; the court please. I'm hungry. and Wi
, ask that we have a recess for dinner.
: The crier adjourned court. and tn
crowd scattered over the village.
: For once in his life Lincoln had on
stylish suit of clothes, and they fitte
{ him reasonably well. This may hav
caused a certain nervousness whic
was observable while Gridley was ad
dressing the jury. He sat cycling tn
T, twelve farmers, who could not conces
A their admiration for the eloquen
! flights Of Gridley. and one watchin
: him closely and seeing the wrinkle
4 that came to his face would have cor
e cluded that he was trying to figure OF
where he had been acquainted wit