Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1906-10-31


Lincolns unfalling disposition to sue
cor the weak and the unfortunate. He
never seems to have hesitated on ac-
count of actual or fancied danger to
himself. but boldly espoused the side
of the oppressed against the oppressor,
whoever or whatever the latter might
be- In n fisticutf or a rough and tumble
fight he was one of the most formidable
men of the region In which he lived. 1t
took big bully and IL ltersevering one
to force him into collision; but. being
In, his enemy found good reason to be-
ware of him. He was cool. calculating
but swift In action and terribly strong
Nevertheless he never promoted a
quarrel and would be ut infinite trouble
any time to compose one. An unneces-
sary broil gave him pain. and whenever
there was the slightest hope of sue
cessful mediation, whether by soft
speech or by the strong hand. he was
instant and fearless for peace. His
good nature, his humor. his fertility In
expedients and his alliance, offensive
and defensive, with Jack Armstrong
made him almost irresistible in his Le
came to town, where his sposrve incli-
nations ran riot, except as they were
checked and regulated by the amicable
interposition of Abe the prince Of his
affections and the only man who was
competent to restrain him.
Lincoln's Kind Heart.
The children at school had made a
wide sliding walk from the top of Sa
lem hill to the river bank, distance
of 250 or 300 yards. Now, it was one
of the suggestions of Jacks passion for
innocent diversion to nail up in hogs
heads such of the population as in
Cured his displeasure and send them
adrift along this frightful descent.
Sol Spears and one Scanlon were treat
ed to an adventure of this kind but the
hogshead in which the two were Gagged
leaped over an embankment and came
near killing Scanlon. After that the
sport was considered less amusing and
was very much discouraged by that
portion of the community who feared
that, in the absence of more convenient
victims, the boys might light on them.
Under these circumstances Jack, for
once in his life, thought it best to aban-
don coercion and negotiate for subjects.
To- selected an elderly person of
bibulous proclivities and tempted him
with a great temptation. Old man Jor-
dan agreed to be rolled down the hill
for gallon of whisky, but Lincoln,
fully impressed with the brutality of
the pastime and the danger to the old
sot, stopped it.
II remember once" says Mr.. Ellis
"of seeing Mr.. Lincoln out of temper
and laughing at the same time. 1t was
at New Salem. The boys were having
a jollification after an election. They
had large fire made of shavings and
hemp stalks, and some of the boys
made Il bet with fellow that / shall
call Ike that he couldn't run his little
bobtail pony through the fire. Ike took
them up and trotted his pony back
about a hundred yards to give him
good start, as he said. The boys all
formed line on either side to make
way for Ike and his pony. Presently
here he came, full tilt. with his hat
Off and, just as he reached the blazing
fire, Ike raised in his saddle for the
jump straight ahead. But the pony was
not of the same opinion. SO he flew the
track and pitched poor Ike into the de-
vouring element. Mr.. Lincoln saw 1t
and ran to his assistance, saying, You
have carried this thing far enough l
could see he was mad. though he could
not help laughing himself. The poor
fellow was considerably scorched about
the head and face. Jack Armstrong
took him to the doctor, who shaved his
head to fix him up and put salve on the
burn think Mr.. Lincoln was little