Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-12
STORIES OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Took First Prize.

1t has been said that the grandest
heritage of any nation is the lives and
deeds of it's noblest sons ywho have
sacrificed even life itself that the ma
tion might live. Our country is rich
In the heroic men who have toiled and
struggled in the cause of patriotism,
but In none more 50 than in Abraham
Lincoln.
The story Of his life is familiar to
all, but there are many anecdotes and
incidents known only to his most init
mate friends.
Lincoln and judge were one day
Joking each other on horse trades, and
finally agreed to meet next day to
make astrade The horses were to re-
main unseen up to that hour. Neither
was to withdraw from the agreement
under forfeiture of twenty-five dollars.
When thu named hour approached, the
Judge came up first, leading the worst
looking animal he had been able to
md. He had been to the appointed
place but a short time when Lincoln
came up, bringing dilapidated wood :
en- saw-horse. When Lincoln had crit
lcally surveyed the judges horse, lac
exclaimed, well judge, l must say,
this is the first time in my life ever
got the worst of a horse trade"
When Mr. Lincoln first began to prac-
tice law, he had occasion to make use
of his ready wit in defense Of a
friends son, who was accused of muir
der At the trial one witness sWore
that he saw the murder committed.
might you not be mistaken ?" asked
Eincoln. "A dim light is deceptive,
and 1t was a dark night" The "eye
witness" hastened to reply that IL was
moonlight, whereupon Lincoln, taking
an almanac from his pocket, said: ut
is not necessary for me to make a plea.
TO- ,arDIa rail- =
witness who will swear that il was a
moonlight night when the almanac
proves il was dark" The young pris-
oner was acquitted.
President Lincoln was indeed a man
OF sorrows and acquainted with grief"
He once said during the war: Il shall
never be happy any more" ldany peo-
pie came to him to ask Jardon for
their friends, and he was always ready
so save life If it was possible. Twenty
four deserters were sentenced to be
shot. The president refused to sign
the warrants for their execution. An
army officer told him that unless these
men were made an exaEnpue Of the
army itself would be in danger He
replied: Mr. General. there are al
ready too many weeping widows In the
United States. For Gods sake, don't
ask me to add to the number, for
won't do it,"
One of his last acts was to pardon
a young man who had gone out to
spend the evening, had fallen into bad
company and had failed to reach his
regiment before it LETT the city. He
was sentenced to be shot for desertiOn.
As he signed the pardon, while an odd
smile lit up his sad. krOmely face, Pres
tdent Lincoln said: well, I think the
boy can do us more aood above ground
than under ground"
The day after the capture of Rich
mond. Mr.. Lincoln set out alone to
walk through the city. As soon as
this was discovered a body guard was
ordered to escort the president but as
he had good star and a long stride
he had already cosrered several miles
when he was OverBaken. What con-
arast between othfH great eOnquerers,
marching at the head of their triumph
ant troops into the captured cities of
their defeated enemies, and this con-
quering leader of great nation. en-
tering the capital of the vanquished,
alone. in as simple and modest a man.
ner as the humbhist citizen who eager
iy waited to see him! With an army to
obey him. he preferred to enter the
gates Of the subdued city as a fellow
ountryman-sy npathizing with them
In their sorrow and defeat. with max
Gee toward none and charity for ALL"