New-York tribune., 1911-12-24


that meant physical strength. They sat tense
The better part Of a mans life consists OF his rcnd.
ships the strong voice went on, and the eyes .-'cncl
as if looking back over long road travelled. There are
good friends to be found in these parts. Iha, Eunstd td
low in blue jeans had few II Is about a family who
bcfricnded him that | am going 90 tell you. .ta boy
Abraham Lincoln left his tathcr-Wlo was. .- M snow,
a man in the humbcst walk Of ltc-and ~ tW.r'y-one
he undertook to shift for himself. There were pretty
pinchng times along then, and Abraham could not ale
wavs get work. One fall afternoon when be- ai been
walking miles 10 look for chance, It grew .. and he
realized suddenly that unless he should run across
house he would have to sleep out With that uc heard
an AK ring, and came upon cabin. II was poor cabin,
even as settlers cabins 60. There was Oo'- over the
windows instead of glass. There only on. roon and
a little window above which told Of q ln' Abraham
strobe to the cabin hopefully. The owner, strong
fellow with yellow hair, came up, AK On hand, and 0
him the young man asked shelter Again The voice
paused; a smile came that told of ple D, memory.
Gentlemen Of the jury, no King ever m., fellow
monarch with finer welcome. Everything na had the
woodchOppcr told Abraham was his. The man brought
the tired boy inside. The door only five fee. high,
and the young fellow had to stoop % g.. IN Two
children OF five or six were playing, and little woman
was singing the baby to sleep by the fire The visitor
climbed up a ladder to the loft after supper.
"He craWlcd down next morning, and when he had
done few chores to show his gratitude d. a.hough:
himself TO take advice from the woodchOppor Hc asked
if there were jobs to be got. The man said yes: 4 he
could chop and split rails there was enough 90 TO- No"
eight years and had dropped it since only long enough
to eat meals. i can do that he said.
"'Do YOU ike work. the woodSman asked.
abraham had to tell him that he WASH a hand 70
pitch into work ike killing snakes; but ye,-Hc. the
outcome Of 1t was that he stayed and proved that ne
could DO 4 mans lob
\ whispered word ran from one 10 another 'r .he Jury
benches. They began to orcmembcrnow thcyour- -serwho
could OutWOrk and outWrcStlc any man IN o county,
The big lawyer saw, and CLEAN Of qualification flashed:
he was proud of his physical strength. He went 10:
For five weeks Abraham lived in the cabin. The
family character became as familiar TO him as - own
He chopped with the father did houScwora H''l me
mother, and tended sonny the baby, many time. To
tins day the man has clear memory of that -I.dgn
haired baby laughing the big lad rolled him abb 1t ne
uneven floor. He came TO know the stock r.- and
branch, and can vouch for il.
when he went away they refused tO take Iney.
Does anyone here think that any sacrifice that = aham
Lincoln could make in after life would be too -.., 10
show his gratitude to those people,
He shot the question at the jury at the Iut.. and
IL turning, brought the crowded courtroom into IT'S
range \ dramatic silence answered. The tiny mans
dim eyes stared at him. dilatcd. The boy. .1gEt
Sunkcn head had lifted little and his thin Hr , had
caught az "a chair at arms length and clutyhC' .. The
lawyer picked up his coat from where he had l and'
while every eve IN the courtroom watched him. " un.
bcd into pocket unhurricd and brought ou. ait q
letter paper Holding IT, he spoke again.
As much as might bc have kept in touch u.. hose
old friends; vet IN the stress of busy life h.E. nor
late years heard from them. On last Monday ".n'ns
this, he held up the letter. this came to me- l- Sa
letter from that mother who silt los the fire n M .'n
and gave greeting 90 the wandering loa. "myn
Abraham Lincoln, please God, viii no, forge. nH, n
this world, not when the hand of death has So, , -m
free for another The woodsmau died years aI.. ne
two older chdrcnfollowcihim. Thcmo,hUWHo n-lo
her baby on that afternoon. hcsWtpt ahHutauH ms s'
knottcd finger pointed, as he lowered ,o the-na ..l
shrinking ON the front seat, "thc mother r ..i,.
The arm dropped. his luminous eyes rGuuy 0n me