Manchester Democrat., 1911-02-08

they studied-so hard to memortze the AS, -
and C's-and with what doting fondness she
must have trained little Abe's tiny hand to
trace the letters on slate
Dearly Nancy Lincoln loved the Bible, and
there we're readings from the sacred book
there was told the old. old story. And these
stories Lincoln never forgot When, In after
life. he electrified the world by his eloQuence
his mastery Of pure and perfect English and
Z his tempestuous' oratory, he retold the same
I stories-the stories he heard at his mothers
knee. sfS siI
Life was not prosperous with the father. He
( left Kentucky and went prospecting In Illinois.
where he took up land on Little Pigeon creek,
in Spencer county. And again the hard-worked
wife was called upon to move her home.
With their furniture packed in wagon and
their COW behind. the family started on their
long pilgrimage In 1876. During the winter of
1876 and 1917 the family lived In camp The
winter was rigorous.
Uncomplainingly the tender, gentle woman
bore her lot, but her health slowly gave way,
her face became more wan "A rough cabin was
begun in the spring and life opened anew Land
wase cleared. Thomas Lincoln piled his trade
among the scattered inhabitants of the solitary
region. They began to prosper. But the life
had been too hard for the tender, loving wife
and she sank under the burden.
One day in October. 1918, as she lay in her
bed in the little cabin, she called her two chill.
dren to her.
"she took the hands Of Sarah and the thin,
seriousfaced boy. BE good to one another"
she said. brokenly. with infinite tenderness.
Then she closed her eyes, The wonderful
smile deepened. The sunlight faded into even.
ing and little Abe. leaving Sarah kneeling BY
the bed. crept away and climbed the pegs In the
wall to the garrett, where he flung himself on
the mattress of leaves
Night fell. and from the loft came stified
sound of sobbing- -sobbng repressed, checked.
restrained. yet 80 poignant, so keen, SO heart.
forlorn that the father. returning home paused
hearing It, his heart sinking. He knew the sun.
light of the boys life had departed
Many years afterward people wondered at
the sorrow moulded indelibly on the face OF
Ltncoln--like agony craven figure OF stone
Before the next December Thomas Lincoln
married Sarah Bush Johnston, widow who,
1T is said. had rejected him many years before.
In later years. when Lincoln, again shrouded
in sorrow, sat by the bedside OF his little son.
Willie. who was dying. he cried In despair:
This Is the hardest trial OF my life. Why is
1t? Why is it?" nurse who had lost her hus-
band and children told him Of her loss, adding,
Butt trust in God. rely upon his will" Lin
coin shook his head sadly.
On the day OF the funeral he asked the nurse
and some friends to pray for him. II will try
to go to God with my sorrows" he said. Il wish
/ had that childlike faith you speak Of trust
God will give 1t to me"
Then his memory travelled back over the
years and his fret loss by death came to his
mind. He told OF his mothers confident belief
in the wisdom of God. Il remember her pray.
ers." he said in a low voice. -and they have
always followed me- They have followed me all
my life"