New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-09
Continued from second page.

preston of WEAKNESS. The lines and
angles softened into curves. He resolved
that his picture should have smile In IT,
Ten o'clock, the forenoon following Mr..
Conants arrival from st. Louis. found
him at Mr.. Lncoln's office, for this was
the hour appointed for the first sitting.
Mr. Lincoln rose from his table and It's
burden Of innumerable letters-letters
which he and his secretary were endeav-
oring 10 answer in long hand, at that
time the only available method, for type
writer's were still in the subconscious
minds Of their inventors. Lincoln looked
anything but merry. Melancholy sat en-
throned upon his face. How was he TO
break up the angles and secure a return
Of the animated expression? Mr.. Conant
had read the Lincoln Douglas debates;
and he thought, by drawing attention TO
these. he might make the candidate for
get the pile of letters upon the table
for the present. Perhaps the genial look
would return.
He spoke enthusiastically of the pleas
ure and profit he had derived from his
reading Of the debates. Lincoln re-
sponded with somewhat lengthy reply.
In which he said that he had never en-
gagged In any enterprise with such re-
iuctance as he had the debates What
ever Douglas said was accepted OF ALL
In order 10 answer the false statements
which he made, II was evident that they
would have to be met by more than a
simple denial. Lincoln had 10 bide his
Time. walt until the right opportunity
came He was always biding his time
and the opportunity usually came.
AT another sitting Mr.. Conant started
me conversation by referring to a charge.
made against Lincoln. that he had once
been In the whiskey business.
When was in the grocery business at
o~em, Lincoln replied, money was
scarce. and i was obliged 10 receive In
exchange for my goods all kinds OF farm
produce. When a sufficient quantity had
accumulated II was loaded on fiat
ooat and sent TO New Orleans. and traded
Va Tor further supplies. On one Of these
UPS neighbor of mine asked me to
axe along three barrels Of whiskey
Win my freight and sell them for him.
inns did, and that was the only whiskey
transaction OF my life."
VISITORS were constantly calling to see
INC distinguished sitter and II was diff
cut To work under the circumstances. for
VI course the candidate was anxious to
meet all who came.
me artist was equal to the occasion.
however. He placed bench along the
val behind his easel. where the callers
oou'd take seats facing the subject and
nas picture while they waited. This ia
unlated his work, for II kept the sitter In
position and the animated expression on
bic face.
ohe OF the most interesting things that
.Aneoln told the artist was I'm response
wa question as to how he CHANGED TO be-
.one lawyer. Would Lincoln ever have
Secoms President IL he had not bought
s barrel? This was on an occasion
men no callers were present.
When went into the grocery busl-
sss said Mr.. Lincoln. Il had a partner
VT while. but I soon found that he
s'sorped most OF the profits. 80 / bought
s''n out and went on alone. During that
sme / was appointed postmaster. My
1ues were not very heavy. for the mail
80 brought only twice a week by boy
horseback. When q change in the ad-
lRation occurred another man was