The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-02-06

II was his sense OF humor that enabled him TO
bear poverty lightly. Elegant surroundings dd
not appeal to him. he content in the log
cabin where he born in the White House
The plainest suite pleased his tastes Greediness
OF wealth wholly unknown to him; if he was
greedy about anything it was knowledge and noth
ing more The following story is told about MIN
and well proves this point. He was asked to give
a lecture in the Illinois college for the library
fund. When the lecture was over and the people
passed out he went up to the librarian and SAID
Il notice that there not many listeners here
tonight: don't think made much on TINS iec
ture." In reply the official said: When we paw
for the rent OF the hail. music and advertising and
your compensation there will not be much lelt Io1
the library" Mr. Lincoln replied: We'll. boys
be hopeful; pay my railroad fare and the n1ty
cents that my supper cost me and you can have
the rest
This iovaIity largely because he felt the
sorrows and hardships that come to most men
and women. and he did everything in his power
to tighten their burden. AS he said to fr1end:
When l am dead wish my friends to remember
that'I always pluck thorn and plant a rose when
possible"
He beloved by thousands and thousands OF
people Many who believed in slavery appreciated
the grand character OF the man. And 1t was his
strong and courageous personality that converted
thousands OF men to believe that slavery was
wrong. But one loved him well as the col
ored people, his words were always on their lips
An old colored man said at a meeting In
South Carolina: "Brederin', you don't know nosen
what you'se talkin' about. Now you just listen to
me Massa Linkn he's everywhere. He know
eberyting. He walk de earf like de Lord
When his soul was most troubled he would try
and ease himself by Joke There was much
sadness in his makeup that he found this the best
safety-valve.
This sense of humor gave him wonderful faith
and courage. He was Of the last to advocate
IT. In dartd{ Stov
But when once begun he never gave up hope
There times when situations looked ex
tremely dark, he could not clearly which wav
was the best. but when his reason failed him his
sublime faith guided him right He believed that
God would be on the side OF the Just and the right
The Hon. George Curtis tells this story. which
shows the mans sublime faith:
One day | called on the president with repre-
sentative from congress. Mr. Lincoln received
us in his office. the large room the second floor
He was dressed in black and wore slippers. On
a table at his side maps and plans of the
seat of war and pins with blue and gray heads
representing the positions Of the soldiers both
sides.
When we arose to leave he shook my hand with
paternal kindness and said goodby with paternal
kindness and evident proud conviction. We shall
beat them my son; shall beat them. But the
air and tone with which he said the words
free from any unworthy feeling that the most
resolute and confident OF his opponents would have
been deeply impressed" He believed in prayer. ne
believed II eased the troubled mind and soul and
changed failure to much does a
healthy sense OF humor. One day General Sickles
called him and asked the president II he had
not been anxious during the battle of Gettysburg!
The president thought some minutes and then
answered. Yes. but did not give up my faith
I went into my room day and locked the door
and got down on my knees and prayed to him
nightly for victory at Gettysburg told him
1t was his and our his cause. but that
Fredericksburg Charlottesville could not hold
out another day. And then I made solemn vow
to Almighty God that II he would stand by our
boys at Gettysburg would stand by him. and he
did, and will"
1t was this faith in God and in all his children
that made Lincoln work struggle and die to free
the slaves. As he told friend, when he
was making trip from Louisville to ST Louis by
boat there a dozen slaves on board shackled
together with irons, so they could not get away
He explained: Il knew that this was all wrong
God had never intended that any of his children
should be shackled, and knew the time would
come when l should be given part in freeing
them"
These stories and humorous incidents help to
analyze character that might otherwise seem
strange and Inconsistent Lincoln loved his Crea-
tor and humanity He believed that with patience
all things turned out right In the end, and that
with humor and love the trials and hardships be-
come easier and far more bearable.