The Elbert County tribune., 1915-02-05

1t was his sense of humor that enabled him to
bear poverty lightly. Elegant surroundings dla
not appeal to him; he content in the ioe
cabin where he born as in the White House'
The plainest suite pleased his tastes. Greedihess
of wealth wholly unknown to him; IL ne was
greedy about anything it knowledge and noth-
Ing more. The following story is told about MIN
and well proves this point. He asked to give
a lecture in the Illinois college for the library
fund. When the lecture was over and the peopie
passed out he went up to the librarian ana saiu
81 notice that there not many listeners here
tonight; don't think we made much on this lee
ture" In reply the official said; When we pay
for the rent the hall, music and advertising ana
your compensation there will not be much ieft LOT
the library" Mr.. Lincoln replied: We'll boys
be hopeful; pay my railroad fare and the hity
cents that my supper cost me and you can have
the rest"
This joviality was largely because he felt the
sorrows and hardshps that come to most men
and women, and he did everything in his power
to tighten their burden. AS he said to a friend:
when / am dead wish my friends to remember
that l always pluck a thorn and plant rose when
possible"
He was beloved by thousands and thousands o'
people Many who believed in slavery appreciated
the grand character of the man. And it was his
strong and courageous personality that converted
thousands of to believe that slavery was
wrong. But one loved him SO well as the col
An old colored man once said at meeting In
South Carolina "Brederin'. you don't know nosen
what youse talkin' about. Now you just listen to
me- Massa Lnkn 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 bes
safety-valve.
This sense of humor gave him wonderful faitf
and courage He one of the last to advocate
drastic measures In deciding the slave question
But when begun he never gave up hope
There times when situations looked ex
tremely dark. he could not see clearly which wa'
the best, but when his reason failed him hi
sublime faith guided him right He believed tina
God would be 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 a repre-
sentative from congress- Mr.. Lincoln received
in his office, the large room on the second floor
He was dressed in black and wore slippers o,
a table at his side maps and plans of thu
seat of war; and pins with blue and gray head
representing the positions of the soldiers boil
Sides
when we arose to leave he shook my hand wit!
paterna kindness and said good-by with paterna
kindness and evident proud conviction. We shal
beat them my son. shall beat them But thu
air and tone with which he said the words were 81
free from any unworthy feeling that the mos
reSoute anu coHhueul VI his opponents WOulu nav
been deeply impressed" He believed in prayer h
believed 1t eased the troubled mind and soul, an,
changed failure to success much as does
healthy sense of humor. One day General Sickle
called on him and asked the president IF he ha,
not been anxious during the battle of Gettysburg!
The president thought minutes and thel
answered: Yes. but did not give up my faith
l went into my room one day and looked the doc
and got down my knees and prayed to hin
nightly for victory at Gettysburg. 1 told hin
it was his and cause his cause, but tina
Fredericksburg Charlottesville could not ho
out another day. And then made solemn voy
to Almighty God that if he would stand by ou
boys at Gettysburg would stand by him. and h
did, and WILL
1t was this faith in God and In all his children
that made Lincoln work, struggle and die to fre
the slaves. AS he told friend when h
making trip from Louisville to St Louis b
boat, there dozen slaves on board shackle
together with irons. they could not get away
He explained: 81 knew that this was all wrong
God had never intended that any of his childre
should be shackled. and / knew the time wou
come when should be given a part in freein
them"
These stories and humorous incidents help t
anayze character that might otherwise seer
strange and inconsistent. Lincoln loved his Cres
tor and humanity. He believed that with patienc
all things turned out right In the end, and tina
with humor and love the trials and hardships bs
come easier and far more bearable.