Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1921-10-13
BOOK TWO.
CHAPTER x.


CHAPTER x.
Within week after their return the
election came OF and Abe was defeat
ed, although in his, precinct two hum
three hundred votes had been cast for
him. He began to consider which way
to turn. Maj. John T. Stuart, law
yer Of Springfeld-who had been his
comrade in the ''war"-had encour-
aged him to study law and, further,
had offered to lend him books. So he
looked for an occupation which would
give him leisure for study. Offut, his
former employer, had failed and clear
ed out. The young giant regarded
thoughtfully the scanty opportunities
Of the village. He could hurl his great
strength into the axhead and make a
good living, but he had learned that
such use Of 1t gave him better ap-
petite for sleep than study.
John Mcneil, who for short time
had shared his military adventures,
had become partner of Samuel Hill
In store larger and better stocked
than any the village had known. But
Hill and Mcneil had no need of clerk.
Roman HerndOn and William Berry
had opened general store. Mr..
Herndon offered to sell his interest to
Abe and take notes for his pay. It
was not proposition that promised
anything but loss. The community was
small and there We're three other
stores, and there was no other "Bill"
dreams. as Abe knew.
Abe Lincoln had not been trained to
weigh the consequences of a business
enterprise. The store would give him
leisure for study and New Salem could
offer him nothing else save consuming
toll with the " Or the saw. He could
not think Of leaving the little cabin
village. There were Ann Rutledge and
Jack Kelso and Samson Traylor and
Harry Needles. Every ladder climb
er in the village and on the plain
around it was his friend.
Upon these people who knew and
respected him Abe Lincoln based his
hopes. Among them he had found his
vision and failure had not diminished
or dimmed it. He would try again
for place In. which he could serve
them and II he could learn to serve
Sangamon county he could learn to
serve the state and, possibly, even the
republic. With this thought and a
rather poor regard for his own in
terest his name fell into bad company
on the sfgnboard Of Berry and Lin
coin. Before he took his place in the
store he walked to Springfield and
borrowed a law book from his friend
Major Stuart.
j The career Of tile firm began on a
hot day late in August with Bill Berry
smoking his pipe in 4 chair on the lit
tie veranda Of the store and Abe Lin.
coin sprawled in the shade Of tree
that partly overhung its roof, reading
Q law book. The face Of Mr.. Berry
suddenly assumed a look Of ANNA
tion.. A small. yellow dog which had
been lying in repose beside him rose
and growled, his hair rising, and with
little cry Of alarm and astonish-
ment fed under the store.
Here comes Steve Nuckles on his
old mare with 4 lion following him. -
said Berry. III we amt careful we'll
git prayed for plenty"
III the customers don't come faster
l reckon we'll need It," said Abe.
"Howdy," said the minister as he
stopped at the hitching bar, dismount-
ed and tied his mare. Don't be
skeered#o' this ERE dog. He were tied
whensI left home but he chawed his
rope an come alter me. reckon II
nobody feeds him he'll patter back to
night. Any plug tobacco?" ~
| "a backload Of It," said Berry, 60.
Ing into the store to wait on the min.
lister. D
When they came ont the latter
carved Of a corner Of the plug with
hx iack-knife. put 1t into his mouth
and sat down on the doorstep. II
'Where do Samson Traylor liver
4 Abe took him to the road and point
ed the way. VI e
''There be goin' to be raid" said
Nuckles. Il reckon. By all I've heard.
it'll come on tonight" ne
"a raid! Who's going to be raid
.ed7" Abe asked. Il 4.
Them Traylor folks. Thar be .
st. Louis man, name o. Biggs, done
atirrpd mn tl,A folka frnm Nissnnrav