Connecticut western news., 1922-07-20

him when he went into the meeting of the Michigan delegates and talked to them. He told how he came West in a wagon and saw the spirit of Amer lea in the water floods of Niagara and saw again the spirit of America in the life of the boy, Abe Lincoln, then flowing toward Its manhood. When he sat down, the Honorable Dennis Flanagan arose and told of meeting the Traylor party at the Falls, when he was driving an oX-team, in a tall beaver hat; how he had remembered their good advice and cookies and jerked venison.
 "Gentlemen," he said, "I am willing to take the word of man whose name is hallowed by my dearest recollec- tions. And believing what he has said of Abraham Lincoln, I am for him on the second ballot.''
 The green Irish lad, whom remem- Der dimly, had become great politi- cal chieftain and his words had much effect. There was a stir among the delegates. I turned and saw the tall form of Horace Greeley entering the door. His big, full face looked rather serious. He wore gold-bOwed specta- cles He was smooth-shaven save for the silken, white, throat beard that came out from under his collar His head was bald on top with soft, sil- vered locks over each ear. They called on him to speak. He stepped forward and said slowly In a high-pitched drawl:
 "Gentlemen, this is my speech: On your second ballot vote for Abraham Lincoln of Illinois"
 He bowed and left the room and visited many delegations, and every where expressed his convictions in this formula. Backed by his tremen- dous personality and Influence, the simple words were impressive. I doubt not they turned scores of men from Seward to the great son of Illinois.
 Then-the campaign with It's crowds, It's enthusiasm, its Vesuvian mutter- ings. There was a curious touch of humor and history in its banners. Here are three of them:
 "Menard County for the Tall Sucker"
 we are for old Abe the Giant Killer"
 Link on to Lincoln"
 Then-those last days in Springfield.
 He came to the office the afternoon before he left and threw himself on the lounge and talked of bygone days with Herndon.
 Billy, how long have we been to- gether?" he asked.
 "Sixteen years"
 "Never a cross word"
 "Never"
 "Keep the old sign hanging. A lit tie thing like the election of a Presi- dent should make no change In the firm of Lincoln and Herndon. If I live, I'm coming back some time and then we'll go right on with the prac- tice of the law as If nothing had hap pened."
 Then-that Monday morning in Springfield, at eight o'clock, on the eleventh of February, the train bore him toward the great task of his life Hannah Armstrong, who had foxed his trousers in New Salem, and the venerable Doctor Allen and the Brim- steads, and Aleck Ferguson, bent with age, and Harry Needles and Bim and their four handsome children, and my father and mother, and Betsey, my maiden sister, and Ell Frendenberg were there in the crowd to bid him good-by,
 A quartet sang. Mir. Lincoln asked his friends and neighbors to pray for his success. He was moved by the sight of them and could not have said much If he had tried. The bell rang. The train started. He waved his hand and was gone. Not many of us who stood trying to see through our tears were again to look upon him. The years of preparation were ended and those of sacrifice had begun.
 Now, we are at the foot of the last hill. For long time I had seen it looming in the distance. Those days 1t filled my heart with a great fear.