The Glenwood post., 1922-03-30

my way. Even your call cannot max,
me forget that ] am under q solemn
promise.
"Tm glad you like the boy. He IL
wonderful child. 1 named him Ne
hemIah for his grandfather. We call
him MIN and sometimes Mr.. Nilnble'
because he is SO lively. I'm homesick
to see him and you. I am going to
Dixon to teach and earn money for
mother and the baby Don't tell any
one where I am and above all don't
come to see me until In good heart 1
can ask you to come.
"God bless you! /
sBIM."
In a few weeks the suit came on.
Davis defense, as given in the an
swer, alleged that the notes were to
be paid out of the proceeds of the
sale of lots and that in consequence
Of the collapse of the boom there had
been no such proceeds. As to the un-
derstanding upon which the notes
were drawn. there was direct issue
of veracity for which Abe Lincoln
was exceedingly well prepared. His
cross-examination was as merciless
as sunlight falling round 4 helpless
thing" 1t was kindly and polite in
tone but relentless In Its searching.
When It ended, the weight of Davis
character had been accurately estab-
lished. In his mastery summing up
Mr.. Lincoln presented every circum-
stance in favor Of the defendants po-
sition. With remarkable Insight he
anticipated the arguments of his at
torney. He presented them fairly and
generously to the court and jury. Ac-
cording to Samson the opposing law
yers admitted in a private talk that
Lincoln had thought of presumptions
In favor of Davis which had not oc-
Cured to them. Therein lay the char
acteristic Of Mr.. Lincolns method in a
lawsuit.
at was a safe thing for him to do,
for he never took a case In which JUS
tice was not clearly on his side" Sam
son writes. eff he had been deceived
as to the merits Of case he would
drop it. With the sword of justice in
his hand he was invincible."
A Judgment was rendered in favor
of the plaintiffs for the full amount Of
their claim with costs. The character
of Lionel Davis had been sufficiently
revealed. Even the credulous Mrs
Kelso turned against him. Mr.. Lin.
coins skill as lawyer was recognized
in the north as well as In the middle
counties. From that day forth no
man enjoyed like popularity in Taze-
well county. /,
When Samson and Harry Needles
left the courthouse, there seemed to
be no obstacle between the young man
and the consummation of his wishes.
Unfortunately, as they were going
down the steps Davis, who blamed
Samson for his troubles, flung an In
suit at the sturdy Vermonter. Sam
son, who had then arrived at years Of
nrm discretion, was little disturbed by
the anger of man so discredited.
But Harry, on the sound of the hate
full words, had leaped forward and
dealt the speculator savage blow in
the face which for few seconds had
deprived him of the power of speech
That evening friend Of Davis called
at the City hall with q challenge. The
hot-blooded young soldier accepted it
against the urgent counsel of Samson
Traylor, Mr.. Lincoln having left the
city.
AS to the details of the tragic scene
that followed next day, the writer
has little knowledge. Samson was
not the type of man for such chron-
icle. The diary speaks of his part In
1t with shame and sorrow and re-
morse. We know that 1t was at day
break when he and Harry rode to II
point on the prairie something more
than mile from the city limits"
There he tells US they met Davis and
one friend of the latter and two sur
geons. 1t Is evident. too, that great
secrecy had been observed in the plan
and its execution and that, until some
time after the last act, Lincoln knew
nothing Of the later developments In
the drama Of Davis downfall. For
the rest Of the deplorable scene the
historian must content himself with
the naked details in the diary of
puritan pioneer.
To be continusd)