Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1922-02-17

IL Wish you would Write 10 ner ana
tell her that I am thinking of going
down to st. Louis and that would
like to go and see her"
I'll write to her tomorrow" said
Ann
They had pleasant visit and while
Ann was playing with the baby she
seemed to have forgotten her troubles.
They stayed to supper, after which
the whole family walked to the tavern
with them. When Ann began TO show
WEAKNESS, Abe gently lifted her, In
his arms and carried her.
That evening Mrs Peter Lukins
called upon Abe at Sam Hills store
where he sat alone, before the fire,
reading with two candles burning on
the end Of dry goods box at his.
elbow.
4 wanted TO see you private bout
Lukins," she began There's them
that call him Bony Lukins, but ,
reckon he amt no bonner than the
everidge run O men--not a bit--an' !,
If he was, I don't reckon his bones
orto be throwed at him every time
he's spoke TO that away
What can ! do about ir?' Abe
asked
1--WE been hopin' an wishin' some
kind OF decent handle could be put
on to his name" said Mrs. Lukins,
with her eye upon knot hole in the
counter. Something with good
sound to it. You said that anything
you could do for the New Salem folks
you was goin' to do an thought may
be you could fix it,
Abe smiled and asked: .Do you
want title?"
IF it amt plum owdacious I wisht
he could be made colonel"
"I'll see what can be done, but il
he gets that title he'll have to live up
TO 1t"
"I'll make him walk chalk line
you see,'' the good woman promised as
she left the store
That evening Abe wrote a playful
commission as colonel for Peter Luz
kins, which was signed in due time
by all his friends and neighbors and
I presented TO Lukins by a committee
of which Abe was chairman.
Coleman Smoot---a man of some
means who had farm on the road
TO Springfield-wa in the village that
evening. Abe showed him the COM
tuiC oclyn L.; 70
TN sign ON one condition." said
Smo0t.
What is that?" Abe asked
THAT you'll give me commission.
j want to be your friend"
'You are that now, aren't your
Abe asked.
Yes, but l haven't earned my COM
mission. You haven't given me a
chance yet. What can I do to help
you al0ng?'
Abe was much impressed by these
kindly words.
My friends do not often ask what
they can do for me-" he said. II sup
pose they haven't thought of it, I'll
think it over and let you know"
Three days later he walked out to
Coleman Shoots after supper. AS
they sat together by the fireside Abe
said:
I've been thinking OF your friendly
question. It's dangerous to talk that
way to a man like ISe. The fact is,
I need two hundred dollars to pay
pressing debts and give me something
in my pocket when go to Vandalia.
IL you can not lend it to me ! shall
think none the less OF you"
II can and WILL said Smoot. i've
been watching you for long time. A
man who tries as hard as you. do TO
get along deserves to be helped. be-
lieve in you. I'll go up to Springfield
and get the money and bring it to you
within a week or So"
Abe Lincoln had many friends who
would have done the like for him il
they could, and he knew it.
Every one has faith in you," said
Smoot. I'VE expect much Of you and
we ought to be willing to do what
we can to help"
Your faith will be my strength, If
/ have any," said Abe.
On his way home that night he
thought of what Jack Kelso had said
OF democracy and friendship.
On the twenty-second Of November
letter came to Ann from BIN Kelso,
which announced that she was going
10 New Orleans for the winter with
her husband. Six days later Abe took
the stage for the capital, at Rutledge's
door, where all the Inhabitants of the
village had assembled to bid him good
by. Ann Rutledge, with flash of her
old playfulness, kissed him when he
got into the stage Abe's long arm
was waving In the air as he looked
back at his cheering friends while the
stage rumbled down the road toward
the great task Of life upon which he