The Glenwood post., 1922-03-23

Lincoln and the TrayIors In tho VII
Iage Of Springfield and Of samson's
Second Visit to Chicago.
Bins Judgment of her old friends
was Ill founded. 1t was a slow time
in which she lived. The foot Of the
horse, travelling and often mired In
rough muddy highway, was its swift
est courier. Letters carried by horses
or slow steamboats, were the only
media of communication between peo-
pie separated by wide distances. So
1t is easy to understand that many
who had travelled far were as the
dead, in a measure, to the friends they
had left behind them and that those
separated by only hundred miles
had to be very enterprising to keep ac-
quainted.
In March Abe Lincoln had got his
license to practice law. On his return
from the North he had ridden to
Springfield to begin his work as law
yer in the office of John 7. Stuart.
His plan was to hire and furnish a
SSt LiCuio at INC hOihS
Of his friend, Mr. william Butler. He
went to the store of Joshua Speed to
buy a bed and some bedding. He
found that they would cost seventeen
dollars.
1.-The question is whether you would
trust man owing national debt and
without an asset but good Intentions
and a license to practice law. for so
much money" said Honest Abe. Il
don't know when 1 could pay you"
Speed had heard of the tall repre-
sentative from Sangamon county.
u have plan which will give you
bed for nothing II you would care to
share my room above the store and
sleep with me-" he answered.
I'm much obliged, but for you It's
quite a contract"
you're rather long" Speed laughed
ayes, I could lick salt off the top
Of your hat. I'm about man and
half but by long practice I've learned
how to keep the half out of the way
of other people"
'Tm sure We shall get along well
enough together" said Speed.
Mr.. Lincoln hurried away for his
saddle-bags and returned shortly
"There are all my earthly posses
sions,' he said as he threw the bags
on the floor.
So his new life began In the village
of Springfield. Early in the autumn
Samson orr;yod and houyht q small
house and two acres of land on the
edge Of the village and returned to
New Salem to move his family and
furniture. When they drove along the
top of Salem hill a number of the
houses were empty and deserted, their
owners having moved away. Two of
the stores were closed. Only ten fami-
lies remained. They stopped at Rut-
ledge's tavern, whose entertainment
was little sought those days. People
from the near houses came to bid
them good-by.
Pete and Colonel, invigOrated by
their long rest, but whtened by age
and with dropping heads, drew the
wagon Sambo and the small boy rode
between Sarah and Samson Betsey
and Josiah walked ahead Of the wag-
on. the latter leading a cow. That
evening they were comfortably settled
In their new home. When the beds
were set up and ready for the night
Sarah made some tea to 60 with the
cold victuals she had brought. Mr.
Lincoln ate with them and told Of his
new work.
Betsey was growing tall and slim.
She had the blond hair and fair skin
Of Samson and the dark eyes Of her
molner josiah mad grown to pc a
bronzed. sturdy, good-looking lad,
very shy and sensitive.
"Theres likely boy!" said SAM
son as he clapped the shoulder Of his
eldest son. "He's got good heart in
him"
you'll spoil him with praise" "
Sarah protested and then asked AZ
she turned to the young statesman,
Have you heard from BIN or any Of
the Kelsos1''
mot a word. often think of
them"
There's been letter In the candle
every night for a week or so. but we
haven't heard word from Harry or
from them," said Sarah. Il wonder
how they're getting along In these
hard times"
II told Jack to let me know II
could do anything to help" Samson
assured them.
Late In November Mr.. Lincoln went
out on the circuit with the distin'
gulshed John T. Stuart, who had
taken him into partnership. Bins
letter to him hears an lndorsement on
Its envelope A. follows:
This letter was forwarded from
Vsod.f0a The -nAk ~Auk asst IN fha