Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09
Continued from Nineteenth PAGE

ing. For time things looked mighty rosy
and encouraging. Then came a dark cloud
One OF the old Berry and Lincoln notes for
winch Lincoln had assumed responsibility had
fallen into the hands of a Understanding old
Shylock by the name of Van Bergen He sued
Lincoln, got judgment and forced the sale of
ms surveying instruments and the old horse
on which he made his long surveying trips
about the county. But things frightened up
the moment the auctioneer started the sale
Uncle Jimmy" Short, who liked Abe Lin
coln," was present. and he manifested his
friendship by buying Abe'S horse and inStru-
ments for $3.50 and turned them back to the
boy. Years later, when Lincoln was living at
the White House IN Washington he heard that
his old friend Uncle Jimmy" had lost every
thing and was up against it out In California
where he had gone to make fresh start. He
appointed him Indian agent, which made his
last years comfortable and happy
Iincoln's big -heartedness was shown on an
other interesting occasion. Dr. Charles Chand-
Ter, country doctor who looked after the all
ments OF the people in a section some distance
from New Salem, learned that a land shark
from the East was about to file on his farm
He was fastening to Springfield, 40 miles away,
when his horse played out, and he was obliged
to walk and lead the animal behind him.
stranger came galloping along on a spirited
horse and in neighborly fashion refined I'D to
inquire what was wrong. When Chandler ex-
reach the capital ahead of the shark, the
stranger leaped from his horse and turned it
over TO the doctor and told him to hurry on
and to leave it at the livery stable where they
would swap back. Imagine Chambers sur
prise when this same stranger came to his
place some months later to do some surveying.
They became lifelong friends
WHILE going about the country on surveying
trips or working in the post Office Lin
coin was never without a book. He would read
while on horseback or walking along the streets
One evening, after finishing a od-chopping
job, he stretched out beneath a tree in his
shirt sleeves and bare feet, and began reading
book HIS employer, who happened along
asked him what he was reading I'm not
reading; I'm studying law" was the reply
This strange picture was too much for the en-
ployer. Good God Almighty" he exclaimed
and walked on down the street
In the Spring of 1884 Lincoln announced
Tor the Legislature He made a thorough cam
paign and was elected In order to make a
preSentable appearance at the State Capitol
and to settle some pressing debts, he was obliged
to borrow 5000. The day he said good-by to
his sweetheart, Ann Rutledge he was becom-
ingly arrayed in a new suit of butternut jeans.
1t was happy day for him. He was a mem
Der OF the Legislature and engaged to the
sweetest girl In the world.
In the Spring of 1885 Lincoln returned from
the legislative session and resumed his survey
ing and postmastering and happy counting of
the charming Ann. For several months all the
world was bright and happy. But all of
sudden, so far as Lincoln was concerned, the
sun stopped shining, the birds no longer sang
and the flowers and trees withered and died.
Ann Rutledge was stricken with fever She
sent for Abe. When he came those in the
sick room quietly tptoed out and left them
alone together. That was their final leave
taking. When Lincoln left the room, he was
bowed with grief and tears were streaming down
his rugged features. This the saddest day
OF his life. On August 25, 1885, Ann Rutledge
passed to the great beyond. . . .. /,
Poor Lincoln was diSconsoIatea Never was