THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION

"THE NATIONAL DEBT."

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called for; this, he used to say, made the office worth more to him than many times the amount of the money income could have been. In course of time, the population of New Salem migrated to other and more promising localities, and the post-office was discontinued. In later years, an agent of the post-office department hunted up the ex-postmaster and demanded the small balance. due to the government; the amount was seventeen dollars and some odd cents. His friend and neighbor, Dr. A. G. Henry, happened to be present when the agent made this unexpected demand, and, knowing Lincoln's extreme poverty, took him aside and offered to lend him the sum required. "Hold on a minute," said Lincoln, "and let 's see how we come out." Going to his sleeping-room, he brought out an old stocking and, untying it, poured on the table the exact amount, just as it had been paid to him in pennies and small silver pieces. Many a time had Lincoln been in bitter want, many a time hard-pressed for money; but the receipts of the little post-office were to him a sacred trust to be kept until required of him.

The debt incurred by the "winking out" of the store of Berry and Lincoln pressed upon him. So vast did it seem that he was accustomed to speak of it as "the national debt." But, unlike most national debts, it was ultimately paid. In the course of business, the notes that he and Berry had given for the stock-in-trade fell into the hands of a person who was more than usually impatient; for every man's credit, in those days, was unlimited. The creditor in this case seized Lincoln's horse,

saddle, and bridle, and sold them under a sheriff's execution. One of Lincoln's steadfast friends, Bolin Greene, attended the sale, from which Lincoln, greatly cast down in his mind, absented himself. Greene bought the outfit and, to Lincoln's great surprise and relief, gave them to him with the injunction: "Pay for them, Abe, when you get ready, and if you never get ready, it's all the same to me." Not long after this, Bolin Greene, long be his name remembered! died, and Lincoln was asked by his townsmen of New Salem to deliver a eulogy at his burial. The rising young lawyer attempted the grateful task, but his voice failed him. The tears ran down his cheeks as he rose to speak, and, overcome with emotion, he sat down without saying a word. More eloquent than words, his tears spoke his affection for the man who had been his friend in need.

The Long Nine "-Removal of the State Capital to SpringfieldCompliments to the Sangamon Chief-Lincoln a Full-Fledged Lawyer -Riding the Illinois Circuit-Distinguished Associates at the BarLincoln as a Harrison Man.

IN

N 1834, Lincoln again became a candidate for the Legislature. This was to be expected. On the previous occasion, he had made what was a very good run, although, as we have seen, he had a very few days in which to finish his canvass after returning from the wars. The election took place in August, and, after a sharp fight, Lincoln was elected. Many Democrats, we are told, voted for him from purely personal and friendly reasons, and he was sure of the united support of the Whigs. The four successful candidates, with their votes, were as follows: Lincoln, 1,376; Dawson, 1,370; Carpenter, 1,170; Stuart, 1,164; Lincoln thus leading the poll. To say that Lincoln was elated, would faintly express his satisfaction over this great but not unexpected triumph. He was now twenty-five years old, hardy, in perfect health, manly, tolerably self-possessed, and not ashamed