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CHAPTER V.

THE LAWYER OF SPRINGFIELD.

To rise in life every one has need of facilities for displaying whatever gifts he possesses; but the Providence that bestows the talents does not withhold the means for utilising them. The opportunity may not always come as quickly as we want it; but come it does, and if it be but embraced, there need be little fear as to the result. It is by letting it pass that the goal is

by never, perhaps, to return missed.

That Abraham Lincoln felt this there can be no doubt; indeed, ample proof that he did is given by the perseverance with which, when he found himself enabled to do so, he qualified himself for the law; by the readiness with which he accepted Mr. Stuart's offer of a partnership; and still more by the enthusiastic manner in which he now began to devote himself to his profession in Springfield.

In inviting him to become his partner, Mr. Stuart, who possessed a large practice, had performed a great act of kindness to Lincoln, and it was no mean tribute to the young man's abilities that such an offer should have been made to him.

But Mr. Stuart, from all that he had observed of Lincoln during his attendance at the State House

and in other ways, well knew that in him he had found no ordinary man, but one who would make his mark; he was only too glad, therefore, to be associated with him. Thus he was able to serve himself as well as Lincoln.

Lincoln was now again elected to the Illinois Legislature, and continued for eight years to attend the sittings, during which time he more and more distinguished himself as a politician, and became recognised by his own party as their leader in the House. His speeches at this time are described as having been "strong in argument, clear in statement, striking, and often beautiful in illustration. His pleasantry and keen wit fixed the attention of the most indifferent."

As the State House was now in Springfield, he was able, as I have said, to attend there as well as to follow his profession without difficulty; and while the one pursuit formed a ladder by which he could ascend to political eminence, the other provided the means of gaining an honourable livelihood.

As a lawyer, Lincoln soon made rapid strides; and ere long he came to be regarded as one of the most prominent citizens of Springfield. His partnership with Mr. Stuart lasted till 1840; after which he joined Judge Logan, with whom he remained till he entered into partnership with Mr. W. H. Herndon.

Lincoln's high principles, and his strict honesty in whatever he associated himself with, were now often

put to severe test by clients who sought his services; but he was ever proof against all temptation. He always refused to accept any case which was in the least degree unjust, or which could be won only by taking some advantage of the opposite side; nor would he press any point in favour of a client unless he felt that he could conscientiously do so. What he delighted in most of all was to take the side of those whom he felt to have been wronged or oppressed. For such clients he would zealously exert all his powers-sometimes without any fee.

Not a few anecdotes are told of Lincoln as a lawyer, some of which are of much interest.

Once, while sitting in his office, a visitor was announced, who said that he had a case in which he wished Lincoln to act for him. After he had stated all the facts about it, Lincoln rose to his feet, and said, "Yes, there is no doubt whatever that I can win your case for you. I can set a whole neighbourhood at loggerheads; I can distress a widowed mother and her six fatherless children, and thereby get for you six hundred dollars, which might fully belong, it seems to me, as much to the woman and her children as to you. You must remember that some things are legally right which are not morally right. I shall not take your case, but I will give you a little advice, for which I will not charge you anything: I advise you to try your hand in making six hundred dollars in some other way!"

While engaged with another attorney in a case in which the client was accused of murder, it came to Lincoln's knowledge that the accused was really guilty, and he at once declined to proceed with the defence. His fellow-lawyer, however, less scrupulous, went on with it, and secured an acquittal. The fee received was nine hundred dollars, but though one half of this was tendered to Lincoln, he refused to accept any portion of it.

A poor negro woman called on him one day, and told him a pitiful tale of how her son-on whom she had depended for support-had recently gone on a steamer to New Orleans, and as soon as he had landed had been imprisoned; for there was then a law in operation, by which poor blacks from certain States could be seized, and, unless redeemed, sent back to slavery. Lincoln did what he could to obtain the release of the man by appealing to the Governor of the State; but as this was without avail, he and his partner generously made up the sum needed, and bought the negro's liberty.

As another illustration of his strict honesty in every action, it is related that it was his custom whenever he took a fee in the absence of his partner to put one half of it in his pocket, and the other to carefully fold up and label "Billy"-his favourite name for Mr. Herndon. When asked why he did not make a note of the amount, and in the meantime use the whole of it, he replied, "Because I promised

my mother never to use money belonging to another person."

While engaged in a closely contested civil action' Lincoln was able to show to the court that a certain amount, claimed by his client, was really due to him. He was not then aware that the latter was a somewhat slippery fellow, and that he had been misled by him. The opposing lawyer, however, produced a receipt, which conclusively showed that the sum alleged to be owing had really been already paid. Immediately afterwards Lincoln disappeared from the court, and when the judge sent for him, he declined to return, and said, "Tell the judge I can't come. My hands are dirty, and I came here to wash them!"

A man named Cogdal, having become embarrassed in business, employed Lincoln to attend to the settlement of his affairs, and gave him a note for the amount of his fee. Not long afterwards he met with a serious accident, through an explosion, which caused him to lose the use of his hand. Lincoln, meeting him one day, inquired how he was, and the man replied that he was getting on well, but was troubling about the amount of the fee for which he was indebted to him. Lincoln at once took Cogdal's note from his pocket, and, bidding him to think no more of it, pushed it into his hand, and would not listen to a word of remonstrance or an expression of gratitude.

A widow of a military officer came to him one day, and showed him that she had been defrauded of