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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Soul of Ann Rutledge: Abraham Lincoln's Romance - -Author: Bernie Babcock - -Illustrator: Gayle Porter Hoskins - -Release Date: May 5, 2020 [EBook #62028] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SOUL OF ANN RUTLEDGE: *** - - - - -Produced by Mary Glenn Krause, Graeme Mackreth and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - - - - - - -<div class="hidehand"> -<p class="center" > -<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /> -</p></div> - - - -<p class="ph1" style="margin-top: 5em;">THE SOUL OF ANN RUTLEDGE</p> -<p class="ph3">ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S ROMANCE</p> - - -<p class="ph6">SECOND IMPRESSION</p> - -<p class="center" style="margin-top: 10em;"> -<img src="images/illus01.jpg" alt="pic" /> - -</p> - -<p class="caption">"ABRAHAM, THIS PLACE SEEMS HOLY AND YOU ARE ITS PROPHET"<br /> -<i>Page 276</i> -</p> - - - - - - -<p class="ph2" style="margin-top: 10em;">THE SOUL OF -ANN RUTLEDGE</p> - -<p class="ph3">ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S -ROMANCE</p> - -<p class="ph5">BY</p> -<p class="ph4">BERNIE BABCOCK</p> - -<p class="ph5"><i>WITH A FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR BY -GAYLE HOSKINS</i></p> - - - -<p class="ph6" style="margin-top: 10em;">PHILADELPHIA & LONDON<br /> -J.B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY<br /> -1919</p> - - - - - - -<p class="ph6" style="margin-top: 10em;">COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY J.B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY</p> - -<p class="ph6">PRINTED BY J.B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY</p> -<p class="ph6">AT THE WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS</p> -<p class="ph6" style="margin-left: 0.5em;">PHILADELPHIA, U.S.A.</p> - - - - - -<p class="ph2" style="margin-top: 5em;">To J</p> - - - - -<p class="ph2" style="margin-top: 5em;">AUTHOR'S NOTE</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">In</span> the tremendous output of Lincolniana that has been given to -literature, it seems strange that no adequate story has been given of -one of the greatest loves in history.</p> - -<p>Many writers have referred to it and to its moulding power on the -lover's after life. Some have thrown sidelights on the character of -the woman. Some have mentioned her rare gift of song and her unusual -endowment of mind, and one writer has given a careful description of -her personal appearance. But so far as careful and exhaustive research -shows, all this matter has never been woven into one story.</p> - -<p>It is also strange that there has been so much controversy regarding -the religious views of Abraham Lincoln, and by those whose faith is -based on the evidence required by the Great Teacher When He said, "Ye -shall know them by their fruits." Nor should it ever have been taken -as an evidence of lack of faith because he did not accept the creedal -beliefs of his day, for had not the Christ Himself strenuously denied -much that was insisted on in His day, Christianity could never have -been possible.</p> - -<p>In this story both the love and the faith of one of earth's noblest -souls is simply and intimately told.</p> - -<p>In an age when the cynical opinion is too often heard, that between -men and women there can be no different or more lasting love than the -mating instinct of animals, and at a time when the death of millions -of the world's best men has brought into fresh insistence the age-long -question, "If a man die shall he live again?" a fresh and different -setting forth of Abraham Lincoln's master passion for a woman, and his -calm and unshakable faith in immortality, may be of more than usual -interest and value.</p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">CONTENTS</p> - - -<table summary="toc" width="55%"> -<tr><td align="right">CHAPTER</td> <td></td> <td align="right">PAGE</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">I.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">One April Day</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">II.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">In Clary's Grove</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">III.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Railsplitter</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">IV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Pilgrim</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">V.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Swapping Hosses</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI.</a></td> <td>"<span class="smcap">Fixin' fer the Angels</span>"</td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">VII.</a></td> <td>"<span class="smcap">Sic 'em, Kitty</span>"</td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">VIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Test</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">IX.</a></td> <td>"<span class="smcap">Thou Shalt not Covet</span>"</td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">X.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Mysterious Pig</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">XI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Peter Cartwright Arrives</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">XII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Righteous Shout</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">XIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">A Busy Sinner</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">XIV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Spelling Match</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">XV.</a></td> <td>"<span class="smcap">Who's Afraid?</span>"</td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">XVI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Politics and Steamboats</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_157">157</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">XVII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Captain Lincoln</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">XVIII.</a></td> <td>"<span class="smcap">Books Beat Guns, Sonny</span>"</td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">XIX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Abe Makes a Speech</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_175">175</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">XX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Story of a Boy</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_180">180</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">XXI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Only Wasting Time</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">XXII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Town Topics</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_202">202</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">XXIII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Alias McNeil</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_211">211</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">XXIV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">In the Cellar</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">XXV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Father and Daughter</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_227">227</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">XXVI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Gloom and the Light</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_232">232</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">XXVII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Covering the Coals</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_245">245</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">XXVIII.</a></td> <td>"<span class="smcap">He's Ruint Hisself Forever</span>"</td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_256">256</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">XXIX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">God's Little Girl</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_263">263</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">XXX.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The End of June</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_271">271</a></td> -</tr> -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">XXXI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">Stronger Than Death</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_277">277</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">XXXII.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Unfinished Song</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_286">286</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">XXXIII.</a></td> <td>"<span class="smcap">Where is Abe Lincoln?</span>"</td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_294">294</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">XXXIV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">For the Things That Are to be</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_305">305</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">XXXV.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">The Poem</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_310">310</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">XXXVI.</a></td> <td><span class="smcap">On the Way</span></td> <td align="right"><a href="#Page_321">321</a></td></tr> -</table> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2">THE SOUL OF ANN RUTLEDGE</p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a></p> - -<p class="center">ONE APRIL DAY</p> - - -<p>"<span class="smcap">Ann</span>! Ann! Ann Rutledge! Hallo! Hallo!"</p> - -<p>The cheerful voice belonged to a rosy-cheeked girl who shouted in front -of Rutledge Inn, one of the straggling group of log houses that made -the village of New Salem, Illinois, in 1831.</p> - -<p>Pausing in front of the Inn, the animated girl repeated her call -lustily as she watched for the closed door to open.</p> - -<p>"Hallo yourself, Nance Cameron," a clear, musical voice replied from -somewhere in the rear of the weather-stained building, and the next -moment Ann Rutledge came around the corner.</p> - -<p>"Look! Springtime has come! Isn't it splendid to be alive in the -springtime? I found them in the thicket!" and pausing she held out an -armful of plum branches white with their first bloom.</p> - -<p>In the moment she stood, an artist might have caught an inspiration. -On one side of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> background was a vista of open garden, perhaps, -and meadow, with a glimpse of forest farther back, and over it all the -white-flecked, spring-blue sky.</p> - -<p>On the other side was the solid framework that told of days when there -had been no meadow or garden, and of the pioneer labor that had wrought -the change.</p> - -<p>In the foreground of this brown and green and blue setting stood a -slender girl in a pink-sprigged calico dress. Her violet eyes were -shaded with dark lashes. Her shapely head was crowned with a wealth of -golden hair in which a glint of red seemed hiding. A white kerchief was -pinned low about her neck, and across her breast were tied the white -strings of a ruffled bonnet which dropped on her shoulders behind. She -pressed her face for a moment in the armful of blossoms, sniffing deep, -and with the joy of youth exclaimed again, "Isn't it splendid to be -alive in the springtime!"</p> - -<p>But Nance Cameron had no eye for the artistic at this moment.</p> - -<p>"Have you been to the river?"</p> - -<p>"River? What's going on at the river?"</p> - -<p>"Didn't Davy tell you, nor your father?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No, I've just come home across lots from Green's. What's happening at -the river?"</p> - -<p>"Everything, and everybody's down seeing it happen. Let's go."</p> - -<p>"If you'll wait till I fix my flowers."</p> - -<p>"Don't wait—drop them or bring them. Everybody but us is there."</p> - -<p>Nance Cameron had turned to the roadway. Ann was about to join her when -she turned back.</p> - -<p>"Bad luck! Bad luck!" shouted Nance. "Don't go back!"</p> - -<p>"I forgot to shut the back door."</p> - -<p>Nance stopped, made a cross in the dirt and spat on it.</p> - -<p>"You don't pay attention to your signs worth a cent," she said, as Ann -rejoined her.</p> - -<p>"I don't much believe in signs," Ann answered.</p> - -<p>"That's where you're silly. A black cat ran across Mrs. Armstrong's -path no later than yesterday after she had her soap in the kettle. And -wasn't that soap a fizzle? And don't Hannah Armstrong know how to make -soap? It was the cat did it, and if I hadn't changed your luck just -now you'd been in for something awful—might never live to marry John -McNeil."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ann laughed, and they started on their way down the road, that -stretched the length of New Salem's one street toward Sangamon River.</p> - -<p>"What's going on at the river?" Ann asked again.</p> - -<p>"Somebody's ark is stuck on the dam. It got stuck just before dark last -night. The crew couldn't get it off and had to wait until morning. They -came up to the store to get some drinks. The town men gathered in and -you never on this earth heard such roars of laughter as those men let -out. Ma couldn't guess what it could be about. When Pa came in he told -her there was the funniest tall human being he ever set eyes on with -the ark crew. Said his legs reached as high up as a common man's breech -belt, his body reached up as high as another man's arms, and his head -was up on top of all that. And Pa said he told the funniest stories, -and the men nearly died. Pa was laughing yet when he told Ma about it."</p> - -<p>"Is the boat stuck yet?"</p> - -<p>"She's stuck yet. Dr. Allan and Mentor Graham just went down and I -heard them talking. She's on her way to New Orleans with a load of -barreled pork and stuff. Davy's been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> up to the store twice. He says -the crew have worked like beavers to get the cargo off the big boat, -but that the water is running in bad and the barrels are slipping to -the end which sticks out over the dam and she's sure to go over. She's -going to make a great splash, and I love splashes. Let's hurry!"</p> - -<p>"I hope nobody gets drowned," Ann said.</p> - -<p>"Like as not they will, and we'll get to see them fished out. Let's -trot a little."</p> - -<p>With the inspiring hope of hearing a splash and perhaps seeing the -first shocking throes of a drowning, the two girls hastened on down the -slope that reached to Rutledge Mill, where the dam was.</p> - -<p>It was true, as Nance had said, New Salem was out to witness the -unusual sight of a flat boat on the dam where it had been stuck nearly -twenty-four hours. It was a river craft of the usual flat-boat size, -about forty feet long by fifteen wide, and sides six feet high. One end -was covered with a roof of boards, and there were other boards fitted -with ragged sails to hasten the freight-bearer on its long journey of -1800 miles to New Orleans.</p> - -<p>The crowd on the river bank and the plat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>form of the mill was lavish -with suggestions and advice which were shouted to the crew working -desperately to save the cargo.</p> - -<p>Ann Rutledge and Nance Cameron paused a moment to take in the view of -the unfortunate boat, whose rear stuck clear of the water and into -whose fore the barrels were slowly settling. It seemed nothing could -prevent the impending catastrophe.</p> - -<p>"Let's get out on the platform. I would like to see that funny, tall -fellow your father told about," Ann said.</p> - -<p>Passing through the mill, deserted for the time by the dusty miller, -the girls joined the crowd on the platform and Ann found herself -standing by a peculiar appearing personage, a small man of uncertain -age, who wore foxed breeches and coon-skin cap, and who had but one -good eye which just now was fastened on the fore of the imperiled boat.</p> - -<p>"'Ole Bar's' come back," Ann whispered, punching Nance and turning her -eye toward the old man who stood beside her.</p> - -<p>'Ole Bar' was a person of interest, and very peculiar. He was chewing -some sort of a cud rapidly. When an unusually interesting sug<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>gestion -was shouted out over the roar of the dam water, he rolled his cud into -a hollow made by the loss of two back teeth and kept quiet until the -moment of suspense was past, when he made up time working his jaws. -Nance only glanced at him now. "I wonder where that tall baboon is?" -she said, craning her neck toward the raft.</p> - -<p>"See that thar patch of something that ain't no color the Lord God ever -made nor no shape He ever seen? Well, that's his hat. He's under it, -squattin' in the boat, doin' something to get 'er goin'."</p> - -<p>"What's he doing?" Ann ventured.</p> - -<p>"Eh—that's it," Ole Bar said with a dry smile. "The rest of the -crews runnin' about like chickens with their heads chopped off, and -these here galoots along shore is yelping like a pack of coyotes -after a buffalo bull. But he's keepin' cool. This kind generally gits -something done. Howsomever, that ark's goin' over. I've been numerous -in turkey-trottin' and bee-runnin' and bar-killin', but I hain't never -before seen an ark in no such fix as this un is."</p> - -<p>"Look Nance," Ann whispered. "He's rising up—look!"</p> - -<p>A moment his body partially showed. Then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> he bent low again. The next -moment there was a sudden spurt of water from the bottom of the boat. -The water pumping its way out caught the attention of the crowd.</p> - -<p>"He's emptying her out!" they cried. "How did he do it?"</p> - -<p>The tall figure under the colorless, shapeless hat had now lifted -himself, and, as if to straighten his muscles after a long cramped -position, he stretched to a height that seemed to be that of a giant, -threw out his chest, reached his long arms to a prodigious expanse and -took a deep breath.</p> - -<p>As he did so Ann felt someone touch her. It was "Ole Bar." "Some -huggin' he could do with them arms in matin' season—hey, Molly," he -said; and when Ann turned to look at Ole Bar he winked his good eye at -her and waited for an answer.</p> - -<p>A shout from the crowd made any answer to this remark unnecessary. -For a moment the towering youth stood before them like a comical -picture, slender, angular, barefooted, his faded yellow breeches -scarce more than clearing his knees and showing a pair of spindle -legs. His uncolored shirt was flung wide open and over one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> shoulder -was stretched a suspender which held one breeches-leg higher than the -other. As the water pumped itself out and the boat began to right, they -knew that he had bored a hole.</p> - -<p>The cheers continued, he lifted his shapeless hat and, with the grace -of a gentleman, waved it a couple of times at the cheering crowd. Then -he pushed back a mop of black hair, clapped his head-covering down on -it and turned to help reload the cargo that had been moved into small -boats.</p> - -<p>To bore a hole in the bottom of a water-filled boat was no great -physical task. But the crowd cheered uproariously as the boat righted -herself. Men shouted, women waved their bonnets and kerchiefs, and Ann -Rutledge shook her branches of wild plums.</p> - -<p>Again the ungainly young giant waved his hat.</p> - -<p>"He's waving at you, Ann," John McNeil, who had joined the girls, said, -coming up behind her. "Wave at him." And she did and laughed as he -swung his limp and tattered hat.</p> - -<p>"Where do you suppose that kind grow?" Nance asked. "He looks like a -giant scarecrow, but he's had lessons in manners, the identical same -kind Mentor Graham tells about."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> - -<p>It took but a short time to reload the boat. As she started on her way -the cheers died, and most of the crowd went up the hill to the village.</p> - -<p>"Let's stay to see the last of it," Ann said to Nance.</p> - -<p>"You want him to wave at you some more," John McNeil said to Ann. -"Well, go ahead—you'll never see him again."</p> - -<p>The boat sailed on. To those on board who looked back a few moments -later, the mill and dam were resolving themselves into an indistinct -patch of gray and brown, against which a bit of pink, waving something -white, stood out. As a farewell answer to the waving of the white, the -mellow music of the boat horn came floating back.</p> - -<p>The sun went down behind the forests bordering the smoothly flowing -Sangamon; the crude craft passed from view.</p> - -<p>And yet once again the mellow tones of the primitive horn came floating -back over the forest and across the river.</p> - -<p>"What a good sound!" Ann exclaimed. "It's soft as the first shadows, -and it's strong."</p> - -<p>"Yes, strong as that man's arms in mating season—hey, Molly?" And -Nance punched Ann in the side.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> - -<p>The girls laughed merrily. "Isn't 'Ole Bar' funny?" Ann said. "He's -just back from an awful exciting trip to Arkansas, wherever that is. -He'll have lots to tell."</p> - -<p>"Davy and father will get his stories. But say, Nance, do sounds make -you think of smells?"</p> - -<p>"I never thought of such a thing."</p> - -<p>"Don't cow-bells make you think of hay and dandelions and grass and the -smell of the cow-lot in the evening?"</p> - -<p>"They do go together."</p> - -<p>"And don't water running over roots make you think of willow blooms, -and water dripping over stones sound like ferns when the stems are -crushed? And the sound of crows—don't they bring the smell of the -field furrows? And don't bees and honey-locust, and robins and apple -blossoms, go together? I could name a hundred sounds that have smells -for partners.</p> - -<p>"Yes, but you're funny, Ann, to think of such things."</p> - -<p>"Now I have a new pair. The sound of that horn, away off behind the -trees, will always make me think of the first plum blossoms. The smell -and the sound came together as I shook the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> branches, and the smell -right here seemed to me exactly the same thing told in another way as -the sound away over the water. O Nance—don't you love plum blossoms?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know as they're any better than dogwood or haw blooms and I'm -not crazy about any of them."</p> - -<p>"You're just like John McNeil. John don't like plum blossoms. I nearly -cried when he told me he was going to chop out all the plums and wild -vines on his place. But those on our place will not be cut. Father has -promised me the thicket and the dell on the creek for my flower garden -forever."</p> - -<p>"I'd rather have a new belt-buckle. But let's go."</p> - -<p>"I'm ready—I'll race you to the top of the bill before the sun drops -behind the trees. One—two—three—off," and with her spring flowers -in her arms and her bonnet flying, Ann with Nance ran shouting up the -hillside in the slanting rays of the April sun.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a></p> - -<p class="center">IN CLARY'S GROVE</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> evening of the day the imprisoned flat boat made its way -successfully out of New Salem, the Clary Grove gang had a meeting. -Windy Batts was expected to return from Springfield, where he had -gone to prove his fitness for fellowship with the Clary Grove Boys -by thrashing a Springfield strong man who had cast aspersions on his -character as a pugilist.</p> - -<p>Clary Grove was a settlement of a few log houses near New Salem, so -called for Bill Clary, the owner of the grove where the select met to -swap stories, discuss news and partake of real liquor.</p> - -<p>Every new-comer to the vicinity was sized up. If Clary Grove was -friendly, so much the better for the new-comer. He might not become a -member of the gang. Indeed few were allowed to sit in close fellowship -about the fire with the gang, but he would at least be let alone.</p> - -<p>Windy Batts had expressed a desire to be of the gang. He was, however, -looked upon with a degree of suspicion, as he had done some exhort<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>ing -for the Hard Shells, and Clary Grove looked askance at religion in any -form, and while he had boasted of "dingblasting the daylights out of -them shoutin' Methodists," Clary Grove was not satisfied that he was -proper stuff to fellowship with them and their whiskey.</p> - -<p>They awaited his return from Springfield, where he was to prove his -pugilistic ability, with some interest.</p> - -<p>The cool, spring air with the tang of frost not yet safely out of it, -made a fire comfortable, and a bright blaze burned between the two -smooth logs on which the gang roosted.</p> - -<p>Buck Thompson, the luckiest horse-trader in that section, and Ole Bar -were the first to arrive. Ole Bar sat beside the fire, his jaws working -industriously and his one good eye shining like a spark. No one of the -gang had ever been able to learn what misfortune had befallen the lost -eye of Ole Bar.</p> - -<p>That he had been "cleaned of it right and proper" all agreed. Opinion -was divided, however, as to the cause or method, one portion believing -a bear had clawed it out, because of his familiarity with bears, and -others holding to the opinion that some specimen of womankind was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> -responsible for the loss, because of his oft-expressed unfriendly -feeling toward women.</p> - -<p>Jo Kelsy, a fat and favorite brother of the clan, who was always ready -with a new story about a ghost or a witch from his one treasure, an -inherited copy of Shakespeare, was the third to arrive.</p> - -<p>His usual costume was varied slightly. He came hobbling in, one foot -encased in a moccasin. Ole Bar glanced at his mismated feet.</p> - -<p>"What's bit ye, Jo?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"My wife she dropped a five-gallon crock on my foot," he answered.</p> - -<p>"Good thing it wasn't your head, for be it known by man and bars, them -as mixes up with wimmen has heads softer than their feet."</p> - -<p>Jo laughed good naturedly. Then the three talked of the raft and the -ungainly youth who had resorted to the homely but efficient expedient -of boring a hole.</p> - -<p>"I've seen some legs in my day," Jo Kelsy observed, "but none long as -his'n."</p> - -<p>"Ain't no longer than yours is, Dumplin'," said Old Bar. "Yours reaches -to the ground and his'n don't go no further. According to my way of -figgerin' his legs wasn't so numerous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> when it comes to length as his -head. That galoot's got a long head."</p> - -<p>A couple more of the gang dropped in, and the talk continued about the -raft and the head raftsman. "Ever see anything like it? Wouldn't think -a backwoodsman could tell such stories as he did last night, would ye?"</p> - -<p>"Nor know enough to get an ark floating when she was stuck so tight -that God hisself couldn't stick her no tighter."</p> - -<p>"McNeil was figgerin' on her cargo to see what it was worth."</p> - -<p>"Trust McNeil for figgerin' the worth of a cargo—or anything else."</p> - -<p>"Ann Rutledge—eh?"</p> - -<p>They laughed. Then one said, "I heard him tellin' Hill him and Ann was -goin' to marry and have a big infare. But her Pappy won't let her till -next year. She has to git more schoolin'."</p> - -<p>"He better git while gittin's good. John Rutledge is fixed, and he sets -more store by Ann than the whole other eight of 'em."</p> - -<p>"McNeil knows all that. But here comes Kit Parsons. Wonder what's kept -him late? Kit, you're late."</p> - -<p>"Yeh," and he sat down by the fire.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What's extry? Been stealin' anything or gettin' religion?"</p> - -<p>"Same thing as gettin' religion," he said. "Been fulfillin' the -Scripture injunction."</p> - -<p>"Which one?"</p> - -<p>"Been replenishin' and multiplyin'."</p> - -<p>"Mollie got another litter?" Ole Bar asked with a show of interest.</p> - -<p>"Just one this year. But I calculate that a man what grubs for three -which arrives in two years is somewhat religious."</p> - -<p>"Bars is that religious," the one-eyed man observed, "only when they -pursue the course of Nature they don't blame it on religion."</p> - -<p>After a laugh Ole Bar said solemnly to Kit, "If you young fellers knew -what was good fer you you'd let wimmin alone."</p> - -<p>"Where'd you learn so much about wimmin?" Jo asked.</p> - -<p>"From bars. Bars rub noses at matin' time and tears the ears offen each -other when the cubs has to be fed. Let wimmin alone and save the wear -on your noses and ears."</p> - -<p>"How's a body going to leave any ancestry if he don't never git no -place near a woman?" Buck Thompson asked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Ancestry?" repeated Ole Bar. "Well, what under heaven is these little, -wet-nosed ancestry good fer anyhow? Never had no ancestry myself -and I'm gettin' along all right—got along all right while I was in -Arkansas, and anybody that can do that don't need to worry about -leavin' no ancestry."</p> - -<p>"Tell us about Arkansas," was the next demand.</p> - -<p>Ole Bar shifted his cud into its receptacle and said, "Wall, as you all -know, in bar hunts I've been numerous, but I hain't never seen no such -bars as grow in Arkansas. The bars in Arkansas is the most promiscuous -I've ever seen and don't give a damn for nobody. But, Squire, lets -licker up. I'm gettin' so dry I'm takin' the rattles," and he reached -for the bottle which was passed around.</p> - -<p>"Bars in Arkansas grows so fat they can't wobble. You fellers here that -think you're gettin' the real thing when you bag the chipper-growlers -and shite pokers of these parts don't know nothin' about what's growing -in Arkansas. Them bars rear up into the heavens high as that feller -that plugged the ark."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That smells rather tall," Buck Thompson observed, but Ole Bar paid no -attention.</p> - -<p>"The woods in Arkansas is ankle deep with acorns and berries and other -bar food. Everybody there eats bar, bar-ham and bar-sassage. The beds -is covered with bar-skins. They don't use small skins like wild cat fer -nothin' 'cept piller covers."</p> - -<p>"Do they have hoss tradin' in them parts?" Buck Thompson inquired.</p> - -<p>"Hoss tradin'? Well, I should say 'Yeh.' You galoots think you swap -hosses, but in Arkansas——"</p> - -<p>"Hallo, fellers," shouted someone in the outer circle of light.</p> - -<p>"It's Windy Batts," several declared at once, and immediately the man -whose qualifications to become a member of the charmed group had been -put to the test, entered the circle of light.</p> - -<p>He was scrutinized and with not an altogether approving eye. His arm -was done up in a sling. The forefinger of his right hand was wrapped -in a red, calico handkerchief. Something like a knob stuck out back -of one ear which was covered with a square of muslin, giving it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> the -appearance of a pat of butter. One eye was black and both legs seemed -to be stiff. Greetings were brief. The main question was. "Who whipped?"</p> - -<p>"Yeh—who hollered?" was asked.</p> - -<p>Windy drew near the fire. "It was a great fight," he began. "The -greatest fight that was ever fought in Springfield. We rolled over and -over, him sometimes on top and me sometimes under. It was a fearful -fight. Court turned out to see it and an Indian Chief was there. He -said he never seen nothing like it."</p> - -<p>"Who whipped?" was again asked.</p> - -<p>"Yeh—who hollered?"</p> - -<p>Ignoring these questions, Windy continued.</p> - -<p>"The big Indian and the Judge of the Court both said they hadn't never -seen such sledge-hammer blows as I hit. It was them blows that put my -shoulder out of joint. But I fixed his eye. You couldn't have told it -from a knot-hole in a burnt tree. Time he aimed a second socdologer at -me I was ready. The crowd roared like a camp-meeting. We fell to it. He -got a straddle of my head and chawed my finger. There wasn't no place -for me to git holt owing to the fact my head was pinned in twix his -legs. Jean britches<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> didn't taste well and was ungodly tough. But I was -resolute. I found the right place and I chawed like hell. But would he -let go of my finger? No, and I finally had to knock half his teeth out -to git my finger out his mouth."</p> - -<p>"You tanned him—hey?"</p> - -<p>"You mauled him, Windy?"</p> - -<p>"You beat the Springfield stuffing out of him?"</p> - -<p>"And nobody parted you?"</p> - -<p>Ignoring these questions, Windy took a fresh start. "And there's -no telling how long it might have lasted, us two going 'round and -'round and up and down and every which way. I was eternally mauling -the ding-blasted daylights out of him when the Judge got hold of me -and asked as a favor if I wouldn't put off the finish till next day. -He said he couldn't get nobody into court if I didn't and so I—I -hollered."</p> - -<p>There was a moment of profound silence. Windy shifted his weight from -one stiff leg to the other, stroked his bandaged arm and sighed.</p> - -<p>"Spit in his ashes!"</p> - -<p>It was the voice of Jack Armstrong that broke the painful stillness. -Immediately every man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> emptied the contents of his mouth, with no small -force, into the fire, which voiced its protest by a vigorous spitting -and sputtering.</p> - -<p>Then Windy was given some advice.</p> - -<p>"This ain't no place fer you. You go join them Hard Shells that's -fixin' fer a ten days' fightin' match with the devil. They have the -same runnin' off at the mouth as you have, but they hain't never drawed -no devil's blood yet, and that's your crowd."</p> - -<p>Windy's lips moved as if to speak.</p> - -<p>"Roll in your molasses sucker and trampoose," was the order.</p> - -<p>"Yeh—trampoose," was the repeated order. "Go fight the devil."</p> - -<p>"The devil—that's the Clary Grove gang," he muttered as he turned away.</p> - -<p>"Devil-fighter," some one said as his limping figure disappeared in the -darkness.</p> - -<p>"If the devil pays any more heed to him than he would to a skit-fly -he's a blame bigger ass than I've ever took him to be," Ole Bar -observed. "Let's licker up."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE RAILSPLITTER</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It was</span> two months after the flat boat stuck on the dam at New Salem and -the day following a quiet election in the village, that Nance Cameron -ran over to Rutledge Inn with news of great importance for Ann.</p> - -<p>"Long Shanks has arrived," she announced without ceremony.</p> - -<p>"Long Shanks?" Ann questioned. "Who is Long Shanks?"</p> - -<p>"The giant scarecrow, the big baboon," Nance answered.</p> - -<p>"Baboon," Ann repeated. "Nance what are you talking about?"</p> - -<p>"My land, Ann Rutledge, have you forgotten the unhinged giant you waved -plum blossoms at—the captain of the flat boat who looked like sin, but -knew how to use his hat like a gentleman?"</p> - -<p>"Oh!" answered Ann. "Has <i>he</i> come?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. He got here yesterday. They didn't have anybody to help at -election. Mentor Graham asked him if he could write. He said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> he could -make his rabbit's foot, and so he helped. Mr. Graham says he can write -well. Besides, he told them stories, and they liked that. Last night he -came to our house."</p> - -<p>"Tell me about him. What does he look like close to?"</p> - -<p>"He's the homeliest man God ever put breath into. His legs run down -into feet so long he can't find anything big enough to stick them -under, and his arms are nearly as long as his legs. He has a big head, -big nose, big mouth, big ears, lots of black hair, and he's hard and -horny and knotty like a tree—and as green, too."</p> - -<p>"Did he talk to you?"</p> - -<p>"No, he didn't pay me any heed at all, but he and Ma got to be good -friends before he'd been in the house an hour. She was tired half to -death putting up berries and trying to get supper. She put Johnnie -watching the baby and he let him roll down the steps. The new man heard -him crying and went right out and got him. In five minutes the baby -was laughing. This made Ma feel better and she got talking, and first -thing I knew he was helping her wash dishes and telling her about what -he saw in New Orleans and down the Mississippi. He talks better than he -looks."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - -<p>"How does he talk? Has he a big, deep voice and mellow, like the sound -of the horn over the tree and river?"</p> - -<p>"No, indeed. He sets out thin sounding, but his voice seems to work -down into his chest as he talks and he sounds pretty good. After supper -Pa brought in the cider. Mr. Graham came over and Dr. Allen, and they -got Long Shanks talking and didn't want him to quit. Mentor Graham took -a great liking to him. He lived in Kentucky once and then Indiana. He -asked about the folks in these parts and when he heard Jo Kelsy owns a -Shakespeare he said he was going to try to borrow it, said he's read -the Bible till he knew it by heart and the Constitution and some other -things but never seen a Shakespeare. When Mr. Graham told him he had -fifty books his dull, gray eyes turned bright as new candles. He's -terrible interested in books, but he don't have any time for girls."</p> - -<p>"How do you know?"</p> - -<p>"'Cause. Ma asked him if he saw the girl waving at him, when the boat -stuck? He said, 'Yes'm—wasn't it kind of her?'"</p> - -<p>"Ma said, 'She's the prettiest girl in town.'"</p> - -<p>"He said, 'Yes'm—isn't that nice?'"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Ma said, 'She's the smartest girl in town.'"</p> - -<p>"He said, 'Yes'm—it's worth while to be smart!'"</p> - -<p>"Ma told him you was going to marry John McNeil. He said, 'They all do -it.' And he never even asked your name."</p> - -<p>"I tell you what; you drop past to-morrow afternoon before supper. -He'll be there then. He won't look at you, he's so funny. But you can -see him."</p> - -<p>It was with as much interest as a person goes to a show that Ann -Rutledge went to the Cameron home the next afternoon. She was doomed to -disappointment.</p> - -<p>"He's gone," Nance informed her.</p> - -<p>"Where?"</p> - -<p>"Gone out to split rails for some folks that have come in from Indiana -and are taking a homestead near Turtle Ford. He's going to split enough -rails to fence the clearing. He's to get one yard of brown jeans dyed -with white walnut bark for every four hundred rails. It's to make some -new breeches."</p> - -<p>"That's an awful lot of work for a pair of pants."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but look at the length of his legs. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> fellow with legs like that -will always have to work extra to keep them covered."</p> - -<p>"I wanted to see him."</p> - -<p>"He's coming back. I heard him telling Pa he was going to open a store -here for a man named Offutt. His wares haven't come yet. They will be -here by the time the new breeches are ready. Then you can see him. -You'll think him half-baboon and half-giraffe and he won't even notice -you only to say 'Yes'm' and pull off his hat."</p> - -<p>"Does he have any name? You didn't tell it."</p> - -<p>"Name? O yes," and Nance laughed. "He's named after Abraham, of the -Abraham, Isaac and Jacob family. The rest of his name is Lincoln."</p> - -<p>"Abraham Lincoln," Ann repeated. "I don't think that's such a bad -sounding name."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>John McNeil called at the Rutledge home the night young Lincoln went to -Turtle Ford to earn his new pants. After the family had gone to bed and -Ann was left to say good-night to the young man she was engaged to, he -said, "Ann, I thought that fellow was captain of the boat and maybe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -owned some of the cargo. He's nothing but a railsplitter."</p> - -<p>"He didn't use his hat like a railsplitter."</p> - -<p>"He's picked up a few lessons in manners somewhere—maybe saw somebody -doing it in New Orleans."</p> - -<p>"No—because it was on his way down that he lifted his hat."</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't know where he got it, but he's only a railsplitter just -the same. Hasn't a cent in the world. Didn't know it was a railsplitter -waving to you, did you?"</p> - -<p>"It wasn't me he waved at. He never heard of me and don't know yet that -I am living. It was the flowers he liked and I'm glad he likes flowers -if he is a railsplitter."</p> - -<p>"I'd like to know, Ann, why you take on so over flowers. What are they -good for?"</p> - -<p>"Good for? What a funny question. What is the song of birds good for -and the fragrance of flowers and the beauty of ferns? What is the -music of running brooks good for and the splendor of gold and red -sunsets—what are any of them good for?"</p> - -<p>"That's just what I'm asking," John McNeil said seriously. "What <i>are</i> -they good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> for? Can't eat them, can you? Can't wear them, can you? -Can't sell them, can you? or trade them or swap them for anything? -Women are such funny folks and don't know a thing about values. But -I'm going to leave the plum thicket another year and the corner in the -pasture where the blue flowers grow you like to pick."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, John—thank you a whole lot"; and happy because of his -promise, Ann kissed John McNeil good-night.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE PILGRIM</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">A few</span> days after Abraham Lincoln had entered service to split rails for -a new pair of breeches, he came to town late one afternoon to get an ax.</p> - -<p>After tarrying a short time to tell a story or two, he started back -about sun-down, his ax, on the handle of which was swung a bundle, over -his shoulder.</p> - -<p>As twilight gathered, the ungainly youth took his way along the road -that ran not far from the smoothly flowing Sangamon. His strides were -long and easy, and, away from the small habitations and contrivances -of mankind, he seemed to become one with the big things of nature, -and what was sometimes considered lack of grace seemed now an easy -expression of reserve force.</p> - -<p>The roar of the mill-dam sounded musical as if the twilight were -softening its daytime boisterous tumult.</p> - -<p>The falling dew seemed loosening up the fragrance of the woods, the -subtle breath of tangled vines and trailing roses, with sometimes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> a -more decided fragrance, as when the full-sized foot of the pedestrian -brushed into a bed of wild mint.</p> - -<p>As he rounded the skirt of the bluff, the rosy tinted sky seemed -suddenly to withdraw itself, and the timbers upon the summit to move -themselves slowly against the crimson and fading gold, like a row of -shadowy sentinels gathered for the night.</p> - -<p>A tinkling gurgle from an irregular, dark spot against the foot of the -bluff told of a ravine, and the running stream, whose musical babble, -as it made its way to the river, sounded like the prattle of a child -compared to the river's volume falling by the mill.</p> - -<p>As he took his way in the gathering gray of night, the long-limbed -youth cast giant shadows, subtle, indistinct shadows far across the -road and into other shadows, where they merged into the formless gloom -and were lost.</p> - -<p>While yet rounding the bluff he heard the barking of a dog and then -the tinkle of a cow-bell. Common sounds these were, but coming on -the stillness from the heights above they lent a sort of musical -enchantment to the quiet and the enfolding mystery of night. Then a -human voice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> was heard, a woman's voice that seemed to burst suddenly -into the flower of a full blown song.</p> - -<p>The youth slowed up a bit and listened. The words thrown out by the -ringing voice sounded clearly:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I'm a pilgrim</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And I'm a stranger;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I can tarry, I can tarry but a night.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>The young man stopped. The song was to him unusual. The clear voice -took the notes unhesitatingly and rolled them in melodious movement as -she sang the words "p-i-l-grim" and "s-t-r-a-n-ger," and then hurrying -on gladly, as if it were a matter for great rejoicing that she could -tarry but a night.</p> - -<p>The youth dropped his ax and bundle to the ground and turned his face -toward the bluff casting its long shadows. The bell tinkled a moment in -the gathering gloom. Then the voice rang out again on the evening hush:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Do not detain me,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">For I am going</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To where the streamlets are ever flowing.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Again there was the peculiar rolling fall and rise on the syllables. -Again the gladness of some exultation, then the refrain "I'm a pilgrim" -with its confidence and its melody.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> - -<p>The voice was nearer now. There was no sound or sight of any moving -object on the bluff, but she was somewhere there and seemed coming -nearer.</p> - -<p>The tinkle of the cow-bell made an interlude. Then again the voice of -singing, whether nearer or farther now he did not question. He was -listening to the words:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Of that country</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To which I'm going</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">My Redeemer, my Redeemer is the light.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">There is no sorrow</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nor any sighing</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Nor any sin there, nor any dying.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>The mysterious singer on the heights was farther away now. The voice -was growing fainter as the refrain rang into the stillness, "I'm a -pilgrim—and I'm a stranger—I can tarry—I can tarry——"</p> - -<p>The youth leaned forward and listened, breathlessly. But the voice was -dying and the tinkle of the bell came on the stillness, faint as a -memory.</p> - -<p>After standing a moment, the listener in the shadows made ready to go -on. When he turned to pick up his ax and bundle, he found his hat in -his hands. When he had removed it he did not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> remember. Mechanically he -placed it on his head and started on his way.</p> - -<p>The red and purple of the earlier evening showing through the trunks of -the trees crowning the bluff was giving way now to the silvery green of -the rising moon.</p> - -<p>With his ax over his shoulder the figure paused a moment for a last -look upward and then moved on.</p> - -<p>But he did not feel the same. He had undergone some change. What -was it? Within his breast the song had raised something intensely -alive—something like hunger, fierce yet very tender; something like -strange pain; something like wild joy; something like unsatisfied -longing, together with unmeasured satisfaction. What was it? He did not -know. Mysterious to him as was the singer, was now the effect of the -singing.</p> - -<p>Yet out of the mingled sensation of unrest and satisfaction, suddenly -stirred into life, there came to the youth thoughts of his mother.</p> - -<p>His mother had been a pilgrim on a journey. He had heard her say so -many times. But the burden of her song had been "Earth is a desert -drear." He had heard her sometimes try to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> sing. But she did not go -shouting. She suffered on the way, endured, was patient, and at the -last she reached a groping hand for something strong to hold her back -from that country to which she believed she was going. It was with -a twitching of his muscles and a quiver of the big strong mouth he -thought of the passing on of his mother.</p> - -<p>But here was a pilgrim happy, shouting, even jubilant. Who was she? -What manner of person could she be? His curiosity was aroused.</p> - -<p>As he strode on toward Turtle Ford the falling waters of the dam -softened their roar into an indistinct murmur, and then like the voice -of the singer and the tinkle of the bell, blended into the quiet, -broken only by the call of a whip-poor-will or the whirr of a bat's -wing.</p> - -<p>The moon rose above the lacey darkness of the timber-line. The -railsplitter had had no supper. Once he stopped and gathered some -berries. But he was not thinking of food. The eternal mystery of the -awakening of one's other self had both breathed through and enfolded -him. He was not hungry. He tossed the berries down by the roadside. His -pace quickened as he neared the clearing. He did not understand, but -for some reason he himself experienced a lifted-up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> sensation. It was -as if the conquering confidence and joy of the unknown singer had been -contagious.</p> - -<p>At the edge of the clearing he stopped. The shack and pig-pen and few -rail-fences stood out in the moonlight like the skeleton of something -to be clothed with a body. The dogs came out and barked, but crept back -satisfied at sight of the tall figure. He stepped up to the door of the -shack. The snoring of a man told him his approach had not disturbed the -sleeping family.</p> - -<p>He turned toward the end of the cabin where a ladder stood, which he -mounted. At the square opening which served as door and window to the -loft, he paused and looked in, and by the moon's indistinct light he -saw the three boys of the family lying on a pallet. The dull hum of -mosquitoes sounded.</p> - -<p>He turned back to the ladder, and on its top, with his back resting -against the cabin, he sat and looked out into the night. In the -light all was beautiful; even the piles of brush were softened until -they looked like the gray and silver tendrils of giant vines piled -by titanic fairies, and the trunks of trees were columns in some -mysterious and endless cathedral canopied with silvered green.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> - -<p>Across the wilds of the forest, which in the magic of night and the -moon were so beautiful, the thoughts of the youth again traveled back -to his childhood and its mysteries, and he seemed to see again a very -small grave in a lonesome spot beside which his mother cried and -declared with tears and choking voice that she could not go away and -leave it forever. To the boy who looked on, this had seemed strange. -Why should she weep because she could not take a grave from Kentucky -to Indiana, the new home, and such a tiny little grave? It had been -a mystery. Later he came to answer the mystery of it by calling it -"mother love." He thought of that grave, far away in Kentucky, as he -sat on the ladder. Then he thought of the grave of the mother who had -wept beside the little grave—two graves.</p> - -<p>Some time he too would fill a grave somewhere—and so would the singer -on the heights. What was life after all? Its end was the same for -all—whether a tiny grave or one long enough even for him? The question -seemed to mock itself and laugh.</p> - -<p>Then the voice of the singer rang clear again—a pilgrim rejoicing, -shouting—such a glad pilgrim, and again he felt himself impelled to -the heights from which it had come—felt himself a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> creature of some -fresh-born force he could no more fathom than explain.</p> - -<p>A wild cat screamed down the creek. The three boys thumped the floor, -seeking in their sleep to destroy the mosquitoes. The dogs scratched -under the house. The man snored. Once the baby cried and the mother -soothed it.</p> - -<p>These voices and sounds seemed a part of the secrets of the night and -of the strange awakening that possessed him with the pleasure and pain -of its mystery.</p> - -<p>There was a sound, however, that came with the first pink of the -morning that seemed in some unknown way to hold the key to the mystery -of his strangely aroused hunger—a hunger born whether for good or ill -he knew not.</p> - -<p>With the first stirring of life at the new day, a song bird just at -the edge of the clearing sent out its call, clear as the voice of the -singer on the bluff and, in the imagination of the inquiring youth, -like it, glad and unafraid.</p> - -<p>But the bird was calling for a mate—one of its own kind—one which -would answer its call.</p> - -<p>Again the call rang out penetrating and joyful.</p> - -<p>The young man listened. Then a smile of satisfaction lit his homely -face, for from some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>where down in the tangle of the creek banks, one of -its own kind was answering the call.</p> - -<p>The hidden singer in the clearing called again, even throwing more life -and gladness into the song. Again the answer came from the unseen one -of like kind, a little closer now. They were moving toward each other. -The silent listener had not made a study of birds. Yet now he was quite -sure that somewhere they would meet in the wide expanse of over-laced -branches and would mate.</p> - -<p>Again his mind went back to the singer of the bluff—and her -challenging call. Who or what manner of woman was she? He wondered.</p> - -<p>When the man who had been snoring awoke with the first streaks of day, -the ringing of an ax sounded on his ear. "If he don't beat anything to -bite them trees down and eat them up, I'm a liar. He must have been at -it all night."</p> - -<p>"He needs breeches—needs them powerful bad," his wife replied.</p> - -<p>"Must want to go a courtin'," was his comment.</p> - -<p>"Courtin' or no courtin', he'll be ketched by the sheriff if he don't -git some new breeches right soon. His is fixin' to leave him. I'm -skeered every time he jumps over the fence."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a></p> - -<p class="center">SWAPPING HOSSES</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Not</span> more than a fortnight after Windy Batts had been weighed in the -balance by the Clary Grove boys, Mrs. Mirandy Benson ran over to -Rutledge's to discuss a few news items.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Benson was Phoebe Jane Benson's mother. Phoebe Jane Benson -had never been kissed by a human man—her mother the authority for -the statement. "No start, no finish," was Mrs. Benson's oft-quoted -statement as touching the delicate question of the preservation of -female virtue. "For this reason, Mis' Rutledge, I'm dead set against -huggin'. There's never no tellin' where huggin' will end, and Phoebe -Jane shan't get no opportunity."</p> - -<p>But it was not of hugging that she now talked. "Mis' Rutledge," she -said, "Windy Batts has been dipped and is going to set out preachin' -for the Hard Shells and will hold a meetin' near New Salem. It's set to -his credit, I say, that he chose to unite with the Hard Shells instead -of the Clary Grove gang. Since Windy Batts has been keepin' company -with Phoebe Jane, I've<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> been uncommon interested. He has a powerful -flow of language, and will make a famous exhorter."</p> - -<p>A second topic of conversation was the tall clerk who was in charge of -the new store opened by Offutt. "He's the one that helped Mentor Graham -election day and has been chopping rails since on Turtle Ford.</p> - -<p>"Everybody in town's been in the store, and the men hang around every -evenin'. Phoebe Jane, she's been, too. He's an awful friendly fellow, -scraped up a speakin' with Phoebe Jane and asked her who in these -parts could sing. She told him she could sing, bass or tenor, either -he liked. Phoebe Jane was quite took up with him and wanted to ask him -to meetin'. But he's too friendly. These friendly young fellows must -be watched. He might be all right. Then again he mightn't, and if he -should take a huggin' spell like some young fellows takes, with them -arms no tellin' what might happen. I told Phoebe Jane not to let out -too much rope, especially since Windy Batts got religion."</p> - -<p>It was true the new clerk at Offutt's store had inquired who about New -Salem could sing. Having been unable to learn anything satisfactory<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> -from the girl he had asked, he put the question to several men who -chanced to be in the store. The only result of his questioning was to -bring out a story about a girl in New Salem who had a "singin'" in -her head for which a plaster of "psalm tunes," applied to the feet to -draw the singing down, had been prescribed. Unsatisfied, young Lincoln -determined to keep his ears open and try to discover for himself.</p> - -<p>Meantime there were many to get acquainted with, and when Bill Clary -himself invited the new man to the Grove, he at once accepted the -invitation.</p> - -<p>Ole Bar, Buck Thompson, Jo Kelsy and several others had gathered early -and were discussing the guest that was to arrive shortly. Buck Thompson -was especially interested. He was in possession of a horse with a head -three times too large and legs four times too small for his bony body. -Some fatal defect in the horse made him, as Buck Thompson confidently -told the crowd, "not worth a chaw," and this horse he was going to try -to swap Lincoln, "sights unseen."</p> - -<p>Speculation has just started as to the outcome of Buck's horse-trade -when Clary and the tall stranger arrived.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> - -<p>"His name is Abe Lincoln," Clary advised.</p> - -<p>"'Linkhorn' is what they called me over in Indiana."</p> - -<p>"Paws, Abry Linkhorn," Ole Bar said, extending his hand and casting his -one good eye with approval on the stranger.</p> - -<p>The few brief formalities having been dispensed with, the group settled -down to stories and discussions, Ole Bar leading off with a graphic -description of many of the wonders of Arkansas, and its riches of soil -and abundance of game. "There was one feller down thar had a sow," he -declared gravely. "She stole an ear of corn and took it down whar she -slept at night. She spilt a grain or two on the ground, and then she -lay on them. And, gentlemen, believe it or not, before morning the -corn shot up, pushed on right through her and the percussion killed -her. Next morning she was found flat as a pancake and three-inch corn -sticking like green har through her spotted hide."</p> - -<p>"I swear!" exclaimed Jo Kelsy.</p> - -<p>"Don't cuss; jes go down to that country and see," was Ole Bar's -comment.</p> - -<p>When Abe Lincoln's time came he was asked for the lizard story he had -told at the store<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> the night the flat boat stuck on the dam. In an -inimitable way he told the story, joining heartily with the others in -the boisterous laughter it called forth, but neither this nor any other -of the stories told diverted the mind of Buck Thompson from the main -question, this being, "Is he as green as he looks? Will he swap hosses?"</p> - -<p>"Don't happen to have a hoss you want to trade, do ye?" Buck at last -indifferently questioned.</p> - -<p>The interest of the company was at once centered on the answer.</p> - -<p>"Want to swap hosses?" Abe Lincoln asked good naturedly.</p> - -<p>"Well, I dunno. Do you happen to own a hoss of any kind?"</p> - -<p>"Yep," answered the visitor. "Such as it is, I own a hoss."</p> - -<p>An expression of pleasure showed on the face of Buck Thompson.</p> - -<p>"What sort is he?" Buck asked.</p> - -<p>"Who said it was a 'he'?"</p> - -<p>The crowd laughed.</p> - -<p>"What kind is she?" Buck corrected.</p> - -<p>"Well," answered the youth as if weighing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> the matter, "she ain't -nothing extra on looks, but she can stand up under as much hard work as -any hoss in these parts."</p> - -<p>"How old is she?"</p> - -<p>"I dunno to a day—not very old."</p> - -<p>"Stand without hitchin'?"</p> - -<p>"Never's been hitched to anything in her life."</p> - -<p>"Saddle hoss, I take it. Ain't any mustang is it?"</p> - -<p>"Not a drop of mustang in the critter, I swear it."</p> - -<p>"Ain't blind in one eye, is she?"</p> - -<p>"No."</p> - -<p>"How's her legs?"</p> - -<p>"Can't lie partner. She's stiff in the legs."</p> - -<p>"Stiff in the legs, eh? How about her teeth?"</p> - -<p>"Haven't counted them."</p> - -<p>"Ever had the botts?"</p> - -<p>"Not as I know of."</p> - -<p>"Or winded?"</p> - -<p>"Not since I've had her."</p> - -<p>"Want to swap hosses?" Buck asked.</p> - -<p>"What you got?" Abe Lincoln asked with interest.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I got one what'll stand hitched. I'm goin' to be honest as you and -tell you my hoss has stiff legs. From what I git, my hoss is just about -such a hoss as your hoss. How'll you swap, sight unseen?"</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln aked a few questions which proved beyond a doubt to -Buck Thompson that the lanky youth was as green as he looked on the -horse-trading proposition, and he was delighted both for the stakes -involved and the effect of his deal on the Clary Grove Boys, when Abe -Lincoln agreed to the trade.</p> - -<p>"Where's your hoss at?" Buck inquired.</p> - -<p>"Out back of Offutt's store. Where's yourn?"</p> - -<p>"He's to home—but I'll bring him."</p> - -<p>"Any rush?" Lincoln inquired. "Morning's not far off."</p> - -<p>But Buck had no notion of taking chances on letting the horse-trader -consider over night. He insisted on winding up the trade in the bright -light of the moon in front of Offutt's store. The crowd agreed to be -present, and immediately afterward, with singing and loud talking, the -Clary Grove gang took their way to New Salem to Offutt's store. Buck -Thompson went after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> his horse, and Abe Lincoln disappeared in the -shadows of the store to find his.</p> - -<p>Buck was the first to arrive. Not even the moonlight could cast any -redeeming qualities on the beast that hobbled after him. The crowd -looked it over and laughed uproariously. Buck grinned with satisfaction -at the sight-unseen trade he was about to make and questioned half -fearfully if the greenhorn would stand by his agreement.</p> - -<p>The appearance in the distance of a tall and shadowy figure approaching -with long, easy strides was not reassuring. Certainly he was neither -leading nor driving a horse. The company looked. As he came nearer they -saw he carried something. Its shadow blended with that of his body.</p> - -<p>"He's got his hoss under his arm or on his back," one observed.</p> - -<p>Buck was looking anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Bet two to one it's a goat," Jo Kelsy said.</p> - -<p>This sounded good to Buck. "Goat!" he said with evident pleasure. Then -they looked again. The next minute he cleared the last lap of shadow -and came into the light in the open space.</p> - -<p>There was a moment of impressive silence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> - -<p>"My hoss is this kind—one of the most useful animals in this neck of -the woods," and he placed a saw-horse before them.</p> - -<p>There was a moment of impressive silence, then the angry voice of Buck -Thompson.</p> - -<p>"You're a liar," he cried, greatly angered by the roar of laughter that -had greeted the speech.</p> - -<p>A dead hush fell on the company. A fight seemed the next excitement. -Every eye was on Lincoln.</p> - -<p>"Don't get riled up," he said good naturedly, "especially after I told -you I was tellin' the truth. Didn't I tell you her legs was stiff?"</p> - -<p>"Yeh," roared 'Buck—"and you told me she had two good eyes—eh, boys?" -and he turned to the crowd standing close about.</p> - -<p>"Easy now," Abe Lincoln remonstrated. "I didn't say she had two good -eyes. You asked if she was blind in one eye, and I said 'No, she ain't -blind in no eye.'"</p> - -<p>"You said she had all her teeth," Buck challenged.</p> - -<p>"Naw, what I said was, 'she hasn't never lost no teeth, far as I know.' -Can you see any place where they have come out?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> - -<p>Clearly the new clerk had the best of the trade. Buck Thompson stood -to his bargain. The horse was passed to Lincoln. He looked it over. -Something in the ungainly figure and the big-headed horse brought a -smile. Yet they waited. What would he do next—or say?</p> - -<p>"Partner," he said to Buck after the examination, "I wouldn't know -what use to make of this here critter. I can't make no sight-unseen -proposition, but I'd give you two bits for my own hoss back."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a></p> - -<p class="center">"FIXIN FER THE ANGELS"</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Offutt's</span> new store under the management of Abe Lincoln came to be, -almost immediately, the chief point of interest in the village.</p> - -<p>Business was never so rushing that the genial, long-legged new-comer -could not find time for a friendly greeting or a new story.</p> - -<p>Jo Kelsy, famed as the best Shakespeare scholar New Salem boasted, soon -discovered a kindred spirit in Abe Lincoln, and was delighted to find -in him a pupil so hungry to get acquainted with Bill Shakespeare.</p> - -<p>Mentor Graham, the Scotch schoolmaster, dropped into the store because -he soon discovered that, although the youth who had assisted him on -election day had had no opportunity of going to school, he was far more -advanced in general knowledge than any pupil in his school, and the -fact that Abe Lincoln wanted to study grammar with him, and after a -while higher branches, pleased him.</p> - -<p>Even Doctor Allen, the busiest and most conscientious Predestinarian -in Sangamon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> County, cultivated the acquaintance of the Lincoln youth, -and he soon discovered that the uncommon young fellow, who seemed to -be everybody's friend, was not given to social drink, and this pleased -Doctor Allen, who boldly preached that liquor was poison and stood for -its total abstinence.</p> - -<p>The Clary Grove Boys visited the store, and when several of them -happened in at the same time, the laughter and boisterous talk could be -heard the length of New Salem.</p> - -<p>Ann Rutledge had not yet been at the new store. She had heard from it, -however, through her brother Davy, two years younger than herself, and -her half-grown sister, known as "Sis Rutledge," both having formed the -acquaintance of Abe Lincoln and both having immediately become his -staunch admirers.</p> - -<p>Ole Bar was in the store one afternoon when Davy came in.</p> - -<p>"Davy," Abe Lincoln said, "see here"; and putting three long fingers -gently into his pocket he drew out a handful of tiny rabbits. "Their -mother got killed. I put the poor little things in my pocket. Know -anybody that will take care of them?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ole Bar opened his good eye and listened.</p> - -<p>"Sure, Ann, she'll do it. Ann Rutledge takes care of blind cats, lame -dogs, lousy calves, birds With broke wings, and all such things."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln had placed the rabbits carefully in his hat and handed it -to Davy.</p> - -<p>"Want them back?" the boy questioned as he turned toward the door.</p> - -<p>"No—but hurry back with my hat. I'm goin' out with Kelsy while he -fishes, and read about a Jew who wanted a pound of flesh."</p> - -<p>The expression on Ole Bar's small eye was one of concentrated disgust.</p> - -<p>"Men's not what they used to be," he observed, chewing violently.</p> - -<p>"I reckon not," Abe Lincoln observed.</p> - -<p>"These times they wear whiskers on their upper lip, and breeches -buttoned up the fore, but I don't see as it's give them any more wits."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln did not answer this, but asked a question.</p> - -<p>"Who sings about these diggin's? It's some woman who has a way of her -own."</p> - -<p>"All wimmin sings; wimmin birds sings, and wimmin bull frogs sings, and -human wimmin sings. But whether they be scaled or feathered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> or diked -out in calico and combs, their singin' is to git the men of their kind. -Take the advice of Ole Bar, my long-legged son, Abry Linkhorn, and let -all wimmin kind alone. Furthermore, don't try to start no love-makin' -with Ann Rutledge and blame it onto rabbits. I've heard said Ann -Rutledge can outsing a bird. If she can, it's for John McNeil. John -McNeil, he's worth ten thousand dollars—so they say. Hain't this worth -singin' for?"</p> - -<p>"The one I'm talking about wasn't singin' for any man's money."</p> - -<p>"How do you know?"</p> - -<p>"It wasn't that kind of a song."</p> - -<p>Ole Bar laughed. "Sonny," he said, "you're as green as you look. But -why don't you go up to the meetin' what Windy Batts's started? All the -singers will be there. Windy's trying to scare the devil out of his -own den by his fierce preachin'. Last night he called the whole Clary -Grove tribe by name and told them the devil was goin' to pepper them -with burnin' fiery sulphur in chunks as big as Rutledge's Mill forever -and aye unless they crawled up on the rock of ages. They'll be going to -meetin' theirselves right soon, and if he don't know any better sense<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> -than readin' cusses at them out of the Holy Scriptures and pointin' the -finger of scorn at them before the people, they'll learn him some."</p> - -<p>It was this same evening Abe Lincoln decided to go to Clary Grove in -search of Kelsy, from whom he wanted to borrow the Shakespeare. The -Grove Boys were in council. An indignation meeting was being held. Kit -Parsons had just been quoting Windy Batts, who had the night before -consigned those Clary Grove sinners root and branch to burn forever, -and it had been just about decided that he, and the horse he had -purchased to start on an itinerary after his New Salem meeting, should -be treated to a coat of tar and feathers.</p> - -<p>"That deer-faced hypocrit tells how God sent his angels to git Daniel -out of the lion's den, how he sent angels to git them three fool -Jews out of the fiery furnace. He says them kind of angels guard -the Hard Shells, saves them from their enemies and gits them out of -tight places. We're needin' some angels in this section. Let's coax -them down. Let's anoint this belly-aching coward with hot tar and -feathers—both him and his horse, till we make him look like the -buzzard he is. Then we'll set by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> and see how long it takes them angels -to git the feathers picked off."</p> - -<p>A laugh had followed this speech. It was about this time Abe Lincoln -appeared.</p> - -<p>"Howdy!" he said in his most friendly manner.</p> - -<p>They returned his greeting, but it was evident he was not wanted. -They, however, asked him for a suggestion as to how best to punish "a -moon-eyed pole cat that hain't nothin' better to do than stir up a -stink about hell fire and brimstone, and call out the names of them -picked by the devil to supply the roasts."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't take it to heart about his fiery talk. He can't hurt God -with his spittin' and sputterin', and so long as God's all right the -rest of us needn't worry," Lincoln said, before answering the request -asked. "As to punishin' a 'Moon—faced pole cat,' I'd plug him up -in some tight corner, poke sin out of him—and he'd punish hisself -gentlemen—punish hisself."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln got the book and went away. After he had gone, the Clary -boys put their heads together, and before they had separated for the -night, the tar and feathers plan had been temporarily abandoned.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a></p> - -<p class="center">"SIC 'EM, KITTY"</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> afternoon following his rather unwelcome visit to Clary Grove, Abe -Lincoln was invited by Kit Parsons to attend religious services that -night. From the manner of the invitation, the storekeeper gathered that -there might be something interesting on foot, and he decided to go.</p> - -<p>Some changes had been made in the meeting-place since the gathering -of the year before. At the former time Satan had moved the dogs, so -the elder explained, to crowd under the exhorter's stand and engage -in riotous disagreement. In an endeavor to chew each others ears and -gnaw holes in each others hides, they had bumped their backs onto the -rude floor underneath the preacher's feet, and in other ways raised a -disturbance.</p> - -<p>To prevent a repetition of this disorderly conduct on the part of the -dogs, the hiding-place under the stand had been made proof against all -intruders by the use of stobs driven so close that not even a shadow -could creep between.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was in this long-time rendezvous of dogs that a couple of the Clary -Grove gang seemed interested, as between services they strolled several -times past the pulpit end of the arbor.</p> - -<p>That evening, in the shadowy gloom cast by the arbor roof, a couple of -men might have been seen, had the dark been closely scrutinized, moving -softly about.</p> - -<p>Just what they were doing was not apparent. They seemed to have a -barrel close by and a long trough of some kind.</p> - -<p>But nobody paid any attention to these quiet two. All interest was -centered in Windy Batts, who in a trumpet voice was giving out the -words of a song which all who knew him were certain would be sung with -great unction and fervor.</p> - -<p>He was reading the lines from a hymn-book. At the end of every second -line he gave the pitch, whereupon all sang in many keys, but with -united fervor.</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Into a world of ruffians sent,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I walk on hostile ground;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">While human bears, on slaughter bent,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And raving wolves surround.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Between each two lines he shouted, "God have mercy on them Clary Grove -sinners! Them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> ravening wolves! Strike them human bears down!"</p> - -<p>Then the hymn went on:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The lion seeks my soul to slay,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">In some unguarded hour;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And waits to tear his sleeping prey,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">And watches to devour.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"God save us from them Clary Grove lions that seek to devour."</p> - -<p>The movements in the shadows just outside the arbor continued, but -nobody noticed. The exhorter, calling on God and all the holy angels -to witness the truth of his sayings, was drawing a graphic comparison -between the righteous and the sinner, especially of that most fallen -and hopeless sinner, the Clary Grove sinner.</p> - -<p>After the discourse, which was thundered out with tremendous force, the -first altar-song was announced,</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">If you get there before I do,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I'm bound for the land of Ca-na-yan;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Look out for me, I'm coming, too,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I'm bound for the land of Ca-na-yan;</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>When this popular song got well underway, the woods for miles around -rang with the refrain. The altar filled with sinners who fell in the -dust, and with saints who whispered in their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> ears full directions for -planting their feet firmly on the old ship Zion, and with shouters, -among whom was Phoebe Jane Benson.</p> - -<p>Ann Rutledge and Nance Cameron on one side of the arbor, and Abe -Lincoln and Jo Kelsy on the other, had watched Phoebe Jane taking -her combs out and in other ways preparing for the shouting. Ann, -remembering what Mrs. Benson had said about hugging, was prepared to -watch for developments as Phoebe Jane, with arms flying, began her -religious exercise.</p> - -<p>When the mourners were prostrating themselves in the dust, one of the -dark figures in the shadowy background whispered, "Tickle her up and -then run"; and as he reached a long pole into the enclosure under the -exhorter's feet he said, "Sic 'em, kitty!" and the two were off.</p> - -<p>Just as the first sinner was saved and the shouters were getting well -warmed up, a heavy and most unreligious odor suddenly pervaded the air.</p> - -<p>The front row of mourners, with their faces in the dust, nearest the -exhorter's stand, noticed it first as it came like a puff from the -infernal regions just pictured by Windy Batts. Lifting their heads, -these mourners looked about, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> facial expressions none too pious, -to see what had smitten them. Next the shouters got the full force of -the growing odor. Immediately their shouts turned to groans, and they -put their hands over their noses. By this time the mourners were on -their feet. This sudden change from the dust of humiliation to the -erect poise of saved souls, ordinarily denoted a conversion. At this -time, however, the eye of suspicion cast on every man by every other -man, together with the sudden and violent outbreak of snorting and -spewing, gave evidence of something different from spiritual birth.</p> - -<p>When Windy Batts, who at this first moment was engaged in holding -Phoebe Jane in the close embrace of brotherly love, was struck by the -force of the permeating odor, he pushed Phoebe Jane from him, giving -her a look both questioning and unsanctified.</p> - -<p>A moment, and he understood. Springing onto his high platform, he cried -in trumpet tones, "The devil is at his old game! A burning, fiery trial -is about to test our faith. Sometimes afflictions come like lice, -mites, boils, fits. But the worst has been reserved for these later -days, and now doth God afflict his people with a skunk.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> Satan abounds -on every hand. The most eternal and ding-blasted stink ever turned -loose on the sanctuary of the Lord is now in our midst. Let a committee -of fearless men with good noses volunteer to locate the spot where this -varmint of the pit is hiding."</p> - -<p>The source of the odor was soon located. About this time, out in the -darkness of the woods, was heard a man's voice shouting:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The devil's dead.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Oh! smell his stink;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Killed by the power of Windy.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Then a rooster was heard crowing—the crow repeating the words. Then a -cat yowled—and a dog growled—and a goose quacked, all sending out the -same message about the devil's death, and the manner thereof.</p> - -<p>Here was insult added to injury, for while the exhorter might have -forgiven God and the angels for the horrible ordeal they were passing -through, he could never forgive the Clary Grove crowd.</p> - -<p>During the excitement John McNeil had joined Ann Rutledge and Nance -Cameron.</p> - -<p>"It's those Clary Grove rowdies," John McNeil said. "They're a bad lot, -and there will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> be murderers in the bunch if they do not change their -ways. For this they should be put in jail."</p> - -<p>"Windy Batts said very unkind things about them," Ann observed.</p> - -<p>"And didn't say half bad enough. I'm sorry Abe Lincoln joined in with -them. He was in their camp last night. Like as not he hatched this -whole plot."</p> - -<p>"I can't see why he should want to do a thing like that," Ann said.</p> - -<p>"You don't? Don't you know the whole Clary Grove gang is opposed to -religion? Do you suppose this railsplitter would choose their kind if -he wasn't an opposer, too?"</p> - -<p>"But he's not a railsplitter now—he's Offutt's clerk."</p> - -<p>"He's no real clerk and never will be. Once a railsplitter, always a -railsplitter."</p> - -<p>"Maybe so, but even then, John, it's no disgrace to be an honest -railsplitter—and I'm going to ask Nance if he's an opposer."</p> - -<p>"What difference does it make to you whether he's an opposer or not?"</p> - -<p>"I always like to think the best of everybody, John," Ann answered, -"and it's an awful sin to be an opposer of religion."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE TEST</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Clary Grove gang were gathered in council. A grave matter was to be -decided and there seemed a division of opinion as to the qualifications -of Abe Lincoln for becoming a member of the brotherhood. Personally -no man had an unfriendly feeling. In fact some of them liked him. But -there were certain qualifications which it was not certain he possessed.</p> - -<p>The horse-trade with Buck was discussed. Had he gotten the best of -Buck? Several contended that he should have kept the horse and would -have done so had he not been afraid of the gang. Others were of the -opinion that he did not want the horse, and several declared him a good -fellow for knowing where to quit joking.</p> - -<p>There were graver considerations than this, however.</p> - -<p>"Ever see a man that had any guts totin' rabbits around in his -pockets?" Ole Bar questioned sharply. "I seen a feller once that packed -a couple of wild cats about with him—but rabbits<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>—<i>rabbits</i>——" and -language failed to express his disgust.</p> - -<p>"And he don't drink no whiskey."</p> - -<p>"And Jo Kelsy says he never carries a gun."</p> - -<p>"Don't never go gamin'?"</p> - -<p>"No," answered Jo Kelsy, "he ain't never been no hunter."</p> - -<p>"Hain't never killed nothin'?" Ole Bar questioned in amazement.</p> - -<p>"Not just fer fun. Once he killed a pant'er what dropped on him without -saying nothin'. He ketched it around the neck and choked its eyes out -and skinned it. He said he wouldn't have bothered it if it hadn't acted -so nasty and climbed his frame without warnin'."</p> - -<p>There was silence. No such case had come up for discussion. Here was a -young giant who could strangle a panther—perhaps a bear. Yet he didn't -bother them if they let him alone, and he carried new-born rabbits in -his pocket, and didn't drink whiskey.</p> - -<p>"Offutt's got him put up against any man in Sangamon County; says he -can out-run, out-wrestle, out-throw, out-whip the best man that can -be put up. He's bragged till folks has forgot about Jack Armstrong of -Clary Grove."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - -<p>The eyes of the company turned to Jack Armstrong, the champion wrestler -of Sangamon County. Built square as an ox, his mighty muscle gave the -suggestion of the monarchy of muscular force. Added to his force of -muscle was unusual quickness, and added to this, as the Clary Grove -crowd knew, was the art of a trick that was held permissible by the -gang as a last resort in holding championship of the county.</p> - -<p>"What about it, Jack?" Kit Parsons asked.</p> - -<p>"I'll wrastle him."</p> - -<p>"He's different from anything you've gone up against. Jo Kelsy saw him -lift a whiskey barrel and let a feller drink out of the bung hole one -day when he was in the store."</p> - -<p>"The Lord's truth," Jo answered solemnly.</p> - -<p>"And Buck Thompson says he histed a chicken coop that weighed five or -six hundred pounds and set her down on the other side of the yard, -nobody lendin' a hand."</p> - -<p>"The Lord's truth," Buck answered.</p> - -<p>"And Ole Bar says they was having some sort of a contest down at the -mill when he first come here—some sort of a stone-moving tussle—and -Abe Lincoln let them strap him like a hoss and moved a thousand pounds. -Hey, Ole Bar?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I ain't sayin' nothin', only I seen it done."</p> - -<p>"I can whip any man on Sangamon River." It was Armstrong who spoke.</p> - -<p>This was final and gave great satisfaction. The crowd shook hands with -the champion, and one of the number was appointed to bear the challenge -to Abe Lincoln, early the next morning.</p> - -<p>When the young clerk was approached on the matter of the fight he -declined. "What's the use of this wooly-rousin', anyhow? I never did -see no sense in tuslin' and cuffin'. Grown-up men might be in better -business."</p> - -<p>But Offutt, satisfied that he could win the contest urged him on, and -as there seemed nothing else to do, Lincoln accepted, and the day was -set.</p> - -<p>The news spread over town and around the country. Jack Armstrong the -long-time champion was to meet the giant youth known as flat-boat Abe, -the railsplitter.</p> - -<p>Early in the game Offutt and Bill Clary bet ten dollars on their -respective men. Lesser lights bet whiskey, knives, tobacco, and even -caps and coats. The better element entered no protest, and the Clary -Grove kind from Wolf Creek openly exulted.</p> - -<p>During the growing interest Lincoln seemed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> to pay no attention to -the matter nor cared to discuss it. He said he had a good feeling for -the whole bunch and believed his antagonist to be a brave and square -wrestler.</p> - -<p>"Clear the street of weak things," Bill Clary had advised, the morning -of the match, which was taken to mean that there might be a gang fight -instead of a wrestling match.</p> - -<p>Even before the appointed hour the town was out and lined up opposite -Offutt's store. Doctor Allen, who had formed a warm friendship for -the young clerk and who was opposed to fighting, was there. The -school-teacher was there; Clary Grove to a man was present with several -from Wolf Creek. John Rutledge and Cameron stopped by to look on. The -women folks were on hand, for here was something that promised to be -as interesting as a shouting match at a camp-meeting. And the girls -were there, Nance Cameron, Ann Rutledge, Phoebe Jane Benson and Ellen -Green, keyed up with the excitement that comes to the young female of -any species when the males of like kind give an exhibition of primitive -strength. Nor did John McNeil remain away. He even stood by a Clary -Grove leader to see the show.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> - -<p>Many glances were cast at the store inside of which Abe Lincoln was -seen talking to a crowd, and laughing as good naturedly as if the whole -town were not feverishly waiting for him to come out and face the -broad-shouldered, iron-muscled man, who as calmly awaited the event, -surrounded by his friends under a tree near the side of the store.</p> - -<p>At the appointed time Abe Lincoln came slowly out and took his way in -an unhurried sort of a shamble across to the side of the store. Seeing -him, Jack Armstrong emerged from his friends. The tall youth extended -his hand and shook in a friendly grasp. Then he pulled off his hat and -pitched it aside, opened his shirt and turned it back, hitched up his -breeches, tossed back his mop of black hair, and the wrestle was on.</p> - -<p>A cheer went up as they went the first round.</p> - -<p>Armstrong had entered the contest with the determination of a speedy -finish. He knew the art. It was evident from the beginning that Lincoln -was not a skilled wrestler. Indeed he seemed only defending himself, -which he did so easily that he was not given full credit for it.</p> - -<p>Armstrong gave him some blows. They might as well have fallen on a -steel trap. Lincoln<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> gave no hard blows; evidently his intention was -not to inflict harm. Through the early portion of the wrestle he was -entirely good-natured. But not so with Armstrong. He was working hard. -He was not making progress. His backers and friends were urging him on, -while cheers sounded each time his wily antagonist escaped what seemed -to be a well-directed, sledge-hammer blow.</p> - -<p>When the contest had been on some minutes it became apparent to the -crowd and to Armstrong that he must use different tactics, or the wily, -good-natured Abe Lincoln would keep him fighting for a week.</p> - -<p>Armstrong now undertook his trick.</p> - -<p>The moment he did so the eager crowd saw an instantaneous change in the -young giant.</p> - -<p>The good-natured expression on his face was swept aside by a wave of -such anger as transformed him from a citizen into a fighter. The mild -and friendly light in his gray eye made way for a fire that gave it a -strange, shining appearance. The slight stoop of the body disappeared -and the tall figure towered high and tense, for a passing instant. Then -he threw out his powerful arm and just as his antagonist<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> hoped to take -him from his feet, he felt his neck caught in the grasp of something as -unrelenting as a steel trap. Tighter the powerful fingers wrapped about -his neck. He felt himself forced away from the man he would defeat by -trickery.</p> - -<p>It was done in a moment. The crowd saw Abe Lincoln holding Jack -Armstrong at arm's length and shaking him as a cat would shake a -kitten, as he shouted in white wrath "Play fair, will ye? If you win, -<i>win</i>. If you lose, <i>lose</i>—<i>but do it like a man</i>! Play fair, will -ye?" and again he shook him as if in an effort to shake the words from -him.</p> - -<p>For a moment there was an ominous silence.</p> - -<p>"He's a bar! He's a bar!" shouted Ole Bar. Whatever this meant was -uncertain. The gang closed in. They seemed coming to the rescue of -their champion.</p> - -<p>With the breath half-choked out of him, Armstrong felt himself -pulled along. Abe Lincoln backed against the store wall. He released -Armstrong, shouting, "I'm ready! I'll meet anybody in a fair tussle, -but no tricks go with Abe Lincoln!"</p> - -<p>Again there was a moment of silence. The gang looked at Armstrong, -then the crowd<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> cheered. The gang fell back. The next moment something -unexpected happened. Jack Armstrong approached, held out his hand and, -turning to the crowd, said, "Boys, Abe Lincoln's the best fellow that -ever broke into this gang."</p> - -<p>The white anger faded from the face of the tall giant as quickly as it -had come. The fire passed from his eyes. His homely face was lit by -a kindly smile. He hitched up his trousers and pushed back his hair. -Then with his hand warmly grasped around that of Armstrong he said, -"Hand-shakes are better than cuffin's. It's friends we are."</p> - -<p>A shout went up, the women shouting with the men. Among those who -cheered most heartily was the group of girls with whom Ann Rutledge -stood. So interested had she been in the climax of the contest she had -not noticed that John McNeil had moved to a place beside her. She did -not know it until, in the midst of her most enthusiastic hand-clapping, -she turned and met his eye. Her face was bright with pleasure at the -outcome. She was laughing and cheering. When she met his eye she knew -he was not pleased.</p> - -<p>"I told you he'd be one of the gang," McNeil said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But he plays fair."</p> - -<p>"I never could understand why women and girls like the fighting kind, -the rowdy kind—the kind that has roustabout ways, and that has no -business, and opposes religion."</p> - -<p>"But are you sure he opposes religion?"</p> - -<p>"These fighting roustabouts generally do. Now don't get mixed. I'm not -saying Abe Lincoln's not a good fellow. He's good enough of his kind, -and I like him. But for women and girls that's religious, he wouldn't -be my kind."</p> - -<p>"I'm going to find out if he opposes religion," Ann said.</p> - -<p>"Going over to the store to see him?" John questioned.</p> - -<p>"No; I would so like to talk with him just once. But I won't -because——"</p> - -<p>"Why?" he asked, looking at her.</p> - -<p>"Because, John, some way I feel you would not like it. I'm promised to -you, and I play fair."</p> - -<p>He made no answer, but some way Ann felt that her statement was not -altogether satisfactory to John McNeil.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a></p> - -<p class="center">"THOU SHALT NOT COVET"</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> wrestling match, that proved the championship of Sangamon River, -established Abe Lincoln with his love of peace and his unlimited -reserve of physical power to enforce it, as the peace-maker of New -Salem.</p> - -<p>The following day John Rutledge called at the store.</p> - -<p>John Rutledge, with his partner Cameron, was the founder of New Salem. -Some few years before, he had come from Kentucky with his family, -bought a farm a few miles to the west, built a mill at New Salem, and -opened a store and a tavern.</p> - -<p>Within a year, ten log houses had been added to the original two. A -cobbler and a blacksmith had shops. Then a few more houses were built, -and a cooper mill where crude barrels and kegs were made.</p> - -<p>John Rutledge, a descendant of the famous Rutledge family of the -Carolinas, possessed the manly qualities of his ancestors in full -measure, and pioneer life had by no means obliterated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> those instincts -which make generous friends and progressive citizens.</p> - -<p>Mr. Rutledge was also a firm believer in education as the foundation -for the future greatness of the new Western country as well as the -success of the individual, and it was largely due to his efforts that -the Scotch schoolmaster, Mentor Graham, was among the first settlers.</p> - -<p>John Rutledge had been into the new store before to look around. Once -he had tarried to hear a story. But he was a busy man and had as yet -formed no special acquaintance with the much-discussed Abe Lincoln.</p> - -<p>This visit was for the purpose of getting acquainted. After Rutledge -had warmly congratulated the ungainly clerk, on his insistence on -fair play, they sat down to talk, and the conversation turned to a -discussion of the widely renowned circuit-rider, Peter Cartwright, who -was expected to hold a wonderful meeting in the vicinity of Springfield -during the month of September.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln had heard of Peter Cartwright, the eccentric Methodist -exhorter, who was born in a Kentucky cane-brake and rocked in a bee-gum -cradle, and could tell many stories about him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> - -<p>The outcome of this short visit was an invitation to the clerk to visit -at Rutledge Inn and tell some of the Cartwright stories.</p> - -<p>Rutledge Inn was the largest building in the town except the mill. None -of the other homes had more than two rooms, some only one. Rutledge Inn -had four rooms and a sort of porch made by an extension of roof over a -hardly packed, cleanly swept, dirt floor. It was here Mentor Graham, -Doctor Allen, John Rutledge, William Green and other of the intelligent -citizens gathered to discuss news, matters of education, religion and -politics.</p> - -<p>Quite pleased with his invitation, Abe Lincoln went to the Inn and -found in addition to the family, Mentor Graham and Doctor Allen.</p> - -<p>It was a night in late August. The stars twinkled above the dark -outlines of the trees that crested the bluff. The one road of New -Salem, that wound its way down the hill, lay like a gray ribbon and log -houses made the darker spots that at irregular intervals marked it. -Occasionally the call of a night bird sent ripples of wave-melody onto -the stillness, or sometimes the tinkle of a bell stirred the ocean of -the night silence, while the fall of the dam water sent out its rhythm -in never-ending cadences.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> - -<p>The discussion turned to religion, a most fruitful topic of -argument, for Mentor Graham was a Hard Shell and Doctor Allen was a -Predestinarian. This night there was the uncommon Abe Lincoln to be -heard from. Stories of Peter Cartwright were first on the program, -and from these the conversation turned to a discussion of religion in -particular and its uses to mankind.</p> - -<p>"One of the best uses of religion," Dr. Allen said, "is to cast out -fear. Medicine won't work when fear is present and there's been many a -man scared to death. I was called out once to see a child who had been -bitten by a rattlesnake. She died and her father nearly lost his mind. -Later he got bit in the night by something—a spider, I think. He was -sure it was a rattlesnake. There was no need of the man dying, but he -did die—actually <i>frightened to death</i>. It's an awful condition for -a soul to be in that fears eternal punishment for sin. Religion takes -away this fear."</p> - -<p>"Just what is religion?" asked Abe Lincoln. "From what I've been able -to gather, it's preachin' purgatory and damnation till you get up a -panic, offerin' the mercy of God as a way of escape, and then takin' up -a collection for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> good advice you have given—is this religion?"</p> - -<p>The men laughed.</p> - -<p>"I may be off," Lincoln continued, "but looks to me like there wouldn't -be so much need of gettin' the fear out of folks if the fear of hell -wasn't first preached into them."</p> - -<p>"Don't you believe in hell?" Mentor Graham asked.</p> - -<p>"Can't say I do."</p> - -<p>"But you believe in God, I am sure."</p> - -<p>"Yes—only a fool has said in his heart there is no God."</p> - -<p>"But the same authority that teaches God teaches hell," Doctor Allen -said.</p> - -<p>"Not to my way of thinking it don't," Lincoln answered. "'The heavens -declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork,' the -Book tells me. But I can't see how the heavens declare the glory of -hell nor its necessity either."</p> - -<p>"But how can God punish the unrighteous without a hell? Can't you -see that by taking hell out of the Bible you destroy its value as an -inspired book, and where else can one learn of God?"</p> - -<p>"Have you forgotten the heavens and the stars? And then there are other -things, too, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> tell of God besides the Bible. Did you ever watch a -dirt-dauber? Know how they work, do you? Builds his nest and puts in -his egg. The young one is not goin' to get out until it can fly, so it -must have food. The parent goes in search. Here comes a worm. Good food -and enough to last until the young dauber is ready to wing its way. But -there is a difficulty. If the dauber kills the worm and puts it in, -it will be rotten as Heck before the young is ready to get out. What -happens? The dauber sticks its stinger into a certain spot where it -paralyzes the worm—knocks him out, so to speak, without killin' him. -Then he puts him in the cell with the young, seals him and leaves. What -I say is—where does the mud-dauber get his knowledge? Who told him to -deaden that food without killin' it? Who shows him, or her, just the -right point to stick in that sting? To me it has always seemed that any -Creator that can plan this way has more than horse-sense. But to make -folks like the Book says, in his own likeness and image, and then get -mad at them and roast them alive a million or so years cause they can't -swallow Hard Shell religion or gulp down Predestinarianism, looks like -God hain't planned things as well as a mud-dauber. Maybe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> I'm lackin' -myself, but I got to turn loose of God or hell one, and for my purpose -I'm choosin' to hang on to God, and I somehow got a feelin' He's not -goin' back on me. Twouldn't be fair—and God plays fair, gentlemen—God -plays fair."</p> - -<p>There was a moment of silence. Then John Rutledge said, "Davy, get a -jug from the cellar. Sis, bring the water pitcher, glasses and sugar."</p> - -<p>As the boy and girl arose Lincoln turned slightly. He had not noticed -before that the daughter of the house had joined the group.</p> - -<p>As he saw her now in the semi-darkness she looked like some fair -creature of another world. He had heard that Ann Rutledge was the -prettiest girl in town. She had passed his store and been pointed -out to him. He had been told she was engaged to marry John McNeil -who was the most settled young fellow in town and already worth ten -thousand dollars. But neither of these news items had interested him -sufficiently to take his attention from the story he had happened to be -telling or hearing when she had passed.</p> - -<p>As his eyes turned toward her, he saw she was leaning forward as if not -to lose a word, and gazing at him intently.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> - -<p>He changed the glance of his eye to give her a chance to look another -way. Then he turned his glance on her again. As he did so there came to -him a revelation. Here was the pilgrim. How did he know it? He could -not tell, yet, as surely as she sat there in the dim light, as surely -as his eyes were resting on her golden head and fair face, he knew it.</p> - -<p>Mentor Graham and Doctor Allen had launched a spirited discussion -on baptism. Abe Lincoln did not join them. He turned his eyes again -toward the girl. In the half-light he could not see the expression -of her face, but her face was turned toward him and he was conscious -she was thinking of him. She turned away as if embarrassed, but no -sooner had he shifted than the dark eyes again turned toward the heroic -figure, a figure like a bronze, the profile of his face half-Roman and -half-Indian. His head rested on a neck of cords and muscle which stood -straight out from a turn-down collar.</p> - -<p>As irrestible as the pole draws the magnet, the glances of the two were -drawn toward each other again, and in the dark each felt the meeting of -this glance. Then Ann Rutledge got up and went away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln thought of the bird he had heard the night he sat on the -ladder—the night the voice had called to him from the heights. He -smiled.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The next morning Abe Lincoln was at the store early, waiting to see -McNeil pass. When he had heard half a dozen times before that Ann -Rutledge was engaged to marry McNeil, the words had been as idle -gossip. Nor had he given McNeil any special attention. Now all was -different. With keen eye and feverish desire he waited to pass judgment.</p> - -<p>As the young man passed, the watching Lincoln felt himself moved by -some tremendous impulse of destruction, a destruction that would -annihilate this man from the face of the earth as completely as though -he had never existed.</p> - -<p>As he stood in the doorway of the rude frontier store, no Sinaitic -thunder roared its disapproval of this primitive animal impulse. But he -heard, instead, the gentle voice of a woman who had long lain sleeping -under the tangle of a forsaken wildwood—a voice that had read to him -from an open book by the light of a pine torch fire, "Thou shalt not -covet."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE MYSTERIOUS PIG</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">One</span> day a poverty-stricken and dispirited woman, whom Abe Lincoln had -not before seen, entered his store to buy a few candles and a small -quantity of molasses.</p> - -<p>As she went out the storekeeper was informed that she was the wife of -a notorious drunkard, known throughout the settlement as "Snoutful -Kelly," who lived in a miserable shack out near Muddy Point.</p> - -<p>After the woman had gone, in casting up his accounts, Abe Lincoln -found himself with a few pennies more than he should have, and, after -puzzling over the small excess, he discovered that he had overcharged -the wife of Snoutful Kelly.</p> - -<p>Though it was yet early, he closed the store and at once set out toward -Muddy Point to return the woman's change.</p> - -<p>The shack he found the family living in was not the worst he had ever -seen, and he himself had once lived in one nearly as bad. He had not -expected, however, to find such a home near the thrifty settlement of -New Salem.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> - -<p>The hearth was of dirt with a hole in the middle made by much sweeping. -There was a puncheon table with forked sticks for legs, and wooden -trenchers for plates. Sharp pieces of cane were used for forks; there -was one knife without a handle, and one tin cup for the use of the -entire family. In one corner was a pallet of leaves on a post frame -with a thin quilt over it.</p> - -<p>When Abe Lincoln entered the one room he found the mother bending over -the hearth, and a small girl, with a black eye, trying to quiet a dirty -baby which kicked on the post bed.</p> - -<p>At a first glance Lincoln saw that the woman was in trouble, and, -while she thanked him in a crude way for the return of the pennies and -took them eagerly, her mind was thus only partially diverted from the -trouble.</p> - -<p>Hungry for pity, and led to believe she might get it from this tall -youth who had come so far to return her change, the woman poured out -her tale of woe.</p> - -<p>Her pig was gone—her only pig—the pig which the children had divided -food with that they might have a bit of meat for the winter. Her -husband would not fix the pen and the pig<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> had escaped and gone some -days before. The bitter loss was too much for the poor woman, and she -broke down and wept.</p> - -<p>Moved with pity, Abe Lincoln asked what kind of a pig it was.</p> - -<p>"Black, with a white spot on its left shank, and a white eye, and its -ear was fresh cut with two slits and a cross mark—like this," and -bending over the hearth she made some marks in the ashes which Lincoln -looked at carefully. "I suppose some wolf or cat smelled the blood, -cause nobody would steal a pig in these parts, would they?" and there -was appeal in her voice as she asked the question.</p> - -<p>Further discussion about the pig was cut off by a screech from the -child, whose face suddenly took on an expression of great fear, while -her eyes seemed fixed in horror on something she saw coming toward the -house.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln glanced out.</p> - -<p>"It's her Pap coming," the woman explained. "He beat her somethin' -fearful yesterday cause she got in the mud. And he told her he'd throw -her in up to her neck to-day if she got in the mud, and let her stick -there till the buzzards eat 'er up. And how is the poor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> child to help -it when her Pap has brought her here where there ain't nothing but mud -to fall in?" Then, turning to the child, she said: "'Tain't no use to -have fits. Nobody but God can keep him from gittin' ye."</p> - -<p>"Nobody but God, eh?" Abe Lincoln said. "We'll see."</p> - -<p>The man came staggering toward the house, cursing and growling, his -drunken wrath seeming to centre itself on the child whose face was -transfixed with terror.</p> - -<p>The child screamed just as he was about to enter the house to make good -his threats. Then there suddenly pounced upon him, from just inside, -something that caught him in a grip like that of a vise, and pulled him -back outside. And then this something, which was a very tall youth, -began shaking him and slowly making his way, as he did so, toward the -creek.</p> - -<p>As a result of the none too gentle shaking, the liquid matter the -drunkard had imbibed began to return to the world of visible things -until what seemed an endless amount had been emptied along the way -they were taking. When the burden of liquor had been lightened, the -drunkard, now chattering for pity, was ducked in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> stream until his -dripping chin was washed clean, and his thick tongue limbered up.</p> - -<p>He was then marched back to the cabin door from which the wife, and -child with a black eye, looked out in speechless wonder.</p> - -<p>"Here you are now," said the tall man. "My name is Abe Lincoln. I keep -store in town. I can get here in twenty minutes any time I'm needed to -break up this child-beatin'—understand?" and he was off.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was that same night Abe Lincoln dropped down to Clary's Grove, where -he was now always welcome. When he arrived he found a feast in course -of preparation. A pig was roasting in the fire and the savory odor -permeated the air as different ones of the gang poked the fire, basted -the roast, and otherwise prepared for the occasion.</p> - -<p>"Just in time, my son, Abry Linkhorn," said Ole Bar.</p> - -<p>"Where'd you get that pig?" Lincoln inquired.</p> - -<p>"It lit in a tree and we clubbed it out and picked it. 'Tain't none too -fat, but it'll do."</p> - -<p>"Let me look at its ears," Lincoln said.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> "Two slits and a cross" he -observed. Then he told the story of Snoutful Kelly's wife and her great -grief at the loss of the pig.</p> - -<p>There was a moment of impressive silence. Then one of the gang said: -"Clary's Grove has done some things that hain't been written in no -book, but they don't steal from no weepin' wimmin, and beat up hungry -children. As good a pig must be put back in that pen as was ever caught -in the woods by the wolves and cats."</p> - -<p>This speech expressed the sentiment of the company, and a game was -played to see who would replace the pig. When this had been decided -they returned to their feast with consciences apparently as clear as -those of children.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was the second day following the feast by the Clary Grove Boys, that -Ann Rutledge missed one of her pigs. Ann was not only a famous needle -woman, a spinner, and a cook, but she had good luck raising pigs and -chickens, and her father gave her a pig or two in each litter, which -were to be her own to help in getting her education.</p> - -<p>Now her pig was gone—a black one with a white spot on its flank.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mounted on one of John Rutledge's good horses, Ann set out to search -the woods for her pig.</p> - -<p>She had gotten some distance without finding any trace of it, when she -heard the cry of a child. Following the direction from which the sound -came, she soon discovered a forlorn little specimen of a girl, with a -black and purple eye, who was looking about in different directions as -if not knowing which way to go, and was crying.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter?" asked Ann Rutledge, "are you lost?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," the child answered.</p> - -<p>"Who are you—and where do you live?"</p> - -<p>"I'm Katy Kelly, and I live at Muddy Point. Our pig is lost again," -she sobbed. "We got it home once, but the pen broke, and now it's gone -again."</p> - -<p>"I'm looking for a pig, too," Ann said. "Get up on my horse, and we'll -look a little and then I'll take you home."</p> - -<p>The child climbed on, and the search continued. But the child no longer -had eyes for anything but Ann Rutledge.</p> - -<p>"How did you hurt your eye?" Ann asked kindly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Pap, he did it. He bunged me with his fist. He said he'd git me again -the same way, and stick me in the mud till the buzzards picked my eyes -out. I was scared to death. It's horrible to get bunged and beat. I -begged Maw to keep Pap from beatin' me again, but he beats her, too, -and she said nobody but God could keep him from beatin' me up. Just as -he was about to git me, here comes God with the longest legs on earth, -and he reached out his long arms an' got Pap and shook all the red -eye out of him he's poured in fer a year. Then he ducked him until he -got sobered up. Mam says Pap won't beat me no more, she'll bet on it, -'cause God—He can git anywhere on them legs, in twenty minutes."</p> - -<p>This story was told between snubs and sobs, and the dirty dress sleeve -was called into use between sentences to dry the tearful eyes and -dripping nose.</p> - -<p>Ann Rutledge was interested.</p> - -<p>"So God came to help you?"</p> - -<p>"Yep—his name is Abe Lincoln—he told Pap."</p> - -<p>"Abe Lincoln!" Ann exclaimed. Then she rode a long way without -speaking. She was thinking. The name brought the picture of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> strong, -elemental man, seemingly older than his years, a man who had said -he was going to play fair with God, a man whom Nance Cameron had -pronounced the homeliest creature that God ever put breath in.</p> - -<p>"There's home," the child presently said, "and, <i>there's the pig</i>."</p> - -<p>Ann looked. A small black pig with a white spot on its flank. She knew -the pig.</p> - -<p>But when she dismounted to examine the pig she found its ear cut with -two slits and a cross.</p> - -<p>"We found it in the pen. At first I couldn't believe it," Mrs. Kelly -exclaimed. "It looked a bit fatter than mine, but it's ear was fresh -marked; I cut it myself. And I thanked God it had come back."</p> - -<p>"You thanked God," Ann observed as if to herself.</p> - -<p>"Yes—for it's our only winter meat. And when it got out again I was -sick over it—and likely it will get away some more, for Kelly never -fixed a pen that would hold, in his life."</p> - -<p>"I'll help you fix the pen," Ann said, and she did, meantime wondering -about the pig, for she would have sworn it was her own.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</a></p> - -<p class="center">PETER CARTWRIGHT ARRIVES</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It was</span> on a September day that the famous Peter Cartwright jogged into -New Salem on a stiff-legged pony, and drew up before Rutledge Inn.</p> - -<p>His visit had been long expected and great preparations had been made -for the camp-meeting which was to be held in the Springfield district -in a few days.</p> - -<p>No announcement had been made of the time Peter Cartwright would -arrive, yet in that mysterious way that news spreads over a small -town, even while he was yet removing the saddle bags from his tired -pony, sightseers had congregated on the opposite side of the street, -and before sun-down everybody in town knew that the great preacher was -stopping for the night at Rutledge Inn.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln had been invited to the Inn, with the select few who often -made the little party, to meet Rev. Peter Cartwright. They met a rather -small, wiry man with bright fox-like eyes, and hair inclined to be -curly, which stood out in every direction on a round head.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> - -<p>He talked freely, criticizing in no unmeasured terms such preachers as -preach not against slavery, dram drinking, dancing, or the putting on -of costly apparel and jewelry. Then with a twinkle in his small, bright -eye, he said that his risibilities were often hard to keep down owing -to some things that happened as he traveled his circuit, and he told -them an incident:</p> - -<p>"I rode one day into Springfield to transact a little business. My -horse had at one time been an excellent pony, but now had the stiff -complaint. I stopped for a few moments into a store to purchase a few -articles, and I saw in the store a young lady in company with two young -men; we were perfect strangers; they soon passed out and rode off. -After transacting my business I left the store, mounted my stiff pony, -and set out for home. After riding some distance, I saw just ahead of -me a two-horse wagon, with the cover rolled up. It was warm weather, -and I saw in the wagon those two young men and the young lady that I -had seen in the store. As I drew near them they began to sing one of -our camp-meeting songs, and they appeared to sing with great animation. -Presently the young lady began to shout, and said 'Glory<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> to God! Glory -to God!' The driver cried out 'Amen, Glory to God!'</p> - -<p>"My first impressions were that they had been across the Sangamon River -to a camp-meeting that I knew was in progress there, and had obtained -religion, and were happy. As I drew a little nearer, the young lady -began to sing and shout again. The young man who was not driving fell -down and cried aloud for mercy; the other two shouting at the top of -their voices, cried out, 'Glory to God! another sinner's down.' Then -they began to exhort the young man that was down, saying, 'Pray on, -brother; pray on, brother; you will soon get religion'; and up jumped -the young man that was down, shouting aloud, saying, 'God has blessed -my soul. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Glory to God!'</p> - -<p>"Thinking all was right, I felt like riding up and joining in the -songs of triumph and shouts of joy that rose from these three happy -persons; but, as I neared the wagon, I saw them cast glances at each -other and at me, and I suspected then that they were making a mock of -religious things, and, knowing me to be a preacher, wished to fool me. -I stopped my horse and fell back, and rode slowly, thinking they would -ride on,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> and so not annoy me any more; but when I checked my horse and -went slow, they slackened their pace and went slow too, and the driver -changed places with the other young man; then they began again to sing -and shout at a furious rate and down fell the first driver, and up went -a new shout of 'Glory to God! another sinner's down. Pray on, brother; -pray on, brother; the Lord will bless you.' Presently up sprang the -driver, saying, 'Glory to God! He has blessed me.' And both the others -shouted and said, 'Another sinner's converted, another sinner's -converted. Hallelujah! Glory to God!' A rush of indignant feeling came -all over me, and I felt as if I wanted to ride up and horsewhip both -of these rowdies, and if a lady had not been present I might have done -so, but, as it was, I did not. It was a vexatious encounter; if my -horse had been fleet, as in former days, I could have rode right off -and left them in their glory, but he was stiff, and when I would fall -back and go slow, they would check up; and when I would spur my stiff -pony and try to get ahead of them they would crack the whip and keep -ahead of me; and thus they tormented me until my patience was entirely -exhausted. They kept up a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> continual roar of 'Another sinner's down! -Another soul's converted! Glory to God! Pray on, brother! Hallelujah! -Hallelujah! Glory to God!' and I felt it was more than any good -minister ought to bear.</p> - -<p>"I cannot describe my feelings at this time. It seemed that I was -delivered over to be tormented by the devil and his imps. Just at this -moment I thought of a terrible mud-hole about a quarter of a mile -ahead. It was a long one and very deep mud, and many teams had stuck -in it, and had to be pried out. Near the center of this mud-hole there -was a place of mud deeper than anywhere else. On the right stood a -stump about two feet high; all the wagons had to be driven close to -this stump so as to avoid a deep rut on the left, where many wagons -had stuck. I knew where there was a small bridle way that wound round -through the brush to avoid the mud, and the thought occurred to me -that, when we came up to this muddy place, I would take the bridle -way, and put my horse at the top of his speed and by so doing get away -from these miserable tormentors, as I knew they could not drive fast -through this long plot of mud. When we drove near to the commencement -of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> mud I took the bridle path, and put spurs and whip to my horse. -Perceiving that I was rapidly leaving them in the rear, their driver -cracked his whip, and put his horses at almost full speed, and such was -their anxiety to keep up with me to carry out their sport that, when -they came to this bad place, they never saw the stump on the right. The -fore wheel of the wagon struck centrally on the stump, and as the wheel -mounted the stump over went the wagon. Fearing it would turn entirely -over and catch them under, the two young men took a leap into the mud, -and when they lighted they sunk up to their middle. The young lady was -dressed in white, and as the wagon went over, she sprang as far as she -could, and lighted on all fours; her hands sunk into the mud up to her -armpits, her mouth and the whole of her face immersed in the muddy -water, and she certainly would have strangled if the young man had -not relieved her. I rode up to the edge of the mud, stopped my horse, -reared in my stirrups and shouted at the top of my voice:</p> - -<p>"'Glory to God! Glory to God! Hallelujah! another sinner's down! Glory -to God! Hallelujah! Glory! Hallelujah!'</p> - -<p>"If ever youngsters felt mean those did; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> well they might, for they -had carried on all this sport to make light of religion, and to insult -a minister, a total stranger to them. But they contemned religion, and -hated Methodists, especially Methodist preachers.</p> - -<p>"When I became tired of shouting over them, I said to them: 'Now you -poor, dirty, mean sinners, take this as a just judgment of God upon -you for your meanness, and repent of your dreadful wickedness; and let -this be the last time that you attempt to insult a preacher; for if you -repeat your abominable sport and persecutions, the next time God will -serve you worse, and the devil will get you.'</p> - -<p>"They felt so badly that they never uttered one word of reply. Now I -was very glad that I did not horsewhip them, as I felt like doing; -but that God had avenged His own cause, and defended His own honor -without my doing it with carnal weapons. Later, at one of my prosperous -camp-meetings, I had the great pleasure to see all three of these young -people converted to God, and I took them into the Methodist Church."<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> - -<p>Cartwright's mission was not, however,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> story-telling, as was soon made -evident. "Time is bearing on us," he said, "toward the Judgment. Are -we prepared? <i>This</i> is the question—it is the <i>one great</i> question. -Brethren and sisters, is every soul here prepared to meet his God? Let -me see." There was a general indication that those present were. Abe -Lincoln did not signify readiness. "We are going to pray," Cartwright -said, "and you, my young friend," addressing him, "should humble -yourself and call to God for deliverance from hell, for surely the -enemy of man's soul is on his track, and damnation is the eternal -punishment of the unsaved. Fear hell and flee to God."</p> - -<p>"But I don't fear hell," Abe Lincoln said comfortably.</p> - -<p>"Don't fear hell?" and there was both condemnation and surprise in -Cartwright's tone as he repeated the words. "By such unbelief you -question the existence of God."</p> - -<p>"No—I don't question the existence of God, but I would if I believed -eternal damnation. You see, parson, you and me don't measure God by the -same yardstick."</p> - -<p>"But to doubt hell is to doubt God. The same inspired book is the -authority for both."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> - -<p>"For some, maybe, but not for others. Old Snoutful Kelly brought a -child into the world without never once askin' her whether she wanted -to come or not. Then he moved her to Muddy Point where there was -nothin' but mud, without askin' her if she wanted to go. Then he told -her to keep out of the mud, and when she couldn't he gave her a black -eye. Having knocked her blind, he told her if she got into the mud -again he'd 'souse her in a mud-hole to her ears and leave her there -for the buzzards to pick her eyes out.' Now you say God brings us here -children into this world without askin' nothin' about it, where there's -devilment all about us, and we didn't put that here, either. Then you -have God give us a black eye with this original sin you preach about, -which makes us sin whether we want to or not, and when He gets us He -promises hell fire and eternal damnation for gettin' into sin. This -here don't sound like God to me. It sounds like Snoutful Kelly."</p> - -<p>The silence that followed this statement was the kind that seems -reduced to pound-weight. Cartwright stared at the presumptuous youth -who had uttered such words. When he could speak, he said: "Coming from -the lips of a worm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> of the dust, I should call such sacrilege—nothing -short of blasphemy."</p> - -<p>"Might be true if I counted myself among worms, but I don't—I may look -like a worm, Brother Cartwright, or a pair of worms, or even four worms -of the dust tied together, but I haven't none of that wormy feelin' you -hint at, and I don't take stock in wormy religion. The Good Book is -full of more upliftin' texts than the wormy ones. I'd forget about hell -fire and worms of the dust for a while if I was a preacher."</p> - -<p>"What would you preach, Abe?" Mentor Graham asked.</p> - -<p>"Want to know, do you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes—yes," the answer was given by both Rutledge and Doctor Allen.</p> - -<p>Lincoln arose. For a moment he seemed slouchy, bent, and ill at ease. -Then he straightened up and announced his text, "'Beloved, now are ye -the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be.'"</p> - -<p>As he spoke, a wonderful change came over him. His face lit up, his -gestures grew natural and strong, his voice, thin-sounding at first, -took on melody, his ill-fitting clothing was forgotten.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> He seemed for -the moment lifted away from his surroundings, and those listening were -lifted with him.</p> - -<p>As he reached the end of his brief speech and declared, "'And every man -that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself,'" he was measuring up to -some far heights.</p> - -<p>When he finished his short sermon he stood a few seconds. Then his -shoulders drooped, the bright spark faded from his eye and gave place -to the quiet, almost dull gray, and a quizzical smile softened his -face as he said, in sitting down, "Let those who feel like worms be -as decent as they can. Let those that feel themselves sons of God -go forward toward better things. Isn't this the Scripture, Brother -Cartwright?"</p> - -<p>The small, bright eyes of the great exhorter were fastened on the face -of the homely youth. Here evidently was a specimen whose like he had -not seen.</p> - -<p>"There be those," answered Cartwright, "who wrest the Scriptures to -their own damnation. We were created sons of God to be sure. But we -have been separated by the fall of Adam and eternally lost unless we -return to the fold by the one way."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That's just it, which is the right way? Doctor Allen here goes by the -Predestinarian gate. Graham goes by the Hard-Shell gate. The New Lights -have their way, the Free Wills theirs, the Dunkards and the Shakers -have theirs, and you choose the shouting Methodist way. Which of them -all is right?"</p> - -<p>"Right—Why <i>I am right</i>, as I can prove by the Scriptures."</p> - -<p>Lincoln laughed.</p> - -<p>"Come to hear me preach and I can <i>prove</i> to you that I am right. -You're tall and mighty in your own opinion, but I've seen the tall -and lofty sons of Belial bite the dust. Come to hear me! I'll get the -scales from your eyes and the stiffness out of your knees. Let us pray. -To your knees, people," and with fervid honesty and all his consecrated -lung power, the great exhorter called on <i>all</i>-mighty God to have mercy -on the self-satisfied sinner in their midst.</p> - - - -<div class="footnotes"><p class="ph3">FOOTNOTES:</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> From "Autobiography of Peter Cartwright."</p></div></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE RIGHTEOUS SHOUT</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> meeting which Peter Cartwright was to hold had been heralded far -and wide, and it was expected that several thousand people would -attend. A great arbor had been erected at each of the four corners of -which was a high wooden altar covered with earth and sod where pine -torches burned to illuminate the darkness. A platform large enough -to hold twenty preachers had been built, with an open space in front -scattered with straw and lined with mourners' benches. Back from the -arbor a circle of tents was placed; back of the tents, wagons, buggies, -and carts of every description; and back of this rim of vehicles the -horses, and sometimes oxen, were tethered.</p> - -<p>The gathering together of so many people from far and near for a period -of two or three weeks offered an opportunity for profit-making, and at -a previous meeting whiskey as well as cider and tobacco had been sold -in the forest beyond the camp-clearing, and wheels of chance had been -operated, all of which had had a bad effect on the meeting.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Clary Grove boys, after a report from Lincoln, had decided to "give -Old Pete right of way," and planned neither mischief nor profit-making.</p> - -<p>Not so, however, the Wolf Creek and Sand Town gangs; some among these -had decided to use the occasion for money-making, and the day before -the meeting was to open several barrels of whiskey were discovered in -the brush down beyond the camp-arbor.</p> - -<p>Cartwright immediately sent out word that no whiskey-selling would be -allowed anywhere near the meeting-ground, and to the end of discovering -whom he must fight, he disguised himself and was thus able to locate -the gang of rowdies whose head-quarters he found a short distance down -a little creek running by the camp ground. Close to the arbor was a -steep bank, below which the water was quite deep. Into this pool, Peter -Cartwright learned, a plan had been made to throw him. The rowdies were -then to ride through the arbor on horses and, with screeches and yells -like those of Indians break up the meeting.</p> - -<p>With this information in hand, Peter Cartwright prepared himself, and, -armed with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> stout hickory club, he hid at the narrow passage through -which the horsemen were to come, a pathway around the high bank just -above the deep pool.</p> - -<p>The singing service which preceded the sermon, led by the ten exhorters -up at the arbor, was swelling into an inspiring volume when Cartwright, -hiding in the gloom, heard the sound of horses, and the next moment the -leader of the Wolf Creek gang appeared, making his smiling way, with -his eye fixed on the arbor.</p> - -<p>It was at this time the music of the pious song was pierced by an -unearthly screech, ending with the words, "In the name of the Lord, -<span class="smcap">GET BACK</span>!" The horse was the first to heed the exhorter's -summary order. Pitching his rider off perilously close to the brink of -the creek, he snorted away into the forest.</p> - -<p>"In the name of the Lord, get thee behind me, Satan!" Cartwright -shouted again, this time into the ear of the Wolf Creek rowdy, and, -with the words, he gave him such a resounding whack with his club as to -knock him over the bank. The next moment the leader of the gang found -himself kicking in the cold waters into which he had planned to throw -Cartwright.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> - -<p>Several others of the gang now came up and made an effort to pass, but -the yells of Cartwright had summoned the strong ones from the arbor and -after a general mixing up between the sheep and the goats, the more -valiant members of the Wolf Creek gang found themselves crawling out of -the water at the foot of the bank.</p> - -<p>When the gang had been dispersed, Peter Cartwright, puffing and -blowing, returned to the arbor and sounded the great trumpet call -to preaching. The disturbed audience gathered in quickly, the women -seating themselves on one side and the men on the other.</p> - -<p>Taking a timely text, the exhorter described with great power the -conflict he had just been having with the devil, and when he had -reached the climax of the great fight, and had described the way the -devil went splashing into the pool, he sprang from his pulpit to a -long bench across the altar, and, walking back and forth, shouted in a -mighty voice:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Then my soul mounted higher</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">In a chariot of fire,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And the moon it was under my feet!</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>From a shout, the words grew into a song, improvised scriptural texts -serving for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> verses, and the chorus each time being the victorious -statement that his soul had mounted up until the moon was under his -feet. The audience soon caught the swing of the chorus and sent out -great volumes of melody on the night air.</p> - -<p>After this song, the old favorite, "Where, O where are the Hebrew -children?" was started, and as the questions "Where, O where now is -good Elijah?"; "Where, O where now is good old Daniel?"; "Where, O -where now is my good mother?" were sung, with their answers, enthusiasm -grew until the united answers rolled away in great sound-waves on the -stillness of the black forest.</p> - -<p>The situation was growing interesting. There was a suppressed feeling -that something was going to happen.</p> - -<p>Among the hundreds who stood about the sides were Abe Lincoln and -Doctor Allen, who had taken the time to ride over in the hopes of -seeing for themselves an exhibit of spiritual power known as the jerks. -The perceptible and steady rise in excitement gave promise of almost -any kind of unusual demonstration. Sinners had been called to the altar -and many were falling in the dust, groaning and calling on God to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> save -them from sin and its terrible punishment of hell.</p> - -<p>Cartwright by now seemed to be singing, exhorting, preaching and -praying all at the same time. The shouters had felt the power, and -added to the singing and praying. Shrill cries of "Glory," and other -ejaculations of unearthly joy were heard. Bonnets, caps, and combs -were beginning to fly. Several of the sisters gave exhibitions of what -were called running, jumping and barking exercises, and the men most -interested in them were near at hand to catch them when they fell. -Some who succumbed to this excess of joy, remained in a trance-like -condition, however, and there were at one time many unconscious men and -women lying prostrate in the straw at one place. Abe Lincoln and Dr. -Allen looked on with much interest.</p> - -<p>In the midst of the excitement, there came to the ears of Abe Lincoln, -from the woman's side, somewhere across from him, a familiar note. His -interest was at once centred in discovering the owner of the voice. -After a very short time he saw Ann Rutledge. To-night she wore a dress -half wool, half flax, a soft material, dyed with butternut until it was -as yellow as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> her hair. She stood not far from one of the pine-torch -fires, and in the reflection of the orange flames she made a picture -worthy an artist's canvas.</p> - -<p>With his eyes upon her face, shining as if touched by fire from some -heavenly altar, Abe Lincoln suddenly became oblivious of the scenes -about him, though proving of such unusual interest to Dr. Allen.</p> - -<p>The song about the Hebrew children had given way to another and yet -more emotional expression; a hand-shaking ditty which seemed little -more than a monophonic impromptu to carry the line, "My brother, I -wish you well; when my Lord calls, I trust you will be mentioned in -the Promised Land." Before the many improvised verses of this chant, -alike rousing and pathetic, had been sung twice, the climax joy of the -safety of heavenly bliss, and the climax sorrow of the doom of eternal -punishment had been reached, and it was evident to Dr. Allen that the -strange physical expression was about to break out.</p> - -<p>"Look!" he said to Abe Lincoln.</p> - -<p>There was no response.</p> - -<p>"Look!" he repeated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then he glanced at the man by his side. Abe Lincoln was looking, but -not as Dr. Allen had indicated, and the expression on his face was one -Dr. Allen had never seen there. For a moment his eyes rested on the -uncouth and homely youth in surprise; then, as if hesitating to break -some pleasant spell, he took him by the arm and said softly, "They're -getting the jerks."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln turned suddenly, and in something of an apologetic tone -said, "It's Ann Rutledge singing. Look at her face. Doesn't she seem -happy?"</p> - -<p>"Ann Rutledge is always happy," Dr. Allen answered, "but look up in -front."</p> - -<p>"Hope she don't catch it," he said with a last glance at Ann as he -turned his attention to a woman who had just shaken her apron off.</p> - -<p>"Don't fear," Dr. Allen replied smiling. "Book learning and this sort -of thing don't go together."</p> - -<p>Dr. Allen and Abe Lincoln pushed nearer the front. According to -Cartwright the jerks were useful to call attention to the power of God -or the devil, whichever caused the peculiar demonstration. At any rate -it affected them powerfully, and soon many about the altar were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> in -different stages of the mysterious visitation of the supernatural. The -heads of some jerked from side to side. Others bent back and forth. -Sometimes the whole body jerked so violently it soon fell exhausted, -and many bodies that fell into the straw lay for days before returning -to consciousness.</p> - -<p>As Dr. Allen and Abe Lincoln watched, they saw one man, who stood -near a support, beat against it until the skin was scraped from his -forehead. Dr. Allen felt moved with professional pity, but Abe Lincoln -said, "He's getting religion, let him alone."</p> - -<p>It was four o'clock in the morning, when those who had breath enough -left sang, "Blest be the tie that binds," and repaired to their tents -to rest until the trumpet should summon them to early morning prayers.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The next morning, as Abe Lincoln and Dr. Allen were crossing the arbor -grounds, they saw Ann Rutledge and John McNeil laughing together as -she fried eggs over an open fire. For a moment Lincoln felt the same -sensation he experienced when once before he would have destroyed -McNeil from the face of the earth.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> - -<p>Dr. Allen noted the momentary expression on his face and involuntarily -compared it with what he had seen there the night before. He did not -stop now to make any deductions, but he did not forget.</p> - -<p>A little later Abe Lincoln met Ann and the Rev. Peter Cartwright. "We -were talking about you," Ann said.</p> - -<p>"I was wondering if the demonstration of Divine power at last night's -meeting had not shaken the scales from your eyes, my sinner friend," -was the exhorter's greeting.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you call me a sinner because I do not believe in hell," Abe -Lincoln said, smiling.</p> - -<p>"No man can be religious and not fear hell."</p> - -<p>"My sin then is in lack of fear, but I didn't make myself, and God just -forgot to put it in. Am I to blame for that?"</p> - -<p>"Don't be a scoffer," was Cartwright's advice. "You have a soul worth -saving, young man. I shall pray for your never-dying soul. Perhaps -others are praying for you, and the effectual fervent prayer of the -righteous man availeth much."</p> - -<p>"Thanks. I'll do as much for you if you ever get in need." Abe Lincoln -answered, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> bidding Ann and the preacher good-bye he went on his way.</p> - -<p>John McNeil had come up just as Lincoln turned away. "Poor deluded -sinner," Cartwright said kindly, looking after the tall, uncouth figure -of Abe Lincoln. "How Satan does delude the soul of man, but he's worth -praying for."</p> - -<p>When John McNeil was alone with Ann Rutledge a few moments later, he -said: "What did I tell you, Ann? I like Abe Lincoln all right, but I -believe he is one of the worst sinners in this county. Why even those -Wolf Creek rowdies that tried to break up the meeting believe in hell."</p> - -<p>"Folks don't see things the same way," Ann asserted thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"No—I suppose you'd call Abe Lincoln a saint."</p> - -<p>Ann made no answer. She seemed just then to hear a bruised and helpless -child saying: "God come, and His name's Abe Lincoln."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a></p> - -<p class="center">A BUSY SINNER</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">While</span> Peter Cartwright was laboring with every honest ounce of energy -in his energetic soul and body to get his fellow-men safely aboard the -old ship of Zion, Abe Lincoln was finding diversions from the regular -routine of store work, in kind as different as whipping a bully and -feeding a baby.</p> - -<p>The bully happened into the store one afternoon while Abe Lincoln was -waiting on a couple of ladies. He had not seen the stranger before, and -greeted him with his usual salutation, "Howdy, partner—come in."</p> - -<p>It was soon evident that the stranger was on no friendly mission.</p> - -<p>Hardly was he inside the store than he began to talk abusively and to -deliver himself of an abundance of profanity.</p> - -<p>Leaning over the counter Lincoln called the man's attention to the -fact that there were ladies present. The man continued his abuse and -swearing. Again Abe Lincoln spoke to him, this time saying in positive -terms that no swearing was allowed when ladies were in the store.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> - -<p>The reply to this remark was worse swearing.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln said nothing more until the ladies were gone. Then he -walked out from behind the counter and looked the stranger over.</p> - -<p>"There's some sort of folks who can't listen to reason," he remarked. -"Them kind has to have the daylights whaled out of them. What you need, -partner, and what you are goin' to get is a spankin'."</p> - -<p>This seemed to be what the stranger had desired. Pushing out his chest -he stepped before Lincoln and told him to come on.</p> - -<p>"Let's move out onto the face of the earth," Lincoln said. "I don't -want to tear up the crockery and kick the molasses over."</p> - -<p>When they were out at the side of the store and while the big bully was -yet telling what he was going to do, he was seized suddenly, thrown to -the ground and rolled over a couple of times. Then the tall man grabbed -a handful of smart-weeds and rubbed it in the eyes of the profane -stranger until he bellowed like a bull.</p> - -<p>A crowd had collected to discover what the row was about, among them -John McNeil.</p> - -<p>When Lincoln had extracted a promise from his visitor that he would -keep his swearing for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> men only, he let him up, and, taking him by the -arm, led him back to the store-steps and seated him. He then brought -water, bathed the eyes of the subdued stranger, and shook hands with -him.</p> - -<p>This incident furnished talk for New Salem for a couple of days, and -John McNeil made a special trip to camp-meeting that night to tell Ann -Rutledge about the fresh pugilistic outbreak of the tallest sinner in -their midst.</p> - -<p>In less than a fortnight after this incident, the stranger came again -to the store with the request that Lincoln return with him at once to -his home, as his wife was sick. He had recently moved out from Indiana -and was not acquainted in the neighborhood, and he felt, some way, that -Lincoln could help her.</p> - -<p>To Honey Grove, a few miles distant, Lincoln went with him, and in -a poor little cabin found a woman with a small baby. The woman was -suffering from some sort of fever which had followed a severe chill.</p> - -<p>"We didn't have nary remedy," she said with labored breath. "Back at -Wild Cat Run in Indianny, I had some black dog ile rendered in the dark -of the moon. Lots of folks was cured<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> with it, but I couldn't git no -black dog ile, nor blood of a black cat, nor even the blood of a black -hen here. Do you know whar thar's a black cat or dog? I'm powerful -hot—I can't hardly breathe, I'm so hot. Jim, he says if there's -anybody in this neck of the woods can do it it's Abe Linkum. Kin you -help me? Do you know where there's a black dog?"</p> - -<p>As the tall youth stood over the bed hearing the plea his face was -moved with pity.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I'll help you. But I know something better than a black dog. -We'll get Dr. Allen. He's the best doctor and got the biggest heart of -any man in Illinois. He'll come and cure you."</p> - -<p>Then Abe Lincoln wrote a few lines on a paper which he had in his -pocket. "Hurry with bearer if possible, and bring Hannah Armstrong. We -may save a mother's life. She has a little baby. A. Lincoln."</p> - -<p>This he gave to the waiting husband, bidding him go back with all -possible speed to New Salem.</p> - -<p>At best it would be a couple of hours before the doctor could arrive, -for it was several miles to town. Dr. Allen and Jack Armstrong both -had good horses; Hannah was a fine rider, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> Lincoln knew they would -hasten if the doctor was not away on some other call.</p> - -<p>When the husband had gone Abe Lincoln found himself alone in a small -clearing circled about by miles of woods. The short, heavy breathing of -the woman broke the stillness of the warm fall afternoon. He turned to -the bed and looked down at the sufferer. Her face was saffron yellow, -brightened to copper on her cheeks by flush of fever. Her eyes shone -like glass. Her features were pinched, and her mouth drawn.</p> - -<p>The young man by the bedside knew that unless help speedily came death -was not far. Bending over her, he drew his long, strong fingers across -her burning forehead.</p> - -<p>"How good that feels!" she said, half closing her eyes. "You got -fingers soft as a baby's."</p> - -<p>He brought some water, and not being able to find a cloth, used his -hand, making it cool and brushing her face very gently.</p> - -<p>For a few moments she seemed easier, murmuring her thanks. "Your maw," -she said, opening her eyes, "how she must love you."</p> - -<p>"I have no mother," he said huskily "—not in this world."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Your woman, then," she said, breathing the words out with labor -"—every man has his woman."</p> - -<p>He made no answer.</p> - -<p>Under the touch of his cool hand she seemed for a time to grow quiet. -But the fever was burning higher in her veins, and soon she began to -rock her head and utter incoherent words.</p> - -<p>Then she opened her eyes again. "I'm skeered," she said. "I'm awful -skeered. I hain't done nobody no harm—but I ain't never been -religious."</p> - -<p>"Don't be afraid," he said huskily. "What is there to fear?"</p> - -<p>"Hell—hell," she moaned, "I've heerd it preached."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln started to say something reassuring, but again her mind was -wandering. When she spoke now, it was of the baby lying on the back of -the bed. After opening her eyes and steadying them, she half moaned, -"He's hungry, the fever's dried me up—can you feed the baby? There's -milk—there's milk——"</p> - -<p>She did not finish the sentence. It seemed hard for her to speak.</p> - -<p>"I'll find the milk and feed the baby. Don't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> worry," and he brushed -her hot arms and hands and forehead with his big, wet hands.</p> - -<p>Again she sank back into that restless drowsiness broken by moans and -incoherent mutterings. Sometimes there was a sharp outcry, and always -the labored breathing, growing ever faster and faster.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln went to the door and looked anxiously up at the sun, and -from the sun, down the roadway.</p> - -<p>When he returned to the bed the woman wanted to speak again. She opened -her eyes. At first there was only a glassy stare, but with an effort -she gathered her vision and, fixing her eyes on the homely face by her -side, she said with words that seemed beaten out by some raging inward -force, "Abe Linkum, kin you pray?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," he answered without hesitation, "what's prayer but callin' on -God when there ain't no one else can help?—yes."</p> - -<p>"Pray," she pleaded—"kneel down and pray for me—I'm—burnin' up."</p> - -<p>The young man knelt beside the bed. The woman reached out and clutched -him. He took her burning hand in his. By its pressure he knew that she -was hearing what he said, as in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> few simple words he brought to the -attention of the Father the needs of a helpless and suffering child.</p> - -<p>When he arose, the expression in the shining eyes told him the woman -was still conscious.</p> - -<p>A moment she looked into his face. Then she said: "Tain't nothin' to be -skeered of—is ther'—I ain't skeered no more—God, He won't let them -git me and carry me to hell—God—God——" then the intelligent light -passed and the fitful fire of consuming fever took its place.</p> - -<p>The end was at hand. Anxiously Abe Lincoln looked up the roadway, -praying in his heart for a sight of Dr. Allen. The woman was raving -wildly, and before another ten minutes had gone, life had left her body.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln folded the hot hands over the fevered breast, straightened -the head on the pillow and turned the cover up.</p> - -<p>As he stood looking down on the clay tenement the baby cried. After a -brief search the milk was found, and taking the little one from its -dead mother, the gawky young man began the task of feeding it with a -spoon.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had he finished this task than the ring of horse's hoofs -sounded down the roadway.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> Good Dr. Allen was coming, and with Hannah -Armstrong.</p> - -<p>"Too late, Doc," Abe Lincoln said quietly, looking toward the bed. Then -holding the baby to Hannah Armstrong, he said, "I've fed calves and -pups, but this one seems to leak about the ears. So far all the milk -has gone down its neck."</p> - -<p>Hannah Armstrong took the baby. Doctor Allen was looking at the hot -body, which even now was beginning to turn black under the finger nails -and about the mouth.</p> - -<p>"Swamp poison," he said. "I could not have saved her—not to-day."</p> - -<p>After Dr. Allen and Hannah Armstrong had gone back to New Salem Abe -Lincoln stayed long enough to help the woman's husband make a coffin.</p> - -<p>On her way home, Hannah Armstrong stopped at Rutledge Inn to consult -Mrs. Rutledge as to what should be done for the baby, and it was -through her Ann Rutledge heard a portion of the story.</p> - -<p>"If there's any preacher or elder or deacon or shoutin' saint in this -whole country that's doin' more for his fellers than Abe Lincoln, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> -want to see the color of his eye," declared Hannah. "He's fulfillin' -the Scripture what says, 'Let not one hand know what the other one's -doing,' and yet they say he's a sinner."</p> - -<p>"I never heard Abe Lincoln called a sinner," Mrs. Rutledge protested in -surprise.</p> - -<p>"Yes, they do. Jack Armstrong himself heard John McNeil telling a bunch -at Hill's store that Peter Cartwright himself said Abe Lincoln was a -poor, deluded sinner." Then she turned to Ann and said: "Ann, if I was -you, I'd speak to John McNeil about talkin' about Abe Lincoln. John -McNeil's a nice fellow, best there is, but 'tain't fair for him to be -pointin' Abe Lincoln out as a sinner. 'Twix the two of them, John with -his ten thousand, and Abe Lincoln with nothin', I guess Abe's doing his -share."</p> - -<p>Ann gave Hannah Armstrong no answer.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE SPELLING MATCH</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">During</span> the fall season there were husking-bees where merry parties -gathered to put away great piles of corn, partake of bountiful dinners -and play games in the evening. There were also a number of log-rollings -and new barn-raisings, at all of which Abe Lincoln seemed to be a -favorite. In fact, the ungainly clerk in Offutt's store had come to -be about the most popular man in town among the men, boys and married -women. He did not, however, pay any special attention to the girls, and -this seemed out of the regular order, especially as they had a friendly -feeling for him.</p> - -<p>With the coming of Christmas there was preparation for much simple -gift-giving. Ann Rutledge especially took this holiday time for -remembering more folks than any other girl in New Salem.</p> - -<p>One gift she had worked on with no small amount of pleasure was a gray -yarn muffler for Abe Lincoln.</p> - -<p>"He goes to all the debates and he might get<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> sore throat," Ann -explained to her mother when asking her permission to make the gift. -"Besides, he hasn't any people and nobody else might remember about -him."</p> - -<p>"You're a good girl to try to save Abe Lincoln's throat for the -Debatin' Society," Mrs. Rutledge had said, laughing. "There'd be an -awful long stretch of stiff neck if cold got into him."</p> - -<p>Another of Ann's gifts was a fruit-cake bear made by her own hands for -Ole Bar.</p> - -<p>When she presented Abe Lincoln with his gift, it proved such a pleasant -surprise that he was rendered for the moment speechless. At the same -time she handed him the cake. "Give it to poor Ole Bar," she had said. -"He seems to be all alone in the world, and I'm afraid nobody will -think of him."</p> - -<p>Ole Bar, as Abe Lincoln had been, was too much surprised to find words -for adequate expression. The next day, however, he returned to the -store and as soon as he got a chance to talk with the clerk alone he -said, "Abry Linkhorn, me son Abry, every man what's a man and not a -pipe-crower in breeches, mates. The Lord God made 'em that way, same as -bars what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> brushes fur and courts in their own decent way. Fur reasons -that no man hasn't been able to pick out of me, I haven't got me no -Mollie and haven't no use for wimmin. But all them as isn't crippled -nor fools nor too old to tote sticks, gets them one at some time. Now -you git Ann Rutledge."</p> - -<p>"But Ann Rutledge is goin' to be married next year to another man," Abe -Lincoln said.</p> - -<p>"Say, Abry, me son, did you ever hear of a bar standin' back like a -holler-headed pip-jack when his Mollie was paradin' round in front of -his eyes just because he thought some other bar was goin' to git her -next year! If I must speak fer you, you never did. Nature comes fust. -Just you git your own Mollie and let the other feller look out fer -hisself."</p> - -<p>"But she's promised, Ole Bar. She has given her honorable word."</p> - -<p>Ole Bar chewed rapidly a moment. Then he stopped suddenly and said -with decision, "Tain't nothin' to that. Wimmin is like bars. The best -fighter gits the best female. If you show her what everybody else -knows, that you're twice the man that deer-faced penny-grabber of hern -is, she's yours, promise or no promise. Git<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> Ann Rutledge. Tain't -nobody in forty years has thought of Ole Bar and sent him a present. -She'll think of ye, Abry Linkhorn, <i>think</i> of ye. Ain't it worth -fightin' fer to have somebody to <i>think</i> of ye? Ain't Ann Rutledge -worth fightin' fer?"</p> - -<p>Abraham admitted she was worth fighting for, and he thought of this the -night of the big spelling-match.</p> - -<p>For the development of pioneer talent the New Salem Debating Society -had been formed that winter, and had held some interesting meetings. -There had been a number of men's meetings for the discussion of -political subjects, which Abe Lincoln attended, but he had not yet -appeared at the Debating Society.</p> - -<p>The spelling-match was to be preceded by a debate on the question, -"Resolved that the negro is more unjustly treated than the Indian?" Abe -Lincoln had been invited to take one side, whichever he chose, and had -said he didn't care which he took, he could win. So he was given the -negro side.</p> - -<p>On the night of the important occasion the little school house was -packed with men and women and children. Candles gleamed brightly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> on -shingles which had been fastened into the chinks of the logs, and a big -fire burned in the wide fireplace.</p> - -<p>When Abe Lincoln arose to speak it seemed that his head would hit the -rafters before he finally got straightened up. He wore jean pants five -inches above his shoe tops, below which an expanse of blue yarn socks -showed. His collarless shirt was fastened at the neck with a big white -button. His coat-tail was so short that to sit on it would have been -an impossibility, his heavy shock of black hair stood out sideways, -and, as he ran his hands down into his pantaloon pockets and stood for -a moment as if embarrassed, a smile passed over the audience and they -awaited eagerly the funny stories they thought he would tell, ready to -burst into laughter.</p> - -<p>After announcing his subject and beginning his speech, his hands -came out of his pockets and his embarrassment disappeared. He forgot -his surroundings in the earnestness of the thoughts he was giving -expression to, and the men and women before him forgot they were not -hearing a funny story and leaned forward listening earnestly. "One man -says to an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>other," he said, "'You work, you toil, you earn the bread, -and I will eat it.' But I say to you that whether it be a king with a -crown on his head that says this, or whether it be a class with the -power to force men, it all means slavery for the man whose toil, whose -work, whose labor is not his own.... Peter Cartwright and others say -the question of slavery or no slavery is spreadin', and that unless it -is settled there will come war.... Why don't the Government buy the -slaves and set them free? This would be right—this would be just—this -might save human life and great expense which at last has to be paid by -human labor." Then he told them about a slave-pen he had seen in New -Orleans where men were sold as the farmers about New Salem sold hogs, -and he gave utterance to that basic thought of Democracy that no man is -great enough to control another man's freedom of thought or action.</p> - -<p>Ann Rutledge sat with her father and mother. "There's something besides -wit under that mop of black hair," Rutledge whispered as Abe Lincoln -sat down. The homely orator was loudly cheered, Ann Rutledge with -smiling face clapping heartily. Lincoln glanced her way, and as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> his -eye rested on her for a moment he thought of Ole Bar's advice.</p> - -<p>Then the spelling-match was called. Sides were chosen and rows of young -people from the age of Sis Rutledge to that of John McNeil formed -one on each side of the room. Mentor Graham gave out the words from -Webster's "Speller," examples of their use being required as well as -spelling.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln and John McNeil were on the same side, Ann Rutledge stood -opposite.</p> - -<p>The schoolmaster opened the book toward the front, for an easy -beginning.</p> - -<p>"Nag", he gave out.</p> - -<p>"N-a-g—My nag runs in the lot."</p> - -<p>"Bib."</p> - -<p>"B-i-b—Put on his new bib."</p> - -<p>"Rude."</p> - -<p>"R-u-d-e—A rude girl will romp in the street."</p> - -<p>"Coach."</p> - -<p>This word three sat down on. It was finally spelled.</p> - -<p>"C-o-a-c-h—Few men can afford to keep a coach."</p> - -<p>"Spark."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> - -<p>"S-p-a-r-k—What John McNeil does to Ann Rutledge when Pa goes to bed."</p> - -<p>A roar of laughter greeted this definition from Sis Rutledge in which -John Rutledge joined heartily. Dr. Allen who sat opposite Abe Lincoln -looked toward him. There was a smile on his face, but it almost -instantly passed, and gave place to an expression the Doctor did not -have time to study, for the match was going on.</p> - -<p>"Pester."</p> - -<p>"P-e-s-t-e-r—Never pester little boys."</p> - -<p>"Fore-top."</p> - -<p>"F-o-u-r——"</p> - -<p>"Next!" called the master.</p> - -<p>"F-o-r-e-t-o-p—The hair over the forehead is called the foretop."</p> - -<p>"Pompions."</p> - -<p>"P-o-m-p-i-o-n-s—Pompions are now commonly called pumpkins.</p> - -<p>"Frounce."</p> - -<p>"F-r-o-w——"</p> - -<p>"Next!" called the master, and several sat down before it was spelled.</p> - -<p>"F-r-o-u-n-c-e—To frounce is to curl or frizzle the hair."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Experience," the word was given to Abe Lincoln.</p> - -<p>"E-x-p-e-r-i-e-n-c-e—Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will -learn in no other."</p> - -<p>"Love"—the word was given to McNeil.</p> - -<p>A giggle went around the room and the words, "John McNeil," were -whispered as he spelled "L-o-v-e—love."</p> - -<p>"Give the definition," the master said.</p> - -<p>"Love is—is—love—is"—John McNeil hesitated and stopped.</p> - -<p>"Who knows what love is?" Mentor Graham asked.</p> - -<p>Half a dozen hands were raised, among them the big hand of Abe Lincoln, -which seemed reaching into the rafters.</p> - -<p>"Abe Lincoln," called the master.</p> - -<p>"Love is an agreeable passion; love is sometimes stronger than death, -and folks that love know it."</p> - -<p>Mentor Graham dropped his eye on the open page of the spelling book. -"Where did you get your definition?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"From the book," Abe Lincoln replied.</p> - -<p>"I mean the part that is not in the book?"</p> - -<p>"I got that from—from——" and the big,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> homely youth hesitated, and -then said, "that's just plain horse-sense."</p> - -<p>"Blasphemy" was the next word given out. It was John McNeil's turn to -spell.</p> - -<p>"B-l-a-s-p-h-e-m-y—A contemptuous treatment of God." McNeil spoke -clearly and glanced toward Ann as if for approval.</p> - -<p>After fifteen minutes of spelling, half the lines were seated. Ann -Rutledge, John McNeil and Lincoln were standing. It was John's turn -again.</p> - -<p>"Relict."</p> - -<p>"R-e-l-e——"</p> - -<p>"Next!" said the master, and the word crossed the line to Ann.</p> - -<p>"R-e-l——" she hesitated a moment and glanced toward Abe Lincoln who -now stood opposite her. He had raised his hand to his face and one of -his long fingers pointed to his eye.</p> - -<p>"R-e-l-i-c-t——" she said slowly—"A relict is a woman whose husband -is dead."</p> - -<p>Again there was a titter and somebody whispered quite audibly, "John -McNeil." But McNeil was not laughing. He had seen Abe Lincoln give a -sign to Ann that had made her a better speller than himself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> - -<p>Gradually the lines thinned until only eight remained. Then the master -gave the word "Seraphim."</p> - -<p>"S-e-r-y——"</p> - -<p>"Next!"</p> - -<p>"S-e-r-r-y——"</p> - -<p>"Next!"</p> - -<p>"S-a-r-a-h——"</p> - -<p>"Next!"</p> - -<p>"C-e-r-i——"</p> - -<p>"Next!"</p> - -<p>"C-e-r-y——"</p> - -<p>"Next!"</p> - -<p>"C-e-r-r-i——"</p> - -<p>"Next!"</p> - -<p>"S-e-r-r——"</p> - -<p>"Next!"</p> - -<p>It was now Lincoln's time. He had been waiting coolly. All eyes were -upon him as he slowly spelled, "S-e-r-a-p-h-i-m."</p> - -<p>"Correct!" said Mentor Graham. "Abraham Lincoln is the champion speller -of New Salem until his better proves himself."</p> - -<p>There was an outburst of applause. Lincoln started to take his seat, -but the master motioned to him to keep his place. The room grew quiet.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The definition, Abe Lincoln?" he said.</p> - -<p>"The kind of folks we may associate with if we keep out of the Slough -of Despond," answered Lincoln.</p> - -<p>"Tell us where you got it," Mentor Graham said.</p> - -<p>"I found it in Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress' one night as I lay before -the fire tryin' to learn something new. There was a wolf howlin' down -in the timber. I tried to learn a new word between each howl. This was -the third."</p> - -<p>John McNeil walked home with Nance Cameron after the spelling-match.</p> - -<p>"Where is John McNeil?" Mrs. Rutledge asked as Ann joined them just -outside the door, for he was always on hand to walk with her.</p> - -<p>"He's walking home with Nance Cameron," Ann answered.</p> - -<p>"What's that for?"</p> - -<p>"I guess he wants to tell her something," she said. But she too -wondered, for he had not spoken to her, had not even seemed to see her, -as he passed with Nance.</p> - -<p>Others noticed this also, among them Dr. Allen and Abe Lincoln. But -they make no comment as they walked down the roadway together.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</a></p> - -<p class="center">"WHO'S AFRAID?"</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It was</span> Sis Rutledge who broke the news to Abe Lincoln that Ann said -he was afraid of women. She went over to the store on an errand and -tarried a few moments, as she always did when an excuse offered, -to talk with the tall, good-natured clerk. This time Mrs. Green's -quilting-bee offered an excuse.</p> - -<p>"Goin' to Mis' Green's quiltin'-bee, are you?" Sis questioned with a -sort of malicious innocence.</p> - -<p>"Men don't go to quiltin'-bees," Abe Lincoln answered.</p> - -<p>"They walk as fur as the door," Sis said. "But you ain't like none of -the rest of them. You don't spark none of the girls, nor take none of -them to quiltin'-bees nor sugar parties nor nothing. Ann says you're -scared of petticoats."</p> - -<p>"Ann Rutledge says I'm afraid of petticoats, eh? Tell Ann I'm comin' by -this evenin' to see her."</p> - -<p>With this astounding piece of news Sis hurried to Ann. She did not, -however, report that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> part of the conversation which might have -explained to Ann why he was coming.</p> - -<p>"Is John McNeil going with you to Mrs. Green's quiltin'-bee?" Abe asked -when she came out to see what he wanted.</p> - -<p>"No—John cannot go."</p> - -<p>"Would he care if I walked over with you and the rest of them?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think he would. We'll all be going together."</p> - -<p>"I'll be on hand then," and this was all Ann knew of the matter.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Rutledge had gone over early that morning to assist Aunt Sallie -Green—getting ready for such an important social function as a -quilting-bee was no small matter.</p> - -<p>First, there was the quilt to put in the frames and the thread and -chalk and strings to have handy, and then there was the dinner, which -took several days to prepare. The feature of most interest at the bee -itself, however, was not the quilt or the feast, but the discussion of -town topics, for women met at the bees who had not had an opportunity -of discussing neighborhood news for weeks, and the time was never long -enough to tell it all.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> - -<p>At Mrs. Green's one of the first topics for discussion was the -postponed marriage of Ann Rutledge and John McNeil. "Ann promised to -marry John McNeil and will sometime," Mrs. Rutledge said, "but her -father wants her to have a good education, and he says there is no -hurry in gettin' her off."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't take no chances in havin' an old maid in the family, if I -was you, Mis' Rutledge," said Mrs. Benson. "I hate to give up my Phoebe -Jane to Windy Batts, but I never would forgive myself if I stood in her -way and caused her to be an old maid."</p> - -<p>"Is Phoebe Jane going to marry Windy Batts?" was asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I've consented. Windy's goin' out to convert the heathens of the -West. He thinks he'll tackle the Indians and preach the Gospel and -Phoebe Jane's goin' with him to sing."</p> - -<p>"What did you Hard Shells turn Mentor Graham out of your company for?" -Mrs. Rutledge asked. "He's the finest man in New Salem."</p> - -<p>"It was his views on abstinence. Sunday schools, mission societies, -temperance societies, nor none of such things is authorized in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> -Bible; you know they ain't, Mis' Rutledge. Well, if they're not -authorized, they're a snare and delusion. Don't meddle with God's -business, we say, and that's what a body does that talks against -dram-drinkin' and tries to start a society."</p> - -<p>"Dr. Allen says rum and such drinks is poison—real, sure enough -poison," Aunt Sallie Green remarked.</p> - -<p>This statement opened a lively discussion.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said one, "and Dr. Allen couldn't get no sort of office -after making a remark like that. Nobody can get anywhere without -dram-drinking."</p> - -<p>"Abe Lincoln don't drink anything stronger than cider."</p> - -<p>"And he goes with the Clary Grove bunch, too. Wonder how he manages."</p> - -<p>"No telling. The Creator broke up the mold after Abe Lincoln was made. -He isn't like no human mortal I ever seen."</p> - -<p>"Some folks says he's crazy," Mrs. Benson volunteered.</p> - -<p>"It was lazy I heard he was," another said.</p> - -<p>"I heard he was dead sure to go to the Legislature, crazy or no crazy."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> - -<p>"He's always reading something. Looks like he'd have all the books read -through after awhile. Wherever he walks he reads."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and I've found him sprawled all over the cellar door reading," -Aunt Sallie Green said.</p> - -<p>"And did you ever see him lyin' under that tree in front of the store -with his back to the ground and his long legs reaching up the tree? -Phoebe Jane said he'd better watch or his legs would grow on up like -bean-vines."</p> - -<p>"And somebody thought it was so funny, they went and told him," added -Mrs. Cameron.</p> - -<p>"Mercy!" ejaculated Mrs. Benson; "was he mad?"</p> - -<p>"No. He said he'd learned a new verse—something about seeing ourselves -as others see us—he wasn't mad, though."</p> - -<p>"And they do say he hasn't got but one shirt to his back—that he sends -what little money he gets, off to his step-mother."</p> - -<p>"And that he never looks at none of the girls. Is this true, Mis' -Cameron?"</p> - -<p>"He don't seem to. The time we had that woman from Virginia and her two -daughters, he slept at the store on the counter every night. But he's -obliging that way when we're crowded."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The men all say he's famous in stump speaking, wrestling and -story-telling."</p> - -<p>"And the women like him because he's honest, kind to women and -forgetful of himself."</p> - -<p>"He has a good turn for everybody and everything, from rabbits to such -poor stuff as Snoutful Kelly. But he don't show no attention to girls."</p> - -<p>"Maybe he has a girl at Gentryville or back on Pigeon Creek."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so," Mrs. Cameron said, "and I'd be apt to know."</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't know much about his affairs, only he never looks at -Ann," Mrs. Rutledge observed. "He really don't pay as much heed to Ann -as he does to Sis, and that's little enough. I don't suppose he knows -what color her eyes are or her hair."</p> - -<p>It was at this stage of the visit that the young people were heard -coming across the fields, shouting and laughing.</p> - -<p>Several of the women arose and looked out.</p> - -<p>"Will you look!" Mrs. Benson exclaimed. "There's Abe Lincoln himself!"</p> - -<p>"And he's with Ann Rutledge," Mrs. Armstrong observed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Abe Lincoln with Ann?" Mrs. Rutledge said, hurrying to the door.</p> - -<p>For the moment she looked bewildered. Then she said, "He's wanting -something—and just happened to walk with Ann."</p> - -<p>"Just hear him laugh," said Aunt Green; "I'm glad he's come. He's a -fine hand to take care of the baby."</p> - -<p>At the door the other boys in the party declined to come in. Not so -with Lincoln.</p> - -<p>"Howdy, ladies, howdy—howdy!" he said, lifting his hat gallantly. "May -I come in? I've heard tell of New Salem quiltin'-bees and I'd like to -see how it's done."</p> - -<p>His welcome was as hearty as his self-invitation, and a few moments -later he found himself tucked behind the quilting—frame beside Ann -Rutledge who was said to be the best quilter in New Salem.</p> - -<p>Ann took out her needles, thread, thimble and emery bag. The end of a -chalked string was tossed to her and she quickly made a few white lines.</p> - -<p>"See the pattern, Abe?" Mrs. Cameron asked. "It's a tulip design, red -flowers and green leaves. The blue is the pot it's growing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> in." In a -few moments the company was quilting and conversation had again begun.</p> - -<p>"We was just settin' in to talk about Peter Cartwright and the way he -prayed the dancin' out of the legs in this community," Hannah Armstrong -explained.</p> - -<p>"I agree with him," Mrs. Benson said; "I'm down on all huggin', whether -settin' or standin' still or movin' about. I haven't brought Phoebe -Jane up the huggin' way. If I had, Windy Batts wouldn't have picked her -to help him convert the Indians."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln whispered something to Ann about a hugging-match and -laughed.</p> - -<p>"I liked his singing," Mrs. Armstrong said. "I thought I'd cry my eyes -out that night he sung 'Down the dark river where the dark willows are -weeping night and day.' I never felt so near a grave-yard in my born -days. Everybody in the camp was mourning for some loved one."</p> - -<p>"Wasn't that the same night he got around to eternal punishment and the -thundering smell of smoke?" asked Mrs. Rutledge. "I heard it. After -they got started they kept going until morning."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> - -<p>While the religious question was being discussed Abe Lincoln was -watching the nimble fingers of Ann Rutledge as with one hand on the top -side and one under the quilt she wove the tiny white stitches on the -red and green and blue.</p> - -<p>Presently the hand of Abe Lincoln disappeared under the quilt. The next -minute a look of surprise showed on Ann's face as she whispered, "Turn -loose of my hand."</p> - -<p>"I'm just trying to learn how it 's done," he whispered back.</p> - -<p>Ann looked about. Nobody was paying any attention to them. She tried to -move her hand but it was held as fast as if in a vice.</p> - -<p>"I'll holler," she said.</p> - -<p>"No, you won't," he whispered back.</p> - -<p>Then Ann jerked her hand and for the moment it was free.</p> - -<p>She bent her slightly flushed face over the quilt and was soon making -the white stitches again.</p> - -<p>But Lincoln's hand was yet under the quilt, and before she had crossed -the red tulip she felt her hand again imprisoned.</p> - -<p>"Let go," she whispered, turning a flushed face to him and trying to -work with one hand.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I can't, I've got to hold on to somethin'. I'm afraid of women," was -the answer.</p> - -<p>The words were whispered in her ear. The flush on Ann's face deepened. -She cast a glance around the quilt. Several were now looking at her and -saw that she was confused. Her one free hand was working rapidly, but -the stitches were being set crooked.</p> - -<p>For a moment or two her hand was held in its prison. Once more he -whispered, "Afraid of women am I, little Ann Rutledge?"</p> - -<p>An instant she lifted her eyes to his. He had never known they were -such beautiful violet blue. They were full of appeal, and Abe Lincoln -could almost see tears coming.</p> - -<p>He dropped her hand, and crawling out from behind the quilt, presented -himself before Aunt Sallie and offered his services.</p> - -<p>"I can wash dishes, carry wood, rock the baby, do anything that's -needed," he said.</p> - -<p>"A man like you ought to have a woman," Aunt Sallie Green observed.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid of women," he answered, laughing with boyish merriment.</p> - -<p>Ann's face colored again slightly, but she joined the laugh with the -others.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Ready to go, Ann Rutledge?" he said when the party was over.</p> - -<p>"I am waiting for mother," she answered with quiet dignity.</p> - -<p>He laughed. "Who's afraid?" he whispered as they started home. But Ann -walked beside her mother.</p> - -<p>This did not prevent word going out that Abe Lincoln was shining up to -Ann Rutledge. What other reason on earth could there be for a young man -attending a quilting-bee and sitting by her and getting her all nervous -right in the middle of her tulip-quilting.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a></p> - -<p class="center">POLITICS AND STEAMBOATS</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was considerable local pride in the pioneer hamlet of New Salem, -and Abe Lincoln had entered into it with enthusiasm from the beginning -of his citizenship. While he was ever present at political meetings and -never silent, his opinion was that local needs were more pressing than -national questions.</p> - -<p>There were several needs which he continually urged. As good roads were -at present out of the question he advocated river traffic. With boats -plying the Sangamon River, freight could be brought to their very door, -and the farmer's produce, on the sale of which depended the future of -the country, could be marketed at such a saving of time and money as -would make the difference between failure and success.</p> - -<p>So clearly did the young politician set forth this need that he soon -had the majority of the men of the village of the same opinion. Another -matter which he considered of first importance was the education of all -children in free schools. This matter he also emphasized, showing in -his crude but effective way that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> future of Democracy depends on -the education of the masses.</p> - -<p>Having impressed his opinions on the men of the town their next -question was how to get these laws. The logical answer was, to elect to -their law-making body a representative of these views.</p> - -<p>Then it was that the uncouth young backwoodsman, without a dollar in -the world and scarce a change of clothing to his back, was asked to -represent Sangamon County in the next Legislature.</p> - -<p>He agreed to do so, and issued a circular addressed to the "People of -Sangamon County." In it he took up all the leading questions of the -day: railroads, river navigation, internal improvements, and usury. He -dwelled particularly on the matter of public education, alluding to it -as the most important subject before the people. The closing paragraph -was so constructed as to appeal to the chivalrous sentiments of Clary -Grove. "I was born and have ever remained," he said, "in the most -humble walks of life. I have no wealthy or popular relatives or friends -to recommend me. My case is thrown exclusively upon the independent -voters of the county; and if elected they will have conferred a -favor upon me for which I shall be unremitting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> in my labors to -compensate. But if," he concluded, "the people in their wisdom shall -see fit to keep me in the background, I have been too familiar with -disappointments to be very much chagrined."</p> - -<p>A little after this the wonderful news was announced that a steamboat, -already on the Sangamon River, was to pass New Salem. The captain had -sent word that he wanted one of the representative men of the place -to help him bring the boat to the village. Abe Lincoln was the man -selected. A company of boys and young men also got together and with -long-handled axes set out on horseback to go along the bank ahead of -the boat and clear tree branches out of the way.</p> - -<p>It was a time of great excitement and pregnant with meaning, for here -already were signs that Lincoln's dream of river traffic might be -brought to pass.</p> - -<p>Hours before the appointed time the villagers were out, looking up at -the sun to count the passing of time, or gazing down the river between -the green branches. Speculation was rife, and there were those who -boldly declared they never expected to lay eyes on a real steamboat, -owing to their peculiar habit of blowing themselves up.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> - -<p>Almost to a minute of the announced time, as the sun stood, a shrill -whistle sounded over the woods and fields and river—a strange sound -for the quiet of the new country. Then came the distant shouts of -the branch-cutters as they came riding down the banks swinging their -long-handled axes.</p> - -<p>Comment hushed to an occasional whisper as every head was turned and -every eye strained to catch a first glimpse of the first steamboat that -ever sailed the Sangamon.</p> - -<p>Ann Rutledge was there. She was looking for a man as well as for a -boat—a man she had first seen scarce a year before. The plums had been -in blossom then. It was too early for them now. But she had her bonnet -ready to wave.</p> - -<p>As the boat came in sight a great cheer went up from New Salem on -the bank. It was answered by the ringing voice of a man on board the -steamer, a taller man than any of the others, who waved his hat and -shouted across the water: "Hurrah for the Sangamon!" There were other -messages, and then a loud, long cheer from the bank: "Hurrah for Abe -Lincoln!"</p> - -<p>The tree-cutters passed, singing and laughing. The boat steamed by -like a bird. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> people waved. As the boat neared the bank where Ann -Rutledge and her mother and Mrs. Cameron and Nance stood, Abe Lincoln -lifted his hat and held it clear of his head, and Ann waved her bonnet -and laughed and sang a snatch of song.</p> - -<p>As the boat passed from view the shrill whistle sounded several times. -Ann listened.</p> - -<p>"Nance," she said, "I like the horn better than the whistle. The horn -has a gentleness, and it makes me think of plum blossoms. I would like -to hear it again, just as it sounded a year ago. The whistle—it is -hard—it sounds like blackberry briars."</p> - -<p>Nance laughed. "But thorns go with blackberries," she said; "and travel -must have its thorns, too, if it keeps up with what Abe Lincoln calls -progress."</p> - -<p>John McNeil joined the girls.</p> - -<p>"Ann," he said, "you look very happy to-day."</p> - -<p>"Yes," she replied, "I'm so glad about the steamboat."</p> - -<p>"It's just about a year since Abe Lincoln first saw this town," he -observed.</p> - -<p>"Yes—it was April 19th, last year."</p> - -<p>"You remember the date well."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That was the day I found the first plum blossoms."</p> - -<p>"And you found them just in time to wave at Abe Lincoln."</p> - -<p>"I was glad he got his boat off the mill dam."</p> - -<p>"Ann, what do you suppose Abe Lincoln came to New Salem for?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe the same thing you did, John."</p> - -<p>"I came to make money, and I'm making it. He didn't come to make money. -He don't know how to make money and never will. Besides he gives away -all he does get hold of."</p> - -<p>"How do you know?"</p> - -<p>"I found out. And who do you suppose he gives it to?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know."</p> - -<p>"His step-mother—step-mother!" and there was a strange tone in his -voice whether of contempt or pity, Ann could not tell.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps she is old and helpless," she said.</p> - -<p>"Well, suppose she is, she's only his step-mother. If a man ever -expects to get ahead he must save his pennies and let them make other -pennies for him. That's the way to make money."</p> - -<p>"I guess you know, John." Ann answered rather absently.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a></p> - -<p class="center">CAPTAIN LINCOLN</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">John Rutledge</span> and John McNeil were discussing Abe Lincoln as they sat -around a low-burning fire on an early April evening. John Rutledge had -just announced it as his opinion that Abe Lincoln had uncommon stuff in -him and would make his mark in the world some way.</p> - -<p>"I think Abe is a fine fellow," John answered, "but he'll never get -anywhere."</p> - -<p>"What makes you think that?"</p> - -<p>"He doesn't know enough to get on the right side of a question. He's -always taking up for something like nigger slaves. How's a man going to -get anywhere in politics taking up with such notions?"</p> - -<p>"I've never heard him say much about negro slaves, one way or another," -Rutledge said. "But the general principle of one man being held as -property by another man, that's what Abe Lincoln gets after, and I -think he's right."</p> - -<p>"Do you know what he's taking up for now?" John McNeil asked.</p> - -<p>"Haven't heard. What is it?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Indians, he's taking up for our enemies the Indians. A lot of the -fellows were talking about the Indians. Ole Bar was telling the way -they poison their arrows. He told some of the most blood-curdling -cruelties you ever heard."</p> - -<p>"And Abe Lincoln took up for the cruelties?"</p> - -<p>"Not exactly that, but he said the Indians didn't do any worse than we -would. They try to kill us and go at it the best way they know how. -We try to kill them and, having bullets instead of arrows, kill more -of them. Besides, he says this country belonged to them before it did -to us, and we got it just as a big dog gets a bone away from a little -dog. And he said more. He said that we, professing to be civilized and -Christians, break our promises and treaties worse than they do."</p> - -<p>Rutledge took his pipe from his mouth and slowly exhaled a thin cloud -of smoke. Then he said: "Well, John, the only thing the matter with -this is that it's all true."</p> - -<p>"Maybe so," McNeil admitted. "But what's it going to get him, taking up -for slaves and Indians."</p> - -<p>"And poor little children whose fathers beat them, and women dying -alone in the forest?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was Ann who asked this question. She had been sitting by her little -sewing-table, mending stockings.</p> - -<p>"That's what I'm asking," John McNeil repeated. "How's a man going to -make money, fighting customers who swear in his store, or leaving his -shop to hunt folks who have paid him a penny too much; or to get votes, -taking up for folks that haven't any?"</p> - -<p>The young man spoke quite seriously. John Rutledge laughed and then -said: "It's the principle of things that counts. At present, however, -only local issues are being discussed. On these Abe Lincoln is what we -want."</p> - -<p>"You'll lose your vote if you cast it for him. He'll never get anywhere -politically. Mark what I tell you."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was only a few days after this that the entire New Salem community -was thrown into great excitement by news of an Indian invasion. -Treaties had been broken and Black Hawk, the head of the warring Sacs, -was again on the war path.</p> - -<p>A company was immediately formed in New Salem to go out against the -redskins. While the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> organization was yet forming, a demand was made -for Abe Lincoln as captain.</p> - -<p>He had a rival for the position and the choice was to be made by vote, -each man as he voted to take his place behind the man of his choice. -The voting progressed briskly. When it was finished the line headed by -Abe Lincoln was three times as long as that of his rival. Great cheers -were given, and Lincoln himself was exuberant with joy. A good horse -was brought to him, the stirrups were lengthened, and he mounted. Some -there were who had never seen him on a horse, perhaps. But now to the -shouts of on-lookers and members of his company, he showed himself a -horseman of experience and the angular lines of his body took on a -really military bearing.</p> - -<p>With horses prancing and men shouting and calling, a parade was formed -to march up the one street of New Salem. It was a motley crowd, some of -them in buckskin, some in foxed and homespun breeches, with a generous -sprinkling of coon-skin caps, that formed the company of Captain -Lincoln. In addition to the Clary Grove gang, Wolf Creek patriots were -there and the rowdies from Sand Town, and it was freely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> conceded by -the cool-headed men of New Salem that not a man could handle such a -crowd save Abe Lincoln.</p> - -<p>Ann Rutledge looked on with smiling face and clapped her hands and -shouted when Lincoln went prancing by on his good horse, his face -bright with excitement and his black hair flying back from his forehead -in the wind. But a shadow came over her face the night after the -parade, and during the next few days, when every woman in town was -foxing breeches for the Company, she tried to see him, for she had -something to say.</p> - -<p>Unable to find an opportunity she sent Sis to tell him Ann had -something to give him before he went away.</p> - -<p>He came at once, and Mrs. Rutledge told him Ann was somewhere in the -back yard.</p> - -<p>He found her in the garden where a few peach trees were struggling into -bloom.</p> - -<p>"I've come, Ann," he said, stopping before her. "You sent for me, -didn't you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Abraham Lincoln. There's something I want to say to you before -you go away. I've been holding it against you—but I want to tell you -that I forgive you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Forgive me!" he said in astonishment. "What did I ever do to you that -I should need forgiveness for?"</p> - -<p>"Don't you remember the quilting-bee?" she asked, her face flushing -slightly.</p> - -<p>"And you forgive me?"—he asked the question seriously. Then he -laughed. "Don't forgive. Forgiveness might tempt me to do it again. -Just remember as I go away that I'm not afraid of wolves or bears or -catamounts or snakes or Indians, or any living creature—except women. -It's women I'm afraid of," and he laughed.</p> - -<p>The flush yet showed on Ann's face and her voice was a bit unsteady as -she said, "And there's something else."</p> - -<p>"What is it, Ann?"</p> - -<p>"I—I don't want anything to harm you. I want you to come back sound -and well."</p> - -<p>There was pleading in her eye and a hint of quaver in her voice.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln regarded her thoughtfully a moment. Her blue eyes did not -shift before his steady gaze.</p> - -<p>"Why do you want me to return unharmed?" he asked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Because you are kind to the weak and forgotten folks of earth, and not -many think of this kind: because I think often what the child said."</p> - -<p>"What child?"</p> - -<p>"The beaten and abused child of old Kelly that you saved from more -pain."</p> - -<p>"What was it the child said?"</p> - -<p>"'God came,'" she said. "'And his name was Abe Lincoln.'"</p> - -<p>There was an almost imperceptible twitching in Abe Lincoln's face.</p> - -<p>"There are many children," she continued, "many suffering, sad and -helpless ones who need a strong friend to help them. My father says you -have a future. I want you to come back to your future."</p> - -<p>"Do not fear for me. I will come back—to my future. Good-bye." And he -held out his hand.</p> - -<p>"First, may I pin a sprig of wild plum on your coat for luck? It's -almost too early for them yet and I searched the thicket before I found -this, which looks as if it had only half opened its white eyes, but -it gives out its springtime fragrance to stir up happy memories and -hopes."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln held out the lapel of his coat. "Look at me, Ann," he said -when she had fastened the flower there.</p> - -<p>She raised her eyes. They were rimmed with tears.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln stared a minute as if wholly unable to comprehend the girl; -then he said: "Good-bye, Ann, take care of yourself," and he turned -hurriedly away.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a></p> - -<p class="center">"BOOKS BEAT GUNS, SONNY"</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It was</span> the tenth day of July when Abe Lincoln, who had for weeks been -struggling through the swamps and forests of Michigan territory in -pursuit of the fleeing Black Hawk, turned his face homeward.</p> - -<p>The journey was made with many hardships. The remnant of the Company -went hungry for days, and to make matters worse several horses were -stolen, among them Abe Lincoln's.</p> - -<p>A portion of the long way home was made down the Illinois River in -a canoe. The most of it, however, was tramped, and it was a jaded, -footsore and ragged ex-captain that arrived in New Salem the latter -part of July.</p> - -<p>Nobody knew he was coming, no preparations had been made for him, and -when he went to his former home at the Camerons' he learned that, owing -to an increase in the size of the family, there was no longer bed space -for him, but that John Rutledge had said he could lodge at the Inn.</p> - -<p>This was about the best news he could have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> heard, and tattered and -weary, yet with head held high and smiling face, he presented himself -at Rutledge Inn.</p> - -<p>His welcome here was hearty and genuine, every member of the family, -even to Ann, trying to make him feel at home and all alike impatient to -hear the story of his travels.</p> - -<p>"Did you see the Indians scalp anybody?" Sonnie asked excitedly.</p> - -<p>"No—but we got there after half a dozen had just been scalped. We came -upon them in the early mornin' just as the red sun fell over their -bodies. There were small, red marks on top of the heads. The men were -scouts who had been surprised. One wore buckskin breeches."</p> - -<p>"And did your men always give ready obedience?" asked Davy.</p> - -<p>"Most of the time they did. Once I came near havin' a riot with them. -An aged Indian bearin' a safe-conduct pass from General Cass came -to camp. He was footsore, hungry and weary. The men did not want to -receive him. They said he was a spy and should be killed, and they -made plans to kill him. Just as they were about to proceed, their -six-foot-four Captain arrived and stopped proceedin's. This angered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> -the men. One of them shouted at me that I was a coward. I told him to -choose his weapon and step out and we'd see who was the coward. This he -did not do. The frightened old Indian was sent on his way in safety."</p> - -<p>"It was a hard campaign for you, and with little results," Rutledge -remarked.</p> - -<p>"Hard, yes—but not without results. There are different kinds of -results, you know, Mr. Rutledge. I didn't kill any Indians, but I had -far better luck than that. I got acquainted with Major John T. Stuart -of Springfield, who asked to be of service to me."</p> - -<p>"What's he going to do for you?" asked Davy. "Give you a fine gun or -sword?"</p> - -<p>"Better than that, Son, he is goin' to let me use his books."</p> - -<p>"Books!" Sonny exclaimed, and the boy's voice was so charged with -disgust they all laughed.</p> - -<p>"Yes, books," Abe Lincoln replied. "Rattlesnakes and panthers and -Indians know the fightin' game and have weapons for the purpose, but -this sort of fightin' will never make the world a better place to live -in. If the world ever gets to be the kind of a place you ask God for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> -when you pray, 'Thy kingdom come,' it's comin' by brains and hearts -instead of by claws and fangs. You can't shoot sense nor religion -into a man any more than you can beat daylight into the cellar with -a club. Take a candle in, and the thick darkness disappears; just so -give the people knowledge and their ignorance and intolerance and other -devilment will disappear. I haven't lived so powerful long yet, but -I have lived long enough to make up my mind that for the good of all -mankind books beat guns, Sonny."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a></p> - -<p class="center">ABE MAKES A SPEECH</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> Abe returned from his few months of service in the Black Hawk War, -he learned that his political opponent, Peter Cartwright, had been -making the most of his opportunity.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln had announced his candidacy before he went away, but had -had no time even to plan a speaking tour. Peter Cartwright had remained -on his itinerary and had been speaking to large audiences. The weapon -Cartwright had been using against his opponent with most telling effect -was the implied charge that he was an infidel.</p> - -<p>While Captain Lincoln had been gone from New Salem a minister had come -to the hamlet to make his home, and was already one of the circle -composed of Mentor Graham, Dr. Allen, William Green, John Rutledge, and -other of Abe Lincoln's good friends.</p> - -<p>Even before his return these friends had discussed the matter of -religion as it pertained to the success of this candidate, and had -decided, especially since Cartwright was making much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> capital out of -the fact that Abe Lincoln was not a church member, that he should -become one.</p> - -<p>Accordingly he was called into council and the case set before him.</p> - -<p>"It is not necessary that I go to the Legislature to keep my own -self-respect," he said to them. "It is necessary, however, that I -deal honestly with myself, and it would be neither fair to me nor to -your society for me to become a member, since I do not believe as you -claim to. I have no use whatever for a God that plots against innocent -children and helpless women, encourages murder, that throws rocks -down on honest soldiers and, as recorded, does many other foolish and -wicked things which would shame a decent Indian. I'm familiar with the -Good Book—too familiar to swallow some portions of it whole. Whenever -you get together on the rule 'Love your neighbor' that Jesus himself -taught, I'll join you."</p> - -<p>"Cartwright is making much of your refusal to be counted with -Christians."</p> - -<p>"And by doin' just this thing Cartwright is provin' himself either -ignorant of the Constitution of the United States or knowingly -betraying it. Our Constitution stands forever for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> the separation of -Church and State, of religion and politics. If my common, everyday -horse-sense will not let me believe in purgatorial fires, what has -that to do with making Sangamon River navigable? If I haven't any -better sense than to pray to an image, that's my affair so long as it -is not allowed to enter into or affect my public policies, or I do -not try to inflict it on someone else. This is what I make out of our -Constitutional guarantee of civil and religious liberty. I haven't -had much chance to go to school. I haven't had many books to study. -But, gentlemen, I've eaten up the Constitution of our country and -digested it a dozen times over. I may get its meaning wrong. I think -I'm right. If I am, then Cartwright is wrong—just as wrong as I would -be to campaign against him because he preaches hell fire and eternal -punishment, which to me is as damnable a doctrine as my lack of such -belief can ever be to him."</p> - -<p>"Abe Lincoln," said John Rutledge, "I believe you are right. Stand by -your guns. You may lose now but you will come out all right in the long -run."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln's first appearance on the stump in this campaign was at -Pappsville, a small place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> eleven miles west of Springfield. A public -sale had been advertised and the young candidate thought it would be a -good chance to get a hearing.</p> - -<p>After the sale a friend who had accompanied him went about shouting, -"Public speaking! Draw near! Draw near!"</p> - -<p>The crowd soon collected, for every man was interested in a stump -speech.</p> - -<p>Hardly had the crowd gathered than a fight started and a general row -seemed inevitable.</p> - -<p>Seeing a friend of his being pushed about by the rough crowd, Abe -Lincoln jumped from the platform, and, rushing into the crowd, began -shouldering the excited men apart so that his man could get out. -Finally, he pushed against a man who turned about and defied him. -Without a word he grabbed the man by the neck and the seat of the -breeches and tossed him a dozen feet. This act had a quieting effect -on the fight and the fighters stopped to see what manner of political -candidate this was who could pitch men about as a farmer pitches a -shock of wheat.</p> - -<p>What they saw on the rude platform was an unusually tall, ungainly -and homely young fellow, who wore a mixed-jeans coat, bob-tailed and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> -short-sleeved, pantaloons made of flax and tow linen, a straw hat and -pot-metal boots.</p> - -<p>His speech was short. He said, "Gentlemen and fellow-citizens, I -presume you all know me. I am humble Abraham Lincoln. I have been -solicited by my friends to become a candidate for the Legislature. My -politics are short and sweet like the old woman's dance. I am in favor -of a national bank. I am in favor of the internal revenue system, -education for everybody, and a high, protective tariff. These are my -sentiments and political principles. If elected I shall feel thankful. -If not, I am used to defeat. It will be all the same."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</a></p> - -<p class="center">STORY OF A BOY</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Abraham Lincoln</span> was not elected to the Legislature. He received, -however, every vote in New Salem except three, and his friends had -hopes that he might yet develop into something—nobody knew just what.</p> - -<p>Meantime some changes had been made in mercantile affairs in New Salem -and the store of Offutt was no more. This left Abe Lincoln without a -job.</p> - -<p>An opportunity offered for him to secure a store of his own. A store -owned by another man had not long since been raided by the Clary Grove -gang. After drinking all the "wet goods," they broke the glassware, -tied bottles to the tails of their horses, and with a whoop and a yell -went riding about the country.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln had no money, but with a young fellow named Berry, whose -father was a leading Presbyterian citizen, he bought the store and they -gave their notes in payment.</p> - -<p>Certain it was the Clary Grove gang would not molest Lincoln's store. -On the other hand, they would have fought to protect it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> - -<p>In fitting up this store Lincoln and Berry took out a tavern license, -which gave them the right to sell liquor in small quantities. All -stores kept liquor. Yet this fact did not make it seem right that one -who did not drink himself, who knew the trouble it made others, who -even agreed with Dr. Allen that it was poison, should keep a barrel -of whiskey in the corner of his store, and more than one discussion -between Abe Lincoln and the good doctor were engaged in during these -days.</p> - -<p>Several treasures came into possession of the junior member of the firm -after Berry and Lincoln opened their store. Lincoln one day bought a -barrel. What it contained he did not look to see. It was a good barrel. -The man said it had a book or two down under the papers, and as he -needed the few cents badly, the purchase price was paid and the barrel -put aside.</p> - -<p>When some weeks later the contents was poured out Abe Lincoln -discovered a treasure. He deserted his store long enough to run over to -Rutledge's to make known his wonderful good luck. His homely face was -bright with pleasure and his dull, gray eyes were shining as he held -out a worn and stained copy of Blackstone.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Look! Look!" he cried, and in his joy he even tried to dance a jig.</p> - -<p>Another rich possession that came to him was a volume of poems -containing one that he especially liked, the title of which was -"Immortality."</p> - -<p>This poem Abe Lincoln wanted to read the Rutledges as they sat around -the fire on an early fall evening.</p> - -<p>But Davy did not like the sound of the first verse and asked for a -story of the killing of Abe Lincoln's grandfather by Indians. When -this was told he wanted to hear about the voodoo fortune-teller in New -Orleans and the slave-markets and the ships in the harbor.</p> - -<p>So Lincoln told these things while John Rutledge smoked and Mrs. -Rutledge and Ann busied their fingers with their mending, meantime -listening with as much interest as the children to their boarder's talk.</p> - -<p>After Davy's stories had been told it was Sonny's turn. "Tell about -when you were a little boy," he urged; "that's what I want."</p> - -<p>Nothing could have been more acceptable to the entire family than this, -for he had never said much about his own affairs.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The little boy you ask me to tell about," he said, "lived far away -in a dense forest; wild cats screamed down the ravines; wolves howled -across the clearin'; bears growled in the under-brush. The house this -little boy lived in was not much better than the cave or the den of the -animals. It was built of logs but had no floor, no windows, and no skin -hung to the door. In a loft above the one room was a nest of leaves and -into this he climbed at night on pegs driven into the wall.</p> - -<p>"Though he was very poor, this little boy was rich in one thing, and -that was his mother. She toiled until her shoulders were stooped and -thin, her face pale and her clear, gray eyes dim and sad, but she was -never too tired to love her children, the boy and his little sister -Sarah. She could read well and had brought into the wilderness three -books: the Bible which she read daily, 'Pilgrim's Progress,' and -Aesop's 'Fables.' Before the boy learned to read she told them stories -from these books in the yellow light of a pine torch which burned upon -the hearth, and the boy minded not the cry of wolves, nor wind, nor -sleet, when he could hear these wonderful stories.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The boy was taught many things that boys on the frontier must know. He -learned early to skin animals and fix the hides for clothes but he was -never a hunter. He some way felt that the animals had a right to life, -just as he had. They knew what it was to be hungry and cold and to -sleep in leaves. It was a funny notion, but the boy felt in a way they -were his brothers and he never killed them.</p> - -<p>"After he learned to read he spent hours on the floor lyin' in the -firelight with the Bible spread before him, spellin' out the words and -learnin' the verses until he had read the Book many times.</p> - -<p>"When he was nine years old his mother made him a linsey-woolsey shirt -and possum-skin cap to wear with his buckskin breeches and sent him -away through the woods to school. He only went for a few weeks. The -boys in this school put coals on terrapin's backs. He was not quick to -learn from his books but he made speeches against this cruelty, and his -first fight was with a boy for robbin' a bird's nest.</p> - -<p>"In one school he went to for a short time later, a master named -Crawford taught manners. He made one boy stand at the door. When -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> pupils came up they were taught to lift their hats and were -introduced to each other. This teacher said manners were as important -as book-knowledge.</p> - -<p>"The boy only went to school a few weeks altogether, when he was hired -out by his father to work from sunrise to sunset for twenty-five cents -a day. Still he studied, and a cousin named Dennis Hanks helped him. -They made ink with blackberry root and copperas. They made pens of -turkey-buzzard feathers. When they had no paper, which was most of the -time, they wrote on boards with charred sticks. The boy figured on a -wooden shovel and scraped it off clean when it was too full to hold -more figures.</p> - -<p>"His mother was always interested in his effort to get an education. -She always helped him. She was sorry for him because he could not go to -school, but urged him to learn so that he would not always be in the -backwoods.</p> - -<p>"Once he borrowed from the Crawford man who taught the school a book -entitled 'Weems' Life of Washington!' It told about our country's -struggle for freedom, how the Hessians were fought and how Washington -crossed the Delaware. He pored over it until the night.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> He took -it up into a loft and put it in a chink so it would be handy for -early-morning study. A rain-storm which arose in the night beat in on -the book and swelled the covers. The boy took the book back to its -owner the next mornin' and offered to buy it. The man made him pull -fodder three days for it. The book belonged to the boy now. He read it -over and over until he became well acquainted with the Father of his -Country and began to dream dreams of what he might some day do."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln had been talking in a reminiscent mood with a half-smile -on his face. The smile now passed. He continued: "Then death came into -the settlement and took several neighbors. The mother of the boy was -stricken down. She was thirty-five miles from a doctor and her nearest -neighbor was dead. Seven days she lay, her children doin' for her. Then -she called the children to her bedside. To the boy she said, 'Be an -honest and a faithful boy, be a good and tender man. Look after your -sister.' Then death came into the shack of a house and took the patient -mother.</p> - -<p>"The boy's father built a coffin and dug a grave in the clearin' near -the house, and here<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> in the edge of the dense forest where the wild -things lived the tired mother's body was put to rest. There was no -preacher to say a last word, there was no music but the singin' and -the sighin' of the trees. There was no one to cover the rude coffin -with earth but the father. There were no mourners but the two children, -holdin' hands beside the grave and callin' their mother to come back.</p> - -<p>"After the mother had gone the little girl tried to cook and keep -house. The boy went every day to the edge of the forest. Very soon the -tangle began to reach over his mother's grave. He wanted her to have a -funeral sermon. It was not that he thought she needed it. He was sure -she was with God all straightened up and no longer thin but always -smilin' and glad. But she would have wanted a sermon, she had spoken of -it.</p> - -<p>"So, the boy wrote a letter to a good Baptist minister his mother had -known back in Kentucky and told him what was wanted. It was nearly -one year later that he came a distance of eighty miles to preach the -sermon. All the people in the country came; not before had a funeral -been preached when a woman had so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> long been sleepin' in her grave. -And, as they gathered about, their faces were wet with tears. The boy -never forgot it, nor the preacher's words.</p> - -<p>"That little boy is a man now. Early one mornin' years ago he went -for a last time to the lonely grave and kneelin' there, promised his -mother's God again that he would be honest and tender. And whatever -that boy is now or ever may be, he will owe to that angel mother lyin' -under the wild tangle at the edge of the forest with God's stars -watchin' it until the judgment-day."</p> - -<p>It was quite still around the low-burning fire when he ended his story. -Then John Rutledge spoke abruptly, "Davy, don't you see the fire needs -a log? Sonny, put Tige out, he's scratching down the house. Ann, bring -a pitcher of cider and a plate of apples."</p> - -<p>"Put a few sweet turnips in," Abe Lincoln added; "there's nothing -better than a turnip."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</a></p> - -<p class="center">ONLY WASTING TIME</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">After</span> Abe Lincoln went to Rutledges' to board, time seemed to go faster -and more pleasantly than ever in his life for him. John Rutledge was -not only an agreeable gentleman, but he was an unusually well-informed -man for a pioneer, and he and the little coterie of friends passed many -winter evenings discussing topics of local and national interest.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln spent very little time, however, at the Rutledge home. -There were many debates and public meetings during the Winter, all of -which he attended. His treasured Blackstone was being read and digested -with the same thoroughness he had given Washington and the Constitution -and the Bible. In addition to this he had secured, at no small outlay -of time and expense, a grammar, said to be the only one in the county, -which he was eagerly learning. He was also making the acquaintance of -Shakespeare, with which he was immoderately delighted, and which he had -announced he would learn by heart,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> as he had much of the text in the -few books he possessed.</p> - -<p>Besides his newly acquired Blackstone and Shakespeare, Lincoln was -making trips to Springfield to borrow from Major Stuart what seemed to -the country youth an inexhaustible wealth of books.</p> - -<p>So it happened that, nights when there was no meeting of any kind, Abe -Lincoln studied alone in the store or sometimes at the cooper shop, -where warmth and light were given him.</p> - -<p>The winter of the busy year came early to New Salem, and the hamlet was -wrapped in a sheet of white which covered the roadways and fields, and -draped the bluffs, and bent the boughs of the forest trees. The streams -were muffled and, save where dark spots showed water moving sluggishly, -were hidden under the white blanket. Cattle huddled by the haystacks -and in barns, and in the log houses great fires blazed on the hearths -and the store of candles was drawn on heavily to make light for the -long evenings when the housewives used the time to spin and knit.</p> - -<p>It was a bitter, cold night that Abe Lincoln after supper sat a few -minutes by the fire. John Rutledge had gone to Springfield and would -not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> return until next day. There was no meeting, and Mrs. Rutledge and -Ann thought perhaps their boarder would spend the evening with them.</p> - -<p>The wind blew low and seemed to hug close to the earth and move -silently and stealthily as if trying to envelop some victim unaware. -The snow crunched at the slightest tread. The hearth-fire had never -seemed so good.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln and Ann were alone in the room. He sat before the fire -looking at the coals; she was getting her spinning ready.</p> - -<p>Rising suddenly he took his hat and gray muffler from the peg on the -wall.</p> - -<p>"You're not going out, Abraham?" Ann inquired.</p> - -<p>"Yes—I'm going over to Muddy Point."</p> - -<p>"To Muddy Point?" Ann exclaimed setting her wheel down.</p> - -<p>"Yes. I have it as straight as the crow lies that Snoutful Kelly's -wife and children are actually sufferin' for food. Do you suppose your -mother will fix up a basket?"</p> - -<p>"Of course—but, Abraham—this is the coldest night of the winter! -Mother!" Ann called rather excitedly, "come here!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mrs. Rutledge entered with a yellow bowl in which she was beating -buckwheat batter to put by the fire to rise for breakfast cakes.</p> - -<p>"Mother!" exclaimed Ann. "Abraham says he is going to Muddy Point."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Rutledge turned and stared at Abe Lincoln a moment as if to make -sure he were there. Then she said, "Are you joking, Abraham?"</p> - -<p>"No, indeed—I'm goin'. Old Kelly's wife is sick and the children -are hungry. I got it straight, and I can't sit by this warm fire so -comfortable and think of them sufferin', I've got to go."</p> - -<p>"But, Abraham Lincoln, there is not another person in New Salem, not a -living soul of them, that would do it such a night as this."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln laughed. Then he said, "That's all the more reason I must -go. Will you send a basket?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure—but it's an awful cold night and you haven't any -long-coat."</p> - -<p>"I'll walk fast enough to keep warm," he assured her. "If folks waited -until all signs were right for doin' these little things, they'd never -get done. We only pass this way but once,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> you know. Any good thing we -can do we must do as we go—we don't come back."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Rutledge stood looking at the tall, ungainly youth. For a moment -his face seemed to be beautiful as the firelight fell on its strong -lines. Then without a word she returned to the kitchen. In a moment she -called Ann to come and help her. Abe went out, too, and together they -fixed a basket and covered it well so that it would not be frozen when -delivered.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln was not warmly clad for cold weather. Ann thought of this -as he stood before the fire holding his big square muffler.</p> - -<p>"This will keep me warm," he said, wrapping it about his throat.</p> - -<p>"You haven't any gun," Ann said. "Wolves killed three of William -Green's pigs yesterday, and last week there was a great big catamount -at Honey Grove."</p> - -<p>"Do you remember what I did to Armstrong? I did a catamount that same -way once. I always carry my weapons. God fastened them to me so tight I -can't leave them."</p> - -<p>Ann and her mother laughed. Abe Lincoln went out into the cold; and -they heard the sharp crunching of the snow under his quick footsteps.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I'm going to spin to-night, Mother," Ann said. "You don't care if I -put the kettle on and make Abraham something hot to drink when he comes -home, do you?"</p> - -<p>"A very good idea," Mrs. Rutledge said. After she had done some mending -she put the water pail by the fire, hung a roll of pork sausage on the -wall, and, after having taken other precautions to insure a good warm -breakfast when everything would be frozen up the next morning, she went -to bed, and Ann was left to spin and to think.</p> - -<p>Never was Ann Rutledge long alone that she was not singing. So now, as -her wheel turned in the firelight, she began to sing a glad song full -of life and hope and joy crowded into the words and melody of the old -tune, "O, how I love Jesus!"</p> - -<p>As the fire, eating its way through the back log, told the passage -of time she stopped and listened. The kettle was steaming and on the -kitchen table was a plate of food waiting to be brought in.</p> - -<p>At last the crunching of the snow under heavy footfalls told her he -was coming. But she only turned her wheel a little faster and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> sung -a little heartier as he entered, lest he should know she had been -watching.</p> - -<p>"O, how I love Jesus!" Abe Lincoln hummed as he came by the fire and -rubbed his hands; "go on with your song and your work. While I get warm -I will tell you a story."</p> - -<p>"Once there was a great camp-meetin'," he began, settling himself in -John Rutledge's big splint-bottom chair. "There was an exhorter named -Barcus who helped stir things up to the boilin'-over point. Among those -who got shoutin' happy was a fair and fond sister. Brother Barcus and -the sister both danced and shouted toward each other. When they met, -he said, his benign countenance shinin' with joy, 'Sister, do you love -Jesus?' 'Oh, yes,' she whispered rapturously; 'yes—yes—yes.'</p> - -<p>"'Then kiss brother Barcus,' was this shepherd's advice to his beloved -sheep."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln settled back. Ann laughed. Then she said, "Abraham, we are -bad; you for telling such a story and I for listening."</p> - -<p>"No, we are good," he corrected, "you for not askin' the woman's name -and I for not tellin' whether she kissed Brother Barcus."</p> - -<p>Again Ann laughed. Then she glanced at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> Abe Lincoln and from him to the -peg where his hat hung.</p> - -<p>"Where is your muffler?" she asked. "You didn't lose it, did you?"</p> - -<p>The tall man looked into the fire a moment before saying, "No—I gave -it away."</p> - -<p>"Gave it away?"—and there was a tone of disappointment in her voice.</p> - -<p>"Yes. I'll tell you about it. When I got out to Kelly's I found the -poor woman in bed, and a new-born baby. The little thing didn't have -any clothes or any warm blanket to wrap around it. I looked at that -fine, thick, warm, wool muffler all made by your hands, and I hated to -give it up. But that baby, Ann—it was such a little helpless thing and -so pitiful, and its mother's eyes looked in such a hungry way at that -gray muffler, I couldn't help it. So I wrapped it up myself. And I felt -that if you had been there you would have done the wrappin'. In fact, I -could see you foldin' the warm cover around that poor little thing. You -would have done it—wouldn't you, Ann?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Abraham."</p> - -<p>"I was sure of it. Perhaps you'll make me another some time. Now go on -with your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> spinnin' and your song. It is the best music a tired man -could ever hear."</p> - -<p>Ann turned the wheel a few times, but she did not sing. "When a woman -gets loving Jesus," he observed, "it's a sign she's lovin' somebody -else. Who do you love, Ann?"</p> - -<p>This unexpected question took Ann quite by surprise.</p> - -<p>"You know as well as I do that I am engaged to marry John McNeil. And -don't you think he is one of the best young men in town?" There was a -suggestion of appeal in the question.</p> - -<p>"I am sure he is—one of the very best in the county. But tell me, Ann, -what it is to love. You know the spellin' book definition. It's in the -Bible, too, that love is stronger than death. But they both came out of -somebody's mind first, somebody who loved. Tell me about it."</p> - -<p>"Why should I know?"</p> - -<p>He mused a moment, then he said as if to the fire instead of Ann: "It -won't be until I <i>know</i>, that I promise to marry a woman."</p> - -<p>Ann glanced at Lincoln. He seemed for the moment unconscious of her -existence. She called him from his reflections by speaking his name.</p> - -<p>"Abraham," she said as the wheel spun<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> slowly, "I have a secret to tell -you, a confession to make."</p> - -<p>He was all attention in a minute. She dropped her hands in her lap and -moved a little way from behind the wheel.</p> - -<p>"Do you remember the camp-meeting, and Brother Cartwright saying you -were a deluded sinner, and saying you were worth praying for?"</p> - -<p>"Did he? I believe he did."</p> - -<p>"Well, since that night, every day I have been remembering you at the -throne of grace, but I have made up my mind it is only wasting time. -I still don't understand how anybody can be saved and not believe in -hell, and you do some things that are not right, like the day at the -quilting-bee, which was not fair to John McNeil. My Bible says, 'by -their fruits shall men be known,' and, Abraham, your life bears fruit, -much better fruit and more of it than do some of those who call you a -sinner. So I've decided it's just wasting my time and God's to pray for -you any more."</p> - -<p>In the moment of silence that followed this speech, Ann turned back to -the wheel.</p> - -<p>"Don't spin," he said; "there's something I want to say."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> - -<p>She folded her hands in her lap and waited. There was no sound in the -room save the sputter of the fire. A bit of charred wood fell into the -ashes. Lincoln took the tongs and threw it back, then he sat looking at -it.</p> - -<p>Presently he turned to Ann. "And you have been rememberin' me at the -throne of Grace? I don't know anything about thrones and mighty little -about grace, for the grace of life has not been my portion. But this is -what I want to say. If a man can get to God through the intercession of -a true and noble and pure-hearted man, as all Christians say they do, -I don't see why a man can't get to God through the pleadin's of a true -and noble and pure-hearted woman."</p> - -<p>Ann looked at him questioningly.</p> - -<p>"I don't know what you mean, Abraham," she said.</p> - -<p>"I mean just this—if ever I reach the throne of grace where just men -get nearer glimpses of God, it will be through—Ann Rutledge. Do you -understand this?"</p> - -<p>Ann's eyes had not for an instant left the figure of the man who was -speaking. The homely, bronzed face in the frame of black hair, the -slightly stooping shoulders, the big hands<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> stretched at full length -on the arms of the chair, made a firelight picture fascinating to the -girl. He had asked a question—she had not answered it, yet she leaned -forward, and after studying his face a moment she said, "Abraham, you -look as if you were starving. I must get you something to eat"; and she -hurried to the kitchen.</p> - -<p>Lincoln leaned forward and buried his face in his hands. "It wouldn't -be fair to John McNeil," he seemed to hear her saying again, and with a -deep sigh he said in his heart: "Separated by the rules of the game of -honor."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>"Ann," said Mrs. Rutledge the next morning, "what did you and Abe -Lincoln find to talk about so long last night?"</p> - -<p>"Camp-meetings and mufflers and Kelly's new baby," Ann answered.</p> - -<p>"You must be careful, Ann," her mother said. "Your word is out to John -McNeil and he has a good start in life. Abe is a fine boy and honest as -the day is long, but he hasn't got anything to take care of a woman on. -Besides, he does all sorts of queer things. For all we know he may yet -take to writing poetry. You must not give him any encouragement. Since -that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> quilting-bee I've had some thoughts. He wasn't there to learn to -quilt. He'd be fearful hard to get shut of if he got in love good and -hard."</p> - -<p>"He has no idea of love at all," Ann hastened to assure her mother. "He -doesn't even know what it means. He told me so."</p> - -<p>"That's the worst kind to get stirred up. The kind that just naturally -knows how are always having attacks of love the same as they do attacks -of measles. But the kind that has to be waked up and taught by some -woman have terrible bad cases. Don't you get Abe Lincoln stirred up."</p> - -<p>"He doesn't care for girls, anyway—no particular ones. He likes books -and is not the kind to fall in love."</p> - -<p>"Love can pipe through any kind of a reed," was Mrs. Rutledge's answer. -"Don't stir Abe Lincoln up."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</a></p> - -<p class="center">TOWN TOPICS</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Nor</span> many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store -business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had -not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a -business man.</p> - -<p>After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store -was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out.</p> - -<p>This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours. -The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of -discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the -village.</p> - -<p>So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes -to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of -Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar.</p> - -<p>Nor was this the worst. While Lincoln was letting the store go to ruin -for lack of business skill and application, his partner, Berry, was -drinking up the wet portion of the stock.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> - -<p>John McNeil looked on with disgust and made comments, many of them to -Ann Rutledge. She could not deny them, for she had found Abe Lincoln a -most absent-minded and in some ways a most unsatisfactory boarder.</p> - -<p>More than once she had rung the bell at meal-time with no success at -bringing Abe Lincoln to the table. Once when she was sure he must -be half-starved she went to the store to bring him. She found him -stretched on the counter with head propped up against a roll of calico, -deeply buried in a dingy, leather-bound book. When she finally drew -attention to herself from the book he said: "Run back home, Ann, -Blackstone is making a point. I'll be there in a few minutes."</p> - -<p>Determined that he should eat, after waiting an hour she went back -to the store carrying a plate of food. "Abraham Lincoln," she said, -"you've got to eat."</p> - -<p>"What for?" he asked absently.</p> - -<p>"Because if you don't you'll get to be nothing more than a human -grape-vine and you won't even be as good looking as you are now."</p> - -<p>"What's that?" he said, looking up after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> finishing the sentence he was -reading. "Say that again."</p> - -<p>She repeated her remark. Lincoln laughed. Then he said, "Put the feed -on the molasses barrel. I'll get it in a minute," and he turned back to -the book.</p> - -<p>When the Lincoln and Berry mercantile company had so far gone to the -bad that the end was in sight, the nominal owners sold out to a couple -of men who paid them, as they had paid, with notes.</p> - -<p>Free from the store Lincoln was now ready for another occupation, and -at this time was appointed postmaster, a very small job since the mail -came but twice a week in good weather, with pay accordingly.</p> - -<p>It gave him time for study, however, which he continued on his rounds -of delivery, for with the three or four letters that might come in a -week placed carefully in the top of his hat, he would start out to -deliver them. Between stops he would mount a fence where the rails -crossed under the shade of some tree, and here he would read and -reflect and memorize, oblivious of time or men or finances.</p> - -<p>There was always plenty to talk about in New<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> Salem, and for that -matter plenty to do the talking. The last baby's first tooth had a -significance, for by the baby's age might be forecasted the time of the -next one's arrival. The last tooth of the oldest citizen was likewise -of importance, as it called out all the best recipes for mush and other -nourishing soft edibles.</p> - -<p>Among the more important news was the announcement, after he had served -some months as postmaster, that to this official duty Abe Lincoln was -to add the most important one of surveyor. He had already received -the appointment and was taking lessons in figures from Mentor Graham, -preparatory to starting out with his rod and chain.</p> - -<p>It seemed to make no difference in Abe Lincoln's popularity that he had -failed as a business man. He was still considered the best man in town, -the best judge or referee, an authority in disputes and a peace-maker. -He was the best-informed man on general subjects and the gentlest as -well as the strongest man among them.</p> - -<p>His wider acquaintance throughout the county served to enlarge the -number of his friends, and New Salem politicians again decided to make -him their candidate for the Legislature.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> - -<p>In addition to his new professional work, Abe Lincoln had entered the -ranks of the reformer in a manner as strenuous as it was unique.</p> - -<p>Having become exasperated with the drunkenness of Snoutful Kelly and -the consequent neglect of his family, Abe Lincoln and a sufficient -corps of assistants determined to get some sense into his head by a new -way. Accordingly they captured Kelly while lying by the roadside in a -drunken sleep, and removing him quietly to the top of the long, sloping -street at New Salem, proceeded to fasten him up, in an empty whiskey -barrel, which they started on its way down hill.</p> - -<p>Long before the barrel reached the bottom of the road it gave forth -such sounds as never disgraced a music-box, and the men waiting at the -foot of the hill roared with laughter as the barrel went its way down, -emitting howl after howl, and yell after yell, as it bumped its course -to the bottom.</p> - -<p>When it had reached its stopping-point, Lincoln stood it on its end and -through the bung hole called Kelly's attention to the ducking he had -once got with such salutary effect and made him swear by the God above -him, and those pres<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>ent, that he would never touch another drop, lest a -more horrible fate should befall him.</p> - -<p>When the victim of reform crawled out he was brushed off by Lincoln and -given a handful of change, with instructions to proceed back where he -got his whiskey, which he had relieved himself of in the barrel, and -buy some meat and flour to take home.</p> - -<p>This reform experiment had not been advertised. But it was town talk -the next day. The men generally said it was a good thing for old Kelly. -Some of the women disagreed. Ann Rutledge said the man who had sold -whiskey had no business punishing the man who drank it.</p> - -<p>After this came a few days of another kind of discussion of Abe -Lincoln. It was rumored that he was studying to be a lawyer. Opinion -was divided as to whether this would make a man of him or ruin him.</p> - -<p>Mentor Graham and Dr. Allen were agreed that he already knew the -Constitution as well as any lawyer in Springfield and would make a good -lawyer. To others it seemed a pity that an otherwise honest citizen -should aspire to nothing better than being a "limb of the law," and -when Ole Bar heard it he said with a touch of real sad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>ness, "Lord God, -has Abry Linkhorn fallen to this? I'd ruther he'd a been a bar."</p> - -<p>Whatever might be the outcome, New Salem never worried long over any -one matter. There was too much coming on afresh.</p> - -<p>The next topic, and one that especially interested the female portion -of the community, was the discovery that John McNeil's partner was also -in love with Ann Rutledge.</p> - -<p>This leaked out in an unexpected way.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln being everybody's friend and knowing how to read and -write, was often called on to write letters for less educated lovers, -for children and sometimes for business men. He also read for those -who could not read. This was expected of him as postmaster. One day a -schoolchild brought a roll of written matter to him. It was composed of -bills from the Hill and McNeil store. But inside was a letter from Hill -to McNeil charging that if McNeil had played fair, his partner, too, -might have had some chance to win the fair Ann Rutledge.</p> - -<p>When Abraham Lincoln read this letter he was for some reason well -pleased, and he understood why Hill was always so exceptionally nice -to Ann Rutledge and gave her better bargains<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> than his close and -business-like partner would have thought of doing.</p> - -<p>Yet he felt sure that Ann did not know of his burning affection or she -would not so often have gone to the store or accepted so many favors of -him.</p> - -<p>After some consideration his sense of humor got the best of him and he -decided to take the papers to McNeil himself. This he did. When asked -if he had read the letter he admitted without hesitation that he had, -and offered a friendly bit of jollification.</p> - -<p>Immediately there were words between Hill and McNeil. Lincoln tried to -act as pacifier and the letter was put in the stove. Several bystanders -had heard the difficulty, however, and were not slow to get its -meaning. Hill was in love with Ann Rutledge. He charged McNeil with -some unfair advantage of him. The news spread like a delicious ripple, -much to the embarrassment of Ann Rutledge herself, who was informed of -it by Nance Cameron before sun-down.</p> - -<p>But the town gossip which went farthest and quickest and was to last -longest, started about a week later when John McNeil disposed of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> -interest in his store and his farm, and suddenly left New Salem.</p> - -<p>It was reported that he left town on his best horse, that Mrs. Rutledge -and Ann had seen him off, and that he had said he was going back East -to get his family.</p> - -<p>"What did he sell the best farm in Sangamon County for if he expected -to return? Was he still engaged to Ann Rutledge—or was their -engagement broken off? Had Hill had anything to do with it? Or did -McNeil think Abe Lincoln liked Ann?" These and many other questions -were asked.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln asked no questions, but for the time Blackstone and -Shakespeare, his grammar and his poem were alike forgotten, and he -enjoyed the half-fearful sensation of one walking in the dark toward a -sunrise.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</a></p> - -<p class="center">ALIAS McNEIL</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Of all</span> the people in New Salem who were surprised at the sudden and -mysterious leave-taking of the lover of Ann Rutledge, no one was so -mystified and troubled as Ann herself. Especially was she perplexed and -troubled about a promise he had exacted from her the last night they -were together.</p> - -<p>"Ann," he said, "you've promised to marry me—haven't you?"</p> - -<p>Ann looked at him questioningly. "Of course—why do you ask such a -question?"</p> - -<p>"Will you wait for me if I should go away for a time?"</p> - -<p>"Surely you believe I will."</p> - -<p>"Yes, you'll wait unless Abe Lincoln gets you while I'm away."</p> - -<p>"Abe Lincoln," she repeated. "What makes you say that?"</p> - -<p>"Abe Lincoln has not been keeping company with any of the girls, and -it's not their fault. No more is it natural for a young fellow as full -of life as Abe Lincoln is not to like the girls—<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>except when they like -<i>one</i>. I'm not blind. There's no other girl in New Salem like you; -maybe no other one good enough for Abe Lincoln. He'll want something -extra on account of his book-learning. Abe's a good fellow, but he's -lazy as a dog, always lying around when he ought to be laying by some -dollars."</p> - -<p>"But he is studying and reading when he is lying around. When anybody's -mind is at work they're not lazy."</p> - -<p>"You always take up for Abe Lincoln I notice—ever since the day his -ark got stuck on the dam. I suppose it's because he was born under a -lucky star."</p> - -<p>"What's lucky about Abraham Lincoln?"</p> - -<p>"Everything. The way he got to bring the steamboat down the river; the -way he got to be captain in the Black Hawk war. And now they says he is -certain to go to the Legislature."</p> - -<p>"But it's not luck. It's because he can do things. 'I will prepare -myself,' he often says, 'and when my chance comes I will be ready.'"</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's what he says, and that's exactly the reason he'll get you -while I'm away."</p> - -<p>"But I have promised you, John."</p> - -<p>"Out of sight out of mind," he answered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Do you think I would forget a solemn promise?" There was surprise and -something of resentment in her tone.</p> - -<p>"Not exactly that, though Abe Lincoln could talk black into white if he -took a notion. But a fellow don't care to have a girl stick to him just -on account of a sacred promise."</p> - -<p>"What makes you talk so strangely?" she asked. "And tell me, where are -you going? You haven't told me this yet."</p> - -<p>"I'm going back where I came from—back where I left my people when I -came out here."</p> - -<p>"That was in New York somewhere."</p> - -<p>"Yes, in New York somewhere. I expect to come back and bring them."</p> - -<p>"When are you going?"</p> - -<p>"To-morrow."</p> - -<p>"To-morrow! So soon?" she exclaimed in surprise and pain. "Will you be -gone long?"</p> - -<p>"Maybe—I don't know how long. But before I go I've a secret to tell -you."</p> - -<p>"Something you have never told me?"</p> - -<p>"Something I have never told anybody. Something you must not tell."</p> - -<p>"Not even my mother? I tell her everything."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Not even your mother, nor father."</p> - -<p>"What is it, John?" and Ann's face was troubled as she asked the -question.</p> - -<p>"You solemnly promise you will not tell—at least not until I come -back?"</p> - -<p>"I'd like to know what it is before I promise. It doesn't seem right to -keep things from Father and Mother. I never do."</p> - -<p>"Not even my secrets? Don't you trust me, Ann?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I do, John."</p> - -<p>"Then promise."</p> - -<p>Ann was sorely puzzled. Her lips twitched.</p> - -<p>"Promise," he repeated, "and don't cry. It's nothing to cry about."</p> - -<p>Still Ann hesitated. "Father would think it strange."</p> - -<p>"How can he think it strange if he knows nothing about it?"</p> - -<p>"I promise," she said solemnly.</p> - -<p>"All right, then, my name is not John McNeil at all."</p> - -<p>Ann stared at him a moment. Then with something like a gasp she said, -"Your name is not John McNeil? What is it? Who are you?"</p> - -<p>"Just this. I came here from—nobody knows<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> just where, not even you, -Ann. I named myself John McNeil because I wanted to lose myself."</p> - -<p>"What for?" she questioned mechanically.</p> - -<p>"Back where I came from my folks are poor—these no-account poor that -every enterprising man despises. I wanted to get something together and -knew I should never be able to do it if they learned where I was, for I -was eternally being called on to help them and keep them from starving -when I was where they could call on me."</p> - -<p>"Have you heard nothing from them since you came here?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing."</p> - -<p>"Oh, John! how could you? Perhaps your mother has wanted for something."</p> - -<p>"She would have wanted just the same if I had been there."</p> - -<p>"She might even be dead."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so and hope not. At any rate, I have made some money. -Now I'm going back to get the rest of them and I want you to wait for -me until I come back. But your name will never be Ann McNeil."</p> - -<p>"What will it be?" she asked with pale lips.</p> - -<p>"Well," he said, looking at her with a half-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>smile, "if it's not Mrs. -Abraham Lincoln before I return, it will be Mrs. James McNamra."</p> - -<p>"James McNamra," she repeated as if puzzled. "I never heard the name."</p> - -<p>"It is my name. You will get used to it."</p> - -<p>Ann was silent. She was making an effort to choke back great lumps that -kept rising in her throat. Then the tears came and ran over the rims of -her dark, blue eyes.</p> - -<p>"How funny women are," McNeil said. "There's nothing to cry about, and -I want to see you laughing the last time."</p> - -<p>"I want to tell Mother and Father," she sobbed.</p> - -<p>"You said you wouldn't. Are you going to keep your promise?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," she answered.</p> - -<p>"Then kiss me good-night. To-morrow I will ride past here on my way to -Springfield. But there'll be no kissing then. The town folks will have -enough to talk about as it is."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>After McNeil had left town Ann began watching the post-office, and the -postmaster rendered her careful help in the matter.</p> - -<p>But days went by and no letter came. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> fair face of Ann Rutledge -took on a worried look, and had it not been for the kindly assistance -of the postmaster the gossips might have known more of Ann's -correspondence—or lack of it, than they had yet been able to learn.</p> - -<p>The strain on Ann, the worst part of it being the secret, which to her -was fast coming to seem little short of a crime against her good father -and mother, began to tell on her. She laughed little and sang less. She -was more seldom seen with the young people.</p> - -<p>Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge noticed this, as well as did Abraham Lincoln, -and one night, when Ann's face showed that she had been particularly -disappointed because of no letter, Abe Lincoln suggested that Ann learn -grammar with him out of his highly prized little book. Both Mr. and -Mrs. Rutledge accepted the offer as a special favor.</p> - -<p>So it happened that Ann and Abe were left together, and with the -precious grammar spread on Ann's little work-table they sat down to -their task, he on one side, she on the other. The book was not large, -and bending over it the mop of coarse, black hair all but touched the -crown of fine-spun gold.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I will be the teacher," Abe Lincoln said after they had looked through -the book, which was the only one of the kind in New Salem.</p> - -<p>"We will new study the verb 'to love,'" and turning the pages he found -the place.</p> - -<p>"I love," he said, looking across at Ann.</p> - -<p>Her eyes were on the book.</p> - -<p>"Next is 'You love'?" He spoke the words as a question with the accent -on the "you."</p> - -<p>"Say it now, Ann, just as I have, and look at your teacher. First, 'I -love.'"</p> - -<p>"I love," she repeated.</p> - -<p>"Might be better," he said. "Now the next, and look at your teacher and -repeat after me, 'You love'?"</p> - -<p>As Ann repeated the question her face took on a touch of pink.</p> - -<p>"Very good—very good, indeed. Now the next is, 'We love.' We will say -that together with the accent on the 'we.' Now—one—two—three—'we,'" -and he beat three times slowly with his big hand "Ready, 'We love.'"</p> - -<p>There was much more emphasis in the teacher's statement than in that -of the pupil. The effect on Ann was to cause a merry laugh. "Ann," -said Abe Lincoln, "I'm goin' to give<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> you this grammar. I know it by -heart—by heart, Ann—especially the verb 'I love.' I want you to learn -it"; and he wrote across the top, "Ann Rutledge is learning grammar," -and pushed it across the table to her.</p> - -<p>"What a splendid present!" she said with a smiling face. "How I wish I -had something to give you, Abraham—would you take my little Bible—and -read it?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Ann!—would you give it to me?" he asked with the joy of a child.</p> - -<p>"You won't give it away like you did the muffler, will you?"</p> - -<p>"Wouldn't you be willin' if I should run across a bigger sinner than -Abe Lincoln?" he answered laughing.</p> - -<p>From a chest of drawers she took a little, brown book and handed it to -him.</p> - -<p>"It must be marked, Ann," and, taking the pencil he had written on the -grammar with, he handed it to her, saying, "Now we will find a place -where the verb 'to love' is found."</p> - -<p>The quick ease with which he turned to the passage he had in mind -surprised Ann. With the open page before him he said, "You are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> -religious, Ann. You obey the commands of the Holy Scriptures, don't -you?"</p> - -<p>"I try to."</p> - -<p>"And you'll do anything in reason you are told to by the Book?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, indeed."</p> - -<p>"Take your pencil and mark this"; and, with his long forefinger -pointing to the text, he read impressively, "'This is my commandment, -that you love one another.'"</p> - -<p>Whether in the Scriptures or out of it, Ann and Abe soon found -something to laugh at. "Ann is laughing," Mr. Rutledge said to his -wife. "How good it sounds! What on earth has been the matter with her?"</p> - -<p>"She hasn't heard from John McNeil," Mrs. Rutledge answered.</p> - -<p>"McNeil seems to be a good fellow and unusually successful," John -Rutledge observed after a moment of reflection, "but Ann's not married -to him yet."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</a></p> - -<p class="center">IN THE CELLAR</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">After</span> months of waiting Ann Rutledge received a letter from John -McNeil. It was a straightforward explanation of the delay, mentioning -sickness along the way, and other obstacles.</p> - -<p>Ann Rutledge was delighted. In some way it seemed to lift a burden and -answer a question.</p> - -<p>Nance Cameron had the pleasure of starting the news of the letter, and -its satisfactory contents, which allayed gossip, and for a time Ann was -quite herself again. But no more letters came, and Ann was soon again -cast down by the strangeness of her lover's silence. Once when she had -hurried to the post-office after the weekly mail had arrived only to be -told by the postmaster there was no letter, she made an appeal to him -which touched his heart.</p> - -<p>"He ought to write to me," she half sobbed. "Everybody is wondering -about it. I don't want people to know he never writes. Don't tell it."</p> - -<p>The postmaster promised, but Ann's troubled face haunted him, and he -found himself getting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> thoroughly indignant with McNeil, even though -glad beyond expression that he was treating her just as he was.</p> - -<p>As the days and weeks went by Ann found the burden of the secret -weighing heavily on her conscience, and the thought kept intruding -itself that since he had deceived her in one way he might have done -so in other ways. It was hard to think this, and yet it was almost as -easy to believe as that his name was not McNeil and that he had been -gone months without writing. She felt that she had done very wrong to -promise to keep a secret, and such a grave and important secret, from -her parents. Yet she had promised, and, torn between the feeling that -she must confide in her parents and that she must keep her promise, -she grew pale and quiet and unlike the laughing, singing Ann of a few -months previous. Her parents noticed this with concern, and it hurt the -heart of Abe Lincoln, yet none of them surmised the real trouble.</p> - -<p>One day after Ann had been her unreal self for several months, Lincoln -came home for supper early and went into the kitchen to help Mrs. -Rutledge.</p> - -<p>"I want a pan of potatoes," she said.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> "They're in the short bin near -the door. I sent Ann for them half an hour ago, but she must have gone -somewhere else."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Rutledge," said Abe Lincoln as he tucked the pan under his arm, -"what ails Ann?"</p> - -<p>"I'm sure I don't know. Her father and I have wondered. It's something -about John McNeil I think. I suppose she's heard the talk. I can't -understand John McNeil. He's too fine a young fellow to do anything -mean I'm sure. I hope John Rutledge don't turn against him. He's slow -to rile up, but the fur flies when he does get mad. Run on now after -the taters."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln made his way down the cellar-steps softly. The door was not -closed. As he entered he thought he saw some object move in one of the -dark corners. Opening the door a little more he looked into the dark. -When his eyes had become accustomed to the gloom he saw the outlines -of a human figure huddled together, and putting down his pan, with -shoulders and head bent, he walked over the hard, earthen floor to the -dark corner.</p> - -<p>Here he found Ann Rutledge sitting on the edge of a turnip-box with her -head leaning against the log and earthen wall.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Ann—Ann Rutledge," he said softly. A sob was his only answer.</p> - -<p>"Ann—Ann," he said, bending over her.</p> - -<p>"Go away, please," she said.</p> - -<p>"No, I will not go away. You are in trouble. I want to help you."</p> - -<p>"You cannot—nobody can help me," and again her voice was choked with -sobs.</p> - -<p>"Of course somebody can help you. Tell me about it. Perhaps I can help -you."</p> - -<p>"But I cannot tell—my trouble—is—is—a secret."</p> - -<p>"A secret," Lincoln said—"a secret—who from?"</p> - -<p>"From everybody in the world but John McNeil. I promised him I would -not tell—not even my mother."</p> - -<p>"He got you to swear to a secret you could not confide in your mother?" -and Lincoln seemed aghast.</p> - -<p>"Yes—and I never had a secret from Father and Mother before."</p> - -<p>"Ann—Ann Rutledge!" and Lincoln's voice was no longer gentle; "a -secret from a girl's mother is never the right kind of a secret. A -mother is the one person on earth no honorable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> man would want secrets -kept from. It is wrong Ann—wrong."</p> - -<p>"I believe it is. It is wearing me out—it is breaking my heart—I feel -that I cannot keep it—and yet I promised."</p> - -<p>"Ann Rutledge!" Lincoln was bending over her and there was a tone in -his voice that compelled her to look up. In the gloom his face had -taken on a strange, white cast and something of the expression it had -borne when Jack Armstrong had tried the unfair trick.</p> - -<p>"Ann Rutledge," he whispered under his breath, "has John McNeil in any -way wronged you? If he has—if he has—I—will choke the life out of -him, and that without warnin'."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Abraham!" she cried, "don't talk so. I don't know whether he has -wronged me or not. That's what the secret's about—I don't know and I -wish I could die right here in this cellar," and again she turned her -face to the wall and sobbed.</p> - -<p>Speechless, Abraham Lincoln looked down upon her. His face was pale, -his teeth set—his great fists were clenched, yet what could he do?</p> - -<p>The sobs of the girl beat against his heart, strongly fanning the pain -and fierce passion.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What shall I do—what shall I do?" she said brokenly.</p> - -<p>"You shall go straight to your mother," he said firmly. "Tell her -everything."</p> - -<p>"But I promised—gave an honorable promise, a solemn promise that I -would not tell."</p> - -<p>"There can be no such thing as an honorable promise to the kind of a -man who does not know the meanin' of the word. There can be no such -thing as a sacred promise to a man who has no more conception of -sacredness than a beast. The man who has brought you to this trouble, -of whatever kind it may be, is unfit for consideration. Go to your -mother. If you don't go <i>I'll carry you there in my arms</i>."</p> - -<p>A moment she hesitated. Then she arose. He twined his fingers around -her arm and without speaking they crossed the cellar. At the door she -paused. "Come on, Ann," he said, and they went up the steps together.</p> - -<p>Entering the kitchen, Abe Lincoln said, "I found your little girl in -the cellar—in trouble. She has come to tell her mother about it. I'll -go fetch the potatoes."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV</a></p> - -<p class="center">FATHER AND DAUGHTER</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">After</span> Ann Rutledge confided her heart-troubling secret to her mother, -Mrs. Rutledge lost no time in laying the matter before her husband. -She feared it would be hard to make him see that John McNeil's conduct -toward Ann had been honorable, and John Rutledge believed in the kind -of honor that makes a man's word as good as his bond, and would take -advantage of no situation to perpetrate an injustice.</p> - -<p>He listened in silence as Mrs. Rutledge told him Ann's secret, the -secret that was changing the glad-hearted girl into a quiet, nervous -woman. Several times he seemed about to speak. He listened, however, -until the end, but Mrs. Rutledge knew he was angry.</p> - -<p>"Now, John," she counseled, "don't be too hard on John McNeil. What he -said may all be true. He may go back and get his people and bring them -right here as he said."</p> - -<p>"Maybe he will—but does that change the fact that he played double? -Does that change the fact that during his years of plenty he has never -helped those of his own flesh and blood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> who may have suffered? John -McNeil is as cold a trade-driver as ever hit the trail to the West, and -if he comes back here——"</p> - -<p>"Now, John, be careful. Aside from the awful effect the whole thing has -had on poor Ann, there may be no real sin committed."</p> - -<p>"Aside from the effect on our Ann? My God! how much more sin could a -man commit unless he had ruined her reputation—and if he had done -that——" and John Rutledge arose and paced the floor.</p> - -<p>"But he didn't. How can you let such a thought come into your head -about Ann? Don't get yourself all worked up over a straw man."</p> - -<p>"Straw man?" he exclaimed angrily. "Is it a straw man that our Ann -laughs no more? Is it a straw man that we never hear her singing home -across the bluffs? Is it a straw man that her sweet face has been -taking on lines of worry, ill fitting the face of Ann Rutledge? Is it -a straw man that she was forced into a promise to keep a secret—a -dishonorable secret—from her own father and mother? There's no straw -man about any such thing as this."</p> - -<p>John Rutledge sat down and lit his pipe. After it was smoking well, -Mrs. Rutledge said, "What shall I say to Ann?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Tell Ann to come to me," he said shortly.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Rutledge went out, and a moment later Ann came. When she entered -the room her father was standing with his back to the fireplace, his -hands behind him.</p> - -<p>"Yes, father," she said quietly.</p> - -<p>John Rutledge surveyed her a moment. What he was thinking of she had -not time to consider, but the expression on his face seemed to be a -combination of wrath and pity, of love and outraged justice.</p> - -<p>"A man called John McNeil asked my consent to marry you, Ann."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Father"; her voice was a trifle unsteady.</p> - -<p>"I supposed him to be the honorable and straight-faced young gentleman -he seemed to be."</p> - -<p>She made no reply. John Rutledge blew out a couple of puffs of smoke.</p> - -<p>"From your mother I have just learned that there is no such person as -John McNeil."</p> - -<p>"No, Father."</p> - -<p>"This McNamra, or whoever he may be, may turn up in these parts again -some time."</p> - -<p>"I don't know"; and the tremor had not left her voice.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> - -<p>"He might have the unmitigated hardihood to expect to marry the -daughter of John Rutledge, the girl he courted under the name of -McNeil. If he should—if he should come back and should even look like -he thought of such a thing—I would—would——"</p> - -<p>"Father," Ann said softly, stepping nearer him, for she saw that he was -angry, "you wouldn't do anything wrong."</p> - -<p>"Wrong?" he said. "Wrong—no—nothing wrong—what I'd do would be -right"; and he turned and knocked his pipe against the chimney with -such force as to threaten its existence.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he was telling the truth. Perhaps he will return some day just -as he said he would."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps—perhaps. But is he telling the truth about his name? No, -he is lying. One way or another he has lied to a woman, and a man -who will desert his own father and mother would desert his wife. I'm -not condemning him too hard, but he will never marry John Rutledge's -daughter. Do you understand, Ann."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Father"; her voice was unsteady.</p> - -<p>"He has put you in a most embarrassing position—more than you know. -You will be talked about when his double life is known, and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> since it -is bound to come out, the sooner the better, and I shall see to that. -Gossips will discuss matters that's none of their business, but they -will not go too far, my girl, for John Rutledge is your father."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I will hear from him—even yet," she said with an effort.</p> - -<p>"If you do, hand the letter to me. I'll give the young man some advice -about swearing dutiful daughters to keep secrets from their parents."</p> - -<p>The tears which Ann had struggled to keep back now stood in her eyes, -and she feared to speak lest the slightest movement of her face would -start them running down her cheeks.</p> - -<p>John Rutledge looked at her. The expression on his stern face changed -instantly, and the voice was wonderfully softened as he said, "Ann, my -little girl, don't cry. Don't waste good tears. It's not too late to -mend the harm. To-night when you say your prayers add a couple of lines -telling your Creator that the best thing He has done for you up to this -good time is to save you from being the wife of a man whose word would -have no other meaning to you than so much noise. Run on now, my girl, -and tell your mother I'd like to see her."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI</a></p> - -<p class="center">GLOOM AND THE LIGHT</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Ann's</span> secret was not long in gaining publicity after her father found -it out, nor was he disposed entirely to discredit the gossips' reports -that McNeil's strange actions might be due to a living wife or some -crime committed. Why else on earth would a man change his name, desert -a girl like Ann Rutledge, and go away—nobody knew where?</p> - -<p>The town gossip greatly embarrassed Ann Rutledge, yet she was glad she -had told her parents, and, the burden of the secret now being removed, -she was more like herself.</p> - -<p>The action of John McNeil and the consequent displeasure of Ann's -father were much to the liking of Lincoln, and while he felt sorry for -Ann, his sorrow was not sufficient to hold back his joy, which was -given expression in the jolliest stories he had ever told. Laughter -seemed infectious around the post-office when the postmaster was there. -His days in New Salem had all been busy, happy days with his good -friends, and opportunities for study. But better than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> all was the -growing consciousness that an undefined hope which had been struggling -against a clearly defined duty, was approaching the right of way. His -heart was glad as he went about over the country with his stakes and -chains.</p> - -<p>It was just about this time that the wheel of fortune turned. The men -who had bought the Lincoln and Berry store and had given Lincoln paper -to pay his debts with, closed their doors one day without notice, and, -without saying farewell to a soul in New Salem, disappeared.</p> - -<p>When Lincoln heard this he felt slip upon him the burden of a debt that -staggered him. Not in a lifetime did it seem he would be able to pay -it. And so it was that just as it seemed that he was about to enter the -path of a golden glow he was thrown, instead, into the black gloom of a -great despondency.</p> - -<p>When the word was passed around town of Abe Lincoln's bad luck -there was much talk. What would he do? There seemed to be just two -alternatives, to skin out and leave it all, as the men had done who -bought the store, and his partner Berry before them, had done, or to -settle down to a lifetime of struggle and pay the debt. Everybody -believed Abe Lincoln thor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>oughly honest, but here was a test that -seemed beyond the powers of human endurance.</p> - -<p>The night the store was closed, Abe Lincoln did not come home to supper.</p> - -<p>"Where is Abe Lincoln?" the Rutledges asked.</p> - -<p>Nobody knew. Ann slipped away to the post-office. It was closed. She -rattled the door and called his name at the latch-hole but received no -answer.</p> - -<p>Day was drawing to a close, but she made an excuse to go to the mill, -and with a little basket on her arm she hurried down the sloping road. -Twilight shades were falling over the weather-stained log building -which seemed to be drawing itself into the shadows of the trees on the -opposite bank of the river. The big, stone wheel was silent, but the -waters falling over the dam gave out the sound of something alive.</p> - -<p>Quietly she approached the wide mill doors which stood open. On the -threshold she looked carefully in. For a moment the deeper gloom of -the inside blinded her. Then the big, white millstone took shape, and -the door, opening onto the river platform. Through this a pale light -filtered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> - -<p>Taking a step farther in, she looked again toward some dark outlines -which she was sure were not those of pillar or prop, outlines which -took the form of a tall, shadowy giant standing against the doorway and -looking out upon the river in the falling darkness.</p> - -<p>She crossed the mill rapidly and softly, and, approaching the tall -shadowy figure, touched the giant of the gloom on the arm and said, -"Abraham Lincoln."</p> - -<p>He turned about quickly. "Ann—Ann Rutledge—what are you doing here?"</p> - -<p>"I have been looking for you."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"You did not come to supper."</p> - -<p>"I often go without supper."</p> - -<p>"I heard of your trouble. I wanted to find you and to help you. You -found me in the cellar—and helped me."</p> - -<p>"And what can you do—what can anyone do for me?" and he turned again -to the river. "Look at the darkness. Only <i>that</i> for me."</p> - -<p>"But light always follows darkness, Abraham. God has planned it so. -Sometimes the night is very dark, and very long, but morning comes. It -is always so."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> - -<p>He was silent and they stood together in the gloom.</p> - -<p>"God!" he said to himself. "Is there a God? I wonder. If there is a God -He knows how hard I've tried—worked against fate itself, how I wanted -to be something in the world. I've loved to study about Washington and -have been fool enough to dream I might do something for my country some -time. But Washington came from a race of cavaliers. I come from the -poorest of ten thousand. Washington at the age of twenty-one was an -Adjutant General of Virginia with the rank of Major. Abraham Lincoln at -twenty-one was driving two yoke of oxen to an emigrant wagon through -the mud-holes and wilds of the West and had never been to school a year -in his life. I was tryin'. I felt that I was gettin' ahead. Now comes -a burden that will crush me to earth—for Ann Rutledge—Ann Rutledge," -and he turned toward her and spoke with fierce determination, "every -penny of this debt must be paid if it takes me <i>to the day of my death</i> -with my coffin money thrown in."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Abraham Lincoln," she answered gently, "every penny—and God will -help you do it, for God never expects the impossible. He's not that -kind of a God, you know."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You talk about God," said Lincoln rather indifferently, "as if you -were sure—well, I believe you are. I knew it the night I heard you -singin' on the bluff. I have heard you sing that song many times -since—sometimes in my dreams. I wish I could feel as you do when you -sing your pilgrim song. I have imagined that I will some day, but -now—now I think of my mother lyin' under a forgotten tangle where -strange beasts creep. She was a pilgrim, too—but she passed out of it -all weak and weary. Yet she believed just as you believe, as I have -tried to believe."</p> - -<p>"But, Abraham—you know we are here for just a little time. The song -says, 'I can tarry—I can tarry but a night.' Sometimes the night is -very short, as when a child passes on. Sometimes it is longer, as when -an old, old man dies. But whether long or short, the night gives way to -the morning with its light and fresh life and strength. I know it is -so."</p> - -<p>She had been speaking in a quiet voice with a touch of pleading, for -she felt he was not paying close attention.</p> - -<p>"How do you know it?" he asked, turning to her. "Tell me how you know -it—or why you believe so strongly."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Let us sit down," she said, "here where the light is fading on the -river. See, only the foam shines now. But in just a little while the -moon will put a thousand bars of silver on the water. We are not afraid -of the dark—you and I—nor of each other. I want to tell you a story."</p> - -<p>He was paying attention now. They sat down on the broad step of the -mill door. To him Ann Rutledge had never been so close before, and -yet just now so unattainable. Never before had she spoken to him in -such childish simplicity, yet now she was mysteriously beyond his -understanding.</p> - -<p>"I have often doubted," he said, with something like a sigh as he -stretched his legs across the platform and waited; "I should like to -believe—as you do. Can you make me?"</p> - -<p>"I will tell you a story," she said again. Her voice was low and sweet. -It seemed in tune with the gathering darkness, the falling of the -water, the evening calm and the burdened heart of the man.</p> - -<p>"When I was yet very small I began wondering and asking questions about -things I could neither understand nor believe. It was while we were -back in Kentucky I was sent to the pasture<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> to watch the cows. There -was a pond in the low end of the pasture where the reeds grew and where -all was very quiet around. I was sitting beside the water, wondering -perhaps if something strange and beautiful would appear from its depths -as in fairy stories, when I saw a hideous, mud-colored grub creeping -slowly above the water-line and climbing the reed. I was tempted to -knock it back out of sight, it was so ugly. But I only watched. Very -soon its muddy shell cracked open, something with wings crept out -and the shell fell back to the place from which it had come. The new -creature spread its wings slowly. They dried, turning as they did so -into silver gauze, which he spread out like bits of shining lace. Then -he went skimming away across the pond and over the dandelions and -grass flowers, even over the heads of the grazing cows. In all my life -I had never dreamed of anything so wonderful nor had any fairy story -ever been told me that was so marvelous as what I had just seen. I -looked back to the pond. A ray of sun was shining so that I could see -the bottom. The cast-off shell was lying there in the mud. There were -others around it like it, except they had life in them. They crept up -and maybe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> looked at the empty shell. One touched it and turned away.</p> - -<p>"After a time the new creature with the silvery wings came again and -rested on the reed. His reflection showed in the water. Perhaps he -could see those who were as he had been, creeping in the mud. But he -had no way of telling them that they would one day become creatures of -the upper world of sun-shine and flowers and sky, for the only world -they knew was mud. And then I thought of people—and that we are yet -dwelling in the world of mud. The Bible calls it the 'earth.' It says -'there is a natural body'—do you remember—'There is a natural body -and there is a spiritual body. The first is of the earth—earthy.' And -it is not until we have left the old body that we can know the life on -wings—the life up in God's big fields of sun-shine that we call heaven.</p> - -<p>"As I watched the shining creature sitting on the reed, I thought -perhaps it was a mother wishing she could tell her child down below to -be brave and not mind the mud, for at longest it can last but a little -while. Of course there was no way the one could speak and the other -hear. But it was a helpful thought. Do you ever think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> of your mother -this way? Do you ever feel when you are in the gloom that she is not -very far away, and only waiting until you have been changed, to tell -you many things? The Bible calls it 'when this mortal shall have put on -Immortality.'"</p> - -<p>"Immortality," the man repeated, as if to himself. It was the title of -the new poem he so liked. Then he said, almost reverently, "Go on, Ann."</p> - -<p>"<i>I believe</i>," she said simply, "that's why I am so happy when I'm -singing 'I'm a pilgrim.' It is my soul you hear singing, Abraham—<i>that -part of me that will not die</i>, that is shouting on the way. Wasn't God -good to plan it all so lovely?"</p> - -<p>Abraham Lincoln turned slowly and looked down on Ann Rutledge.</p> - -<p>The moon was throwing its first gleams across the river. In the pale -light the face and hair with its pale red-gold halo seemed to stand out -from the shadowy background like something ethereal and unreal. The man -gazed at it. It was so shining—so happy.</p> - -<p>"You were sobbin' in the cellar not so long ago," he said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That was the darkness—but always the light comes back."</p> - -<p>"Because you believe."</p> - -<p>"Don't you believe? Oh you must believe, Abraham."</p> - -<p>"Do you want to help me to believe? Do you want to help me to reach the -heights—higher heights than man has ever climbed? For I feel that you -can help me do even this. You can transform me, and I do not expect to -die either—not yet."</p> - -<p>"What can I do for you?"</p> - -<p>"Once I saw an eagle rise from a bluff on the river. Easily it lifted -itself above everything and soared against the sky. So was I lifted up -when I heard you singin' on the heights. All night long I sat thinkin' -about it. I could not fathom the mystery then. With the sunrise the -matin' call of the bird began to unfold the mystery to me. Ann—Ann -Rutledge, I want you to let me love you."</p> - -<p>"Does love have to be let?" She asked the question, looking out across -the water and woods.</p> - -<p>"No—never. But dams can be built, and then the waters on their way -must do one of two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> things—break the dam or change their course. I do -not want to change my course. I do not want to break a dam—if it can -be helped—for I'll make a rip-snortin' big smash-up of it if I do. May -I love you?"</p> - -<p>He was looking into her face, which was still shining.</p> - -<p>"Let me get a letter to John McNeil asking him to release me."</p> - -<p>"And then, Ann?"</p> - -<p>"Then—Oh, Abraham Lincoln!—<i>then</i>—but we mustn't even talk of it -yet"; and she arose from the step.</p> - -<p>The tall man stood beside her. The rising moon cast a light on his -face. The girl looked at it in wonderment.</p> - -<p>"Abraham," she said, "you do not look like the same man I found here."</p> - -<p>"Keep still, Ann," he whispered. "We are just outside heaven."</p> - -<p>"And you believe now—believe?" and she waited for his answer.</p> - -<p>"Believe, yes I believe. I must believe in the <i>Great Creator</i>. Nothin' -less could have fashioned the soul of Ann Rutledge. From now on, -eternally, I shall believe to my soul's salvation."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Out of the gloom into the light," she said softly.</p> - -<p>A few moments they stood as if not wishing to break some magic spell. -Then he said, "You must run right home. We will not go out together; -but from the door I will watch until you are well away, then I will -follow."</p> - -<p>Another moment they tarried in the wide mill door as if loath to leave, -then she went out.</p> - -<p>As she did so a small dark figure stepped around the corner of the -mill. The next moment the voices of Davy and Sis Rutledge were heard -calling, "Ann—Ann Rutledge!"</p> - -<p>"So that's the Mollie that ain't at the mill for no corn grindin'," the -small man around the mill said to himself when Ann had answered the -call. "Now who's the other bat?"</p> - -<p>A moment later the tall figure of Abe Lincoln emerged from the building -and turned toward the hill.</p> - -<p>"Eh—eh—eh!" granted the man behind the corner. "He's a bar—he's a -bar," and he slapped his foxed breeches and walked half-way up the hill -with his coon-skin cap squeezed tightly under his arm as an expression -of his joy.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII</a></p> - -<p class="center">COVERING THE COALS</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">When</span> John Rutledge was consulted about the sending of Ann's proposed -letter asking for a release from her engagement to John McNeil, he -said, "What for? Hasn't he released you enough yet? He'll never answer -it."</p> - -<p>"Don't be too hard on him, John," Mrs. Rutledge said. "He always seemed -to know about manners."</p> - -<p>"Men have been killed for having no worse manners," Rutledge said dryly.</p> - -<p>"But we wouldn't want to be anything but fair," Ann pleaded.</p> - -<p>John Rutledge looked at her a moment. Then he reached out his hand and -placed it on her red-gold hair.</p> - -<p>"Poor little, tender-hearted goose," he said, moving his hand up and -down in awkward pats. "Go ahead if it will make you feel any better."</p> - -<p>So the letter was written, and approved by John Rutledge. Ann wrapped -it in stout brown paper, tied it carefully with string, her father gave -her the money to pay its way, and the postmaster mailed it for her.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> - -<p>After the letter had been gone several weeks Ann began watching for a -reply. Abe Lincoln also watched, and though no comment was made the -matter was of tremendous importance to both of them.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The spring of 1834 rapidly passed into summer. In the home and garden -Ann and her mother were busy every day, while with Abe Lincoln time had -never seemed to go so fast. His surveying was taking him farther and -farther into the county. In every locality he made new friends. His -work was bringing him some money also and he had begun to make payments -on the giant debt which hung over him. The entire town considered him -little less than a hero, one of those uncommon heroes whose valor lies -in simple honesty.</p> - -<p>Several of the unhappy experiences of debt came to him, however, for -his payments were of necessity slow, and once he was sued at the law -and was compelled to turn over his horse and watch—two necessaries he -had secured. Friends, however, helped him get them back.</p> - -<p>As the citizens of New Salem had before determined, Lincoln was -nominated for the Legis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>lature, and during the summer, as he went about -his surveying, he used every opportunity to get acquainted with the -people. "I must understand the people," he would say to John Rutledge. -"I must come in contact with the people. <i>It is the will of the great -mass of common people, not the preference of the favored few, that -makes Democracy.</i>"</p> - -<p>To the end of accomplishing this he took time to get acquainted -everywhere, sometimes telling stories, sometimes going into fields and -lending a hand at gathering in the harvest. But always his honesty, -sincerity and hearty sympathy with the toiler, and his big, glad -hand of fellowship won him friends, and often after he had told John -Rutledge of his travels the older man would say to his wife, "Abe's -going to make something of himself. I don't know what. But he's got the -stuff in him."</p> - -<p>There was much interest in the election. His opponent did not now -charge him with being an infidel. The pioneer citizens of Sangamon -County were rigidly against the union of church and state and Abe -Lincoln had them well informed concerning the perils of a republic if -this foundation-stone of democratic govern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>ment should be stolen or -cheated from them. Nor would it have been easy in and about New Salem -to make the impression that Abe Lincoln was devoid of religion.</p> - -<p>When the voting was over and Abe Lincoln was safely elected there was -a celebration in New Salem out of all proportion to the size of the -village, and one of the proudest and happiest of all the shouting, -cheering crowd was Ann Rutledge, whose face had taken on again its -old-time gladness.</p> - -<p>During the campaigning time Abe Lincoln had seen little of Ann, and the -letter which she had long looked for had not come.</p> - -<p>It was after the election excitement had subsided that Abe Lincoln -found an evening for Ann. Early after supper the family sat about the -fire, and Davy and Sis and Sonny were loath to go to bed, for they had -not seen their good friend much of late. But they moved out when John -Rutledge bade them, and after a half-hour of conversation Mr. and Mrs. -Rutledge gave the room to Ann and Abe.</p> - -<p>"Don't forget to cover the coals, Ann," her mother had said as she left -the room.</p> - -<p>"Where's the book. I haven't read my poem<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> for a long time," Abe -Lincoln said when they were alone.</p> - -<p>Ann took the book from her table-drawer and found the poem entitled, -"Immortality." Lincoln read a few verses.</p> - -<p>"It doesn't say much about immortality—does it?" Ann asked.</p> - -<p>"Not much, but it means it, because of course the souls of men and of -women do not wither and die like the leaves of the willow and the oak. -But I should never have known the meanin'—the full, sure meanin' of -the word, nor have entered into the better spirit of the poem, if it -had not been for you, Ann Rutledge."</p> - -<p>"I am glad if I have helped you, but put the book away. Let's tell our -fortunes in the fire."</p> - -<p>Lincoln put the book on the table and stirred up a bed of glowing -coals. Then, side by side, they looked into the future.</p> - -<p>"Look," she said, "at the lines just there. I have a long life-line—so -long I must be going to live a hundred years."</p> - -<p>He laughed.</p> - -<p>"And yours is long. And right in there there is a wedding—and over -there are one, two, three—at least half a dozen children for me." -She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> laughed and stirred the coals again. "This now is your fortune. I -see journeys and lots of people. I believe I see the capitol building -at Vandalia. Maybe you are going to be a great judge or some state -official." She stirred again, but this time she turned and said, "I've -always wished, Abraham, that you knew some love-stories."</p> - -<p>"I do," he answered promptly.</p> - -<p>"You?" and she opened her blue eyes wide.</p> - -<p>"Yes—the best in the world."</p> - -<p>"Where did you get them? You never read story-books."</p> - -<p>"The best books and the greatest books in the world are full of -love-stories. In fact, Ann, if love and love-stories were taken out -there wouldn't be anything left for the other fellow to write a book -about.</p> - -<p>"How about Blackstone—couldn't he write a book?"</p> - -<p>"No. In a world without love there would be no matin' in the springtime -and no people to write about."</p> - -<p>"I didn't mean that. I was talking about just plain love-stories."</p> - -<p>"So am I. I've read Shakespeare. Did you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> ever hear his love-story -about Antony and Cleopatra? It's one of the greatest love-stories in -the world. She went to him in a wonderful, golden barge with purple -silk sails and flower-decked maidens dancin' under its Tyrian purple -canopies. Little boats swarmed all about it, burnin' incense so that -it was wafted on the water in perfumed breezes. This was the ship the -fairy Egyptian went to Antony in. Theirs was the love stronger than -death. We will read it some time."</p> - -<p>"I like it—tell me more."</p> - -<p>"You know the love-stories in the Bible: the one about Ruth and Boaz, -a little out of place these times, but good for its day. You know the -unruly passion that caused poor old Samson's downfall, a love-affair in -which he loved fiercely but not wisely. But the story that to my mind -means more than them all, is the story about Jesus and Mary."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Abraham!" she said with a start. "You don't mean that Jesus loved -Mary."</p> - -<p>"Of course He did. Didn't he love everybody? What else can you make of -the incident where Mary, so anxious to show her love in some unusual -way, went to the dinner where she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> emptied her vase of costly perfumes -on his hair and feet? Do you remember that her act immediately called -forth unkind comment and the sort of criticism that hurts a gentle -woman beyond the power of words to tell? What did Jesus do? Did He sit -by dumb like a coward and let her feelin's be wounded when, whether -wisely or unwisely she had sought to prove her love? Was He afraid of -those sharp-tongued men? I tell you, Ann, every time I read the story, -this Jesus the world loves looms up bigger and grander and more heroic -and sublime! Such tender consideration as He showed marks a man, a man. -Do you remember what He said as she sat with her eyes full of tears -before these men? 'Let her alone,' He said; then He spoke the few words -which were forever to link the name of Mary with that of Jesus, even as -He prophesied."</p> - -<p>While Ann was considering this somewhat new view of an old story her -Mother's voice was heard calling, "Don't forget to cover the coals, -Ann."</p> - -<p>Ann reached for the shovel.</p> - -<p>"Not yet," he said, taking her hand and moving his chair closer to -hers. She did not try<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> to withdraw her hand from the large one that -held it.</p> - -<p>For a moment he sat looking into the fire. Then he turned to her. -"Ann," he said in a low voice, and unsteady, "Ann Rutledge, look at me. -I have something to say to you."</p> - -<p>Ann turned her face to his. For a moment he seemed to search it with a -gaze as tender as it was masterful and as pleading as it was secure.</p> - -<p>"We are goin' to cover the coals," he said. "Do you know, Ann, that -hearts are hearthstones where women keep the live fire burnin'? My -hearthstone has been ash-strewn and cold—with nobody to cover the -coals?"</p> - -<p>She felt the large hand around hers tighten its grasp, but he yet -looked into the fire.</p> - -<p>When he spoke again it was with a different tone. The pleading was -gone. There was a tone of masterful security in it.</p> - -<p>"Ann," he said, "we have been waitin' for a letter. It has not come. -The time is now past when one or ten thousand letters refusin' to -release you would avail anything. When a man loves a woman as I love -you, it is his God-ordained privilege to get her. Do you understand? -I <i>love</i> you. I have loved you since<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> before I ever saw your face. It -came to me the night I heard you singin' on the heights. I love you -more than anything on earth or in heaven and I feel some way that love -like this can come but once. I <i>love</i> you and I would give my life to -have you mine—to cover the coals on the hearthstone of my heart."</p> - -<p>There was such an intensity in his voice, in his face, as Ann had never -seen. There was a pleading hunger, there was a suppressed mastery that -she was conscious of. She did not take her eyes from his face. "Ann," -and without letting go of her hand he arose and drew her up before him, -"together we stand at the most momentous time of all our lives—do you -love me?"</p> - -<p>"Do I love you?" Ann half whispered with a smile that turned her face -radiant; meantime her eyes grew shining with tears. The next instant -she felt those long arms around her that Ole Bar had hinted would be -useful in mating season, felt them binding her slender body so close -she could hear the rapid thumping of his heart, and he kissed her with -the savage joy of sweet possession, and, cradling her face in his -strong hand, he held her cheek against his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> and breathed the fierce and -tender joy words could not tell.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Abraham," she whispered, "do you love me so much—so <i>very</i> much."</p> - -<p>"Love you?" he said half defiantly. "You cannot know, for you have not -starved for it as I have. I love you, Ann Rutledge—not for a week or a -month, or a year, but until this mortal shall have put on immortality; -for if souls are immortal as you have taught me, <i>love is eternal</i>."</p> - -<p>A moment longer they stood in each other's arms. Then he held her away -from him, looked at her and in serious tones said, "Sing for me, Ann: -just one stanza of that good old hymn, 'This is the way I long have -sought.'"</p> - -<p>"Hear Ann," Mrs. Rutledge said to her husband as the old-time music of -happy laughter sounded on the stillness of the night.</p> - -<p>"Good for Abe!" he answered drowsily; "let them alone."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII</a></p> - -<p class="center">"HE'S RUINT HISSELF FOREVER"</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was no one in New Salem surprised when it began to be whispered -about that Abe Lincoln was setting up to Ann Rutledge.</p> - -<p>Indeed that seemed quite the natural thing. Both were favorites. Both -were different in some ways from any others, perhaps superior, and -both were everybody's friends. The wonderful change in Ann, too, was a -source of pleasure to all who knew her, for she had not been able to -hide the disappointment and embarrassment through which she had passed.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln had always been fairly happy so far as any one knew. He -seemed even more happy now, and quite naturally the people charged -this to Ann Rutledge, and the two words, "Ann and Abe," began to be -everywhere linked together. It was not until Thanksgiving, however, -that any definite announcement was made. This was at a dinner, the -biggest and jolliest ever given in New Salem.</p> - -<p>"Mother," John Rutledge had said to his wife, "the increase has been -fair, but we've more than increase to be thankful for. Ann's got back<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> -to herself again. Fact, there never was a time in all her life when her -singing sounded so good to me as now, and she laughs as if there were -no such thing in the world as trouble. Then I'm not sorry she and Abe -fixed things up. Abe Lincoln's got some future, sure as two and two -make four. It does seem outside the bounds of all reason that a young -backwoodsman that never went to school and has had more hard knocks -than ten men generally stands up under, could ever get to be Governor -of Illinois. Yet who knows—who knows?"</p> - -<p>"John," Mrs. Rutledge answered, "you're getting visionary. Just 'cause -you like Abe Lincoln uncommon well and he's going to marry our Ann -ain't any sign he'll ever get to any such exalted position as Governor."</p> - -<p>"I don't know. He's doing fairly—fairly. He's the youngest member in -the Legislature. His life is before him. He's going to finish law next -year, and Major Stuart says there's no man, old or young, in this state -to-day that knows the Constitution like Abe Lincoln. He may never get -there, but I'd not die of surprise if he did. And I'm waiting with -interest to see what stand he takes down at Vandalia. But getting back -to Thanksgiving, we have uncom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>mon things to be thankful for, Abe has -no home and like as not nobody ever had a dinner for him. Let Abe and -Ann have a dinner and invite in some of the young people."</p> - -<p>This plan suited Mrs. Rutledge. Abe and Ann were delighted and -preparations were at once begun. There were mince and pumpkin pies, -and cakes and plum pudding to be baked, and the tenderest pig and -the biggest turkey on the farm were to be roasted. The cellar and -store-house were raided and in the woods Ann had the good fortune to -find a vine with shining leaves and blue-black berries which she twined -about a great bouquet of evergreen set in a frame of shining, red -apples in the middle of the table.</p> - -<p>Abe stayed near Ann, and once when she was making pastry for jam tarts -he kissed her, until in self-defense she powdered his black hair white -with her flour-dusted hands, and Mrs. Rutledge laughed until she had to -rest her ample body in an easy chair.</p> - -<p>This incident was not long in getting out, for Nance, who was present, -told it at singing-school, and it was passed around with as genuine -a feeling of pleasure as if those telling it were themselves being -kissed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I've been looking for just this kind of love-affair for Abe Lincoln," -Hannah Armstrong said. "The kind that's taking up with everything that -swings petticoats only has skin-deep cases, but there's others has bone -cases. When it gets in the bone, ain't any use ever trying to get it -out."</p> - -<p>The afternoon before Thanksgiving, Abe Lincoln announced that he was -going to Springfield on an important mission. What it was he told -nobody but Ann's mother. Ann had an idea the mission had something to -do with the festivities of the next day, but no hint was dropped as to -what it was.</p> - -<p>With Thanksgiving came the dinner and the merriment about the long -table of laughing and story-telling with jokes about Ann and Abe, for -as yet the progress of their courtship was not definitely known.</p> - -<p>Abe and Ann had been put side by side in two chairs which Nance and -other girls had decorated with strings of pop-corn and sprigs of green. -When the dinner was at last over, Abe arose and, stretching himself -to his full height and stepping behind Ann's chair, said, "There are -all sorts of Thanksgivin's and all sorts of things to be thankful for. -But there will never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> be another one like this, for I have asked Ann -Rutledge, the sweetest girl in all the world, to be my wife, and she -has done me the honor of givin' me her promise. I have here a little -band of gold to be put on that finger which it is said sends the -channels of its blood directest to the heart. It has words inside which -carry the world's greatest message. Hold out your hand, Ann."</p> - -<p>The speech was a surprise. Every eye was turned on Ann as Abe Lincoln -took her hand and slipped the little band on her third finger. John -Rutledge leaned eagerly forward. Immediately there was a great clapping -of hands and then the young people gathered around Ann to see the ring -and to learn the message that Abe had had put in the ring.</p> - -<p>"Read it Ann—read it," they cried.</p> - -<p>And Ann, her face shining with joy and pink with blushes, read, "Love -is eternal."</p> - -<p>She looked at Abraham Lincoln. Their eyes met a moment, then he bent -down and kissed her, and again the young companions shouted and laughed -and, when there were none of them looking his way, Ann's father wiped -his eyes.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Just a few days later Abraham Lincoln made ready to go to Vandalia, -seventy-five miles from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> New Salem, to represent Sangamon County. As -usual he had no money, but he had no trouble borrowing enough to buy a -cheap suit, which was the best, however, he had as yet put on his back. -John Rutledge furnished the horse, and Ann and her mother looked after -his simple outfit.</p> - -<p>"Abraham," Ann said when she surveyed him in his new suit, "you look so -nice, only your tie is crooked."</p> - -<p>He pulled it around, saying, "Such a nuisance. What are they good for, -anyhow?"</p> - -<p>Ann laughed. "You've got it as far out of line under your left ear now -as you had it before under the right," she said. "Let me fix it for -you." Stepping on a foot-stool she motioned him to stand before her, -and straightened his tie.</p> - -<p>"Abraham," she said in despair before he left the house, "it's crooked -again—your tie."</p> - -<p>"Let it alone," was his answer. "The tie is all right. It's my neck -that's crooked."</p> - -<p>After he had gone Ann began spinning, piecing quilts and hemming linen -in preparation for a spring wedding.</p> - -<p>Both John Rutledge and Ann heard from Sangamon County's representative. -To the father he wrote that he was forming a plan to have the state -capitol moved from Vandalia to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> Springfield, in his opinion a much -better point than the small place down the country. What he wrote -to Ann nobody asked. Sometimes she let her father and mother read -the letters. Once John Rutledge read, "I am glad you are so well—so -strong, so happy, my little pilgrim. The world is a new world, Ann, -now that I have you. I feel some insistent force pushing me on to -something—I do not know what. But with the love of a woman like you, -there are no heights a man dare not reach out for."</p> - -<p>Meantime discussion in New Salem about Lincoln kept up. Almost every -man in town was of the opinion that Abe was going to be somebody, -but they all waited to see what he would stand for in this his first -experience as representative of the people.</p> - -<p>It came at last. Abraham Lincoln had gone on record in favor of woman -suffrage and against slavery.</p> - -<p>When this news was told in the little group of which Ole Bar happened -to be one, he was for a moment struck dumb with disappointment. Then -with impressive profanity he burst out, "A bar would have more sense. -Couldn't he find nothin' in Vandalyer to take up but wimmin and -niggers? He's ruint hisself forever."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX</a></p> - -<p class="center">GOD'S LITTLE GIRL</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Early</span> in the spring John Rutledge decided to move from Rutledge Inn to -his farm about seven miles beyond New Salem.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Rutledge and Ann suffered the pangs of heart that come to women -when they must leave homes made dear by the birth of children and of -love. Aside from the sentiment, however, Mrs. Rutledge was glad to -change to farm life, for inn-keeping had been hard for her.</p> - -<p>Ann's chief objection was going where she could not see Abe Lincoln -often, for his surveying was already taking him much away, and they -both knew he could not find time often to visit the farm. It was -also decided at this time that the wedding of Ann and Abe should be -postponed for a year.</p> - -<p>"Ann needs more education," Mr. Rutledge had said, "and a woman has to -get what she is going to before she has the cares of a home and family. -And, too, you should finish your law course. Then you and Ann can set -out in life together."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you are right," Abe Lincoln said.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> "Of course I want Ann, and -the sooner the better. But I can't support her yet, and I guess it's -not fair to take her away."</p> - -<p>"I wasn't thinking of that at all. You could get along some way, but -you are both young, and a year will soon pass."</p> - -<p>Shortly after this Ann began studying with Miss Arminda Rogers, a -cultured and efficient instructor who was to prepare her for a year at -the Jacksonville Academy, one of the best in the state. Abe Lincoln was -to work by day and study by night to finish his law course.</p> - -<p>The young people of New Salem were sorry to see Ann leave, but seven -miles was not too much of a walk, and many good times were planned. The -most important merry-making on hand was a May party to be held on the -green beyond New Salem. Abe Lincoln and Ann had both promised to be -present, and all the young people in the country about, even to "Baby" -Green, were looking forward to it with pleasure.</p> - -<p>It was a merry day. Abe Lincoln romped with the small boys. He climbed -saplings and twisted the tender branches so they would grow into -canes to be some time carried to Springfield. He swung the girls in -grape-vine swings. He held one end of the jumping-rope while Ann<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> -Rutledge jumped one hundred, and her combs flew out and her auburn hair -went streaming over her shoulders. Then he picked up the combs and -tried to twist her hair for her, and the children laughed at his clumsy -effort and Ann's funny coiffure. Later they twined a vine with flowers -about her, and made her Queen of May, while everybody young and old -joined hands in a ring and danced around singing:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kneel to the prettiest,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Bow to the wittiest,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Kiss her who you love best.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Who is the prettiest?" Abe Lincoln shouted.</p> - -<p>"Ann Rutledge," the children shouted back. Then they dared him to kiss -her, which he did while they clapped their hands.</p> - -<p>Then the smallest girl, who was "Baby" Green, was told to pick the -prettiest man, and she called in her piping voice "Linkin—Linkin," and -then screamed with fear lest Ann Rutledge should kiss him and not she -herself, and again the children cheered and laughed.</p> - -<p>After the games and the merriment Ann and Abe Lincoln slipped away.</p> - -<p>"I want to go to my schoolroom," she said.</p> - -<p>"Your schoolroom?" he questioned.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, down to the creek where the ferns grow. I have no such place at -the farm, and I miss it, for the fern dell is a schoolroom where I -learn wonderful lessons from the growing things, and from the little -brook which goes on its unknown way to find its mother, the ocean."</p> - -<p>So they started away across the field toward the creek. They did not -notice the cloud above their heads until they felt raindrops on their -shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Let's run," Ann said, "over under the haystacks. It's only a shower."</p> - -<p>But before they got to the haystack they were both wet. When Abe -Lincoln expressed some concern about Ann she only laughed and said, "Am -I sugar or salt that I cannot stand a little water?"</p> - -<p>"But you are so hot now. You ran as fast as I did, Ann."</p> - -<p>Together they drew close back under the straw and did not mind the -minutes lost, for there was always much to talk about.</p> - -<p>When the shower had passed, they went on around the hill down to the -creek. Here they found the little stream considerably swollen. Coming -to the place where, on the opposite bank, the ferns were growing, Ann -stepped to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> water's edge and standing on a stone sang:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">On Jordan's stormy banks I stand</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And cast a wistful eye.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>The next moment Abe Lincoln had taken her in his strong arms and put -her across to the other bank.</p> - -<p>"Look, Abraham," she said pointing to the lacy, green leaves. "Do you -notice that some are longer than others and greener and stronger? Well, -in this difference lies a secret."</p> - -<p>She sat down on a shelf of rock and began pushing the brown leaves and -mould away from something. Her face was bright with interest. But Abe -Lincoln was not yet interested in what she was, but in her. "See here -is the dirt in which this little sickly plant grows and its roots go no -farther than this," and she measured a finger length. "But the roots -of this big, strong plant go too deep for measurement, and so I learn -that the blacker the soil, and the deeper the plant goes into the dark -and the silence, the higher it reaches toward the blue sky. Isn't it -wonderful that even little plants can preach such great sermons?"</p> - -<p>"Tongues in the trees, books in the runnin' brooks, sermons in stones -and good in everything," Abe Lincoln repeated.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p> - -<p>"That sounds like the Bible, but I've never found it there."</p> - -<p>"It got left out," he laughed. "Shakespeare put it in his."</p> - -<p>Ann smiled, but she had something more to say.</p> - -<p>"When I come here, Abraham, I think of you. I can't say you are like -a fern, they are too small and weak among the growing things. You -are like a wonderful tree that reaches up above every other, and the -reason, I am sure, is because the roots of your life have gone deeper -into the dark and the silence than the rest of them. When I hear them -talking in class-meeting about 'growing in grace and the knowledge of -God,' I think of you and my ferns, and I say, 'Out of the depths, fresh -strength; out of the dark, new life; and even in the gloom we are on -the way.'"</p> - -<p>He was listening intently now. "But, Ann," he said, "the ferns come to -life only to die again."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and come back more and better the next season. It is not the -special leaf nor flower that is eternal; these are but the forms. It is -<i>life itself</i> that is eternal. And the burial in the dark does not kill -it. Last year there were two leaves here, this year there are six, next -year there will be a whole family. It is life more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> abundant, Abraham, -and from it all I learn to go on my way as the brook goes, singing -always."</p> - -<p>For a moment there was no sound in the fern-dell except the tinkling -music of the water running over the stones.</p> - -<p>"I wonder what it all means," he observed. "Sometimes I feel that I am -a child of some dark tragedy. Again I feel like I am a child of special -Providence. I wonder which I am—perhaps neither."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps both," she said "Great suffering and great joy belong to the -same soul."</p> - -<p>Ann was still sitting on the damp rock with her vine wreath in her -hair. Through the tall trunks of the trees on the bluff above, the -sun-light fell into the ravine, a ray falling across her head and -shoulders.</p> - -<p>As if he had forgotten everything else, Abe Lincoln now turned his -attention to her. He looked long and earnestly.</p> - -<p>"Ann—Ann—is it true?"</p> - -<p>"What?" she said with some surprise.</p> - -<p>"That you are mine."</p> - -<p>"What a strange question."</p> - -<p>"I am afraid sometimes that it is too good to be true. I have never -known such happiness—such riches—such enlargement of my soul as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> -since I have known you. Many men have claimed to get to God through his -Son. I am findin' my way through one of his daughters."</p> - -<p>"No—no—I am only God's little girl—his little schoolgirl, and -just beginning to learn. Sometimes I cannot understand it from the -preachers, but here God teaches me quite easily."</p> - -<p>"God's little girl," he repeated. "Well, I need not be jealous of Him. -He will give me a square deal. He'll not take you away from me."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Abraham," she said, rising hurriedly, "I am going to—to——," and -she sneezed.</p> - -<p>"You are catching cold," he said, stooping to pick up the vine leaves -that had fallen from her head. "What did I let you sit on that damp -stone for? I don't know the first thing about takin' care of a woman."</p> - -<p>"You will have plenty of time to learn," she laughed, holding out her -hands for the wreath.</p> - -<p>"I should like to keep this always, but it will wither."</p> - -<p>"Let us leave the Queen's crown on her throne," and he took the wreath -from her and put it on the stone where she had been sitting.</p> - -<p>Then, with his strong arms to help her, they left the quiet place, -climbed the bluff and hurried home across lots to the Rutledge farm.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE END OF JUNE</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It was</span> June. On the farm the young corn shimmered in long, green rows. -In the corners of fences and along the edges of the woods, wild roses -were blooming.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln and Ann had sent messages back and forth but he had seen -her only once since the May party, until the month of June was drawing -to a close, when he took time to go out to the farm for an all-night -visit.</p> - -<p>He found her apparently well and happy, though she was taking cough -syrup.</p> - -<p>"Ann caught cold at the May party," Mrs. Rutledge said. "It's nothing -much, only we don't want her throat to get sore so she cannot sing."</p> - -<p>After the early supper Ann and Abraham went out for a walk. "Don't let -her stay out too long," Mrs. Rutledge counseled. "Night air and cough -syrup don't get on well together."</p> - -<p>To them both it was a strangely pleasant walk, for they were both -working to the same end; and this night they talked about what the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> -future had in store for them when they should live their lives together.</p> - -<p>"By another June we will have our own home," he said. "I have never had -a home. I had a mother with the sort of love without which there can -never be a home. But it was not in her power to make our dwellin'-place -much better than the homes mother animals provide. Our home will never -be grand but there will be no other home like it in all the world."</p> - -<p>"Then I can help you study, and you can help me. I will have to pry you -away from your books, perhaps, and poke food into your mouth."</p> - -<p>And so they laughed and planned and kept close to each other until he -said, "Ann, you're not going your usual gait to-night. Are you tired?"</p> - -<p>"Yes—and I don't know why. I haven't done anything much to-day. Let's -take hold of hands as we did at the May party and play we're children, -only I'll walk if you don't mind. How big and strong and comfortable -your hand is Abraham. I could shut my eyes and almost believe it was -God leading me on."</p> - -<p>He held her hand a little tighter. She stopped a moment to cough.</p> - -<p>"Hadn't we better go in, Ann?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No. It's such a lovely evening—like the night at the mill, and I do -not see you often—not half enough. I could not endure it, only I know -that we are both working hard so that just a little later we can be -together all the time. Let me stay out a long while with you. I love to -be near you."</p> - -<p>"As you say," he answered, "but I'm not so forgetful this time," and -he took off his coat and wrapped it about her. They went on a little -farther until they came to the steps over the stile and here they sat -down and he drew her close to him.</p> - -<p>Somewhere down in the shadows a whippoor-will called. Then from far -across the meadow the drowsy tinkle of a cow-bell reached their ears.</p> - -<p>"Listen, Ann," Abe said. "It makes me think of the night I heard you -singin' on the bluff—the night I fell in love with the soul of you -before I knew what your body looked like. The tinkle of a cow-bell will -make me think of you and your song as long as I live."</p> - -<p>"Just as the smell of wild-plum blossoms will make me hear the mellow -music of a horn floating over river and trees and make me think of you -as long as I live."</p> - -<p>"Can't you sing for me, Ann—your pilgrim<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> song? How I would like to -hear your clear voice ring out here just now."</p> - -<p>"How strong I was then," Ann said reflectively. "It seems a long time -ago. Just now I am not so much of a pilgrim as when I herded home the -cows. Pilgrims are on the way somewhere you know, and I'm not traveling -much these days—just to my school and back and helping mother. Will -you wait until next time you come? I'll be myself again by then."</p> - -<p>"Look—the evenin' star is coming up," he said pointing. "Twilight and -evenin' star and here we two sit together. Isn't it wonderful? The -world is new to me, Ann. The same fields are here, the same woods, the -same river flowin' between its wooded banks, the same sun, the same -people, and yet all is changed—and all because of you. I hold that man -to be most pitied of all men who does not know the meanin' of love. I -used to wonder just what was meant by the words 'God is love' until -I met you. Now I know that <i>love</i> is <i>life</i>. God is the life of the -world. This is love and so with the end of June old things have passed -away. All has become new. My cup runneth over."</p> - -<p>"Do you know it, Abraham—the rest of it?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> Let us say it together. 'The -Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in -green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my -soul.' ... We will teach it to our children," said she.</p> - -<p>"Our children," he repeated in a strangely changed, new voice. He -arose, stepped down the stile and stood looking up at Ann. The pale -light fell on her shining hair. Her face was radiant.</p> - -<p>"Our children," he again said. "There is one way too sacred for -man's understanding. It is the sacred way of woman's crowning -glory—Motherhood. I have thought of it—of the mothers of men. The -mother of Jesus, what a great mother, yet poor beyond compare. Her -baby born in a stable. His life lived close to the hearts of the poor -people, His own and His mother's kind. It may be true that the mother -would not have been known to the world save through the Son. But -without such a mother the world would not have heard of the Son.</p> - -<p>"And I think of another mother whose kind face was lit with a holy -light of love for her children. She, too, had a son. He was born in a -hut. He learned to learn the sufferin' of his mother's kind—the poor. -If God shall let him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> do some little part in makin' the world a better, -happier place for the poor and helpless, his mother's name will not be -forgotten, for whatever he may do he would not have done without that -mother."</p> - -<p>While speaking these words the homely man had turned majestic. His -long, bent figure seemed in the twilight to rise to a tremendous -height. "And in the days to come," he continued, "though I may never -reach the shinin' goal of great achievement the son of Ann Rutledge -will, for never yet has any man been blessed with such a mother as she -will be."</p> - -<p>Ann looked at him in wonderment. For the passing moment she seemed to -be near a divinity.</p> - -<p>"Abraham," she whispered, "you make me feel like taking off my shoes. -This place seems holy and you are its prophet."</p> - -<p>They walked slowly toward the house. The shades of night were falling. -The far bells sounded at intervals. The evening star looked down on -them.</p> - -<p>How could the man know as he held the woman that he loved close to him -under the violet vale of the calm June night that it was the little -pilgrim's last earthly walk with him?</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI</a></p> - -<p class="center">STRONGER THAN DEATH</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">During</span> July, Ann stopped her studies with Miss Rogers until she should -get stronger. The weather was hot and she had already made such good -preparation for entering the Jacksonville School that her mother -thought a little rest would be of benefit to her.</p> - -<p>When Abraham Lincoln visited her he found her leaning back in a big -chair, a piece of needle-work and her little grammar in her lap.</p> - -<p>She held out her hand, drew him down to her and kissed him. "I am -trying to recall every word my teacher said to me the night I was -taught 'To love,'" she said, laughing.</p> - -<p>They did not leave the house this time. They talked over much of the -past that was happy and made plans for their future and Ann showed him -some of the linen towels and table-covers she had made and they talked -of the books they would have in their little home.</p> - -<p>"I should like to hear you read your favorite poem," she said. "Lines -of it come to me and make me think—think of many things." So he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> read -the poem, and when it was put aside they went back to their plans and -were happy.</p> - -<p>After this visit there were several new farms to be surveyed and a town -to be platted and Abe did not get back to Ann until near the middle of -August. He saw Dr. Allen in New Salem, who told him Ann was not getting -along well. "We've never been able to break up the cough, and she's not -mending. Better run out, Abe."</p> - -<p>Immediately all work was dropped and Abe Lincoln hastened across the -country to the Rutledge farm.</p> - -<p>He was met by Mrs. Rutledge. She greeted him kindly, but the enthusiasm -of her usual motherly greeting was not there. He did not have time to -wonder, for he was quietly shown into Ann's room and the door closed.</p> - -<p>He found her lying on a bed and in a loose garment not like the trim -dresses he had always seen her in. Nor was her fair hair coiled about -her head and held with combs, but lay beside the pillow in a long -braid. Her cheeks were like wild roses and her violet eyes shone with a -strange brightness. She was beautiful, but her face was thin and there -was a pinched expression Abe Lincoln did not understand. He looked at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> -her a minute then bent over and put his arms around her.</p> - -<p>"Lift me up, Abraham," she said, "I have wanted you so—have wanted to -talk with you, for I have been lying here living over all the happy -times we have had, and nobody in all the world would understand but -you."</p> - -<p>He sat beside her on the bed. She leaned her head against his shoulder, -and when he put his arm behind her for a support he could not help but -notice how thin she had grown. An expression anxious, inquiring, came -over his face. But she was looking up at him.</p> - -<p>"We've had such glad, glad days. Do you remember the day the raft -stuck? I seem to hear again the mellow tones of the horn floating in -over the trees, and I smell plum blossoms."</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln touched his lips to her forehead as she continued. "How -little we thought then that God had planned us for each other. Then -there was the quilting-bee. Do you know Abraham, I wouldn't have minded -your holding my hand under the quilt, if I hadn't felt it was wrong. I -liked it. I'm glad now you did it."</p> - -<p>Abraham laughed.</p> - -<p>"And the evening at the mill when we sat in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> the dark together. To me -that has always seemed a holy time. It was so different from the May -party. How we romped and played that day. How the children laughed and -sang! How I jumped the rope and—how you kissed me. I didn't count but -it must have been a dozen times. And the wreath they put around my -head. Wasn't it a pretty wreath? And we skipped away and went cross -lots to my little schoolroom where you picked me up and carried me -across 'Jordan's stormy floods.'"</p> - -<p>Again Lincoln laughed. Ann only smiled, but her face was bright with -happiness.</p> - -<p>"But of them all, Ann—of all the wonderful days or nights the time I -heard you singin' on the bluff comes first."</p> - -<p>"You have not forgotten that," she said softly.</p> - -<p>"Forgotten? I shall never forget—neither in this world nor in the -world to come, for that was the night my soul, though I did not know -what was the matter with me at the time, began unfoldin' itself from -the old life."</p> - -<p>"Your soul," she repeated. "Abraham, we believe in souls, don't we?"</p> - -<p>"Yes."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And we believe that, though our bodies through the change called -death, drop back into the pond, the new creature in another, better -form lives on."</p> - -<p>"Yes, Ann—we believe it."</p> - -<p>She leaned against him, and breathed heavily for a moment, while he -with puzzled, anxious face watched her.</p> - -<p>When she was rested she said: "Did you ever think how swiftly thought -travels? We sit here together and our bodies do not move, yet we go to -the river and the mill; we go to the woodland and the bluff. I have -thought about it and I believe that souls can travel as quickly and as -easily as mind—for souls have lain aside the weight of the earthly -body, you know. Do you think souls can travel this way?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know, Ann."</p> - -<p>"I believe it," she said firmly. "Our souls can travel. And so my -soul will always go wherever you are. If you are in Vandalia, or -Springfield, my soul will be there. If you should get as far away as -Chicago, even there my soul will be with you, and though you cannot see -my face or hear my voice, you will know.</p> - -<p>"Sometime there will come to your heart joy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> like the wild, glad, -singing joy of my life when I could run and shout. It will be then that -the singing, shouting soul of Ann Rutledge is quite near, helping you -rejoice. Sometimes when you are tired and weak and the way is dark, -you will feel new strength bearing you up. It will be the soul of Ann -Rutledge, strong and free trying to help you out of the gloom. And when -you feel the force of that strange power that makes you different from -all other men—that makes you tenderer and stronger—when you feel -something pushing you on to greater things as the wild phlox is pushed -through the sod into the sun-shine, it knows not how, the soul of Ann -Rutledge will be as close as your own breath to whisper her unshaken -faith in your effort. Then there will be quiet times, perhaps lonely -times, when apart from all the world you will feel a gentle tugging at -your heart. It will be the soul of Ann Rutledge saying 'I do not want -to be forgotten.' ... And when you get old, dear, dear Abraham, when -your eyes are too dim to see other faces than those of the long-gone -past, you will hear her voice who has been sleeping under the grass for -fifty years—the voice of Ann Rutledge calling you on—the unforgetting -love<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> of Ann Rutledge as strong and fresh as when she shouted on the -heights and gave herself to you."</p> - -<p>She had been speaking slowly, softly, yet with deep feeling as if half -to herself. She was not looking at the man beside her, whose bronzed -face had undergone a transformation.</p> - -<p>"Ann—Ann," he cried, "for God's sake what are you talkin' about?" and -he bent and looked into her face.</p> - -<p>"Dear, dear Abraham," she said soothingly, and she held her lips in a -close pressure against his forehead, his cheeks, his eyes.</p> - -<p>"I did not want to tell you we are going to part. It seemed I could -not. And yet—yet—Oh, Abraham!—I am so tired—so tired, and the heart -of me beats weaker every day."</p> - -<p>He put her back on the pillow and threw himself down beside her. She -put her arms about his neck, drew his head against her breast, wiped -the tears which were streaming down his brown cheeks and tried to -comfort him as a mother comforts a child.</p> - -<p>A few moments he sobbed. Then he arose and straightened himself to his -full height.</p> - -<p>"Ann," he said, "it's all a mistake. I be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>lieve there is a God. If -there is and He has any heart in Him, He will spare me this. I have had -nothin' but you—I ask nothin' but you. I have never loved any woman -but you, and I never shall, for none can take your place. If you should -be taken away I will never live long enough to get over the loss. God -knows this. He is not cruel. He will not let it be so—He will not, -Ann!"</p> - -<p>He sat down on the edge of the bed and put his arm around her.</p> - -<p>"Help me up again," she whispered, and she rested her head on his -shoulder. She had been dry-eyed and had spoken with a steady voice. Now -there was a sob in her voice and her eyes were blurred with tears as -she said: "Put your arms around me—your big, long, strong arms—and -hold me tight—tight. Oh, Abraham! if you could only hold me tight -enough to keep me here with you! I do not want to be bad, but I do not -want to go and leave you—no, not even to be with God! Oh, Abraham! -will you pray that I may stay with you—will you?"</p> - -<p>"Pray? Pray?" he groaned in pain. "I will pray every minute. I will -pray while I walk with my rod and chains, crossin' the fields,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> -skirtin' the woods, walkin' the streets, everywhere I will pray."</p> - -<p>Ann coughed and Lincoln put her down. He smoothed the coverlet and -brushed back her red-gold hair. Then again he straightened up to his -full stature.</p> - -<p>"Ann, we've both been frightened. Your cough is better—it is looser. I -am sure of it. Isn't it, Ann?"</p> - -<p>There was an appeal in his tone and face.</p> - -<p>Ann smiled—a bright, sweet smile. To Lincoln it was full of hope. -"Nothing hurts me," she answered.</p> - -<p>Her smile was reassuring. Something of the anxiety went out of his -face. "Yes, you are better. If I were not sure of it I would not leave -this house. When I come again you will be still better. God is not -going to have it otherwise. I have never done Him any harm."</p> - -<p>"Dear, dear Abraham—how I love you. How I shall always love you—here -or over there. For though my body is weak, that part of me which loves -is strong and well—very strong, and it loves you, my Abraham. It -will be yours, and will be with you longer than the mind of man can -measure—for I know now that love is stronger than death."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE UNFINISHED SONG</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">During</span> the month of August, 1835, an epidemic, called by different -names, one of which was black ague, visited the country about New Salem.</p> - -<p>Dr. Allen was busy riding night and day, and Abe Lincoln, who himself -had suffered one chill and was taking peruvian bark to prevent a second -one, went with him whenever he could get the time, to nurse the sick -and sometimes help make a coffin and bury the dead.</p> - -<p>Through Dr. Allen, Abe heard from Ann, the good doctor's information -always being that Ann was about the same, and believing her better her -big lover went to others who seemed to need him.</p> - -<p>Then Davy was stricken down and Abe Lincoln made his plans to go out to -the Rutledge farm and stay as long as needed to nurse him. His visit -was hastened by news that Ann had had a chill, and he knew, though -Dr. Allen's words were few, that he was alarmed. "She must not have -another," the good doctor said. "She is too frail to stand it."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p> - -<p>With a heart almost stopped by fear Lincoln reached the farm. His -greeting by Mrs. Rutledge and her smiling face reassured him.</p> - -<p>"Ann is better, Abe," she said gladly. "She had a terrible chill last -night and for a time we were frightened half to death, but she will not -have another. She really is better. She is going to mend now. Her fever -is dropping off and she does not cough so much. She feels like herself -and has been singing. She wants you, Abe," and good Mrs. Rutledge -laughed.</p> - -<p>As he entered the room Abe Lincoln found Ann propped up in pillows and -singing. He almost expected to see her active young form come bounding -to meet him. Instead, she held out her hand and with a face wreathed in -smiles said: "Dear Abraham, God has answered your prayers, I am going -to get well."</p> - -<p>"Thank God! Thank God!" he exclaimed fervently. Then he stopped, stood -back and looked at her a moment. "Oh, Ann, you look just like an angel!"</p> - -<p>"What do you know about angels? Anyway, I'm not going to be an angel. -I'm going to stay here to bake your bread and darn your socks and make -you eat!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> - -<p>Dr. Allen had come in shortly after Abe Lincoln and was in the other -room standing with Mrs. Rutledge by Davy's bedside. When Mrs. Rutledge -heard the happy laughter coming from Abe and Ann she looked at Dr. -Allen and said with tears of joy in her eyes, "How good it is to hear -Ann laughing again."</p> - -<p>Dr. Allen glanced at her questioningly. He said nothing.</p> - -<p>Ann was talking again of the beautiful days that were past on which her -mind seemed continually to dwell.</p> - -<p>"Do you know, Abraham, I cannot tell you how I know it, but I believe I -have loved you from the first time I ever saw you, and when you asked -me at the mill if you might love me I was almost sorry you did not ask -me then if I loved you—only I knew you would not think it right until -we sent that letter which was never answered.</p> - -<p>"But the night that stands out best of all is the night we covered the -coals, for that is when I first felt your good, strong arms about me -and your kisses on my lips—and all over my face. And the very best day -of all the days was when you put the ring on my finger. Abraham, let's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> -live it over again, that night and that day. I cannot stand with you -before the fire now, nor have I been to the table for several weeks. -But we can play it, can't we?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, indeed—make a Shakespeare play with two scenes. One scene will -be by the open fire—one will be the Thanksgivin'."</p> - -<p>"And we will be lovers."</p> - -<p>"I never intend to be anything else."</p> - -<p>"All right, begin. Say it over—just what you did the night by the -fire."</p> - -<p>Very tenderly and with all the meaning of his soul he said the words -her heart was hungry to hear again, and he kissed her.</p> - -<p>With a radiant face she reached under the pillow and took out the -little gold ring.</p> - -<p>"Here's the ring. It won't stay on now. But put it on just as you did, -and say the same words. I was so proud and so happy I thought my heart -would burst, and my thanksgiving to God was very real."</p> - -<p>His face was sober now. He took the ring and the thin, white hand, and, -repeating the words that had made her so happy, he slipped the ring -over her finger as he kissed her again and again. Then he lifted her -hand and kissed it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> - -<p>"You are getting to be a better lover all the time," she said. "Hold -out your hand." She put the tips of her fingers in the palm of his hand -and the ring dropped from her thin finger. "Keep it for me a little -while. Don't let anyone get it and don't lose it. Now shall I sing for -you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Ann—no music this side of heaven will ever be so sweet to me as -your singin'."</p> - -<p>"Dear old goose," she laughed. "Then hand me my hymn-book."</p> - -<p>She turned the pages slowly. "I have sung all the old ones and found -some nice new ones. Here is a new song—a happy song:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">What a mercy is this!</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">What a heaven of bliss!</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">How unspeakably happy am I,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Gathered into the fold—"</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>The song was interrupted by a slight cough which ended in a choking -spell. She rested a moment.</p> - -<p>"Do you like it, Abraham?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but that's not my song."</p> - -<p>"You want the pilgrim song?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, my little pilgrim, that is mine. Can you sing it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, indeed, and I want to":</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I'm a pilgrim and I'm a stranger;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I can tarry, I can tarry but a night!</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Her voice was clear and steady. There was the same triumphant ring, -the same quaver and lengthening of certain syllables. But the strong -buoyancy had given place to something suggestive of an echo song, and -it seemed to the listening lever that the message came from some more -distant heights than the bluff.</p> - -<p>"That's the sample," she announced. "If it sounds all right I'll begin -again and sing through from the first—sing it all. But Abraham, put -the big shawl, that's on the foot of the bed, up here handy."</p> - -<p>"Are you cold, Ann?"</p> - -<p>"No, not yet—but I feel—feel strange."</p> - -<p>He put the shawl beside her.</p> - -<p>"It's handy now. I'll sing."</p> - -<p>Again she sang the lines "I'm a pilgrim—I'm a stranger——" She was -singing slower now. When she came to the words "I can tarry," she -stopped a moment. "The shawl, Abraham, wrap it about me tightly."</p> - -<p>"Let me call your mother," he said as he wrapped the shawl about her.</p> - -<p>"Not just yet—not until I finish my song. I will hurry. 'I can -tarry—I can tarry——'"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p> - -<p>Again the song was interrupted by a struggle for breath, and she seemed -to be swallowing something.</p> - -<p>"Put your arms around me—I want to finish." Her voice wavered. She -shivered. Then came the words quite clearly, but sounding very far -away, "'Do—not—detain—me——'"</p> - -<p>Again there was a slight struggle for breath, and her head fell against -his breast.</p> - -<p>"Ann! Ann! What's the matter, Ann?"</p> - -<p>She did not answer.</p> - -<p>He put his hand under her chin and turned her face toward him. A film -was forming over the half-closed violet eyes.</p> - -<p>"Ann! My God! Ann!" The words were wrung from him now in fear and agony.</p> - -<p>Warm and close she lay in his arms like a little child—but she was -silent.</p> - -<p>He placed her on the pillow and called to her again. He wrapped his -fingers about her wrist. He put his ear against her breast, half -groaning, half calling: "Ann! Ann!"</p> - -<p>It was still in the room. He arose from the bedside and slightly -raising his face, which was drawn and ashy gray, he called: "Ann! Ann!"</p> - -<p>Again the silence.</p> - -<p>Then with such a groan as voices the agony of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> the human soul, he -whispered hoarsely: "My God—why hast Thou forsaken me!"</p> - -<p>A moment later, Mrs. Rutledge and Dr. Allen who were standing beside -Davy's bedside heard someone step into the doorway.</p> - -<p>They looked around. There in the open way that made a rude frame they -saw a picture of unutterable sorrow. Deep as the still foundations -of the finest soul, the hurt had struck. Like some monarch of a -timber-line twisted by titanic force, so he seemed to have been -ruthlessly stormbeaten out of semblance to his former self. The little -lines that had traced their way on a young man's face seemed suddenly -to have grown deep as by long erosion, and he was as pallid as a dead -child.</p> - -<p>He seemed to be making an effort to speak. The muscles of his face -twitched. No sound came from his lips, but they framed the word: "Ann!"</p> - -<p>"Abraham, what is it?" Mrs. Rutledge cried in alarm.</p> - -<p>Dr. Allen ran to Ann's bedside, Mrs. Rutledge following. The man in -the doorway waited until he heard a mother crying: "No—no, she is not -<i>dead</i>!"</p> - -<p>Then he was gone.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII</a></p> - -<p class="center">"WHERE IS ABE LINCOLN?"</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">News</span> of the death of Ann Rutledge spread quickly, even Snoutful Kelly -taking the news to Muddy Point, and though there was much sickness in -the vicinity a large number gathered around the open grave where her -young body was to be put away. Even Clary Grove, with a constitutional -dislike for funerals, was well represented, and Ole Bar, who had made -his boast that he had never been to a "berrying" in his life, stood -back behind the trees, holding tight a flower which he had picked to -put on the grave.</p> - -<p>Most of those present came from a genuine love of Abe and Ann. Some -came to see how the strongest man and greatest lover in Sangamon County -would take his bitter loss.</p> - -<p>These were disappointed. Standing as he did, head and shoulders above -any other man in the community, it would have been unnecessary to look -for the chief mourner. And yet every eye around the grave searched for -Abe Lincoln.</p> - -<p>While the preacher was trying to give words of hope and consolation -to the bereaved ones it was quiet in the place of graves except for -sub<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>dued sobs. But when the singers began the old, plaint hymn.</p> - -<p> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">From which none ever wakes to weep,</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>sobs broke out everywhere, for the melody carried to the saddened -hearts about the open grave more than the words of the preacher had -done, the pain-filled consciousness that the voice of the gladdest, -sweetest singer of them all was hushed forever.</p> - -<p>After the simple burial rites were over, Nance Cameron, Miss Rogers and -others brought armfuls of early goldenrod and asters which they had -gathered, to cover the low mound of the best-loved girl in New Salem.</p> - -<p>It was not until the company had gone that Ole Bar came out of the -woods, and, kneeling by the grave, put his lone flower over the place -where under the earth her hands were folded.</p> - -<p>From the dead, interest turned to the living, and the one question -asked by his friends was: "Where is Abe Lincoln?" Dr. Allen asked Mrs. -Rutledge. She did not know and asked John Rutledge. He did not know. -William Green was asked and Mentor Graham. Nobody knew anything about -Lincoln.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p> - -<p>Early the morning after the day of the funeral, Katy Kelly looked out -and saw a man coming.</p> - -<p>"Ma," she called, "there's an old man comin' to our place."</p> - -<p>Visitors being almost unheard of out there, Mrs. Kelly looked out. For -a moment she seemed puzzled. The man was somewhat stooped and walking -slowly. It was none other than Abraham Lincoln.</p> - -<p>"Howdy, Mrs. Kelly," he said wearily. "I was passing by and thought I'd -stop a minute."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Kelly hastened into her one room and cleared off the only chair in -the house.</p> - -<p>"Ma," whispered Katy, not knowing she had ever seen him before, "What's -ailin' of that old man?"</p> - -<p>"Shut up," her mother whispered. "His gal's dead, and he's not got over -it yet." Then to Lincoln she said: "You look nigh starved, Mr. Linking. -We hain't much, but if you was to refuse I'd feel powerful hurt."</p> - -<p>"But I'm not hungry at all—I couldn't eat. I've been over about -Concord and just stopped to get a drink of water."</p> - -<p>"We've got a cow since Kelly got broke up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> from dram drinkin'. You'll -take a cup of milk, I'm sure."</p> - -<p>He drank the milk, thanked her and went on. She watched him until he -disappeared behind the trees. "He's a awful-sized man to take it to -heart so. Don't he know there's as good fish in the sea as has ever -been caught?"</p> - -<p>The second night that Abe Lincoln was missing a few of his close -friends held a council at Dr. Allen's house. William Green was there -and Mentor Graham. Dr. Allen had been telling them that Lincoln himself -had not been well for several weeks. The suggestion that he might have, -in a moment of despair, ended his life was not reasonable to those who -knew him. Neither was Dr. Allen of the opinion that the shock would -impair his reason.</p> - -<p>"Lincoln is large in all ways. He has a great mind and a great heart. -He has been a great lover—the greatest lover that ever lived in these -parts. Just now he is numbed by the shock of his loss as one is numbed -by a great blow. He is somewhere alone in his grief—no telling where. -But unless he has food and medical attention, he too may follow Ann -shortly. We must find him."</p> - -<p>While they were discussing his whereabouts,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> Lincoln was, as Dr. Allen -had supposed, alone with his grief.</p> - -<p>After a night by the grave of his dead, Abe Lincoln set out at twilight -of the second day to visit the places where she who seemed yet living -had lived.</p> - -<p>Turning his face toward New Salem he made his way slowly along the -well-known roadway to the place where he had dropped his bundle and -listened on a never-to-be-forgotten night to a sweet voice singing on -the heights. Then he had been a friendly stranger in New Salem. How -fast the years had gone. What long and patient waiting and what fulness -of joy had been their measure. But now the cup was bitter to the brim -with the stupefying potion of dead hope and the gall of human loss.</p> - -<p>In the shadow of the bluff he paused. He moved nearer the bluff, raised -his face and, with a feverish expectancy, listened. As he stood the -drowsy stillness was broken by the far, faint tinkle of a cow-bell. For -a moment the mirage of hope set his heart beating with spasmodic joy. -It was all a fearful dream—all a heart crushing unreality. She was -yet up on the heights, alive, glad, singing and shouting. He listened, -even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> straining his ear for the first notes of her glad, free song.</p> - -<p>As if she were not yet beyond sound of his voice he called: "Ann! Ann!" -Again he listened intently.</p> - -<p>The gray of twilight deepened. The dim music of the far-away bell -dissolved itself in a pervading hush, and all was still.</p> - -<p>In a voice suggesting the pain of a fresh blow, the man in the shadow -whispered with upturned face, "Ann! Ann!" The whisper, too, was -gathered into the all-enveloping gloom and silence.</p> - -<p>He went a little farther on, the soft music of water running over -stones came to his ear. It was the stream in the schoolroom where ferns -had been books and God had been the teacher.</p> - -<p>Mechanically he turned toward it. The swollen stream across which he -had carried Ann on a night not so long ago was smaller now. He stepped -across.</p> - -<p>The gray of the open road deepened in the fern-dell into gloom. But -no light was needed to bring to the vision of the man the picture of -one he yet sought in the land of the living. Again he saw her with the -sun-shine falling over the red-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span>gold tresses of her wreath-bound hair -as she sat on the ledge of rock. Again he heard her voice but he was -too numb now to remember its message.</p> - -<p>Groping his way to the stone, he knelt beside it and spread his hands -over the place where she had sat. His fingers came in contact with dead -leaves. Feeling along the way they lay he found the wreath, yet there, -that had been a crown on May day. Lifting it gently he cried: "Oh, Ann! -Ann! It cannot be. You have not gone away forever! You will come back -to me! We will have our little home! Oh, Ann! Ann!" His pleading voice -ended in a groan. He dropped his face against the faded leaves.</p> - -<p>How long he remained by the rock and the wreath he did not know. After -a time, like a crushed and wounded animal, he crept from the place and -proceeded on his way toward the village.</p> - -<p>He walked slowly a few minutes, then, as if drawn by some pleasant -fancy, he quickened his pace. The rear of the mill-dam had caught his -ear. He was going to the mill. Here was a place that she had said -seemed sacred to her, and he was glad when the dark outlines of the -mill stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> out against the growing shadows. The double doors stood -open, just as they had before. He went into the building and out on the -platform over the river, just as he had before. The foam of the falling -water shone white in the pale light, just as it had before. The trees -cast their shadows and the stars their bright reflections, just as -before. He leaned against the doorway as he had done once before when -in great gloom, then he waited for the one to come who had brought the -light.</p> - -<p>Several times he turned toward the door as if expecting to see the -fair-faced girl emerging from the dusky gray and coming toward him. In -a sort of numb expectancy he waited. Once he reached out his long arm -as if to encircle some near object, but there were only shadows in the -dark.</p> - -<p>After a time he took the little ring from his pocket. He moved near the -edge of the platform. He lifted the frail, little token of eternal love -to his lips and held it there a moment. Then he reached his long arm -out over the foaming water and with a groan let the ring fall into the -depths of the smoothly flowing Sangamon.</p> - -<p>As if loath to leave the place he turned back<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> from the doorway and, -leaning against the wall, looked out into the darkness. Shortly after -he had done so, someone touched him gently on the arm. With a great -start he cried: "Ann! Ann!"</p> - -<p>A small figure drew back slightly and a voice said: "I've been lookin' -fer you, Abry Linkhorn. You're worse than a bee to run down."</p> - -<p>The man hesitated a second, then he held out his hand and said, "Howdy, -partner. What did you want with me?"</p> - -<p>"I've been numerous in bar hunts as you've heard tell, but I haven't -never gone to no berryin', so help me God, but the berryin' of your -Ann. And I wouldn't have gone for no one else's 'ceptin' it was you."</p> - -<p>"I wish it had been," the man said.</p> - -<p>"Maybe so, but since I was thar and you wasn't thar and I heard -something that made me pestiferous glad I went, I thought you would -like to hear about it."</p> - -<p>"You are kind to think of me. What could have made you feel glad?"</p> - -<p>"It made me feel glad to learn that God's not—not a damn fool."</p> - -<p>"How did you learn this?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p> - -<p>"From the berryin' itself. The parson read out of a book that when -this here meat body changes into the other kind like Ann Rutledge has, -then death is swallered up in victory. Don't this sound like God's got -horse-sense?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know anything about God." And there was bitterness in the -answer.</p> - -<p>"Yeh, you do. You know nothin' but God could make a gal like your Ann -Rutledge. And if God's not a blame fool he made her for something -more than the little time she's spent in this here New Salem. I'm not -promiscuous enough to tell it like the parson, but I'm tellin' you, -Abry Linkhorn, that when I set by that grave and put my flower over -the place where her hands was berried and said what I didn't never -have words to say when she was here about thankin' her for remembering -poor Ole Bar, I <i>know</i> she heard it. She didn't say nothin', but I -seen her smile and I know—I know—curse it, I can't tell what I know. -But Ann Rutledge ain't blowed out like no candle. I know this. And I -am glad. And I'm glad, too, Abry Linkhorn, that she wasn't none of -my gal. If you'd seen John Rutledge standin' beside that grave you'd -been glad she wasn't no flesh and blood of yourn.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> I never knew before -that grizzle-tops like him, that's men, and not chipper-perkers, liked -gals so well. He didn't make no noise like her mother did, but it's -still water that runs deep and he'll have the heart-bleeds for many a -changin' moon."</p> - -<p>"Poor Rutledge," Lincoln said brokenly. "I must go to see him."</p> - -<p>"Yep, and there's others you ought to go to see, and you can't get -started none too quick. The whole kit and posse of 'em's' about to -start searchin' fer you; Clary Grove to boot. Any reason why you should -make your friends beat the bushes when walking's good and you ain't no -cripple?"</p> - -<p>It was this appeal that turned the steps of Lincoln to the home of Dr. -Allen as he and William Green yet sat discussing him.</p> - -<p>As Ole Bar and Abe Lincoln passed Rutledge Inn, the latter looked -across the street. A light burned in the window of the room where Ann's -little sewing-table had been.</p> - -<p>The tall man hesitated and moved on.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV</a></p> - -<p class="center">FOR THE THINGS THAT ARE TO BE</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">While</span> Dr. Allen and William Green were yet discussing the strange -disappearance of Abe Lincoln, the door opened and he stood before them.</p> - -<p>They turned toward him and beheld what seemed a wreckage, wrought by -hunger and longing, unrest and the sorrow of a loss which could never -be made good. In his face were lines already too deeply cut for Time's -erasure.</p> - -<p>No word was spoken. The two men seemed awed by the majesty of his -silence and strangely moved by his dumb sorrow, and, strong men though -they were, tears wet their cheeks.</p> - -<p>"Doc," Lincoln said, "how long will this last—for I cannot, cannot -bear to think of—of——"</p> - -<p>His voice grew unsteady. He did not finish the sentence; instead he -said, "Is there any honorable way I can finish it all?"</p> - -<p>"You do not want to finish it. You want to live your life."</p> - -<p>"I have lived my life."</p> - -<p>The voice seemed far away as if from some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> ancestral tomb. "I have -lived my life. I found it here in New Salem—and I will leave it here."</p> - -<p>"No, no. You will feel differently after awhile. You will want to live -for the things that are to be."</p> - -<p>"For the things that are to be? What can a man do when that which alone -could make life worth living is taken from it forever?"</p> - -<p>"There are other incentives to life than love. There is ambition with -its measure of fame, and service with the pleasure of duty," Dr. Allen -said.</p> - -<p>"Ambition—fame," Lincoln repeated wearily. "What is fame but a -bauble—a passin' bauble."</p> - -<p>"But think what you may live to do for humanity in some way or another. -You have made a good beginning—you have put in the foundation, -Lincoln. You might be Governor of Illinois some day. Think then what -you might accomplish for liberty—for freedom and justice."</p> - -<p>"My interest in these things is dead. Everything is dead."</p> - -<p>"No, not dead, only numb. Great pain brings numbness, but Time heals -the deepest cuts. The edges stay tender, the old wounds bleed and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> the -scars remain. But in spite of all, the numbness and the pain give way -in time to the healing forces of nature."</p> - -<p>Lincoln dropped his head wearily on the table. He was ill, tired, -hungry, suffering from loss of sleep—all this with the other.</p> - -<p>Dr. Allen looked helplessly at Green and wiped his eyes again.</p> - -<p>"Abe"—it was Green speaking. "Can't you pull yourself together for a -little while—at least until you get Jim Henry's note paid? Tom Dickson -from up near Springfield says they're having hard luck. He was over -their way and found Jim's wife and baby sick and him about to lose -his place. Just a little along now and then will save the day. He was -talking about your note, said you would pay every cent of it. On the -strength of this they were given more time. This here's a plain duty -and a man's job, Abe."</p> - -<p>Lincoln raised himself and looked at Green. "Jim Henry's dependin' on -me and they've given him more time because my note is good?"</p> - -<p>"That's it. And when his wife was down a few months ago and went to see -Ann Rutledge, Ann told her you would pay every cent of it if it was the -last act of your life."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I suppose this is one of the things that are to be," he said, -addressing Dr. Allen.</p> - -<p>"No doubt. And with the days that follow new duties and new -opportunities will unfold. 'God moves in a mysterious way,' the hymn -book tells us, 'His wonders to perform.' We don't know how or why, but -back of it all He moves, and He needs strong men, men not afraid, men -who cannot be bought or sold to stand for the interests of the people -and the rights of those helpless ones who are always the prey of the -powerful and unscrupulous."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you are right," he answered. "I'll not neglect a duty."</p> - -<p>Thus it was that the man who did not care to stay in the world to be a -governor chose life with all its losses in order to pay an honest debt.</p> - -<p>Then William Green delivered a message from "Baby Green" which was a -pressing invitation to Abe Lincoln to visit her for the very unselfish -reason that the door had mashed her toe and she needed a great, tall -horse to ride her.</p> - -<p>So Abe Lincoln went home with William Green, where he was fed and -looked after by the motherly Aunt Sally Green and where he was in turn -expected to look after "Baby Green." Here<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> children came to romp with -him, books and papers were sent, and occasionally several of the old -friends from New Salem came out to tell him the political gossip.</p> - -<p>Aunt Sally found something for him to do every night, for she did not -want him wandering away to Ann's grave. He made no effort to do so, -however, and after a few weeks' rest he returned to New Salem to take -up his life as best he could, and day by day live on for the things -that were to be.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV</a></p> - -<p class="center">THE POEM</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">The Clary Grove</span> gang were going to have an important meeting. It had -been rumored that Windy Batts, who went as a missionary to the Indians, -had lost his head. The general satisfaction with which this news had -been received by the Clary Grove gang, singly, indicated that it -would prove a pleasant topic for discussion, and nobody was likely to -disagree with Ole Bar when he said: "Them pizen shooting injuns has riz -to a tall and mighty pre-eminence in my mind if they cut off that fire -and brimstone croaker's rattle box."</p> - -<p>Kit Parsons was expected to divulge a plan for giving the angels -another job. He had been desperately sick during the summer, and while -lying at death's door a local religious enemy had said the gates of -hell would soon shut Kit in where he had ought to have been before he -was born. Kit said he had pulled through to fan the face off of this -profane wretch with brick-bats. The details of the plans expected to -prove interesting.</p> - -<p>A great horse-swapping horse-story was also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> expected, provided Buck -Thompson reached New Salem that night. He had been up the Ohio River -and it was told by a man that passed through Sangamon County that Buck -had traded a Yankee out of a horse and got fairly good boot; that he -took the horse, fed it some filler, painted its ears, trimmed its tail -and dyed it, put a few dapples on its hide and traded it back to the -same Yankee for yet more boot.</p> - -<p>The group was about the fire when Buck came. He had been away some -weeks, and before the story-telling started he wanted to hear something -of town affairs.</p> - -<p>"Lots of sickness," Kit Parsons said.</p> - -<p>"Yeh?" Buck questioned.</p> - -<p>"Yes—Grandpa Johnson's dead and Clem Herndon's boy and Ann Rutledge."</p> - -<p>Buck was interested now.</p> - -<p>"Ann Rutledge dead? No!"</p> - -<p>"Yeh—she's dead."</p> - -<p>"Abe's gal."</p> - -<p>"Dead and buried out near Concord."</p> - -<p>"Poor old Abe. Take it hard, did he?"</p> - -<p>"Nobody knows. He ain't saying nothin'."</p> - -<p>"They say he went crazy for a time," Kit Parsons remarked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p> - -<p>"They lie," said Ole Bar. "Abry Linkhorn hain't never gone nowhere near -crazy at no time."</p> - -<p>"Maybe he didn't go clear crazy, but Doc Allen said he was hit hard and -wasn't likely to git over it no time soon."</p> - -<p>"I bet a bottle against a bottle he's over it now," said Buck Thompson. -"Who'll take it up? Will you, Jack Armstrong?"</p> - -<p>"If it was somebody like you are I would. You get petticoat-fever every -change of the moon, take it like spring pimples that's always goin' and -comin'. But some take it like the smallpox and don't never get over the -scars. Abe Lincoln's the kind that will wear the scars."</p> - -<p>"Bars is the same," Ole Bar ventured. "Most bars is done with their -women folks after matin' season. Once in a lifetime you find a pair of -bars stickin' together. Nobody but their maker knows what they do it -fur. It's the same with men, and Abry Linkhorn, he picked him out one -worth stickin' to.</p> - -<p>"Yeh—nobody blames him for gettin' sweet on Ann Rutledge. But poke -up the fire and let's get jolly or this dead talk will stir up the -spooks."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span></p> - -<p>While they were piling up the fire and stacking up the bottles, someone -looked down the road and saw a tall, slightly bent figure approaching -in the darkness.</p> - -<p>"Boys, he's comin'," Kit Parsons announced.</p> - -<p>"Who—who's coming?"</p> - -<p>"Abe Lincoln—or his ghost."</p> - -<p>"Thunder—I hope he's not crazy. I kin manage Yankees and niggers—but -crazy ones—ugh!" and Thompson shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Pull in your sorgum-sucker," Ole Bar said shortly, "and don't none of -you get nothin' started about his gal."</p> - -<p>"That's it," said Jack Armstrong. "If he hain't forgot about her let's -help him do it. Let's give him a howlin' good time."</p> - -<p>Then they grew silent, for he was approaching and they wondered. They -had not seen him since Ann's death.</p> - -<p>The fresh flames were throwing fitful lights up into the overhanging -brown branches and over the faces of the group, when Lincoln came into -the circle of light and, extending his hand here and there, said: -"Howdy, boys, howdy."</p> - -<p>Something like a sigh of relief passed around the group. He didn't seem -crazy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span></p> - -<p>He dropped himself in the circle of light. Then for the time they saw -his face the effect of which was to bring a respectful silence over the -noisy group.</p> - -<p>The wind rustled slightly and a couple of brown leaves floated down -to the fireside. The gray face looked up a moment. Another leaf was -falling. They all watched it.</p> - -<p>"Boys," said Lincoln in a voice they did not know, "the leaves are -fallin' early."</p> - -<p>"Yeh—droppin' early this year."</p> - -<p>Again there was a pause. Then he said, "I haven't been with you in a -long time."</p> - -<p>"Not in a coon's age—and we're glad to have you, Abe."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad to be here. I felt as if it would do me good to see you all. -And I've brought a poem I want to read if you don't care."</p> - -<p>"Is it jolly?"</p> - -<p>"Yeh—something damn jolly is what we want."</p> - -<p>"No," said Lincoln slowly, "it is not jolly. It's the other kind. But -this is my favorite of all poems. May I read it to you?"</p> - -<p>"Go to it, Abry Linkhorn," Ole Bar said.</p> - -<p>Abe Lincoln took a book from his pocket, opened it and laid it on his -knee.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p> - -<p>He read as if asking them the question:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">O why should the spirit of mortal be proud?</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Like a swift, fleeting meteor, a fast-flying cloud;</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Man passes from life to his rest in the grave.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>There was a slight pause. Every man's eye was on the gray face bending -over the book in the flickering light.</p> - -<p>When he began reading the next verse he lifted his eyes from the pages -and looked away, farther away than the circle of brown-branched trees. -There was, to the men, a suggestion in his tone of an approach to -something strange, perhaps forbidding.</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The leaves of the oak and the willow shall fade,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Be scattered abroad and together be laid.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>He paused a moment. Involuntarily several glances were cast toward the -leaves lying by the legs at their feet.</p> - -<p>He went on:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And the young and the old, the low and the high,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Shall moulder to dust and together shall lie.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>It was very quiet.</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The peasant whose lot is to sow and to reap,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The herdsman who climbs with his goats up the steep,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The beggar who wandered in search of his bread,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Have faded away like the grass that we tread.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span></p> - -<p>There was much more than the words in the reading.</p> - -<p>The group about the fire saw the peasant, saw the herdsman. They saw -the saint who enjoyed the communion of heaven and the sinner who dared -to remain unforgiven. There in the quiet of the night beside the ashes -and the flames, he was making all these live—and go their short way.</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">So the multitude goes—like the flowers or the weeds</span><br /> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /> -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">So the multitude comes, even these we behold,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To repeat every tale that has ever been told</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Kit Parsons punched the fire. Buck Thompson reached for a bottle and -drew his hand back empty.</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We are the same that our fathers have been,</span><br /> -</p> - - -<hr class="tb" /> -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">We drink the same stream and view the same sun</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">And run the same course that our fathers have run.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Pausing again, as if a line of thought ran in between the verses, he -looked away from the book. The next verse was about the mother and -child—each, all are away to their dwelling of rest.</p> - -<p>He seemed now hesitating whether or not to proceed. The men watched him -without comment. His gray face was marked with a fresh<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> baptism of pain -which he seemed to be struggling to put away.</p> - -<p>With unsteady voice he read.</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">The maid on whose cheek, on whose brow, in whose eye,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Show beauty and pleasure—</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Here there was a long pause. Ole Bar got up and went out. Kit Parsons -poked the fire. Buck Thompson took to spitting. But no man spoke as the -voice by the fire pronounced the words "her triumphs—are by," and even -the fire seemed to burn softly.</p> - -<p>For a moment he glanced about the group—a helpless glance of appeal to -those strong men. Buck Thompson was drawing his sleeves across his eye, -evidently to remove some foreign matter. Jack Armstrong was pinching -his red bandanna down under his leg. Another chunk was pitched into the -fire.</p> - -<p>It was a relief when he went on again to the "Hand of the king that the -scepter hath borne," and the "brow of the priest that the miter hath -worn." They seemed to see the king and the priest and they felt the -force of the words as he read:</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">From the death we are shrinking, our fathers would shrink.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To the lives we are clinging our fathers would cling.</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">But it speeds from us all—like—a—bird—on—the—wing.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p> - -<p>He measured the words off slowly. He was not looking at the book. -Perhaps he saw fleet birds winging their way beyond his vision. His -listeners divined something of the kind.</p> - -<p>He had reached another hard place. He picked up the book and looked at -it and replaced it on his knee. Again he was speaking nearer or farther -than those just about him.</p> - -<p style="margin-left: 35%;"> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">They loved—but the story we cannot unfold....</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">They joyed, but the tongue of their gladness is dumb.</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>"Jo," he said, handing the book to Kelsy, "you know the poem. Finish it -for the boys."</p> - -<p>Kelsy finished it. But they did not hear him. The poem to them mattered -little. The man who had read it meant much.</p> - -<p>"What's the name of that there poem?" Buck Thompson asked.</p> - -<p>"<i>Immortality.</i>"</p> - -<p>"Immortality—that means that this here vale of tears is not all that's -comin' to us?"</p> - -<p>"That's it. We are only here a little while at best. Any good thing -therefore that we can do, let's do it. We won't come back this way, you -know."</p> - -<p>Here Ole Bar returned. They all looked at him inquiringly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p> - -<p>"What you lookin' at?" he growled. "Nothin' the matter with that poem. -But my fool nose she runs like the devil at first frost fall and leaves -ain't much good fur shuttin' her off when'a poem's goin' on."</p> - -<p>His explanation was accepted.</p> - -<p>Lincoln was speaking again. "You've been good friends to have, and I -want to say, because I won't always be about these parts, that if any -of you ever get in need of a friend and Abe Lincoln can help him out, -call on him. And I want to say to you that I've lived the best time of -my life right here in New Salem—the happiest—and—well, I'll see you -again—good-bye, boys." And the tall man slightly bent, and moving as -if aged, left the group around the fire.</p> - -<p>There was silence about the fire for a full minute.</p> - -<p>"Poor Old Abe," said Buck.</p> - -<p>"I'd a give my right arm to have kept this here thing from happenin'," -said Armstrong.</p> - -<p>"Do you fellows recollect," Kit Parsons said, "the man that was through -here preaching two years ago—the feller that preached one night about -the 'Man of Sorrows?' Recollect how the women bawled? Looked like they -couldn't sup<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>press themselves nor get hold of enough dry-goods to sop -up their flowin' tears. It's just now soakin' into my head the reason -of it all."</p> - -<p>"Well, what was it?"</p> - -<p>"That feller made 'em <i>see</i> the man."</p> - -<p>Here was thought for reflection.</p> - -<p>A moment later Buck Thompson took up a bottle, threw back his head and -raised it to his lips, saying as he did so, "I'm glad he didn't say -nothin' about Ann Rutledge."</p> - -<p>"Ann Rutledge!" exclaimed Ole Bar. "Idiot! Fool! He didn't mention -<i>nothin' else</i>."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="ph2"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI</a></p> - -<p class="center">ON THE WAY</p> - - -<p><span class="smcap">It was</span> an October afternoon.</p> - -<p>The first frosts had fallen, and where, a few short days before, the -goldenrod had shed its autumn glory, it now stood sere and earth-bent. -The late asters had lost their color and the wind-blown tendrils of -summer vines were but stiff spirals, clinging to the sumacs like -skeletons of their former graceful selves.</p> - -<p>In the Concord burying-plot all was gray and brown and restful. From -the forest of oak and hickory on the one side the leaves had fallen, -and lay cradled about the grave and strewn over the grassy slope that -led to the little stream where willows held out their slender arms, -nude, save for here and there a pale and trembling leaf.</p> - -<p>A haze hung over the distant fields which seemed to permeate the -near-by woods, giving a tint of filmy softness even to the shadows -gathering between the somber tree trunks.</p> - -<p>There seemed no living thing about when a man, himself tall and somber -as the trees through which he walked, came to the place of graves,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> and -going to one of them fell beside it crying: "Ann! Ann!"</p> - -<p>A moment he knelt, speaking the name before he threw himself -full-length with his face upon the sod. Whether he were praying there -or weeping or struggling for the grace of resignation, none might know, -for no sound came from his lips.</p> - -<p>It was not until the sun had dropped behind the tree-top that he -arose. Yet a little time he tarried. Then he went into the edge of the -wood and stood with his sad, gray eyes turned to the little mound of -earth. As the shadows lengthened, reaching out from the forest toward -the grave as if to gather it in, they seemed to bind him in also with -the elemental things about him, things rugged, resigned, patient and -eternal.</p> - -<p>A passing breeze stirred the dead leaves into music like the plaint -murmur of some long-forgotten sea, and back in the dusk a lone bird -piped, sending onto the stillness a message from the vague and -shoreless bounds of some eternal place.</p> - -<p>"Out of the depths fresh strength; out of the dark, new light; and even -in the gloom we are on the way."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span></p> - -<p>The somber man in the gathering shadows lifted his eyes from the low -mound to a cloud-bank rimmed with silver. The mask of sorrow seemed -suddenly to have softened. A faint smile lit his face as he said -reverently, "Soul of Ann Rutledge—yes, I <i>believe</i>."</p> - -<p>A bird darted out of the shadows and disappeared in the gray and fading -sky.</p> - -<p>The man turned and started on his way, like the lone bird, he knew not -whither.</p> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Soul of Ann Rutledge: Abraham -Lincoln's Romance, by Bernie Babcock - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SOUL OF ANN RUTLEDGE: *** - -***** This file should be named 62028-h.htm or 62028-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/0/2/62028/ - -Produced by Mary Glenn Krause, Graeme Mackreth and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Soul of Ann Rutledge: Abraham Lincoln's Romance - -Author: Bernie Babcock - -Illustrator: Gayle Porter Hoskins - -Release Date: May 5, 2020 [EBook #62028] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SOUL OF ANN RUTLEDGE: *** - - - - -Produced by Mary Glenn Krause, Graeme Mackreth and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - - THE SOUL OF ANN RUTLEDGE - ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S ROMANCE - - - SECOND IMPRESSION - - -[Illustration: "ABRAHAM, THIS PLACE SEEMS HOLY AND YOU ARE ITS PROPHET" - - _Page 276_] - - - - - THE SOUL OF - ANN RUTLEDGE - - ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S - ROMANCE - - BY - BERNIE BABCOCK - - _WITH A FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR BY - GAYLE HOSKINS_ - - [Illustration] - - - PHILADELPHIA & LONDON - J.B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY - 1919 - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY J.B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY - - - PRINTED BY J.B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY - AT THE WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS - PHILADELPHIA, U.S.A. - - - - -To J - - - - -AUTHOR'S NOTE - - -In the tremendous output of Lincolniana that has been given to -literature, it seems strange that no adequate story has been given of -one of the greatest loves in history. - -Many writers have referred to it and to its moulding power on the -lover's after life. Some have thrown sidelights on the character of -the woman. Some have mentioned her rare gift of song and her unusual -endowment of mind, and one writer has given a careful description of -her personal appearance. But so far as careful and exhaustive research -shows, all this matter has never been woven into one story. - -It is also strange that there has been so much controversy regarding -the religious views of Abraham Lincoln, and by those whose faith is -based on the evidence required by the Great Teacher When He said, "Ye -shall know them by their fruits." Nor should it ever have been taken -as an evidence of lack of faith because he did not accept the creedal -beliefs of his day, for had not the Christ Himself strenuously denied -much that was insisted on in His day, Christianity could never have -been possible. - -In this story both the love and the faith of one of earth's noblest -souls is simply and intimately told. - -In an age when the cynical opinion is too often heard, that between -men and women there can be no different or more lasting love than the -mating instinct of animals, and at a time when the death of millions -of the world's best men has brought into fresh insistence the age-long -question, "If a man die shall he live again?" a fresh and different -setting forth of Abraham Lincoln's master passion for a woman, and his -calm and unshakable faith in immortality, may be of more than usual -interest and value. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. One April Day 11 - - II. In Clary's Grove 23 - - III. The Railsplitter 33 - - IV. The Pilgrim 40 - - V. Swapping Hosses 50 - - VI. "Fixin' fer the Angels" 60 - - VII. "Sic 'em, Kitty" 66 - - VIII. The Test 73 - - IX. "Thou Shalt not Covet" 83 - - X. The Mysterious Pig 92 - - XI. Peter Cartwright Arrives 101 - - XII. The Righteous Shout 113 - - XIII. A Busy Sinner 124 - - XIV. The Spelling Match 134 - - XV. "Who's Afraid?" 146 - - XVI. Politics and Steamboats 157 - - XVII. Captain Lincoln 163 - - XVIII. "Books Beat Guns, Sonny" 171 - - XIX. Abe Makes a Speech 175 - - XX. Story of a Boy 180 - - XXI. Only Wasting Time 189 - - XXII. Town Topics 202 - - XXIII. Alias McNeil 211 - - XXIV. In the Cellar 221 - - XXV. Father and Daughter 227 - - XXVI. Gloom and the Light 232 - - XXVII. Covering the Coals 245 - - XXVIII. "He's Ruint Hisself Forever" 256 - - XXIX. God's Little Girl 263 - - XXX. The End of June 271 - - XXXI. Stronger Than Death 277 - - XXXII. The Unfinished Song 286 - - XXXIII. "Where is Abe Lincoln?" 294 - - XXXIV. For the Things That Are to be 305 - - XXXV. The Poem 310 - - XXXVI. On the Way 321 - - - - -THE SOUL OF ANN RUTLEDGE - - - - -CHAPTER I - -ONE APRIL DAY - - -"Ann! Ann! Ann Rutledge! Hallo! Hallo!" - -The cheerful voice belonged to a rosy-cheeked girl who shouted in front -of Rutledge Inn, one of the straggling group of log houses that made -the village of New Salem, Illinois, in 1831. - -Pausing in front of the Inn, the animated girl repeated her call -lustily as she watched for the closed door to open. - -"Hallo yourself, Nance Cameron," a clear, musical voice replied from -somewhere in the rear of the weather-stained building, and the next -moment Ann Rutledge came around the corner. - -"Look! Springtime has come! Isn't it splendid to be alive in the -springtime? I found them in the thicket!" and pausing she held out an -armful of plum branches white with their first bloom. - -In the moment she stood, an artist might have caught an inspiration. -On one side of the background was a vista of open garden, perhaps, -and meadow, with a glimpse of forest farther back, and over it all the -white-flecked, spring-blue sky. - -On the other side was the solid framework that told of days when there -had been no meadow or garden, and of the pioneer labor that had wrought -the change. - -In the foreground of this brown and green and blue setting stood a -slender girl in a pink-sprigged calico dress. Her violet eyes were -shaded with dark lashes. Her shapely head was crowned with a wealth of -golden hair in which a glint of red seemed hiding. A white kerchief was -pinned low about her neck, and across her breast were tied the white -strings of a ruffled bonnet which dropped on her shoulders behind. She -pressed her face for a moment in the armful of blossoms, sniffing deep, -and with the joy of youth exclaimed again, "Isn't it splendid to be -alive in the springtime!" - -But Nance Cameron had no eye for the artistic at this moment. - -"Have you been to the river?" - -"River? What's going on at the river?" - -"Didn't Davy tell you, nor your father?" - -"No, I've just come home across lots from Green's. What's happening at -the river?" - -"Everything, and everybody's down seeing it happen. Let's go." - -"If you'll wait till I fix my flowers." - -"Don't wait--drop them or bring them. Everybody but us is there." - -Nance Cameron had turned to the roadway. Ann was about to join her when -she turned back. - -"Bad luck! Bad luck!" shouted Nance. "Don't go back!" - -"I forgot to shut the back door." - -Nance stopped, made a cross in the dirt and spat on it. - -"You don't pay attention to your signs worth a cent," she said, as Ann -rejoined her. - -"I don't much believe in signs," Ann answered. - -"That's where you're silly. A black cat ran across Mrs. Armstrong's -path no later than yesterday after she had her soap in the kettle. And -wasn't that soap a fizzle? And don't Hannah Armstrong know how to make -soap? It was the cat did it, and if I hadn't changed your luck just -now you'd been in for something awful--might never live to marry John -McNeil." - -Ann laughed, and they started on their way down the road, that -stretched the length of New Salem's one street toward Sangamon River. - -"What's going on at the river?" Ann asked again. - -"Somebody's ark is stuck on the dam. It got stuck just before dark last -night. The crew couldn't get it off and had to wait until morning. They -came up to the store to get some drinks. The town men gathered in and -you never on this earth heard such roars of laughter as those men let -out. Ma couldn't guess what it could be about. When Pa came in he told -her there was the funniest tall human being he ever set eyes on with -the ark crew. Said his legs reached as high up as a common man's breech -belt, his body reached up as high as another man's arms, and his head -was up on top of all that. And Pa said he told the funniest stories, -and the men nearly died. Pa was laughing yet when he told Ma about it." - -"Is the boat stuck yet?" - -"She's stuck yet. Dr. Allan and Mentor Graham just went down and I -heard them talking. She's on her way to New Orleans with a load of -barreled pork and stuff. Davy's been up to the store twice. He says -the crew have worked like beavers to get the cargo off the big boat, -but that the water is running in bad and the barrels are slipping to -the end which sticks out over the dam and she's sure to go over. She's -going to make a great splash, and I love splashes. Let's hurry!" - -"I hope nobody gets drowned," Ann said. - -"Like as not they will, and we'll get to see them fished out. Let's -trot a little." - -With the inspiring hope of hearing a splash and perhaps seeing the -first shocking throes of a drowning, the two girls hastened on down the -slope that reached to Rutledge Mill, where the dam was. - -It was true, as Nance had said, New Salem was out to witness the -unusual sight of a flat boat on the dam where it had been stuck nearly -twenty-four hours. It was a river craft of the usual flat-boat size, -about forty feet long by fifteen wide, and sides six feet high. One end -was covered with a roof of boards, and there were other boards fitted -with ragged sails to hasten the freight-bearer on its long journey of -1800 miles to New Orleans. - -The crowd on the river bank and the platform of the mill was lavish -with suggestions and advice which were shouted to the crew working -desperately to save the cargo. - -Ann Rutledge and Nance Cameron paused a moment to take in the view of -the unfortunate boat, whose rear stuck clear of the water and into -whose fore the barrels were slowly settling. It seemed nothing could -prevent the impending catastrophe. - -"Let's get out on the platform. I would like to see that funny, tall -fellow your father told about," Ann said. - -Passing through the mill, deserted for the time by the dusty miller, -the girls joined the crowd on the platform and Ann found herself -standing by a peculiar appearing personage, a small man of uncertain -age, who wore foxed breeches and coon-skin cap, and who had but one -good eye which just now was fastened on the fore of the imperiled boat. - -"'Ole Bar's' come back," Ann whispered, punching Nance and turning her -eye toward the old man who stood beside her. - -'Ole Bar' was a person of interest, and very peculiar. He was chewing -some sort of a cud rapidly. When an unusually interesting suggestion -was shouted out over the roar of the dam water, he rolled his cud into -a hollow made by the loss of two back teeth and kept quiet until the -moment of suspense was past, when he made up time working his jaws. -Nance only glanced at him now. "I wonder where that tall baboon is?" -she said, craning her neck toward the raft. - -"See that thar patch of something that ain't no color the Lord God ever -made nor no shape He ever seen? Well, that's his hat. He's under it, -squattin' in the boat, doin' something to get 'er goin'." - -"What's he doing?" Ann ventured. - -"Eh--that's it," Ole Bar said with a dry smile. "The rest of the -crews runnin' about like chickens with their heads chopped off, and -these here galoots along shore is yelping like a pack of coyotes -after a buffalo bull. But he's keepin' cool. This kind generally gits -something done. Howsomever, that ark's goin' over. I've been numerous -in turkey-trottin' and bee-runnin' and bar-killin', but I hain't never -before seen an ark in no such fix as this un is." - -"Look Nance," Ann whispered. "He's rising up--look!" - -A moment his body partially showed. Then he bent low again. The next -moment there was a sudden spurt of water from the bottom of the boat. -The water pumping its way out caught the attention of the crowd. - -"He's emptying her out!" they cried. "How did he do it?" - -The tall figure under the colorless, shapeless hat had now lifted -himself, and, as if to straighten his muscles after a long cramped -position, he stretched to a height that seemed to be that of a giant, -threw out his chest, reached his long arms to a prodigious expanse and -took a deep breath. - -As he did so Ann felt someone touch her. It was "Ole Bar." "Some -huggin' he could do with them arms in matin' season--hey, Molly," he -said; and when Ann turned to look at Ole Bar he winked his good eye at -her and waited for an answer. - -A shout from the crowd made any answer to this remark unnecessary. -For a moment the towering youth stood before them like a comical -picture, slender, angular, barefooted, his faded yellow breeches -scarce more than clearing his knees and showing a pair of spindle -legs. His uncolored shirt was flung wide open and over one shoulder -was stretched a suspender which held one breeches-leg higher than the -other. As the water pumped itself out and the boat began to right, they -knew that he had bored a hole. - -The cheers continued, he lifted his shapeless hat and, with the grace -of a gentleman, waved it a couple of times at the cheering crowd. Then -he pushed back a mop of black hair, clapped his head-covering down on -it and turned to help reload the cargo that had been moved into small -boats. - -To bore a hole in the bottom of a water-filled boat was no great -physical task. But the crowd cheered uproariously as the boat righted -herself. Men shouted, women waved their bonnets and kerchiefs, and Ann -Rutledge shook her branches of wild plums. - -Again the ungainly young giant waved his hat. - -"He's waving at you, Ann," John McNeil, who had joined the girls, said, -coming up behind her. "Wave at him." And she did and laughed as he -swung his limp and tattered hat. - -"Where do you suppose that kind grow?" Nance asked. "He looks like a -giant scarecrow, but he's had lessons in manners, the identical same -kind Mentor Graham tells about." - -It took but a short time to reload the boat. As she started on her way -the cheers died, and most of the crowd went up the hill to the village. - -"Let's stay to see the last of it," Ann said to Nance. - -"You want him to wave at you some more," John McNeil said to Ann. -"Well, go ahead--you'll never see him again." - -The boat sailed on. To those on board who looked back a few moments -later, the mill and dam were resolving themselves into an indistinct -patch of gray and brown, against which a bit of pink, waving something -white, stood out. As a farewell answer to the waving of the white, the -mellow music of the boat horn came floating back. - -The sun went down behind the forests bordering the smoothly flowing -Sangamon; the crude craft passed from view. - -And yet once again the mellow tones of the primitive horn came floating -back over the forest and across the river. - -"What a good sound!" Ann exclaimed. "It's soft as the first shadows, -and it's strong." - -"Yes, strong as that man's arms in mating season--hey, Molly?" And -Nance punched Ann in the side. - -The girls laughed merrily. "Isn't 'Ole Bar' funny?" Ann said. "He's -just back from an awful exciting trip to Arkansas, wherever that is. -He'll have lots to tell." - -"Davy and father will get his stories. But say, Nance, do sounds make -you think of smells?" - -"I never thought of such a thing." - -"Don't cow-bells make you think of hay and dandelions and grass and the -smell of the cow-lot in the evening?" - -"They do go together." - -"And don't water running over roots make you think of willow blooms, -and water dripping over stones sound like ferns when the stems are -crushed? And the sound of crows--don't they bring the smell of the -field furrows? And don't bees and honey-locust, and robins and apple -blossoms, go together? I could name a hundred sounds that have smells -for partners. - -"Yes, but you're funny, Ann, to think of such things." - -"Now I have a new pair. The sound of that horn, away off behind the -trees, will always make me think of the first plum blossoms. The smell -and the sound came together as I shook the branches, and the smell -right here seemed to me exactly the same thing told in another way as -the sound away over the water. O Nance--don't you love plum blossoms?" - -"I don't know as they're any better than dogwood or haw blooms and I'm -not crazy about any of them." - -"You're just like John McNeil. John don't like plum blossoms. I nearly -cried when he told me he was going to chop out all the plums and wild -vines on his place. But those on our place will not be cut. Father has -promised me the thicket and the dell on the creek for my flower garden -forever." - -"I'd rather have a new belt-buckle. But let's go." - -"I'm ready--I'll race you to the top of the bill before the sun drops -behind the trees. One--two--three--off," and with her spring flowers -in her arms and her bonnet flying, Ann with Nance ran shouting up the -hillside in the slanting rays of the April sun. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -IN CLARY'S GROVE - - -The evening of the day the imprisoned flat boat made its way -successfully out of New Salem, the Clary Grove gang had a meeting. -Windy Batts was expected to return from Springfield, where he had -gone to prove his fitness for fellowship with the Clary Grove Boys -by thrashing a Springfield strong man who had cast aspersions on his -character as a pugilist. - -Clary Grove was a settlement of a few log houses near New Salem, so -called for Bill Clary, the owner of the grove where the select met to -swap stories, discuss news and partake of real liquor. - -Every new-comer to the vicinity was sized up. If Clary Grove was -friendly, so much the better for the new-comer. He might not become a -member of the gang. Indeed few were allowed to sit in close fellowship -about the fire with the gang, but he would at least be let alone. - -Windy Batts had expressed a desire to be of the gang. He was, however, -looked upon with a degree of suspicion, as he had done some exhorting -for the Hard Shells, and Clary Grove looked askance at religion in any -form, and while he had boasted of "dingblasting the daylights out of -them shoutin' Methodists," Clary Grove was not satisfied that he was -proper stuff to fellowship with them and their whiskey. - -They awaited his return from Springfield, where he was to prove his -pugilistic ability, with some interest. - -The cool, spring air with the tang of frost not yet safely out of it, -made a fire comfortable, and a bright blaze burned between the two -smooth logs on which the gang roosted. - -Buck Thompson, the luckiest horse-trader in that section, and Ole Bar -were the first to arrive. Ole Bar sat beside the fire, his jaws working -industriously and his one good eye shining like a spark. No one of the -gang had ever been able to learn what misfortune had befallen the lost -eye of Ole Bar. - -That he had been "cleaned of it right and proper" all agreed. Opinion -was divided, however, as to the cause or method, one portion believing -a bear had clawed it out, because of his familiarity with bears, and -others holding to the opinion that some specimen of womankind was -responsible for the loss, because of his oft-expressed unfriendly -feeling toward women. - -Jo Kelsy, a fat and favorite brother of the clan, who was always ready -with a new story about a ghost or a witch from his one treasure, an -inherited copy of Shakespeare, was the third to arrive. - -His usual costume was varied slightly. He came hobbling in, one foot -encased in a moccasin. Ole Bar glanced at his mismated feet. - -"What's bit ye, Jo?" he asked. - -"My wife she dropped a five-gallon crock on my foot," he answered. - -"Good thing it wasn't your head, for be it known by man and bars, them -as mixes up with wimmen has heads softer than their feet." - -Jo laughed good naturedly. Then the three talked of the raft and the -ungainly youth who had resorted to the homely but efficient expedient -of boring a hole. - -"I've seen some legs in my day," Jo Kelsy observed, "but none long as -his'n." - -"Ain't no longer than yours is, Dumplin'," said Old Bar. "Yours reaches -to the ground and his'n don't go no further. According to my way of -figgerin' his legs wasn't so numerous when it comes to length as his -head. That galoot's got a long head." - -A couple more of the gang dropped in, and the talk continued about the -raft and the head raftsman. "Ever see anything like it? Wouldn't think -a backwoodsman could tell such stories as he did last night, would ye?" - -"Nor know enough to get an ark floating when she was stuck so tight -that God hisself couldn't stick her no tighter." - -"McNeil was figgerin' on her cargo to see what it was worth." - -"Trust McNeil for figgerin' the worth of a cargo--or anything else." - -"Ann Rutledge--eh?" - -They laughed. Then one said, "I heard him tellin' Hill him and Ann was -goin' to marry and have a big infare. But her Pappy won't let her till -next year. She has to git more schoolin'." - -"He better git while gittin's good. John Rutledge is fixed, and he sets -more store by Ann than the whole other eight of 'em." - -"McNeil knows all that. But here comes Kit Parsons. Wonder what's kept -him late? Kit, you're late." - -"Yeh," and he sat down by the fire. - -"What's extry? Been stealin' anything or gettin' religion?" - -"Same thing as gettin' religion," he said. "Been fulfillin' the -Scripture injunction." - -"Which one?" - -"Been replenishin' and multiplyin'." - -"Mollie got another litter?" Ole Bar asked with a show of interest. - -"Just one this year. But I calculate that a man what grubs for three -which arrives in two years is somewhat religious." - -"Bars is that religious," the one-eyed man observed, "only when they -pursue the course of Nature they don't blame it on religion." - -After a laugh Ole Bar said solemnly to Kit, "If you young fellers knew -what was good fer you you'd let wimmin alone." - -"Where'd you learn so much about wimmin?" Jo asked. - -"From bars. Bars rub noses at matin' time and tears the ears offen each -other when the cubs has to be fed. Let wimmin alone and save the wear -on your noses and ears." - -"How's a body going to leave any ancestry if he don't never git no -place near a woman?" Buck Thompson asked. - -"Ancestry?" repeated Ole Bar. "Well, what under heaven is these little, -wet-nosed ancestry good fer anyhow? Never had no ancestry myself -and I'm gettin' along all right--got along all right while I was in -Arkansas, and anybody that can do that don't need to worry about -leavin' no ancestry." - -"Tell us about Arkansas," was the next demand. - -Ole Bar shifted his cud into its receptacle and said, "Wall, as you all -know, in bar hunts I've been numerous, but I hain't never seen no such -bars as grow in Arkansas. The bars in Arkansas is the most promiscuous -I've ever seen and don't give a damn for nobody. But, Squire, lets -licker up. I'm gettin' so dry I'm takin' the rattles," and he reached -for the bottle which was passed around. - -"Bars in Arkansas grows so fat they can't wobble. You fellers here that -think you're gettin' the real thing when you bag the chipper-growlers -and shite pokers of these parts don't know nothin' about what's growing -in Arkansas. Them bars rear up into the heavens high as that feller -that plugged the ark." - -"That smells rather tall," Buck Thompson observed, but Ole Bar paid no -attention. - -"The woods in Arkansas is ankle deep with acorns and berries and other -bar food. Everybody there eats bar, bar-ham and bar-sassage. The beds -is covered with bar-skins. They don't use small skins like wild cat fer -nothin' 'cept piller covers." - -"Do they have hoss tradin' in them parts?" Buck Thompson inquired. - -"Hoss tradin'? Well, I should say 'Yeh.' You galoots think you swap -hosses, but in Arkansas----" - -"Hallo, fellers," shouted someone in the outer circle of light. - -"It's Windy Batts," several declared at once, and immediately the man -whose qualifications to become a member of the charmed group had been -put to the test, entered the circle of light. - -He was scrutinized and with not an altogether approving eye. His arm -was done up in a sling. The forefinger of his right hand was wrapped -in a red, calico handkerchief. Something like a knob stuck out back -of one ear which was covered with a square of muslin, giving it the -appearance of a pat of butter. One eye was black and both legs seemed -to be stiff. Greetings were brief. The main question was. "Who whipped?" - -"Yeh--who hollered?" was asked. - -Windy drew near the fire. "It was a great fight," he began. "The -greatest fight that was ever fought in Springfield. We rolled over and -over, him sometimes on top and me sometimes under. It was a fearful -fight. Court turned out to see it and an Indian Chief was there. He -said he never seen nothing like it." - -"Who whipped?" was again asked. - -"Yeh--who hollered?" - -Ignoring these questions, Windy continued. - -"The big Indian and the Judge of the Court both said they hadn't never -seen such sledge-hammer blows as I hit. It was them blows that put my -shoulder out of joint. But I fixed his eye. You couldn't have told it -from a knot-hole in a burnt tree. Time he aimed a second socdologer at -me I was ready. The crowd roared like a camp-meeting. We fell to it. He -got a straddle of my head and chawed my finger. There wasn't no place -for me to git holt owing to the fact my head was pinned in twix his -legs. Jean britches didn't taste well and was ungodly tough. But I was -resolute. I found the right place and I chawed like hell. But would he -let go of my finger? No, and I finally had to knock half his teeth out -to git my finger out his mouth." - -"You tanned him--hey?" - -"You mauled him, Windy?" - -"You beat the Springfield stuffing out of him?" - -"And nobody parted you?" - -Ignoring these questions, Windy took a fresh start. "And there's -no telling how long it might have lasted, us two going 'round and -'round and up and down and every which way. I was eternally mauling -the ding-blasted daylights out of him when the Judge got hold of me -and asked as a favor if I wouldn't put off the finish till next day. -He said he couldn't get nobody into court if I didn't and so I--I -hollered." - -There was a moment of profound silence. Windy shifted his weight from -one stiff leg to the other, stroked his bandaged arm and sighed. - -"Spit in his ashes!" - -It was the voice of Jack Armstrong that broke the painful stillness. -Immediately every man emptied the contents of his mouth, with no small -force, into the fire, which voiced its protest by a vigorous spitting -and sputtering. - -Then Windy was given some advice. - -"This ain't no place fer you. You go join them Hard Shells that's -fixin' fer a ten days' fightin' match with the devil. They have the -same runnin' off at the mouth as you have, but they hain't never drawed -no devil's blood yet, and that's your crowd." - -Windy's lips moved as if to speak. - -"Roll in your molasses sucker and trampoose," was the order. - -"Yeh--trampoose," was the repeated order. "Go fight the devil." - -"The devil--that's the Clary Grove gang," he muttered as he turned away. - -"Devil-fighter," some one said as his limping figure disappeared in the -darkness. - -"If the devil pays any more heed to him than he would to a skit-fly -he's a blame bigger ass than I've ever took him to be," Ole Bar -observed. "Let's licker up." - - - - -CHAPTER III - -THE RAILSPLITTER - - -It was two months after the flat boat stuck on the dam at New Salem and -the day following a quiet election in the village, that Nance Cameron -ran over to Rutledge Inn with news of great importance for Ann. - -"Long Shanks has arrived," she announced without ceremony. - -"Long Shanks?" Ann questioned. "Who is Long Shanks?" - -"The giant scarecrow, the big baboon," Nance answered. - -"Baboon," Ann repeated. "Nance what are you talking about?" - -"My land, Ann Rutledge, have you forgotten the unhinged giant you waved -plum blossoms at--the captain of the flat boat who looked like sin, but -knew how to use his hat like a gentleman?" - -"Oh!" answered Ann. "Has _he_ come?" - -"Yes. He got here yesterday. They didn't have anybody to help at -election. Mentor Graham asked him if he could write. He said he could -make his rabbit's foot, and so he helped. Mr. Graham says he can write -well. Besides, he told them stories, and they liked that. Last night he -came to our house." - -"Tell me about him. What does he look like close to?" - -"He's the homeliest man God ever put breath into. His legs run down -into feet so long he can't find anything big enough to stick them -under, and his arms are nearly as long as his legs. He has a big head, -big nose, big mouth, big ears, lots of black hair, and he's hard and -horny and knotty like a tree--and as green, too." - -"Did he talk to you?" - -"No, he didn't pay me any heed at all, but he and Ma got to be good -friends before he'd been in the house an hour. She was tired half to -death putting up berries and trying to get supper. She put Johnnie -watching the baby and he let him roll down the steps. The new man heard -him crying and went right out and got him. In five minutes the baby -was laughing. This made Ma feel better and she got talking, and first -thing I knew he was helping her wash dishes and telling her about what -he saw in New Orleans and down the Mississippi. He talks better than he -looks." - -"How does he talk? Has he a big, deep voice and mellow, like the sound -of the horn over the tree and river?" - -"No, indeed. He sets out thin sounding, but his voice seems to work -down into his chest as he talks and he sounds pretty good. After supper -Pa brought in the cider. Mr. Graham came over and Dr. Allen, and they -got Long Shanks talking and didn't want him to quit. Mentor Graham took -a great liking to him. He lived in Kentucky once and then Indiana. He -asked about the folks in these parts and when he heard Jo Kelsy owns a -Shakespeare he said he was going to try to borrow it, said he's read -the Bible till he knew it by heart and the Constitution and some other -things but never seen a Shakespeare. When Mr. Graham told him he had -fifty books his dull, gray eyes turned bright as new candles. He's -terrible interested in books, but he don't have any time for girls." - -"How do you know?" - -"'Cause. Ma asked him if he saw the girl waving at him, when the boat -stuck? He said, 'Yes'm--wasn't it kind of her?'" - -"Ma said, 'She's the prettiest girl in town.'" - -"He said, 'Yes'm--isn't that nice?'" - -"Ma said, 'She's the smartest girl in town.'" - -"He said, 'Yes'm--it's worth while to be smart!'" - -"Ma told him you was going to marry John McNeil. He said, 'They all do -it.' And he never even asked your name." - -"I tell you what; you drop past to-morrow afternoon before supper. -He'll be there then. He won't look at you, he's so funny. But you can -see him." - -It was with as much interest as a person goes to a show that Ann -Rutledge went to the Cameron home the next afternoon. She was doomed to -disappointment. - -"He's gone," Nance informed her. - -"Where?" - -"Gone out to split rails for some folks that have come in from Indiana -and are taking a homestead near Turtle Ford. He's going to split enough -rails to fence the clearing. He's to get one yard of brown jeans dyed -with white walnut bark for every four hundred rails. It's to make some -new breeches." - -"That's an awful lot of work for a pair of pants." - -"Yes, but look at the length of his legs. A fellow with legs like that -will always have to work extra to keep them covered." - -"I wanted to see him." - -"He's coming back. I heard him telling Pa he was going to open a store -here for a man named Offutt. His wares haven't come yet. They will be -here by the time the new breeches are ready. Then you can see him. -You'll think him half-baboon and half-giraffe and he won't even notice -you only to say 'Yes'm' and pull off his hat." - -"Does he have any name? You didn't tell it." - -"Name? O yes," and Nance laughed. "He's named after Abraham, of the -Abraham, Isaac and Jacob family. The rest of his name is Lincoln." - -"Abraham Lincoln," Ann repeated. "I don't think that's such a bad -sounding name." - - * * * * * - -John McNeil called at the Rutledge home the night young Lincoln went to -Turtle Ford to earn his new pants. After the family had gone to bed and -Ann was left to say good-night to the young man she was engaged to, he -said, "Ann, I thought that fellow was captain of the boat and maybe -owned some of the cargo. He's nothing but a railsplitter." - -"He didn't use his hat like a railsplitter." - -"He's picked up a few lessons in manners somewhere--maybe saw somebody -doing it in New Orleans." - -"No--because it was on his way down that he lifted his hat." - -"Well, I don't know where he got it, but he's only a railsplitter just -the same. Hasn't a cent in the world. Didn't know it was a railsplitter -waving to you, did you?" - -"It wasn't me he waved at. He never heard of me and don't know yet that -I am living. It was the flowers he liked and I'm glad he likes flowers -if he is a railsplitter." - -"I'd like to know, Ann, why you take on so over flowers. What are they -good for?" - -"Good for? What a funny question. What is the song of birds good for -and the fragrance of flowers and the beauty of ferns? What is the -music of running brooks good for and the splendor of gold and red -sunsets--what are any of them good for?" - -"That's just what I'm asking," John McNeil said seriously. "What _are_ -they good for? Can't eat them, can you? Can't wear them, can you? -Can't sell them, can you? or trade them or swap them for anything? -Women are such funny folks and don't know a thing about values. But -I'm going to leave the plum thicket another year and the corner in the -pasture where the blue flowers grow you like to pick." - -"Thank you, John--thank you a whole lot"; and happy because of his -promise, Ann kissed John McNeil good-night. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE PILGRIM - - -A few days after Abraham Lincoln had entered service to split rails for -a new pair of breeches, he came to town late one afternoon to get an ax. - -After tarrying a short time to tell a story or two, he started back -about sun-down, his ax, on the handle of which was swung a bundle, over -his shoulder. - -As twilight gathered, the ungainly youth took his way along the road -that ran not far from the smoothly flowing Sangamon. His strides were -long and easy, and, away from the small habitations and contrivances -of mankind, he seemed to become one with the big things of nature, -and what was sometimes considered lack of grace seemed now an easy -expression of reserve force. - -The roar of the mill-dam sounded musical as if the twilight were -softening its daytime boisterous tumult. - -The falling dew seemed loosening up the fragrance of the woods, the -subtle breath of tangled vines and trailing roses, with sometimes a -more decided fragrance, as when the full-sized foot of the pedestrian -brushed into a bed of wild mint. - -As he rounded the skirt of the bluff, the rosy tinted sky seemed -suddenly to withdraw itself, and the timbers upon the summit to move -themselves slowly against the crimson and fading gold, like a row of -shadowy sentinels gathered for the night. - -A tinkling gurgle from an irregular, dark spot against the foot of the -bluff told of a ravine, and the running stream, whose musical babble, -as it made its way to the river, sounded like the prattle of a child -compared to the river's volume falling by the mill. - -As he took his way in the gathering gray of night, the long-limbed -youth cast giant shadows, subtle, indistinct shadows far across the -road and into other shadows, where they merged into the formless gloom -and were lost. - -While yet rounding the bluff he heard the barking of a dog and then -the tinkle of a cow-bell. Common sounds these were, but coming on -the stillness from the heights above they lent a sort of musical -enchantment to the quiet and the enfolding mystery of night. Then a -human voice was heard, a woman's voice that seemed to burst suddenly -into the flower of a full blown song. - -The youth slowed up a bit and listened. The words thrown out by the -ringing voice sounded clearly: - - I'm a pilgrim - And I'm a stranger; - I can tarry, I can tarry but a night. - -The young man stopped. The song was to him unusual. The clear voice -took the notes unhesitatingly and rolled them in melodious movement as -she sang the words "p-i-l-grim" and "s-t-r-a-n-ger," and then hurrying -on gladly, as if it were a matter for great rejoicing that she could -tarry but a night. - -The youth dropped his ax and bundle to the ground and turned his face -toward the bluff casting its long shadows. The bell tinkled a moment in -the gathering gloom. Then the voice rang out again on the evening hush: - - Do not detain me, - For I am going - To where the streamlets are ever flowing. - -Again there was the peculiar rolling fall and rise on the syllables. -Again the gladness of some exultation, then the refrain "I'm a pilgrim" -with its confidence and its melody. - -The voice was nearer now. There was no sound or sight of any moving -object on the bluff, but she was somewhere there and seemed coming -nearer. - -The tinkle of the cow-bell made an interlude. Then again the voice of -singing, whether nearer or farther now he did not question. He was -listening to the words: - - Of that country - To which I'm going - My Redeemer, my Redeemer is the light. - There is no sorrow - Nor any sighing - Nor any sin there, nor any dying. - -The mysterious singer on the heights was farther away now. The voice -was growing fainter as the refrain rang into the stillness, "I'm a -pilgrim--and I'm a stranger--I can tarry--I can tarry----" - -The youth leaned forward and listened, breathlessly. But the voice was -dying and the tinkle of the bell came on the stillness, faint as a -memory. - -After standing a moment, the listener in the shadows made ready to go -on. When he turned to pick up his ax and bundle, he found his hat in -his hands. When he had removed it he did not remember. Mechanically he -placed it on his head and started on his way. - -The red and purple of the earlier evening showing through the trunks of -the trees crowning the bluff was giving way now to the silvery green of -the rising moon. - -With his ax over his shoulder the figure paused a moment for a last -look upward and then moved on. - -But he did not feel the same. He had undergone some change. What -was it? Within his breast the song had raised something intensely -alive--something like hunger, fierce yet very tender; something like -strange pain; something like wild joy; something like unsatisfied -longing, together with unmeasured satisfaction. What was it? He did not -know. Mysterious to him as was the singer, was now the effect of the -singing. - -Yet out of the mingled sensation of unrest and satisfaction, suddenly -stirred into life, there came to the youth thoughts of his mother. - -His mother had been a pilgrim on a journey. He had heard her say so -many times. But the burden of her song had been "Earth is a desert -drear." He had heard her sometimes try to sing. But she did not go -shouting. She suffered on the way, endured, was patient, and at the -last she reached a groping hand for something strong to hold her back -from that country to which she believed she was going. It was with -a twitching of his muscles and a quiver of the big strong mouth he -thought of the passing on of his mother. - -But here was a pilgrim happy, shouting, even jubilant. Who was she? -What manner of person could she be? His curiosity was aroused. - -As he strode on toward Turtle Ford the falling waters of the dam -softened their roar into an indistinct murmur, and then like the voice -of the singer and the tinkle of the bell, blended into the quiet, -broken only by the call of a whip-poor-will or the whirr of a bat's -wing. - -The moon rose above the lacey darkness of the timber-line. The -railsplitter had had no supper. Once he stopped and gathered some -berries. But he was not thinking of food. The eternal mystery of the -awakening of one's other self had both breathed through and enfolded -him. He was not hungry. He tossed the berries down by the roadside. His -pace quickened as he neared the clearing. He did not understand, but -for some reason he himself experienced a lifted-up sensation. It was -as if the conquering confidence and joy of the unknown singer had been -contagious. - -At the edge of the clearing he stopped. The shack and pig-pen and few -rail-fences stood out in the moonlight like the skeleton of something -to be clothed with a body. The dogs came out and barked, but crept back -satisfied at sight of the tall figure. He stepped up to the door of the -shack. The snoring of a man told him his approach had not disturbed the -sleeping family. - -He turned toward the end of the cabin where a ladder stood, which he -mounted. At the square opening which served as door and window to the -loft, he paused and looked in, and by the moon's indistinct light he -saw the three boys of the family lying on a pallet. The dull hum of -mosquitoes sounded. - -He turned back to the ladder, and on its top, with his back resting -against the cabin, he sat and looked out into the night. In the -light all was beautiful; even the piles of brush were softened until -they looked like the gray and silver tendrils of giant vines piled -by titanic fairies, and the trunks of trees were columns in some -mysterious and endless cathedral canopied with silvered green. - -Across the wilds of the forest, which in the magic of night and the -moon were so beautiful, the thoughts of the youth again traveled back -to his childhood and its mysteries, and he seemed to see again a very -small grave in a lonesome spot beside which his mother cried and -declared with tears and choking voice that she could not go away and -leave it forever. To the boy who looked on, this had seemed strange. -Why should she weep because she could not take a grave from Kentucky -to Indiana, the new home, and such a tiny little grave? It had been -a mystery. Later he came to answer the mystery of it by calling it -"mother love." He thought of that grave, far away in Kentucky, as he -sat on the ladder. Then he thought of the grave of the mother who had -wept beside the little grave--two graves. - -Some time he too would fill a grave somewhere--and so would the singer -on the heights. What was life after all? Its end was the same for -all--whether a tiny grave or one long enough even for him? The question -seemed to mock itself and laugh. - -Then the voice of the singer rang clear again--a pilgrim rejoicing, -shouting--such a glad pilgrim, and again he felt himself impelled to -the heights from which it had come--felt himself a creature of some -fresh-born force he could no more fathom than explain. - -A wild cat screamed down the creek. The three boys thumped the floor, -seeking in their sleep to destroy the mosquitoes. The dogs scratched -under the house. The man snored. Once the baby cried and the mother -soothed it. - -These voices and sounds seemed a part of the secrets of the night and -of the strange awakening that possessed him with the pleasure and pain -of its mystery. - -There was a sound, however, that came with the first pink of the -morning that seemed in some unknown way to hold the key to the mystery -of his strangely aroused hunger--a hunger born whether for good or ill -he knew not. - -With the first stirring of life at the new day, a song bird just at -the edge of the clearing sent out its call, clear as the voice of the -singer on the bluff and, in the imagination of the inquiring youth, -like it, glad and unafraid. - -But the bird was calling for a mate--one of its own kind--one which -would answer its call. - -Again the call rang out penetrating and joyful. - -The young man listened. Then a smile of satisfaction lit his homely -face, for from somewhere down in the tangle of the creek banks, one of -its own kind was answering the call. - -The hidden singer in the clearing called again, even throwing more life -and gladness into the song. Again the answer came from the unseen one -of like kind, a little closer now. They were moving toward each other. -The silent listener had not made a study of birds. Yet now he was quite -sure that somewhere they would meet in the wide expanse of over-laced -branches and would mate. - -Again his mind went back to the singer of the bluff--and her -challenging call. Who or what manner of woman was she? He wondered. - -When the man who had been snoring awoke with the first streaks of day, -the ringing of an ax sounded on his ear. "If he don't beat anything to -bite them trees down and eat them up, I'm a liar. He must have been at -it all night." - -"He needs breeches--needs them powerful bad," his wife replied. - -"Must want to go a courtin'," was his comment. - -"Courtin' or no courtin', he'll be ketched by the sheriff if he don't -git some new breeches right soon. His is fixin' to leave him. I'm -skeered every time he jumps over the fence." - - - - -CHAPTER V - -SWAPPING HOSSES - - -Not more than a fortnight after Windy Batts had been weighed in the -balance by the Clary Grove boys, Mrs. Mirandy Benson ran over to -Rutledge's to discuss a few news items. - -Mrs. Benson was Phoebe Jane Benson's mother. Phoebe Jane Benson -had never been kissed by a human man--her mother the authority for -the statement. "No start, no finish," was Mrs. Benson's oft-quoted -statement as touching the delicate question of the preservation of -female virtue. "For this reason, Mis' Rutledge, I'm dead set against -huggin'. There's never no tellin' where huggin' will end, and Phoebe -Jane shan't get no opportunity." - -But it was not of hugging that she now talked. "Mis' Rutledge," she -said, "Windy Batts has been dipped and is going to set out preachin' -for the Hard Shells and will hold a meetin' near New Salem. It's set to -his credit, I say, that he chose to unite with the Hard Shells instead -of the Clary Grove gang. Since Windy Batts has been keepin' company -with Phoebe Jane, I've been uncommon interested. He has a powerful -flow of language, and will make a famous exhorter." - -A second topic of conversation was the tall clerk who was in charge of -the new store opened by Offutt. "He's the one that helped Mentor Graham -election day and has been chopping rails since on Turtle Ford. - -"Everybody in town's been in the store, and the men hang around every -evenin'. Phoebe Jane, she's been, too. He's an awful friendly fellow, -scraped up a speakin' with Phoebe Jane and asked her who in these -parts could sing. She told him she could sing, bass or tenor, either -he liked. Phoebe Jane was quite took up with him and wanted to ask him -to meetin'. But he's too friendly. These friendly young fellows must -be watched. He might be all right. Then again he mightn't, and if he -should take a huggin' spell like some young fellows takes, with them -arms no tellin' what might happen. I told Phoebe Jane not to let out -too much rope, especially since Windy Batts got religion." - -It was true the new clerk at Offutt's store had inquired who about New -Salem could sing. Having been unable to learn anything satisfactory -from the girl he had asked, he put the question to several men who -chanced to be in the store. The only result of his questioning was to -bring out a story about a girl in New Salem who had a "singin'" in -her head for which a plaster of "psalm tunes," applied to the feet to -draw the singing down, had been prescribed. Unsatisfied, young Lincoln -determined to keep his ears open and try to discover for himself. - -Meantime there were many to get acquainted with, and when Bill Clary -himself invited the new man to the Grove, he at once accepted the -invitation. - -Ole Bar, Buck Thompson, Jo Kelsy and several others had gathered early -and were discussing the guest that was to arrive shortly. Buck Thompson -was especially interested. He was in possession of a horse with a head -three times too large and legs four times too small for his bony body. -Some fatal defect in the horse made him, as Buck Thompson confidently -told the crowd, "not worth a chaw," and this horse he was going to try -to swap Lincoln, "sights unseen." - -Speculation has just started as to the outcome of Buck's horse-trade -when Clary and the tall stranger arrived. - -"His name is Abe Lincoln," Clary advised. - -"'Linkhorn' is what they called me over in Indiana." - -"Paws, Abry Linkhorn," Ole Bar said, extending his hand and casting his -one good eye with approval on the stranger. - -The few brief formalities having been dispensed with, the group settled -down to stories and discussions, Ole Bar leading off with a graphic -description of many of the wonders of Arkansas, and its riches of soil -and abundance of game. "There was one feller down thar had a sow," he -declared gravely. "She stole an ear of corn and took it down whar she -slept at night. She spilt a grain or two on the ground, and then she -lay on them. And, gentlemen, believe it or not, before morning the -corn shot up, pushed on right through her and the percussion killed -her. Next morning she was found flat as a pancake and three-inch corn -sticking like green har through her spotted hide." - -"I swear!" exclaimed Jo Kelsy. - -"Don't cuss; jes go down to that country and see," was Ole Bar's -comment. - -When Abe Lincoln's time came he was asked for the lizard story he had -told at the store the night the flat boat stuck on the dam. In an -inimitable way he told the story, joining heartily with the others in -the boisterous laughter it called forth, but neither this nor any other -of the stories told diverted the mind of Buck Thompson from the main -question, this being, "Is he as green as he looks? Will he swap hosses?" - -"Don't happen to have a hoss you want to trade, do ye?" Buck at last -indifferently questioned. - -The interest of the company was at once centered on the answer. - -"Want to swap hosses?" Abe Lincoln asked good naturedly. - -"Well, I dunno. Do you happen to own a hoss of any kind?" - -"Yep," answered the visitor. "Such as it is, I own a hoss." - -An expression of pleasure showed on the face of Buck Thompson. - -"What sort is he?" Buck asked. - -"Who said it was a 'he'?" - -The crowd laughed. - -"What kind is she?" Buck corrected. - -"Well," answered the youth as if weighing the matter, "she ain't -nothing extra on looks, but she can stand up under as much hard work as -any hoss in these parts." - -"How old is she?" - -"I dunno to a day--not very old." - -"Stand without hitchin'?" - -"Never's been hitched to anything in her life." - -"Saddle hoss, I take it. Ain't any mustang is it?" - -"Not a drop of mustang in the critter, I swear it." - -"Ain't blind in one eye, is she?" - -"No." - -"How's her legs?" - -"Can't lie partner. She's stiff in the legs." - -"Stiff in the legs, eh? How about her teeth?" - -"Haven't counted them." - -"Ever had the botts?" - -"Not as I know of." - -"Or winded?" - -"Not since I've had her." - -"Want to swap hosses?" Buck asked. - -"What you got?" Abe Lincoln asked with interest. - -"I got one what'll stand hitched. I'm goin' to be honest as you and -tell you my hoss has stiff legs. From what I git, my hoss is just about -such a hoss as your hoss. How'll you swap, sight unseen?" - -Abe Lincoln aked a few questions which proved beyond a doubt to -Buck Thompson that the lanky youth was as green as he looked on the -horse-trading proposition, and he was delighted both for the stakes -involved and the effect of his deal on the Clary Grove Boys, when Abe -Lincoln agreed to the trade. - -"Where's your hoss at?" Buck inquired. - -"Out back of Offutt's store. Where's yourn?" - -"He's to home--but I'll bring him." - -"Any rush?" Lincoln inquired. "Morning's not far off." - -But Buck had no notion of taking chances on letting the horse-trader -consider over night. He insisted on winding up the trade in the bright -light of the moon in front of Offutt's store. The crowd agreed to be -present, and immediately afterward, with singing and loud talking, the -Clary Grove gang took their way to New Salem to Offutt's store. Buck -Thompson went after his horse, and Abe Lincoln disappeared in the -shadows of the store to find his. - -Buck was the first to arrive. Not even the moonlight could cast any -redeeming qualities on the beast that hobbled after him. The crowd -looked it over and laughed uproariously. Buck grinned with satisfaction -at the sight-unseen trade he was about to make and questioned half -fearfully if the greenhorn would stand by his agreement. - -The appearance in the distance of a tall and shadowy figure approaching -with long, easy strides was not reassuring. Certainly he was neither -leading nor driving a horse. The company looked. As he came nearer they -saw he carried something. Its shadow blended with that of his body. - -"He's got his hoss under his arm or on his back," one observed. - -Buck was looking anxiously. - -"Bet two to one it's a goat," Jo Kelsy said. - -This sounded good to Buck. "Goat!" he said with evident pleasure. Then -they looked again. The next minute he cleared the last lap of shadow -and came into the light in the open space. - -There was a moment of impressive silence. - -"My hoss is this kind--one of the most useful animals in this neck of -the woods," and he placed a saw-horse before them. - -There was a moment of impressive silence, then the angry voice of Buck -Thompson. - -"You're a liar," he cried, greatly angered by the roar of laughter that -had greeted the speech. - -A dead hush fell on the company. A fight seemed the next excitement. -Every eye was on Lincoln. - -"Don't get riled up," he said good naturedly, "especially after I told -you I was tellin' the truth. Didn't I tell you her legs was stiff?" - -"Yeh," roared 'Buck--"and you told me she had two good eyes--eh, boys?" -and he turned to the crowd standing close about. - -"Easy now," Abe Lincoln remonstrated. "I didn't say she had two good -eyes. You asked if she was blind in one eye, and I said 'No, she ain't -blind in no eye.'" - -"You said she had all her teeth," Buck challenged. - -"Naw, what I said was, 'she hasn't never lost no teeth, far as I know.' -Can you see any place where they have come out?" - -Clearly the new clerk had the best of the trade. Buck Thompson stood -to his bargain. The horse was passed to Lincoln. He looked it over. -Something in the ungainly figure and the big-headed horse brought a -smile. Yet they waited. What would he do next--or say? - -"Partner," he said to Buck after the examination, "I wouldn't know -what use to make of this here critter. I can't make no sight-unseen -proposition, but I'd give you two bits for my own hoss back." - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -"FIXIN FER THE ANGELS" - - -Offutt's new store under the management of Abe Lincoln came to be, -almost immediately, the chief point of interest in the village. - -Business was never so rushing that the genial, long-legged new-comer -could not find time for a friendly greeting or a new story. - -Jo Kelsy, famed as the best Shakespeare scholar New Salem boasted, soon -discovered a kindred spirit in Abe Lincoln, and was delighted to find -in him a pupil so hungry to get acquainted with Bill Shakespeare. - -Mentor Graham, the Scotch schoolmaster, dropped into the store because -he soon discovered that, although the youth who had assisted him on -election day had had no opportunity of going to school, he was far more -advanced in general knowledge than any pupil in his school, and the -fact that Abe Lincoln wanted to study grammar with him, and after a -while higher branches, pleased him. - -Even Doctor Allen, the busiest and most conscientious Predestinarian -in Sangamon County, cultivated the acquaintance of the Lincoln youth, -and he soon discovered that the uncommon young fellow, who seemed to -be everybody's friend, was not given to social drink, and this pleased -Doctor Allen, who boldly preached that liquor was poison and stood for -its total abstinence. - -The Clary Grove Boys visited the store, and when several of them -happened in at the same time, the laughter and boisterous talk could be -heard the length of New Salem. - -Ann Rutledge had not yet been at the new store. She had heard from it, -however, through her brother Davy, two years younger than herself, and -her half-grown sister, known as "Sis Rutledge," both having formed the -acquaintance of Abe Lincoln and both having immediately become his -staunch admirers. - -Ole Bar was in the store one afternoon when Davy came in. - -"Davy," Abe Lincoln said, "see here"; and putting three long fingers -gently into his pocket he drew out a handful of tiny rabbits. "Their -mother got killed. I put the poor little things in my pocket. Know -anybody that will take care of them?" - -Ole Bar opened his good eye and listened. - -"Sure, Ann, she'll do it. Ann Rutledge takes care of blind cats, lame -dogs, lousy calves, birds With broke wings, and all such things." - -Abe Lincoln had placed the rabbits carefully in his hat and handed it -to Davy. - -"Want them back?" the boy questioned as he turned toward the door. - -"No--but hurry back with my hat. I'm goin' out with Kelsy while he -fishes, and read about a Jew who wanted a pound of flesh." - -The expression on Ole Bar's small eye was one of concentrated disgust. - -"Men's not what they used to be," he observed, chewing violently. - -"I reckon not," Abe Lincoln observed. - -"These times they wear whiskers on their upper lip, and breeches -buttoned up the fore, but I don't see as it's give them any more wits." - -Abe Lincoln did not answer this, but asked a question. - -"Who sings about these diggin's? It's some woman who has a way of her -own." - -"All wimmin sings; wimmin birds sings, and wimmin bull frogs sings, and -human wimmin sings. But whether they be scaled or feathered or diked -out in calico and combs, their singin' is to git the men of their kind. -Take the advice of Ole Bar, my long-legged son, Abry Linkhorn, and let -all wimmin kind alone. Furthermore, don't try to start no love-makin' -with Ann Rutledge and blame it onto rabbits. I've heard said Ann -Rutledge can outsing a bird. If she can, it's for John McNeil. John -McNeil, he's worth ten thousand dollars--so they say. Hain't this worth -singin' for?" - -"The one I'm talking about wasn't singin' for any man's money." - -"How do you know?" - -"It wasn't that kind of a song." - -Ole Bar laughed. "Sonny," he said, "you're as green as you look. But -why don't you go up to the meetin' what Windy Batts's started? All the -singers will be there. Windy's trying to scare the devil out of his -own den by his fierce preachin'. Last night he called the whole Clary -Grove tribe by name and told them the devil was goin' to pepper them -with burnin' fiery sulphur in chunks as big as Rutledge's Mill forever -and aye unless they crawled up on the rock of ages. They'll be going to -meetin' theirselves right soon, and if he don't know any better sense -than readin' cusses at them out of the Holy Scriptures and pointin' the -finger of scorn at them before the people, they'll learn him some." - -It was this same evening Abe Lincoln decided to go to Clary Grove in -search of Kelsy, from whom he wanted to borrow the Shakespeare. The -Grove Boys were in council. An indignation meeting was being held. Kit -Parsons had just been quoting Windy Batts, who had the night before -consigned those Clary Grove sinners root and branch to burn forever, -and it had been just about decided that he, and the horse he had -purchased to start on an itinerary after his New Salem meeting, should -be treated to a coat of tar and feathers. - -"That deer-faced hypocrit tells how God sent his angels to git Daniel -out of the lion's den, how he sent angels to git them three fool -Jews out of the fiery furnace. He says them kind of angels guard -the Hard Shells, saves them from their enemies and gits them out of -tight places. We're needin' some angels in this section. Let's coax -them down. Let's anoint this belly-aching coward with hot tar and -feathers--both him and his horse, till we make him look like the -buzzard he is. Then we'll set by and see how long it takes them angels -to git the feathers picked off." - -A laugh had followed this speech. It was about this time Abe Lincoln -appeared. - -"Howdy!" he said in his most friendly manner. - -They returned his greeting, but it was evident he was not wanted. -They, however, asked him for a suggestion as to how best to punish "a -moon-eyed pole cat that hain't nothin' better to do than stir up a -stink about hell fire and brimstone, and call out the names of them -picked by the devil to supply the roasts." - -"I wouldn't take it to heart about his fiery talk. He can't hurt God -with his spittin' and sputterin', and so long as God's all right the -rest of us needn't worry," Lincoln said, before answering the request -asked. "As to punishin' a 'Moon--faced pole cat,' I'd plug him up -in some tight corner, poke sin out of him--and he'd punish hisself -gentlemen--punish hisself." - -Abe Lincoln got the book and went away. After he had gone, the Clary -boys put their heads together, and before they had separated for the -night, the tar and feathers plan had been temporarily abandoned. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -"SIC 'EM, KITTY" - - -The afternoon following his rather unwelcome visit to Clary Grove, Abe -Lincoln was invited by Kit Parsons to attend religious services that -night. From the manner of the invitation, the storekeeper gathered that -there might be something interesting on foot, and he decided to go. - -Some changes had been made in the meeting-place since the gathering -of the year before. At the former time Satan had moved the dogs, so -the elder explained, to crowd under the exhorter's stand and engage -in riotous disagreement. In an endeavor to chew each others ears and -gnaw holes in each others hides, they had bumped their backs onto the -rude floor underneath the preacher's feet, and in other ways raised a -disturbance. - -To prevent a repetition of this disorderly conduct on the part of the -dogs, the hiding-place under the stand had been made proof against all -intruders by the use of stobs driven so close that not even a shadow -could creep between. - -It was in this long-time rendezvous of dogs that a couple of the Clary -Grove gang seemed interested, as between services they strolled several -times past the pulpit end of the arbor. - -That evening, in the shadowy gloom cast by the arbor roof, a couple of -men might have been seen, had the dark been closely scrutinized, moving -softly about. - -Just what they were doing was not apparent. They seemed to have a -barrel close by and a long trough of some kind. - -But nobody paid any attention to these quiet two. All interest was -centered in Windy Batts, who in a trumpet voice was giving out the -words of a song which all who knew him were certain would be sung with -great unction and fervor. - -He was reading the lines from a hymn-book. At the end of every second -line he gave the pitch, whereupon all sang in many keys, but with -united fervor. - - Into a world of ruffians sent, - I walk on hostile ground; - While human bears, on slaughter bent, - And raving wolves surround. - -Between each two lines he shouted, "God have mercy on them Clary Grove -sinners! Them ravening wolves! Strike them human bears down!" - -Then the hymn went on: - - The lion seeks my soul to slay, - In some unguarded hour; - And waits to tear his sleeping prey, - And watches to devour. - -"God save us from them Clary Grove lions that seek to devour." - -The movements in the shadows just outside the arbor continued, but -nobody noticed. The exhorter, calling on God and all the holy angels -to witness the truth of his sayings, was drawing a graphic comparison -between the righteous and the sinner, especially of that most fallen -and hopeless sinner, the Clary Grove sinner. - -After the discourse, which was thundered out with tremendous force, the -first altar-song was announced, - - If you get there before I do, - I'm bound for the land of Ca-na-yan; - Look out for me, I'm coming, too, - I'm bound for the land of Ca-na-yan; - -When this popular song got well underway, the woods for miles around -rang with the refrain. The altar filled with sinners who fell in the -dust, and with saints who whispered in their ears full directions for -planting their feet firmly on the old ship Zion, and with shouters, -among whom was Phoebe Jane Benson. - -Ann Rutledge and Nance Cameron on one side of the arbor, and Abe -Lincoln and Jo Kelsy on the other, had watched Phoebe Jane taking -her combs out and in other ways preparing for the shouting. Ann, -remembering what Mrs. Benson had said about hugging, was prepared to -watch for developments as Phoebe Jane, with arms flying, began her -religious exercise. - -When the mourners were prostrating themselves in the dust, one of the -dark figures in the shadowy background whispered, "Tickle her up and -then run"; and as he reached a long pole into the enclosure under the -exhorter's feet he said, "Sic 'em, kitty!" and the two were off. - -Just as the first sinner was saved and the shouters were getting well -warmed up, a heavy and most unreligious odor suddenly pervaded the air. - -The front row of mourners, with their faces in the dust, nearest the -exhorter's stand, noticed it first as it came like a puff from the -infernal regions just pictured by Windy Batts. Lifting their heads, -these mourners looked about, with facial expressions none too pious, -to see what had smitten them. Next the shouters got the full force of -the growing odor. Immediately their shouts turned to groans, and they -put their hands over their noses. By this time the mourners were on -their feet. This sudden change from the dust of humiliation to the -erect poise of saved souls, ordinarily denoted a conversion. At this -time, however, the eye of suspicion cast on every man by every other -man, together with the sudden and violent outbreak of snorting and -spewing, gave evidence of something different from spiritual birth. - -When Windy Batts, who at this first moment was engaged in holding -Phoebe Jane in the close embrace of brotherly love, was struck by the -force of the permeating odor, he pushed Phoebe Jane from him, giving -her a look both questioning and unsanctified. - -A moment, and he understood. Springing onto his high platform, he cried -in trumpet tones, "The devil is at his old game! A burning, fiery trial -is about to test our faith. Sometimes afflictions come like lice, -mites, boils, fits. But the worst has been reserved for these later -days, and now doth God afflict his people with a skunk. Satan abounds -on every hand. The most eternal and ding-blasted stink ever turned -loose on the sanctuary of the Lord is now in our midst. Let a committee -of fearless men with good noses volunteer to locate the spot where this -varmint of the pit is hiding." - -The source of the odor was soon located. About this time, out in the -darkness of the woods, was heard a man's voice shouting: - - The devil's dead. - Oh! smell his stink; - Killed by the power of Windy. - -Then a rooster was heard crowing--the crow repeating the words. Then a -cat yowled--and a dog growled--and a goose quacked, all sending out the -same message about the devil's death, and the manner thereof. - -Here was insult added to injury, for while the exhorter might have -forgiven God and the angels for the horrible ordeal they were passing -through, he could never forgive the Clary Grove crowd. - -During the excitement John McNeil had joined Ann Rutledge and Nance -Cameron. - -"It's those Clary Grove rowdies," John McNeil said. "They're a bad lot, -and there will be murderers in the bunch if they do not change their -ways. For this they should be put in jail." - -"Windy Batts said very unkind things about them," Ann observed. - -"And didn't say half bad enough. I'm sorry Abe Lincoln joined in with -them. He was in their camp last night. Like as not he hatched this -whole plot." - -"I can't see why he should want to do a thing like that," Ann said. - -"You don't? Don't you know the whole Clary Grove gang is opposed to -religion? Do you suppose this railsplitter would choose their kind if -he wasn't an opposer, too?" - -"But he's not a railsplitter now--he's Offutt's clerk." - -"He's no real clerk and never will be. Once a railsplitter, always a -railsplitter." - -"Maybe so, but even then, John, it's no disgrace to be an honest -railsplitter--and I'm going to ask Nance if he's an opposer." - -"What difference does it make to you whether he's an opposer or not?" - -"I always like to think the best of everybody, John," Ann answered, -"and it's an awful sin to be an opposer of religion." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -THE TEST - - -The Clary Grove gang were gathered in council. A grave matter was to be -decided and there seemed a division of opinion as to the qualifications -of Abe Lincoln for becoming a member of the brotherhood. Personally -no man had an unfriendly feeling. In fact some of them liked him. But -there were certain qualifications which it was not certain he possessed. - -The horse-trade with Buck was discussed. Had he gotten the best of -Buck? Several contended that he should have kept the horse and would -have done so had he not been afraid of the gang. Others were of the -opinion that he did not want the horse, and several declared him a good -fellow for knowing where to quit joking. - -There were graver considerations than this, however. - -"Ever see a man that had any guts totin' rabbits around in his -pockets?" Ole Bar questioned sharply. "I seen a feller once that packed -a couple of wild cats about with him--but rabbits--_rabbits_----" and -language failed to express his disgust. - -"And he don't drink no whiskey." - -"And Jo Kelsy says he never carries a gun." - -"Don't never go gamin'?" - -"No," answered Jo Kelsy, "he ain't never been no hunter." - -"Hain't never killed nothin'?" Ole Bar questioned in amazement. - -"Not just fer fun. Once he killed a pant'er what dropped on him without -saying nothin'. He ketched it around the neck and choked its eyes out -and skinned it. He said he wouldn't have bothered it if it hadn't acted -so nasty and climbed his frame without warnin'." - -There was silence. No such case had come up for discussion. Here was a -young giant who could strangle a panther--perhaps a bear. Yet he didn't -bother them if they let him alone, and he carried new-born rabbits in -his pocket, and didn't drink whiskey. - -"Offutt's got him put up against any man in Sangamon County; says he -can out-run, out-wrestle, out-throw, out-whip the best man that can -be put up. He's bragged till folks has forgot about Jack Armstrong of -Clary Grove." - -The eyes of the company turned to Jack Armstrong, the champion wrestler -of Sangamon County. Built square as an ox, his mighty muscle gave the -suggestion of the monarchy of muscular force. Added to his force of -muscle was unusual quickness, and added to this, as the Clary Grove -crowd knew, was the art of a trick that was held permissible by the -gang as a last resort in holding championship of the county. - -"What about it, Jack?" Kit Parsons asked. - -"I'll wrastle him." - -"He's different from anything you've gone up against. Jo Kelsy saw him -lift a whiskey barrel and let a feller drink out of the bung hole one -day when he was in the store." - -"The Lord's truth," Jo answered solemnly. - -"And Buck Thompson says he histed a chicken coop that weighed five or -six hundred pounds and set her down on the other side of the yard, -nobody lendin' a hand." - -"The Lord's truth," Buck answered. - -"And Ole Bar says they was having some sort of a contest down at the -mill when he first come here--some sort of a stone-moving tussle--and -Abe Lincoln let them strap him like a hoss and moved a thousand pounds. -Hey, Ole Bar?" - -"I ain't sayin' nothin', only I seen it done." - -"I can whip any man on Sangamon River." It was Armstrong who spoke. - -This was final and gave great satisfaction. The crowd shook hands with -the champion, and one of the number was appointed to bear the challenge -to Abe Lincoln, early the next morning. - -When the young clerk was approached on the matter of the fight he -declined. "What's the use of this wooly-rousin', anyhow? I never did -see no sense in tuslin' and cuffin'. Grown-up men might be in better -business." - -But Offutt, satisfied that he could win the contest urged him on, and -as there seemed nothing else to do, Lincoln accepted, and the day was -set. - -The news spread over town and around the country. Jack Armstrong the -long-time champion was to meet the giant youth known as flat-boat Abe, -the railsplitter. - -Early in the game Offutt and Bill Clary bet ten dollars on their -respective men. Lesser lights bet whiskey, knives, tobacco, and even -caps and coats. The better element entered no protest, and the Clary -Grove kind from Wolf Creek openly exulted. - -During the growing interest Lincoln seemed to pay no attention to -the matter nor cared to discuss it. He said he had a good feeling for -the whole bunch and believed his antagonist to be a brave and square -wrestler. - -"Clear the street of weak things," Bill Clary had advised, the morning -of the match, which was taken to mean that there might be a gang fight -instead of a wrestling match. - -Even before the appointed hour the town was out and lined up opposite -Offutt's store. Doctor Allen, who had formed a warm friendship for -the young clerk and who was opposed to fighting, was there. The -school-teacher was there; Clary Grove to a man was present with several -from Wolf Creek. John Rutledge and Cameron stopped by to look on. The -women folks were on hand, for here was something that promised to be -as interesting as a shouting match at a camp-meeting. And the girls -were there, Nance Cameron, Ann Rutledge, Phoebe Jane Benson and Ellen -Green, keyed up with the excitement that comes to the young female of -any species when the males of like kind give an exhibition of primitive -strength. Nor did John McNeil remain away. He even stood by a Clary -Grove leader to see the show. - -Many glances were cast at the store inside of which Abe Lincoln was -seen talking to a crowd, and laughing as good naturedly as if the whole -town were not feverishly waiting for him to come out and face the -broad-shouldered, iron-muscled man, who as calmly awaited the event, -surrounded by his friends under a tree near the side of the store. - -At the appointed time Abe Lincoln came slowly out and took his way in -an unhurried sort of a shamble across to the side of the store. Seeing -him, Jack Armstrong emerged from his friends. The tall youth extended -his hand and shook in a friendly grasp. Then he pulled off his hat and -pitched it aside, opened his shirt and turned it back, hitched up his -breeches, tossed back his mop of black hair, and the wrestle was on. - -A cheer went up as they went the first round. - -Armstrong had entered the contest with the determination of a speedy -finish. He knew the art. It was evident from the beginning that Lincoln -was not a skilled wrestler. Indeed he seemed only defending himself, -which he did so easily that he was not given full credit for it. - -Armstrong gave him some blows. They might as well have fallen on a -steel trap. Lincoln gave no hard blows; evidently his intention was -not to inflict harm. Through the early portion of the wrestle he was -entirely good-natured. But not so with Armstrong. He was working hard. -He was not making progress. His backers and friends were urging him on, -while cheers sounded each time his wily antagonist escaped what seemed -to be a well-directed, sledge-hammer blow. - -When the contest had been on some minutes it became apparent to the -crowd and to Armstrong that he must use different tactics, or the wily, -good-natured Abe Lincoln would keep him fighting for a week. - -Armstrong now undertook his trick. - -The moment he did so the eager crowd saw an instantaneous change in the -young giant. - -The good-natured expression on his face was swept aside by a wave of -such anger as transformed him from a citizen into a fighter. The mild -and friendly light in his gray eye made way for a fire that gave it a -strange, shining appearance. The slight stoop of the body disappeared -and the tall figure towered high and tense, for a passing instant. Then -he threw out his powerful arm and just as his antagonist hoped to take -him from his feet, he felt his neck caught in the grasp of something as -unrelenting as a steel trap. Tighter the powerful fingers wrapped about -his neck. He felt himself forced away from the man he would defeat by -trickery. - -It was done in a moment. The crowd saw Abe Lincoln holding Jack -Armstrong at arm's length and shaking him as a cat would shake a -kitten, as he shouted in white wrath "Play fair, will ye? If you win, -_win_. If you lose, _lose_--_but do it like a man_! Play fair, will -ye?" and again he shook him as if in an effort to shake the words from -him. - -For a moment there was an ominous silence. - -"He's a bar! He's a bar!" shouted Ole Bar. Whatever this meant was -uncertain. The gang closed in. They seemed coming to the rescue of -their champion. - -With the breath half-choked out of him, Armstrong felt himself -pulled along. Abe Lincoln backed against the store wall. He released -Armstrong, shouting, "I'm ready! I'll meet anybody in a fair tussle, -but no tricks go with Abe Lincoln!" - -Again there was a moment of silence. The gang looked at Armstrong, -then the crowd cheered. The gang fell back. The next moment something -unexpected happened. Jack Armstrong approached, held out his hand and, -turning to the crowd, said, "Boys, Abe Lincoln's the best fellow that -ever broke into this gang." - -The white anger faded from the face of the tall giant as quickly as it -had come. The fire passed from his eyes. His homely face was lit by -a kindly smile. He hitched up his trousers and pushed back his hair. -Then with his hand warmly grasped around that of Armstrong he said, -"Hand-shakes are better than cuffin's. It's friends we are." - -A shout went up, the women shouting with the men. Among those who -cheered most heartily was the group of girls with whom Ann Rutledge -stood. So interested had she been in the climax of the contest she had -not noticed that John McNeil had moved to a place beside her. She did -not know it until, in the midst of her most enthusiastic hand-clapping, -she turned and met his eye. Her face was bright with pleasure at the -outcome. She was laughing and cheering. When she met his eye she knew -he was not pleased. - -"I told you he'd be one of the gang," McNeil said. - -"But he plays fair." - -"I never could understand why women and girls like the fighting kind, -the rowdy kind--the kind that has roustabout ways, and that has no -business, and opposes religion." - -"But are you sure he opposes religion?" - -"These fighting roustabouts generally do. Now don't get mixed. I'm not -saying Abe Lincoln's not a good fellow. He's good enough of his kind, -and I like him. But for women and girls that's religious, he wouldn't -be my kind." - -"I'm going to find out if he opposes religion," Ann said. - -"Going over to the store to see him?" John questioned. - -"No; I would so like to talk with him just once. But I won't -because----" - -"Why?" he asked, looking at her. - -"Because, John, some way I feel you would not like it. I'm promised to -you, and I play fair." - -He made no answer, but some way Ann felt that her statement was not -altogether satisfactory to John McNeil. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -"THOU SHALT NOT COVET" - - -The wrestling match, that proved the championship of Sangamon River, -established Abe Lincoln with his love of peace and his unlimited -reserve of physical power to enforce it, as the peace-maker of New -Salem. - -The following day John Rutledge called at the store. - -John Rutledge, with his partner Cameron, was the founder of New Salem. -Some few years before, he had come from Kentucky with his family, -bought a farm a few miles to the west, built a mill at New Salem, and -opened a store and a tavern. - -Within a year, ten log houses had been added to the original two. A -cobbler and a blacksmith had shops. Then a few more houses were built, -and a cooper mill where crude barrels and kegs were made. - -John Rutledge, a descendant of the famous Rutledge family of the -Carolinas, possessed the manly qualities of his ancestors in full -measure, and pioneer life had by no means obliterated those instincts -which make generous friends and progressive citizens. - -Mr. Rutledge was also a firm believer in education as the foundation -for the future greatness of the new Western country as well as the -success of the individual, and it was largely due to his efforts that -the Scotch schoolmaster, Mentor Graham, was among the first settlers. - -John Rutledge had been into the new store before to look around. Once -he had tarried to hear a story. But he was a busy man and had as yet -formed no special acquaintance with the much-discussed Abe Lincoln. - -This visit was for the purpose of getting acquainted. After Rutledge -had warmly congratulated the ungainly clerk, on his insistence on -fair play, they sat down to talk, and the conversation turned to a -discussion of the widely renowned circuit-rider, Peter Cartwright, who -was expected to hold a wonderful meeting in the vicinity of Springfield -during the month of September. - -Abe Lincoln had heard of Peter Cartwright, the eccentric Methodist -exhorter, who was born in a Kentucky cane-brake and rocked in a bee-gum -cradle, and could tell many stories about him. - -The outcome of this short visit was an invitation to the clerk to visit -at Rutledge Inn and tell some of the Cartwright stories. - -Rutledge Inn was the largest building in the town except the mill. None -of the other homes had more than two rooms, some only one. Rutledge Inn -had four rooms and a sort of porch made by an extension of roof over a -hardly packed, cleanly swept, dirt floor. It was here Mentor Graham, -Doctor Allen, John Rutledge, William Green and other of the intelligent -citizens gathered to discuss news, matters of education, religion and -politics. - -Quite pleased with his invitation, Abe Lincoln went to the Inn and -found in addition to the family, Mentor Graham and Doctor Allen. - -It was a night in late August. The stars twinkled above the dark -outlines of the trees that crested the bluff. The one road of New -Salem, that wound its way down the hill, lay like a gray ribbon and log -houses made the darker spots that at irregular intervals marked it. -Occasionally the call of a night bird sent ripples of wave-melody onto -the stillness, or sometimes the tinkle of a bell stirred the ocean of -the night silence, while the fall of the dam water sent out its rhythm -in never-ending cadences. - -The discussion turned to religion, a most fruitful topic of -argument, for Mentor Graham was a Hard Shell and Doctor Allen was a -Predestinarian. This night there was the uncommon Abe Lincoln to be -heard from. Stories of Peter Cartwright were first on the program, -and from these the conversation turned to a discussion of religion in -particular and its uses to mankind. - -"One of the best uses of religion," Dr. Allen said, "is to cast out -fear. Medicine won't work when fear is present and there's been many a -man scared to death. I was called out once to see a child who had been -bitten by a rattlesnake. She died and her father nearly lost his mind. -Later he got bit in the night by something--a spider, I think. He was -sure it was a rattlesnake. There was no need of the man dying, but he -did die--actually _frightened to death_. It's an awful condition for -a soul to be in that fears eternal punishment for sin. Religion takes -away this fear." - -"Just what is religion?" asked Abe Lincoln. "From what I've been able -to gather, it's preachin' purgatory and damnation till you get up a -panic, offerin' the mercy of God as a way of escape, and then takin' up -a collection for the good advice you have given--is this religion?" - -The men laughed. - -"I may be off," Lincoln continued, "but looks to me like there wouldn't -be so much need of gettin' the fear out of folks if the fear of hell -wasn't first preached into them." - -"Don't you believe in hell?" Mentor Graham asked. - -"Can't say I do." - -"But you believe in God, I am sure." - -"Yes--only a fool has said in his heart there is no God." - -"But the same authority that teaches God teaches hell," Doctor Allen -said. - -"Not to my way of thinking it don't," Lincoln answered. "'The heavens -declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork,' the -Book tells me. But I can't see how the heavens declare the glory of -hell nor its necessity either." - -"But how can God punish the unrighteous without a hell? Can't you -see that by taking hell out of the Bible you destroy its value as an -inspired book, and where else can one learn of God?" - -"Have you forgotten the heavens and the stars? And then there are other -things, too, that tell of God besides the Bible. Did you ever watch a -dirt-dauber? Know how they work, do you? Builds his nest and puts in -his egg. The young one is not goin' to get out until it can fly, so it -must have food. The parent goes in search. Here comes a worm. Good food -and enough to last until the young dauber is ready to wing its way. But -there is a difficulty. If the dauber kills the worm and puts it in, -it will be rotten as Heck before the young is ready to get out. What -happens? The dauber sticks its stinger into a certain spot where it -paralyzes the worm--knocks him out, so to speak, without killin' him. -Then he puts him in the cell with the young, seals him and leaves. What -I say is--where does the mud-dauber get his knowledge? Who told him to -deaden that food without killin' it? Who shows him, or her, just the -right point to stick in that sting? To me it has always seemed that any -Creator that can plan this way has more than horse-sense. But to make -folks like the Book says, in his own likeness and image, and then get -mad at them and roast them alive a million or so years cause they can't -swallow Hard Shell religion or gulp down Predestinarianism, looks like -God hain't planned things as well as a mud-dauber. Maybe I'm lackin' -myself, but I got to turn loose of God or hell one, and for my purpose -I'm choosin' to hang on to God, and I somehow got a feelin' He's not -goin' back on me. Twouldn't be fair--and God plays fair, gentlemen--God -plays fair." - -There was a moment of silence. Then John Rutledge said, "Davy, get a -jug from the cellar. Sis, bring the water pitcher, glasses and sugar." - -As the boy and girl arose Lincoln turned slightly. He had not noticed -before that the daughter of the house had joined the group. - -As he saw her now in the semi-darkness she looked like some fair -creature of another world. He had heard that Ann Rutledge was the -prettiest girl in town. She had passed his store and been pointed -out to him. He had been told she was engaged to marry John McNeil -who was the most settled young fellow in town and already worth ten -thousand dollars. But neither of these news items had interested him -sufficiently to take his attention from the story he had happened to be -telling or hearing when she had passed. - -As his eyes turned toward her, he saw she was leaning forward as if not -to lose a word, and gazing at him intently. - -He changed the glance of his eye to give her a chance to look another -way. Then he turned his glance on her again. As he did so there came to -him a revelation. Here was the pilgrim. How did he know it? He could -not tell, yet, as surely as she sat there in the dim light, as surely -as his eyes were resting on her golden head and fair face, he knew it. - -Mentor Graham and Doctor Allen had launched a spirited discussion -on baptism. Abe Lincoln did not join them. He turned his eyes again -toward the girl. In the half-light he could not see the expression -of her face, but her face was turned toward him and he was conscious -she was thinking of him. She turned away as if embarrassed, but no -sooner had he shifted than the dark eyes again turned toward the heroic -figure, a figure like a bronze, the profile of his face half-Roman and -half-Indian. His head rested on a neck of cords and muscle which stood -straight out from a turn-down collar. - -As irrestible as the pole draws the magnet, the glances of the two were -drawn toward each other again, and in the dark each felt the meeting of -this glance. Then Ann Rutledge got up and went away. - -Abe Lincoln thought of the bird he had heard the night he sat on the -ladder--the night the voice had called to him from the heights. He -smiled. - - * * * * * - -The next morning Abe Lincoln was at the store early, waiting to see -McNeil pass. When he had heard half a dozen times before that Ann -Rutledge was engaged to marry McNeil, the words had been as idle -gossip. Nor had he given McNeil any special attention. Now all was -different. With keen eye and feverish desire he waited to pass judgment. - -As the young man passed, the watching Lincoln felt himself moved by -some tremendous impulse of destruction, a destruction that would -annihilate this man from the face of the earth as completely as though -he had never existed. - -As he stood in the doorway of the rude frontier store, no Sinaitic -thunder roared its disapproval of this primitive animal impulse. But he -heard, instead, the gentle voice of a woman who had long lain sleeping -under the tangle of a forsaken wildwood--a voice that had read to him -from an open book by the light of a pine torch fire, "Thou shalt not -covet." - - - - -CHAPTER X - -THE MYSTERIOUS PIG - - -One day a poverty-stricken and dispirited woman, whom Abe Lincoln had -not before seen, entered his store to buy a few candles and a small -quantity of molasses. - -As she went out the storekeeper was informed that she was the wife of -a notorious drunkard, known throughout the settlement as "Snoutful -Kelly," who lived in a miserable shack out near Muddy Point. - -After the woman had gone, in casting up his accounts, Abe Lincoln -found himself with a few pennies more than he should have, and, after -puzzling over the small excess, he discovered that he had overcharged -the wife of Snoutful Kelly. - -Though it was yet early, he closed the store and at once set out toward -Muddy Point to return the woman's change. - -The shack he found the family living in was not the worst he had ever -seen, and he himself had once lived in one nearly as bad. He had not -expected, however, to find such a home near the thrifty settlement of -New Salem. - -The hearth was of dirt with a hole in the middle made by much sweeping. -There was a puncheon table with forked sticks for legs, and wooden -trenchers for plates. Sharp pieces of cane were used for forks; there -was one knife without a handle, and one tin cup for the use of the -entire family. In one corner was a pallet of leaves on a post frame -with a thin quilt over it. - -When Abe Lincoln entered the one room he found the mother bending over -the hearth, and a small girl, with a black eye, trying to quiet a dirty -baby which kicked on the post bed. - -At a first glance Lincoln saw that the woman was in trouble, and, -while she thanked him in a crude way for the return of the pennies and -took them eagerly, her mind was thus only partially diverted from the -trouble. - -Hungry for pity, and led to believe she might get it from this tall -youth who had come so far to return her change, the woman poured out -her tale of woe. - -Her pig was gone--her only pig--the pig which the children had divided -food with that they might have a bit of meat for the winter. Her -husband would not fix the pen and the pig had escaped and gone some -days before. The bitter loss was too much for the poor woman, and she -broke down and wept. - -Moved with pity, Abe Lincoln asked what kind of a pig it was. - -"Black, with a white spot on its left shank, and a white eye, and its -ear was fresh cut with two slits and a cross mark--like this," and -bending over the hearth she made some marks in the ashes which Lincoln -looked at carefully. "I suppose some wolf or cat smelled the blood, -cause nobody would steal a pig in these parts, would they?" and there -was appeal in her voice as she asked the question. - -Further discussion about the pig was cut off by a screech from the -child, whose face suddenly took on an expression of great fear, while -her eyes seemed fixed in horror on something she saw coming toward the -house. - -Abe Lincoln glanced out. - -"It's her Pap coming," the woman explained. "He beat her somethin' -fearful yesterday cause she got in the mud. And he told her he'd throw -her in up to her neck to-day if she got in the mud, and let her stick -there till the buzzards eat 'er up. And how is the poor child to help -it when her Pap has brought her here where there ain't nothing but mud -to fall in?" Then, turning to the child, she said: "'Tain't no use to -have fits. Nobody but God can keep him from gittin' ye." - -"Nobody but God, eh?" Abe Lincoln said. "We'll see." - -The man came staggering toward the house, cursing and growling, his -drunken wrath seeming to centre itself on the child whose face was -transfixed with terror. - -The child screamed just as he was about to enter the house to make good -his threats. Then there suddenly pounced upon him, from just inside, -something that caught him in a grip like that of a vise, and pulled him -back outside. And then this something, which was a very tall youth, -began shaking him and slowly making his way, as he did so, toward the -creek. - -As a result of the none too gentle shaking, the liquid matter the -drunkard had imbibed began to return to the world of visible things -until what seemed an endless amount had been emptied along the way -they were taking. When the burden of liquor had been lightened, the -drunkard, now chattering for pity, was ducked in the stream until his -dripping chin was washed clean, and his thick tongue limbered up. - -He was then marched back to the cabin door from which the wife, and -child with a black eye, looked out in speechless wonder. - -"Here you are now," said the tall man. "My name is Abe Lincoln. I keep -store in town. I can get here in twenty minutes any time I'm needed to -break up this child-beatin'--understand?" and he was off. - - * * * * * - -It was that same night Abe Lincoln dropped down to Clary's Grove, where -he was now always welcome. When he arrived he found a feast in course -of preparation. A pig was roasting in the fire and the savory odor -permeated the air as different ones of the gang poked the fire, basted -the roast, and otherwise prepared for the occasion. - -"Just in time, my son, Abry Linkhorn," said Ole Bar. - -"Where'd you get that pig?" Lincoln inquired. - -"It lit in a tree and we clubbed it out and picked it. 'Tain't none too -fat, but it'll do." - -"Let me look at its ears," Lincoln said. "Two slits and a cross" he -observed. Then he told the story of Snoutful Kelly's wife and her great -grief at the loss of the pig. - -There was a moment of impressive silence. Then one of the gang said: -"Clary's Grove has done some things that hain't been written in no -book, but they don't steal from no weepin' wimmin, and beat up hungry -children. As good a pig must be put back in that pen as was ever caught -in the woods by the wolves and cats." - -This speech expressed the sentiment of the company, and a game was -played to see who would replace the pig. When this had been decided -they returned to their feast with consciences apparently as clear as -those of children. - - * * * * * - -It was the second day following the feast by the Clary Grove Boys, that -Ann Rutledge missed one of her pigs. Ann was not only a famous needle -woman, a spinner, and a cook, but she had good luck raising pigs and -chickens, and her father gave her a pig or two in each litter, which -were to be her own to help in getting her education. - -Now her pig was gone--a black one with a white spot on its flank. - -Mounted on one of John Rutledge's good horses, Ann set out to search -the woods for her pig. - -She had gotten some distance without finding any trace of it, when she -heard the cry of a child. Following the direction from which the sound -came, she soon discovered a forlorn little specimen of a girl, with a -black and purple eye, who was looking about in different directions as -if not knowing which way to go, and was crying. - -"What's the matter?" asked Ann Rutledge, "are you lost?" - -"Yes," the child answered. - -"Who are you--and where do you live?" - -"I'm Katy Kelly, and I live at Muddy Point. Our pig is lost again," -she sobbed. "We got it home once, but the pen broke, and now it's gone -again." - -"I'm looking for a pig, too," Ann said. "Get up on my horse, and we'll -look a little and then I'll take you home." - -The child climbed on, and the search continued. But the child no longer -had eyes for anything but Ann Rutledge. - -"How did you hurt your eye?" Ann asked kindly. - -"Pap, he did it. He bunged me with his fist. He said he'd git me again -the same way, and stick me in the mud till the buzzards picked my eyes -out. I was scared to death. It's horrible to get bunged and beat. I -begged Maw to keep Pap from beatin' me again, but he beats her, too, -and she said nobody but God could keep him from beatin' me up. Just as -he was about to git me, here comes God with the longest legs on earth, -and he reached out his long arms an' got Pap and shook all the red -eye out of him he's poured in fer a year. Then he ducked him until he -got sobered up. Mam says Pap won't beat me no more, she'll bet on it, -'cause God--He can git anywhere on them legs, in twenty minutes." - -This story was told between snubs and sobs, and the dirty dress sleeve -was called into use between sentences to dry the tearful eyes and -dripping nose. - -Ann Rutledge was interested. - -"So God came to help you?" - -"Yep--his name is Abe Lincoln--he told Pap." - -"Abe Lincoln!" Ann exclaimed. Then she rode a long way without -speaking. She was thinking. The name brought the picture of a strong, -elemental man, seemingly older than his years, a man who had said -he was going to play fair with God, a man whom Nance Cameron had -pronounced the homeliest creature that God ever put breath in. - -"There's home," the child presently said, "and, _there's the pig_." - -Ann looked. A small black pig with a white spot on its flank. She knew -the pig. - -But when she dismounted to examine the pig she found its ear cut with -two slits and a cross. - -"We found it in the pen. At first I couldn't believe it," Mrs. Kelly -exclaimed. "It looked a bit fatter than mine, but it's ear was fresh -marked; I cut it myself. And I thanked God it had come back." - -"You thanked God," Ann observed as if to herself. - -"Yes--for it's our only winter meat. And when it got out again I was -sick over it--and likely it will get away some more, for Kelly never -fixed a pen that would hold, in his life." - -"I'll help you fix the pen," Ann said, and she did, meantime wondering -about the pig, for she would have sworn it was her own. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -PETER CARTWRIGHT ARRIVES - - -It was on a September day that the famous Peter Cartwright jogged into -New Salem on a stiff-legged pony, and drew up before Rutledge Inn. - -His visit had been long expected and great preparations had been made -for the camp-meeting which was to be held in the Springfield district -in a few days. - -No announcement had been made of the time Peter Cartwright would -arrive, yet in that mysterious way that news spreads over a small -town, even while he was yet removing the saddle bags from his tired -pony, sightseers had congregated on the opposite side of the street, -and before sun-down everybody in town knew that the great preacher was -stopping for the night at Rutledge Inn. - -Abe Lincoln had been invited to the Inn, with the select few who often -made the little party, to meet Rev. Peter Cartwright. They met a rather -small, wiry man with bright fox-like eyes, and hair inclined to be -curly, which stood out in every direction on a round head. - -He talked freely, criticizing in no unmeasured terms such preachers as -preach not against slavery, dram drinking, dancing, or the putting on -of costly apparel and jewelry. Then with a twinkle in his small, bright -eye, he said that his risibilities were often hard to keep down owing -to some things that happened as he traveled his circuit, and he told -them an incident: - -"I rode one day into Springfield to transact a little business. My -horse had at one time been an excellent pony, but now had the stiff -complaint. I stopped for a few moments into a store to purchase a few -articles, and I saw in the store a young lady in company with two young -men; we were perfect strangers; they soon passed out and rode off. -After transacting my business I left the store, mounted my stiff pony, -and set out for home. After riding some distance, I saw just ahead of -me a two-horse wagon, with the cover rolled up. It was warm weather, -and I saw in the wagon those two young men and the young lady that I -had seen in the store. As I drew near them they began to sing one of -our camp-meeting songs, and they appeared to sing with great animation. -Presently the young lady began to shout, and said 'Glory to God! Glory -to God!' The driver cried out 'Amen, Glory to God!' - -"My first impressions were that they had been across the Sangamon River -to a camp-meeting that I knew was in progress there, and had obtained -religion, and were happy. As I drew a little nearer, the young lady -began to sing and shout again. The young man who was not driving fell -down and cried aloud for mercy; the other two shouting at the top of -their voices, cried out, 'Glory to God! another sinner's down.' Then -they began to exhort the young man that was down, saying, 'Pray on, -brother; pray on, brother; you will soon get religion'; and up jumped -the young man that was down, shouting aloud, saying, 'God has blessed -my soul. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Glory to God!' - -"Thinking all was right, I felt like riding up and joining in the -songs of triumph and shouts of joy that rose from these three happy -persons; but, as I neared the wagon, I saw them cast glances at each -other and at me, and I suspected then that they were making a mock of -religious things, and, knowing me to be a preacher, wished to fool me. -I stopped my horse and fell back, and rode slowly, thinking they would -ride on, and so not annoy me any more; but when I checked my horse and -went slow, they slackened their pace and went slow too, and the driver -changed places with the other young man; then they began again to sing -and shout at a furious rate and down fell the first driver, and up went -a new shout of 'Glory to God! another sinner's down. Pray on, brother; -pray on, brother; the Lord will bless you.' Presently up sprang the -driver, saying, 'Glory to God! He has blessed me.' And both the others -shouted and said, 'Another sinner's converted, another sinner's -converted. Hallelujah! Glory to God!' A rush of indignant feeling came -all over me, and I felt as if I wanted to ride up and horsewhip both -of these rowdies, and if a lady had not been present I might have done -so, but, as it was, I did not. It was a vexatious encounter; if my -horse had been fleet, as in former days, I could have rode right off -and left them in their glory, but he was stiff, and when I would fall -back and go slow, they would check up; and when I would spur my stiff -pony and try to get ahead of them they would crack the whip and keep -ahead of me; and thus they tormented me until my patience was entirely -exhausted. They kept up a continual roar of 'Another sinner's down! -Another soul's converted! Glory to God! Pray on, brother! Hallelujah! -Hallelujah! Glory to God!' and I felt it was more than any good -minister ought to bear. - -"I cannot describe my feelings at this time. It seemed that I was -delivered over to be tormented by the devil and his imps. Just at this -moment I thought of a terrible mud-hole about a quarter of a mile -ahead. It was a long one and very deep mud, and many teams had stuck -in it, and had to be pried out. Near the center of this mud-hole there -was a place of mud deeper than anywhere else. On the right stood a -stump about two feet high; all the wagons had to be driven close to -this stump so as to avoid a deep rut on the left, where many wagons -had stuck. I knew where there was a small bridle way that wound round -through the brush to avoid the mud, and the thought occurred to me -that, when we came up to this muddy place, I would take the bridle -way, and put my horse at the top of his speed and by so doing get away -from these miserable tormentors, as I knew they could not drive fast -through this long plot of mud. When we drove near to the commencement -of the mud I took the bridle path, and put spurs and whip to my horse. -Perceiving that I was rapidly leaving them in the rear, their driver -cracked his whip, and put his horses at almost full speed, and such was -their anxiety to keep up with me to carry out their sport that, when -they came to this bad place, they never saw the stump on the right. The -fore wheel of the wagon struck centrally on the stump, and as the wheel -mounted the stump over went the wagon. Fearing it would turn entirely -over and catch them under, the two young men took a leap into the mud, -and when they lighted they sunk up to their middle. The young lady was -dressed in white, and as the wagon went over, she sprang as far as she -could, and lighted on all fours; her hands sunk into the mud up to her -armpits, her mouth and the whole of her face immersed in the muddy -water, and she certainly would have strangled if the young man had -not relieved her. I rode up to the edge of the mud, stopped my horse, -reared in my stirrups and shouted at the top of my voice: - -"'Glory to God! Glory to God! Hallelujah! another sinner's down! Glory -to God! Hallelujah! Glory! Hallelujah!' - -"If ever youngsters felt mean those did; and well they might, for they -had carried on all this sport to make light of religion, and to insult -a minister, a total stranger to them. But they contemned religion, and -hated Methodists, especially Methodist preachers. - -"When I became tired of shouting over them, I said to them: 'Now you -poor, dirty, mean sinners, take this as a just judgment of God upon -you for your meanness, and repent of your dreadful wickedness; and let -this be the last time that you attempt to insult a preacher; for if you -repeat your abominable sport and persecutions, the next time God will -serve you worse, and the devil will get you.' - -"They felt so badly that they never uttered one word of reply. Now I -was very glad that I did not horsewhip them, as I felt like doing; -but that God had avenged His own cause, and defended His own honor -without my doing it with carnal weapons. Later, at one of my prosperous -camp-meetings, I had the great pleasure to see all three of these young -people converted to God, and I took them into the Methodist Church."[1] - -Cartwright's mission was not, however, story-telling, as was soon made -evident. "Time is bearing on us," he said, "toward the Judgment. Are -we prepared? _This_ is the question--it is the _one great_ question. -Brethren and sisters, is every soul here prepared to meet his God? Let -me see." There was a general indication that those present were. Abe -Lincoln did not signify readiness. "We are going to pray," Cartwright -said, "and you, my young friend," addressing him, "should humble -yourself and call to God for deliverance from hell, for surely the -enemy of man's soul is on his track, and damnation is the eternal -punishment of the unsaved. Fear hell and flee to God." - -"But I don't fear hell," Abe Lincoln said comfortably. - -"Don't fear hell?" and there was both condemnation and surprise in -Cartwright's tone as he repeated the words. "By such unbelief you -question the existence of God." - -"No--I don't question the existence of God, but I would if I believed -eternal damnation. You see, parson, you and me don't measure God by the -same yardstick." - -"But to doubt hell is to doubt God. The same inspired book is the -authority for both." - -"For some, maybe, but not for others. Old Snoutful Kelly brought a -child into the world without never once askin' her whether she wanted -to come or not. Then he moved her to Muddy Point where there was -nothin' but mud, without askin' her if she wanted to go. Then he told -her to keep out of the mud, and when she couldn't he gave her a black -eye. Having knocked her blind, he told her if she got into the mud -again he'd 'souse her in a mud-hole to her ears and leave her there -for the buzzards to pick her eyes out.' Now you say God brings us here -children into this world without askin' nothin' about it, where there's -devilment all about us, and we didn't put that here, either. Then you -have God give us a black eye with this original sin you preach about, -which makes us sin whether we want to or not, and when He gets us He -promises hell fire and eternal damnation for gettin' into sin. This -here don't sound like God to me. It sounds like Snoutful Kelly." - -The silence that followed this statement was the kind that seems -reduced to pound-weight. Cartwright stared at the presumptuous youth -who had uttered such words. When he could speak, he said: "Coming from -the lips of a worm of the dust, I should call such sacrilege--nothing -short of blasphemy." - -"Might be true if I counted myself among worms, but I don't--I may look -like a worm, Brother Cartwright, or a pair of worms, or even four worms -of the dust tied together, but I haven't none of that wormy feelin' you -hint at, and I don't take stock in wormy religion. The Good Book is -full of more upliftin' texts than the wormy ones. I'd forget about hell -fire and worms of the dust for a while if I was a preacher." - -"What would you preach, Abe?" Mentor Graham asked. - -"Want to know, do you?" - -"Yes--yes," the answer was given by both Rutledge and Doctor Allen. - -Lincoln arose. For a moment he seemed slouchy, bent, and ill at ease. -Then he straightened up and announced his text, "'Beloved, now are ye -the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be.'" - -As he spoke, a wonderful change came over him. His face lit up, his -gestures grew natural and strong, his voice, thin-sounding at first, -took on melody, his ill-fitting clothing was forgotten. He seemed for -the moment lifted away from his surroundings, and those listening were -lifted with him. - -As he reached the end of his brief speech and declared, "'And every man -that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself,'" he was measuring up to -some far heights. - -When he finished his short sermon he stood a few seconds. Then his -shoulders drooped, the bright spark faded from his eye and gave place -to the quiet, almost dull gray, and a quizzical smile softened his -face as he said, in sitting down, "Let those who feel like worms be -as decent as they can. Let those that feel themselves sons of God -go forward toward better things. Isn't this the Scripture, Brother -Cartwright?" - -The small, bright eyes of the great exhorter were fastened on the face -of the homely youth. Here evidently was a specimen whose like he had -not seen. - -"There be those," answered Cartwright, "who wrest the Scriptures to -their own damnation. We were created sons of God to be sure. But we -have been separated by the fall of Adam and eternally lost unless we -return to the fold by the one way." - -"That's just it, which is the right way? Doctor Allen here goes by the -Predestinarian gate. Graham goes by the Hard-Shell gate. The New Lights -have their way, the Free Wills theirs, the Dunkards and the Shakers -have theirs, and you choose the shouting Methodist way. Which of them -all is right?" - -"Right--Why _I am right_, as I can prove by the Scriptures." - -Lincoln laughed. - -"Come to hear me preach and I can _prove_ to you that I am right. -You're tall and mighty in your own opinion, but I've seen the tall -and lofty sons of Belial bite the dust. Come to hear me! I'll get the -scales from your eyes and the stiffness out of your knees. Let us pray. -To your knees, people," and with fervid honesty and all his consecrated -lung power, the great exhorter called on _all_-mighty God to have mercy -on the self-satisfied sinner in their midst. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 1: From "Autobiography of Peter Cartwright."] - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE RIGHTEOUS SHOUT - - -The meeting which Peter Cartwright was to hold had been heralded far -and wide, and it was expected that several thousand people would -attend. A great arbor had been erected at each of the four corners of -which was a high wooden altar covered with earth and sod where pine -torches burned to illuminate the darkness. A platform large enough -to hold twenty preachers had been built, with an open space in front -scattered with straw and lined with mourners' benches. Back from the -arbor a circle of tents was placed; back of the tents, wagons, buggies, -and carts of every description; and back of this rim of vehicles the -horses, and sometimes oxen, were tethered. - -The gathering together of so many people from far and near for a period -of two or three weeks offered an opportunity for profit-making, and at -a previous meeting whiskey as well as cider and tobacco had been sold -in the forest beyond the camp-clearing, and wheels of chance had been -operated, all of which had had a bad effect on the meeting. - -The Clary Grove boys, after a report from Lincoln, had decided to "give -Old Pete right of way," and planned neither mischief nor profit-making. - -Not so, however, the Wolf Creek and Sand Town gangs; some among these -had decided to use the occasion for money-making, and the day before -the meeting was to open several barrels of whiskey were discovered in -the brush down beyond the camp-arbor. - -Cartwright immediately sent out word that no whiskey-selling would be -allowed anywhere near the meeting-ground, and to the end of discovering -whom he must fight, he disguised himself and was thus able to locate -the gang of rowdies whose head-quarters he found a short distance down -a little creek running by the camp ground. Close to the arbor was a -steep bank, below which the water was quite deep. Into this pool, Peter -Cartwright learned, a plan had been made to throw him. The rowdies were -then to ride through the arbor on horses and, with screeches and yells -like those of Indians break up the meeting. - -With this information in hand, Peter Cartwright prepared himself, and, -armed with a stout hickory club, he hid at the narrow passage through -which the horsemen were to come, a pathway around the high bank just -above the deep pool. - -The singing service which preceded the sermon, led by the ten exhorters -up at the arbor, was swelling into an inspiring volume when Cartwright, -hiding in the gloom, heard the sound of horses, and the next moment the -leader of the Wolf Creek gang appeared, making his smiling way, with -his eye fixed on the arbor. - -It was at this time the music of the pious song was pierced by an -unearthly screech, ending with the words, "In the name of the Lord, GET -BACK!" The horse was the first to heed the exhorter's summary order. -Pitching his rider off perilously close to the brink of the creek, he -snorted away into the forest. - -"In the name of the Lord, get thee behind me, Satan!" Cartwright -shouted again, this time into the ear of the Wolf Creek rowdy, and, -with the words, he gave him such a resounding whack with his club as to -knock him over the bank. The next moment the leader of the gang found -himself kicking in the cold waters into which he had planned to throw -Cartwright. - -Several others of the gang now came up and made an effort to pass, but -the yells of Cartwright had summoned the strong ones from the arbor and -after a general mixing up between the sheep and the goats, the more -valiant members of the Wolf Creek gang found themselves crawling out of -the water at the foot of the bank. - -When the gang had been dispersed, Peter Cartwright, puffing and -blowing, returned to the arbor and sounded the great trumpet call -to preaching. The disturbed audience gathered in quickly, the women -seating themselves on one side and the men on the other. - -Taking a timely text, the exhorter described with great power the -conflict he had just been having with the devil, and when he had -reached the climax of the great fight, and had described the way the -devil went splashing into the pool, he sprang from his pulpit to a -long bench across the altar, and, walking back and forth, shouted in a -mighty voice: - - Then my soul mounted higher - In a chariot of fire, - And the moon it was under my feet! - -From a shout, the words grew into a song, improvised scriptural texts -serving for the verses, and the chorus each time being the victorious -statement that his soul had mounted up until the moon was under his -feet. The audience soon caught the swing of the chorus and sent out -great volumes of melody on the night air. - -After this song, the old favorite, "Where, O where are the Hebrew -children?" was started, and as the questions "Where, O where now is -good Elijah?"; "Where, O where now is good old Daniel?"; "Where, O -where now is my good mother?" were sung, with their answers, enthusiasm -grew until the united answers rolled away in great sound-waves on the -stillness of the black forest. - -The situation was growing interesting. There was a suppressed feeling -that something was going to happen. - -Among the hundreds who stood about the sides were Abe Lincoln and -Doctor Allen, who had taken the time to ride over in the hopes of -seeing for themselves an exhibit of spiritual power known as the jerks. -The perceptible and steady rise in excitement gave promise of almost -any kind of unusual demonstration. Sinners had been called to the altar -and many were falling in the dust, groaning and calling on God to save -them from sin and its terrible punishment of hell. - -Cartwright by now seemed to be singing, exhorting, preaching and -praying all at the same time. The shouters had felt the power, and -added to the singing and praying. Shrill cries of "Glory," and other -ejaculations of unearthly joy were heard. Bonnets, caps, and combs -were beginning to fly. Several of the sisters gave exhibitions of what -were called running, jumping and barking exercises, and the men most -interested in them were near at hand to catch them when they fell. -Some who succumbed to this excess of joy, remained in a trance-like -condition, however, and there were at one time many unconscious men and -women lying prostrate in the straw at one place. Abe Lincoln and Dr. -Allen looked on with much interest. - -In the midst of the excitement, there came to the ears of Abe Lincoln, -from the woman's side, somewhere across from him, a familiar note. His -interest was at once centred in discovering the owner of the voice. -After a very short time he saw Ann Rutledge. To-night she wore a dress -half wool, half flax, a soft material, dyed with butternut until it was -as yellow as her hair. She stood not far from one of the pine-torch -fires, and in the reflection of the orange flames she made a picture -worthy an artist's canvas. - -With his eyes upon her face, shining as if touched by fire from some -heavenly altar, Abe Lincoln suddenly became oblivious of the scenes -about him, though proving of such unusual interest to Dr. Allen. - -The song about the Hebrew children had given way to another and yet -more emotional expression; a hand-shaking ditty which seemed little -more than a monophonic impromptu to carry the line, "My brother, I -wish you well; when my Lord calls, I trust you will be mentioned in -the Promised Land." Before the many improvised verses of this chant, -alike rousing and pathetic, had been sung twice, the climax joy of the -safety of heavenly bliss, and the climax sorrow of the doom of eternal -punishment had been reached, and it was evident to Dr. Allen that the -strange physical expression was about to break out. - -"Look!" he said to Abe Lincoln. - -There was no response. - -"Look!" he repeated. - -Then he glanced at the man by his side. Abe Lincoln was looking, but -not as Dr. Allen had indicated, and the expression on his face was one -Dr. Allen had never seen there. For a moment his eyes rested on the -uncouth and homely youth in surprise; then, as if hesitating to break -some pleasant spell, he took him by the arm and said softly, "They're -getting the jerks." - -Abe Lincoln turned suddenly, and in something of an apologetic tone -said, "It's Ann Rutledge singing. Look at her face. Doesn't she seem -happy?" - -"Ann Rutledge is always happy," Dr. Allen answered, "but look up in -front." - -"Hope she don't catch it," he said with a last glance at Ann as he -turned his attention to a woman who had just shaken her apron off. - -"Don't fear," Dr. Allen replied smiling. "Book learning and this sort -of thing don't go together." - -Dr. Allen and Abe Lincoln pushed nearer the front. According to -Cartwright the jerks were useful to call attention to the power of God -or the devil, whichever caused the peculiar demonstration. At any rate -it affected them powerfully, and soon many about the altar were in -different stages of the mysterious visitation of the supernatural. The -heads of some jerked from side to side. Others bent back and forth. -Sometimes the whole body jerked so violently it soon fell exhausted, -and many bodies that fell into the straw lay for days before returning -to consciousness. - -As Dr. Allen and Abe Lincoln watched, they saw one man, who stood -near a support, beat against it until the skin was scraped from his -forehead. Dr. Allen felt moved with professional pity, but Abe Lincoln -said, "He's getting religion, let him alone." - -It was four o'clock in the morning, when those who had breath enough -left sang, "Blest be the tie that binds," and repaired to their tents -to rest until the trumpet should summon them to early morning prayers. - - * * * * * - -The next morning, as Abe Lincoln and Dr. Allen were crossing the arbor -grounds, they saw Ann Rutledge and John McNeil laughing together as -she fried eggs over an open fire. For a moment Lincoln felt the same -sensation he experienced when once before he would have destroyed -McNeil from the face of the earth. - -Dr. Allen noted the momentary expression on his face and involuntarily -compared it with what he had seen there the night before. He did not -stop now to make any deductions, but he did not forget. - -A little later Abe Lincoln met Ann and the Rev. Peter Cartwright. "We -were talking about you," Ann said. - -"I was wondering if the demonstration of Divine power at last night's -meeting had not shaken the scales from your eyes, my sinner friend," -was the exhorter's greeting. - -"I suppose you call me a sinner because I do not believe in hell," Abe -Lincoln said, smiling. - -"No man can be religious and not fear hell." - -"My sin then is in lack of fear, but I didn't make myself, and God just -forgot to put it in. Am I to blame for that?" - -"Don't be a scoffer," was Cartwright's advice. "You have a soul worth -saving, young man. I shall pray for your never-dying soul. Perhaps -others are praying for you, and the effectual fervent prayer of the -righteous man availeth much." - -"Thanks. I'll do as much for you if you ever get in need." Abe Lincoln -answered, and bidding Ann and the preacher good-bye he went on his way. - -John McNeil had come up just as Lincoln turned away. "Poor deluded -sinner," Cartwright said kindly, looking after the tall, uncouth figure -of Abe Lincoln. "How Satan does delude the soul of man, but he's worth -praying for." - -When John McNeil was alone with Ann Rutledge a few moments later, he -said: "What did I tell you, Ann? I like Abe Lincoln all right, but I -believe he is one of the worst sinners in this county. Why even those -Wolf Creek rowdies that tried to break up the meeting believe in hell." - -"Folks don't see things the same way," Ann asserted thoughtfully. - -"No--I suppose you'd call Abe Lincoln a saint." - -Ann made no answer. She seemed just then to hear a bruised and helpless -child saying: "God come, and His name's Abe Lincoln." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -A BUSY SINNER - - -While Peter Cartwright was laboring with every honest ounce of energy -in his energetic soul and body to get his fellow-men safely aboard the -old ship of Zion, Abe Lincoln was finding diversions from the regular -routine of store work, in kind as different as whipping a bully and -feeding a baby. - -The bully happened into the store one afternoon while Abe Lincoln was -waiting on a couple of ladies. He had not seen the stranger before, and -greeted him with his usual salutation, "Howdy, partner--come in." - -It was soon evident that the stranger was on no friendly mission. - -Hardly was he inside the store than he began to talk abusively and to -deliver himself of an abundance of profanity. - -Leaning over the counter Lincoln called the man's attention to the -fact that there were ladies present. The man continued his abuse and -swearing. Again Abe Lincoln spoke to him, this time saying in positive -terms that no swearing was allowed when ladies were in the store. - -The reply to this remark was worse swearing. - -Abe Lincoln said nothing more until the ladies were gone. Then he -walked out from behind the counter and looked the stranger over. - -"There's some sort of folks who can't listen to reason," he remarked. -"Them kind has to have the daylights whaled out of them. What you need, -partner, and what you are goin' to get is a spankin'." - -This seemed to be what the stranger had desired. Pushing out his chest -he stepped before Lincoln and told him to come on. - -"Let's move out onto the face of the earth," Lincoln said. "I don't -want to tear up the crockery and kick the molasses over." - -When they were out at the side of the store and while the big bully was -yet telling what he was going to do, he was seized suddenly, thrown to -the ground and rolled over a couple of times. Then the tall man grabbed -a handful of smart-weeds and rubbed it in the eyes of the profane -stranger until he bellowed like a bull. - -A crowd had collected to discover what the row was about, among them -John McNeil. - -When Lincoln had extracted a promise from his visitor that he would -keep his swearing for men only, he let him up, and, taking him by the -arm, led him back to the store-steps and seated him. He then brought -water, bathed the eyes of the subdued stranger, and shook hands with -him. - -This incident furnished talk for New Salem for a couple of days, and -John McNeil made a special trip to camp-meeting that night to tell Ann -Rutledge about the fresh pugilistic outbreak of the tallest sinner in -their midst. - -In less than a fortnight after this incident, the stranger came again -to the store with the request that Lincoln return with him at once to -his home, as his wife was sick. He had recently moved out from Indiana -and was not acquainted in the neighborhood, and he felt, some way, that -Lincoln could help her. - -To Honey Grove, a few miles distant, Lincoln went with him, and in -a poor little cabin found a woman with a small baby. The woman was -suffering from some sort of fever which had followed a severe chill. - -"We didn't have nary remedy," she said with labored breath. "Back at -Wild Cat Run in Indianny, I had some black dog ile rendered in the dark -of the moon. Lots of folks was cured with it, but I couldn't git no -black dog ile, nor blood of a black cat, nor even the blood of a black -hen here. Do you know whar thar's a black cat or dog? I'm powerful -hot--I can't hardly breathe, I'm so hot. Jim, he says if there's -anybody in this neck of the woods can do it it's Abe Linkum. Kin you -help me? Do you know where there's a black dog?" - -As the tall youth stood over the bed hearing the plea his face was -moved with pity. - -"Yes, I'll help you. But I know something better than a black dog. -We'll get Dr. Allen. He's the best doctor and got the biggest heart of -any man in Illinois. He'll come and cure you." - -Then Abe Lincoln wrote a few lines on a paper which he had in his -pocket. "Hurry with bearer if possible, and bring Hannah Armstrong. We -may save a mother's life. She has a little baby. A. Lincoln." - -This he gave to the waiting husband, bidding him go back with all -possible speed to New Salem. - -At best it would be a couple of hours before the doctor could arrive, -for it was several miles to town. Dr. Allen and Jack Armstrong both -had good horses; Hannah was a fine rider, and Lincoln knew they would -hasten if the doctor was not away on some other call. - -When the husband had gone Abe Lincoln found himself alone in a small -clearing circled about by miles of woods. The short, heavy breathing of -the woman broke the stillness of the warm fall afternoon. He turned to -the bed and looked down at the sufferer. Her face was saffron yellow, -brightened to copper on her cheeks by flush of fever. Her eyes shone -like glass. Her features were pinched, and her mouth drawn. - -The young man by the bedside knew that unless help speedily came death -was not far. Bending over her, he drew his long, strong fingers across -her burning forehead. - -"How good that feels!" she said, half closing her eyes. "You got -fingers soft as a baby's." - -He brought some water, and not being able to find a cloth, used his -hand, making it cool and brushing her face very gently. - -For a few moments she seemed easier, murmuring her thanks. "Your maw," -she said, opening her eyes, "how she must love you." - -"I have no mother," he said huskily "--not in this world." - -"Your woman, then," she said, breathing the words out with labor -"--every man has his woman." - -He made no answer. - -Under the touch of his cool hand she seemed for a time to grow quiet. -But the fever was burning higher in her veins, and soon she began to -rock her head and utter incoherent words. - -Then she opened her eyes again. "I'm skeered," she said. "I'm awful -skeered. I hain't done nobody no harm--but I ain't never been -religious." - -"Don't be afraid," he said huskily. "What is there to fear?" - -"Hell--hell," she moaned, "I've heerd it preached." - -Abe Lincoln started to say something reassuring, but again her mind was -wandering. When she spoke now, it was of the baby lying on the back of -the bed. After opening her eyes and steadying them, she half moaned, -"He's hungry, the fever's dried me up--can you feed the baby? There's -milk--there's milk----" - -She did not finish the sentence. It seemed hard for her to speak. - -"I'll find the milk and feed the baby. Don't worry," and he brushed -her hot arms and hands and forehead with his big, wet hands. - -Again she sank back into that restless drowsiness broken by moans and -incoherent mutterings. Sometimes there was a sharp outcry, and always -the labored breathing, growing ever faster and faster. - -Abe Lincoln went to the door and looked anxiously up at the sun, and -from the sun, down the roadway. - -When he returned to the bed the woman wanted to speak again. She opened -her eyes. At first there was only a glassy stare, but with an effort -she gathered her vision and, fixing her eyes on the homely face by her -side, she said with words that seemed beaten out by some raging inward -force, "Abe Linkum, kin you pray?" - -"Yes," he answered without hesitation, "what's prayer but callin' on -God when there ain't no one else can help?--yes." - -"Pray," she pleaded--"kneel down and pray for me--I'm--burnin' up." - -The young man knelt beside the bed. The woman reached out and clutched -him. He took her burning hand in his. By its pressure he knew that she -was hearing what he said, as in a few simple words he brought to the -attention of the Father the needs of a helpless and suffering child. - -When he arose, the expression in the shining eyes told him the woman -was still conscious. - -A moment she looked into his face. Then she said: "Tain't nothin' to be -skeered of--is ther'--I ain't skeered no more--God, He won't let them -git me and carry me to hell--God--God----" then the intelligent light -passed and the fitful fire of consuming fever took its place. - -The end was at hand. Anxiously Abe Lincoln looked up the roadway, -praying in his heart for a sight of Dr. Allen. The woman was raving -wildly, and before another ten minutes had gone, life had left her body. - -Abe Lincoln folded the hot hands over the fevered breast, straightened -the head on the pillow and turned the cover up. - -As he stood looking down on the clay tenement the baby cried. After a -brief search the milk was found, and taking the little one from its -dead mother, the gawky young man began the task of feeding it with a -spoon. - -Scarcely had he finished this task than the ring of horse's hoofs -sounded down the roadway. Good Dr. Allen was coming, and with Hannah -Armstrong. - -"Too late, Doc," Abe Lincoln said quietly, looking toward the bed. Then -holding the baby to Hannah Armstrong, he said, "I've fed calves and -pups, but this one seems to leak about the ears. So far all the milk -has gone down its neck." - -Hannah Armstrong took the baby. Doctor Allen was looking at the hot -body, which even now was beginning to turn black under the finger nails -and about the mouth. - -"Swamp poison," he said. "I could not have saved her--not to-day." - -After Dr. Allen and Hannah Armstrong had gone back to New Salem Abe -Lincoln stayed long enough to help the woman's husband make a coffin. - -On her way home, Hannah Armstrong stopped at Rutledge Inn to consult -Mrs. Rutledge as to what should be done for the baby, and it was -through her Ann Rutledge heard a portion of the story. - -"If there's any preacher or elder or deacon or shoutin' saint in this -whole country that's doin' more for his fellers than Abe Lincoln, I -want to see the color of his eye," declared Hannah. "He's fulfillin' -the Scripture what says, 'Let not one hand know what the other one's -doing,' and yet they say he's a sinner." - -"I never heard Abe Lincoln called a sinner," Mrs. Rutledge protested in -surprise. - -"Yes, they do. Jack Armstrong himself heard John McNeil telling a bunch -at Hill's store that Peter Cartwright himself said Abe Lincoln was a -poor, deluded sinner." Then she turned to Ann and said: "Ann, if I was -you, I'd speak to John McNeil about talkin' about Abe Lincoln. John -McNeil's a nice fellow, best there is, but 'tain't fair for him to be -pointin' Abe Lincoln out as a sinner. 'Twix the two of them, John with -his ten thousand, and Abe Lincoln with nothin', I guess Abe's doing his -share." - -Ann gave Hannah Armstrong no answer. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE SPELLING MATCH - - -During the fall season there were husking-bees where merry parties -gathered to put away great piles of corn, partake of bountiful dinners -and play games in the evening. There were also a number of log-rollings -and new barn-raisings, at all of which Abe Lincoln seemed to be a -favorite. In fact, the ungainly clerk in Offutt's store had come to -be about the most popular man in town among the men, boys and married -women. He did not, however, pay any special attention to the girls, and -this seemed out of the regular order, especially as they had a friendly -feeling for him. - -With the coming of Christmas there was preparation for much simple -gift-giving. Ann Rutledge especially took this holiday time for -remembering more folks than any other girl in New Salem. - -One gift she had worked on with no small amount of pleasure was a gray -yarn muffler for Abe Lincoln. - -"He goes to all the debates and he might get sore throat," Ann -explained to her mother when asking her permission to make the gift. -"Besides, he hasn't any people and nobody else might remember about -him." - -"You're a good girl to try to save Abe Lincoln's throat for the -Debatin' Society," Mrs. Rutledge had said, laughing. "There'd be an -awful long stretch of stiff neck if cold got into him." - -Another of Ann's gifts was a fruit-cake bear made by her own hands for -Ole Bar. - -When she presented Abe Lincoln with his gift, it proved such a pleasant -surprise that he was rendered for the moment speechless. At the same -time she handed him the cake. "Give it to poor Ole Bar," she had said. -"He seems to be all alone in the world, and I'm afraid nobody will -think of him." - -Ole Bar, as Abe Lincoln had been, was too much surprised to find words -for adequate expression. The next day, however, he returned to the -store and as soon as he got a chance to talk with the clerk alone he -said, "Abry Linkhorn, me son Abry, every man what's a man and not a -pipe-crower in breeches, mates. The Lord God made 'em that way, same as -bars what brushes fur and courts in their own decent way. Fur reasons -that no man hasn't been able to pick out of me, I haven't got me no -Mollie and haven't no use for wimmin. But all them as isn't crippled -nor fools nor too old to tote sticks, gets them one at some time. Now -you git Ann Rutledge." - -"But Ann Rutledge is goin' to be married next year to another man," Abe -Lincoln said. - -"Say, Abry, me son, did you ever hear of a bar standin' back like a -holler-headed pip-jack when his Mollie was paradin' round in front of -his eyes just because he thought some other bar was goin' to git her -next year! If I must speak fer you, you never did. Nature comes fust. -Just you git your own Mollie and let the other feller look out fer -hisself." - -"But she's promised, Ole Bar. She has given her honorable word." - -Ole Bar chewed rapidly a moment. Then he stopped suddenly and said -with decision, "Tain't nothin' to that. Wimmin is like bars. The best -fighter gits the best female. If you show her what everybody else -knows, that you're twice the man that deer-faced penny-grabber of hern -is, she's yours, promise or no promise. Git Ann Rutledge. Tain't -nobody in forty years has thought of Ole Bar and sent him a present. -She'll think of ye, Abry Linkhorn, _think_ of ye. Ain't it worth -fightin' fer to have somebody to _think_ of ye? Ain't Ann Rutledge -worth fightin' fer?" - -Abraham admitted she was worth fighting for, and he thought of this the -night of the big spelling-match. - -For the development of pioneer talent the New Salem Debating Society -had been formed that winter, and had held some interesting meetings. -There had been a number of men's meetings for the discussion of -political subjects, which Abe Lincoln attended, but he had not yet -appeared at the Debating Society. - -The spelling-match was to be preceded by a debate on the question, -"Resolved that the negro is more unjustly treated than the Indian?" Abe -Lincoln had been invited to take one side, whichever he chose, and had -said he didn't care which he took, he could win. So he was given the -negro side. - -On the night of the important occasion the little school house was -packed with men and women and children. Candles gleamed brightly on -shingles which had been fastened into the chinks of the logs, and a big -fire burned in the wide fireplace. - -When Abe Lincoln arose to speak it seemed that his head would hit the -rafters before he finally got straightened up. He wore jean pants five -inches above his shoe tops, below which an expanse of blue yarn socks -showed. His collarless shirt was fastened at the neck with a big white -button. His coat-tail was so short that to sit on it would have been -an impossibility, his heavy shock of black hair stood out sideways, -and, as he ran his hands down into his pantaloon pockets and stood for -a moment as if embarrassed, a smile passed over the audience and they -awaited eagerly the funny stories they thought he would tell, ready to -burst into laughter. - -After announcing his subject and beginning his speech, his hands -came out of his pockets and his embarrassment disappeared. He forgot -his surroundings in the earnestness of the thoughts he was giving -expression to, and the men and women before him forgot they were not -hearing a funny story and leaned forward listening earnestly. "One man -says to another," he said, "'You work, you toil, you earn the bread, -and I will eat it.' But I say to you that whether it be a king with a -crown on his head that says this, or whether it be a class with the -power to force men, it all means slavery for the man whose toil, whose -work, whose labor is not his own.... Peter Cartwright and others say -the question of slavery or no slavery is spreadin', and that unless it -is settled there will come war.... Why don't the Government buy the -slaves and set them free? This would be right--this would be just--this -might save human life and great expense which at last has to be paid by -human labor." Then he told them about a slave-pen he had seen in New -Orleans where men were sold as the farmers about New Salem sold hogs, -and he gave utterance to that basic thought of Democracy that no man is -great enough to control another man's freedom of thought or action. - -Ann Rutledge sat with her father and mother. "There's something besides -wit under that mop of black hair," Rutledge whispered as Abe Lincoln -sat down. The homely orator was loudly cheered, Ann Rutledge with -smiling face clapping heartily. Lincoln glanced her way, and as his -eye rested on her for a moment he thought of Ole Bar's advice. - -Then the spelling-match was called. Sides were chosen and rows of young -people from the age of Sis Rutledge to that of John McNeil formed -one on each side of the room. Mentor Graham gave out the words from -Webster's "Speller," examples of their use being required as well as -spelling. - -Abe Lincoln and John McNeil were on the same side, Ann Rutledge stood -opposite. - -The schoolmaster opened the book toward the front, for an easy -beginning. - -"Nag", he gave out. - -"N-a-g--My nag runs in the lot." - -"Bib." - -"B-i-b--Put on his new bib." - -"Rude." - -"R-u-d-e--A rude girl will romp in the street." - -"Coach." - -This word three sat down on. It was finally spelled. - -"C-o-a-c-h--Few men can afford to keep a coach." - -"Spark." - -"S-p-a-r-k--What John McNeil does to Ann Rutledge when Pa goes to bed." - -A roar of laughter greeted this definition from Sis Rutledge in which -John Rutledge joined heartily. Dr. Allen who sat opposite Abe Lincoln -looked toward him. There was a smile on his face, but it almost -instantly passed, and gave place to an expression the Doctor did not -have time to study, for the match was going on. - -"Pester." - -"P-e-s-t-e-r--Never pester little boys." - -"Fore-top." - -"F-o-u-r----" - -"Next!" called the master. - -"F-o-r-e-t-o-p--The hair over the forehead is called the foretop." - -"Pompions." - -"P-o-m-p-i-o-n-s--Pompions are now commonly called pumpkins. - -"Frounce." - -"F-r-o-w----" - -"Next!" called the master, and several sat down before it was spelled. - -"F-r-o-u-n-c-e--To frounce is to curl or frizzle the hair." - -"Experience," the word was given to Abe Lincoln. - -"E-x-p-e-r-i-e-n-c-e--Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will -learn in no other." - -"Love"--the word was given to McNeil. - -A giggle went around the room and the words, "John McNeil," were -whispered as he spelled "L-o-v-e--love." - -"Give the definition," the master said. - -"Love is--is--love--is"--John McNeil hesitated and stopped. - -"Who knows what love is?" Mentor Graham asked. - -Half a dozen hands were raised, among them the big hand of Abe Lincoln, -which seemed reaching into the rafters. - -"Abe Lincoln," called the master. - -"Love is an agreeable passion; love is sometimes stronger than death, -and folks that love know it." - -Mentor Graham dropped his eye on the open page of the spelling book. -"Where did you get your definition?" he asked. - -"From the book," Abe Lincoln replied. - -"I mean the part that is not in the book?" - -"I got that from--from----" and the big, homely youth hesitated, and -then said, "that's just plain horse-sense." - -"Blasphemy" was the next word given out. It was John McNeil's turn to -spell. - -"B-l-a-s-p-h-e-m-y--A contemptuous treatment of God." McNeil spoke -clearly and glanced toward Ann as if for approval. - -After fifteen minutes of spelling, half the lines were seated. Ann -Rutledge, John McNeil and Lincoln were standing. It was John's turn -again. - -"Relict." - -"R-e-l-e----" - -"Next!" said the master, and the word crossed the line to Ann. - -"R-e-l----" she hesitated a moment and glanced toward Abe Lincoln who -now stood opposite her. He had raised his hand to his face and one of -his long fingers pointed to his eye. - -"R-e-l-i-c-t----" she said slowly--"A relict is a woman whose husband -is dead." - -Again there was a titter and somebody whispered quite audibly, "John -McNeil." But McNeil was not laughing. He had seen Abe Lincoln give a -sign to Ann that had made her a better speller than himself. - -Gradually the lines thinned until only eight remained. Then the master -gave the word "Seraphim." - -"S-e-r-y----" - -"Next!" - -"S-e-r-r-y----" - -"Next!" - -"S-a-r-a-h----" - -"Next!" - -"C-e-r-i----" - -"Next!" - -"C-e-r-y----" - -"Next!" - -"C-e-r-r-i----" - -"Next!" - -"S-e-r-r----" - -"Next!" - -It was now Lincoln's time. He had been waiting coolly. All eyes were -upon him as he slowly spelled, "S-e-r-a-p-h-i-m." - -"Correct!" said Mentor Graham. "Abraham Lincoln is the champion speller -of New Salem until his better proves himself." - -There was an outburst of applause. Lincoln started to take his seat, -but the master motioned to him to keep his place. The room grew quiet. - -"The definition, Abe Lincoln?" he said. - -"The kind of folks we may associate with if we keep out of the Slough -of Despond," answered Lincoln. - -"Tell us where you got it," Mentor Graham said. - -"I found it in Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress' one night as I lay before -the fire tryin' to learn something new. There was a wolf howlin' down -in the timber. I tried to learn a new word between each howl. This was -the third." - -John McNeil walked home with Nance Cameron after the spelling-match. - -"Where is John McNeil?" Mrs. Rutledge asked as Ann joined them just -outside the door, for he was always on hand to walk with her. - -"He's walking home with Nance Cameron," Ann answered. - -"What's that for?" - -"I guess he wants to tell her something," she said. But she too -wondered, for he had not spoken to her, had not even seemed to see her, -as he passed with Nance. - -Others noticed this also, among them Dr. Allen and Abe Lincoln. But -they make no comment as they walked down the roadway together. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -"WHO'S AFRAID?" - - -It was Sis Rutledge who broke the news to Abe Lincoln that Ann said -he was afraid of women. She went over to the store on an errand and -tarried a few moments, as she always did when an excuse offered, -to talk with the tall, good-natured clerk. This time Mrs. Green's -quilting-bee offered an excuse. - -"Goin' to Mis' Green's quiltin'-bee, are you?" Sis questioned with a -sort of malicious innocence. - -"Men don't go to quiltin'-bees," Abe Lincoln answered. - -"They walk as fur as the door," Sis said. "But you ain't like none of -the rest of them. You don't spark none of the girls, nor take none of -them to quiltin'-bees nor sugar parties nor nothing. Ann says you're -scared of petticoats." - -"Ann Rutledge says I'm afraid of petticoats, eh? Tell Ann I'm comin' by -this evenin' to see her." - -With this astounding piece of news Sis hurried to Ann. She did not, -however, report that part of the conversation which might have -explained to Ann why he was coming. - -"Is John McNeil going with you to Mrs. Green's quiltin'-bee?" Abe asked -when she came out to see what he wanted. - -"No--John cannot go." - -"Would he care if I walked over with you and the rest of them?" - -"I don't think he would. We'll all be going together." - -"I'll be on hand then," and this was all Ann knew of the matter. - -Mrs. Rutledge had gone over early that morning to assist Aunt Sallie -Green--getting ready for such an important social function as a -quilting-bee was no small matter. - -First, there was the quilt to put in the frames and the thread and -chalk and strings to have handy, and then there was the dinner, which -took several days to prepare. The feature of most interest at the bee -itself, however, was not the quilt or the feast, but the discussion of -town topics, for women met at the bees who had not had an opportunity -of discussing neighborhood news for weeks, and the time was never long -enough to tell it all. - -At Mrs. Green's one of the first topics for discussion was the -postponed marriage of Ann Rutledge and John McNeil. "Ann promised to -marry John McNeil and will sometime," Mrs. Rutledge said, "but her -father wants her to have a good education, and he says there is no -hurry in gettin' her off." - -"I wouldn't take no chances in havin' an old maid in the family, if I -was you, Mis' Rutledge," said Mrs. Benson. "I hate to give up my Phoebe -Jane to Windy Batts, but I never would forgive myself if I stood in her -way and caused her to be an old maid." - -"Is Phoebe Jane going to marry Windy Batts?" was asked. - -"Yes, I've consented. Windy's goin' out to convert the heathens of the -West. He thinks he'll tackle the Indians and preach the Gospel and -Phoebe Jane's goin' with him to sing." - -"What did you Hard Shells turn Mentor Graham out of your company for?" -Mrs. Rutledge asked. "He's the finest man in New Salem." - -"It was his views on abstinence. Sunday schools, mission societies, -temperance societies, nor none of such things is authorized in the -Bible; you know they ain't, Mis' Rutledge. Well, if they're not -authorized, they're a snare and delusion. Don't meddle with God's -business, we say, and that's what a body does that talks against -dram-drinkin' and tries to start a society." - -"Dr. Allen says rum and such drinks is poison--real, sure enough -poison," Aunt Sallie Green remarked. - -This statement opened a lively discussion. - -"Yes," said one, "and Dr. Allen couldn't get no sort of office -after making a remark like that. Nobody can get anywhere without -dram-drinking." - -"Abe Lincoln don't drink anything stronger than cider." - -"And he goes with the Clary Grove bunch, too. Wonder how he manages." - -"No telling. The Creator broke up the mold after Abe Lincoln was made. -He isn't like no human mortal I ever seen." - -"Some folks says he's crazy," Mrs. Benson volunteered. - -"It was lazy I heard he was," another said. - -"I heard he was dead sure to go to the Legislature, crazy or no crazy." - -"He's always reading something. Looks like he'd have all the books read -through after awhile. Wherever he walks he reads." - -"Yes, and I've found him sprawled all over the cellar door reading," -Aunt Sallie Green said. - -"And did you ever see him lyin' under that tree in front of the store -with his back to the ground and his long legs reaching up the tree? -Phoebe Jane said he'd better watch or his legs would grow on up like -bean-vines." - -"And somebody thought it was so funny, they went and told him," added -Mrs. Cameron. - -"Mercy!" ejaculated Mrs. Benson; "was he mad?" - -"No. He said he'd learned a new verse--something about seeing ourselves -as others see us--he wasn't mad, though." - -"And they do say he hasn't got but one shirt to his back--that he sends -what little money he gets, off to his step-mother." - -"And that he never looks at none of the girls. Is this true, Mis' -Cameron?" - -"He don't seem to. The time we had that woman from Virginia and her two -daughters, he slept at the store on the counter every night. But he's -obliging that way when we're crowded." - -"The men all say he's famous in stump speaking, wrestling and -story-telling." - -"And the women like him because he's honest, kind to women and -forgetful of himself." - -"He has a good turn for everybody and everything, from rabbits to such -poor stuff as Snoutful Kelly. But he don't show no attention to girls." - -"Maybe he has a girl at Gentryville or back on Pigeon Creek." - -"I don't think so," Mrs. Cameron said, "and I'd be apt to know." - -"Well, I don't know much about his affairs, only he never looks at -Ann," Mrs. Rutledge observed. "He really don't pay as much heed to Ann -as he does to Sis, and that's little enough. I don't suppose he knows -what color her eyes are or her hair." - -It was at this stage of the visit that the young people were heard -coming across the fields, shouting and laughing. - -Several of the women arose and looked out. - -"Will you look!" Mrs. Benson exclaimed. "There's Abe Lincoln himself!" - -"And he's with Ann Rutledge," Mrs. Armstrong observed. - -"Abe Lincoln with Ann?" Mrs. Rutledge said, hurrying to the door. - -For the moment she looked bewildered. Then she said, "He's wanting -something--and just happened to walk with Ann." - -"Just hear him laugh," said Aunt Green; "I'm glad he's come. He's a -fine hand to take care of the baby." - -At the door the other boys in the party declined to come in. Not so -with Lincoln. - -"Howdy, ladies, howdy--howdy!" he said, lifting his hat gallantly. "May -I come in? I've heard tell of New Salem quiltin'-bees and I'd like to -see how it's done." - -His welcome was as hearty as his self-invitation, and a few moments -later he found himself tucked behind the quilting--frame beside Ann -Rutledge who was said to be the best quilter in New Salem. - -Ann took out her needles, thread, thimble and emery bag. The end of a -chalked string was tossed to her and she quickly made a few white lines. - -"See the pattern, Abe?" Mrs. Cameron asked. "It's a tulip design, red -flowers and green leaves. The blue is the pot it's growing in." In a -few moments the company was quilting and conversation had again begun. - -"We was just settin' in to talk about Peter Cartwright and the way he -prayed the dancin' out of the legs in this community," Hannah Armstrong -explained. - -"I agree with him," Mrs. Benson said; "I'm down on all huggin', whether -settin' or standin' still or movin' about. I haven't brought Phoebe -Jane up the huggin' way. If I had, Windy Batts wouldn't have picked her -to help him convert the Indians." - -Abe Lincoln whispered something to Ann about a hugging-match and -laughed. - -"I liked his singing," Mrs. Armstrong said. "I thought I'd cry my eyes -out that night he sung 'Down the dark river where the dark willows are -weeping night and day.' I never felt so near a grave-yard in my born -days. Everybody in the camp was mourning for some loved one." - -"Wasn't that the same night he got around to eternal punishment and the -thundering smell of smoke?" asked Mrs. Rutledge. "I heard it. After -they got started they kept going until morning." - -While the religious question was being discussed Abe Lincoln was -watching the nimble fingers of Ann Rutledge as with one hand on the top -side and one under the quilt she wove the tiny white stitches on the -red and green and blue. - -Presently the hand of Abe Lincoln disappeared under the quilt. The next -minute a look of surprise showed on Ann's face as she whispered, "Turn -loose of my hand." - -"I'm just trying to learn how it 's done," he whispered back. - -Ann looked about. Nobody was paying any attention to them. She tried to -move her hand but it was held as fast as if in a vice. - -"I'll holler," she said. - -"No, you won't," he whispered back. - -Then Ann jerked her hand and for the moment it was free. - -She bent her slightly flushed face over the quilt and was soon making -the white stitches again. - -But Lincoln's hand was yet under the quilt, and before she had crossed -the red tulip she felt her hand again imprisoned. - -"Let go," she whispered, turning a flushed face to him and trying to -work with one hand. - -"I can't, I've got to hold on to somethin'. I'm afraid of women," was -the answer. - -The words were whispered in her ear. The flush on Ann's face deepened. -She cast a glance around the quilt. Several were now looking at her and -saw that she was confused. Her one free hand was working rapidly, but -the stitches were being set crooked. - -For a moment or two her hand was held in its prison. Once more he -whispered, "Afraid of women am I, little Ann Rutledge?" - -An instant she lifted her eyes to his. He had never known they were -such beautiful violet blue. They were full of appeal, and Abe Lincoln -could almost see tears coming. - -He dropped her hand, and crawling out from behind the quilt, presented -himself before Aunt Sallie and offered his services. - -"I can wash dishes, carry wood, rock the baby, do anything that's -needed," he said. - -"A man like you ought to have a woman," Aunt Sallie Green observed. - -"I'm afraid of women," he answered, laughing with boyish merriment. - -Ann's face colored again slightly, but she joined the laugh with the -others. - -"Ready to go, Ann Rutledge?" he said when the party was over. - -"I am waiting for mother," she answered with quiet dignity. - -He laughed. "Who's afraid?" he whispered as they started home. But Ann -walked beside her mother. - -This did not prevent word going out that Abe Lincoln was shining up to -Ann Rutledge. What other reason on earth could there be for a young man -attending a quilting-bee and sitting by her and getting her all nervous -right in the middle of her tulip-quilting. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -POLITICS AND STEAMBOATS - - -There was considerable local pride in the pioneer hamlet of New Salem, -and Abe Lincoln had entered into it with enthusiasm from the beginning -of his citizenship. While he was ever present at political meetings and -never silent, his opinion was that local needs were more pressing than -national questions. - -There were several needs which he continually urged. As good roads were -at present out of the question he advocated river traffic. With boats -plying the Sangamon River, freight could be brought to their very door, -and the farmer's produce, on the sale of which depended the future of -the country, could be marketed at such a saving of time and money as -would make the difference between failure and success. - -So clearly did the young politician set forth this need that he soon -had the majority of the men of the village of the same opinion. Another -matter which he considered of first importance was the education of all -children in free schools. This matter he also emphasized, showing in -his crude but effective way that the future of Democracy depends on -the education of the masses. - -Having impressed his opinions on the men of the town their next -question was how to get these laws. The logical answer was, to elect to -their law-making body a representative of these views. - -Then it was that the uncouth young backwoodsman, without a dollar in -the world and scarce a change of clothing to his back, was asked to -represent Sangamon County in the next Legislature. - -He agreed to do so, and issued a circular addressed to the "People of -Sangamon County." In it he took up all the leading questions of the -day: railroads, river navigation, internal improvements, and usury. He -dwelled particularly on the matter of public education, alluding to it -as the most important subject before the people. The closing paragraph -was so constructed as to appeal to the chivalrous sentiments of Clary -Grove. "I was born and have ever remained," he said, "in the most -humble walks of life. I have no wealthy or popular relatives or friends -to recommend me. My case is thrown exclusively upon the independent -voters of the county; and if elected they will have conferred a -favor upon me for which I shall be unremitting in my labors to -compensate. But if," he concluded, "the people in their wisdom shall -see fit to keep me in the background, I have been too familiar with -disappointments to be very much chagrined." - -A little after this the wonderful news was announced that a steamboat, -already on the Sangamon River, was to pass New Salem. The captain had -sent word that he wanted one of the representative men of the place -to help him bring the boat to the village. Abe Lincoln was the man -selected. A company of boys and young men also got together and with -long-handled axes set out on horseback to go along the bank ahead of -the boat and clear tree branches out of the way. - -It was a time of great excitement and pregnant with meaning, for here -already were signs that Lincoln's dream of river traffic might be -brought to pass. - -Hours before the appointed time the villagers were out, looking up at -the sun to count the passing of time, or gazing down the river between -the green branches. Speculation was rife, and there were those who -boldly declared they never expected to lay eyes on a real steamboat, -owing to their peculiar habit of blowing themselves up. - -Almost to a minute of the announced time, as the sun stood, a shrill -whistle sounded over the woods and fields and river--a strange sound -for the quiet of the new country. Then came the distant shouts of -the branch-cutters as they came riding down the banks swinging their -long-handled axes. - -Comment hushed to an occasional whisper as every head was turned and -every eye strained to catch a first glimpse of the first steamboat that -ever sailed the Sangamon. - -Ann Rutledge was there. She was looking for a man as well as for a -boat--a man she had first seen scarce a year before. The plums had been -in blossom then. It was too early for them now. But she had her bonnet -ready to wave. - -As the boat came in sight a great cheer went up from New Salem on -the bank. It was answered by the ringing voice of a man on board the -steamer, a taller man than any of the others, who waved his hat and -shouted across the water: "Hurrah for the Sangamon!" There were other -messages, and then a loud, long cheer from the bank: "Hurrah for Abe -Lincoln!" - -The tree-cutters passed, singing and laughing. The boat steamed by -like a bird. The people waved. As the boat neared the bank where Ann -Rutledge and her mother and Mrs. Cameron and Nance stood, Abe Lincoln -lifted his hat and held it clear of his head, and Ann waved her bonnet -and laughed and sang a snatch of song. - -As the boat passed from view the shrill whistle sounded several times. -Ann listened. - -"Nance," she said, "I like the horn better than the whistle. The horn -has a gentleness, and it makes me think of plum blossoms. I would like -to hear it again, just as it sounded a year ago. The whistle--it is -hard--it sounds like blackberry briars." - -Nance laughed. "But thorns go with blackberries," she said; "and travel -must have its thorns, too, if it keeps up with what Abe Lincoln calls -progress." - -John McNeil joined the girls. - -"Ann," he said, "you look very happy to-day." - -"Yes," she replied, "I'm so glad about the steamboat." - -"It's just about a year since Abe Lincoln first saw this town," he -observed. - -"Yes--it was April 19th, last year." - -"You remember the date well." - -"That was the day I found the first plum blossoms." - -"And you found them just in time to wave at Abe Lincoln." - -"I was glad he got his boat off the mill dam." - -"Ann, what do you suppose Abe Lincoln came to New Salem for?" - -"Maybe the same thing you did, John." - -"I came to make money, and I'm making it. He didn't come to make money. -He don't know how to make money and never will. Besides he gives away -all he does get hold of." - -"How do you know?" - -"I found out. And who do you suppose he gives it to?" - -"I don't know." - -"His step-mother--step-mother!" and there was a strange tone in his -voice whether of contempt or pity, Ann could not tell. - -"Perhaps she is old and helpless," she said. - -"Well, suppose she is, she's only his step-mother. If a man ever -expects to get ahead he must save his pennies and let them make other -pennies for him. That's the way to make money." - -"I guess you know, John." Ann answered rather absently. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -CAPTAIN LINCOLN - - -John Rutledge and John McNeil were discussing Abe Lincoln as they sat -around a low-burning fire on an early April evening. John Rutledge had -just announced it as his opinion that Abe Lincoln had uncommon stuff in -him and would make his mark in the world some way. - -"I think Abe is a fine fellow," John answered, "but he'll never get -anywhere." - -"What makes you think that?" - -"He doesn't know enough to get on the right side of a question. He's -always taking up for something like nigger slaves. How's a man going to -get anywhere in politics taking up with such notions?" - -"I've never heard him say much about negro slaves, one way or another," -Rutledge said. "But the general principle of one man being held as -property by another man, that's what Abe Lincoln gets after, and I -think he's right." - -"Do you know what he's taking up for now?" John McNeil asked. - -"Haven't heard. What is it?" - -"Indians, he's taking up for our enemies the Indians. A lot of the -fellows were talking about the Indians. Ole Bar was telling the way -they poison their arrows. He told some of the most blood-curdling -cruelties you ever heard." - -"And Abe Lincoln took up for the cruelties?" - -"Not exactly that, but he said the Indians didn't do any worse than we -would. They try to kill us and go at it the best way they know how. -We try to kill them and, having bullets instead of arrows, kill more -of them. Besides, he says this country belonged to them before it did -to us, and we got it just as a big dog gets a bone away from a little -dog. And he said more. He said that we, professing to be civilized and -Christians, break our promises and treaties worse than they do." - -Rutledge took his pipe from his mouth and slowly exhaled a thin cloud -of smoke. Then he said: "Well, John, the only thing the matter with -this is that it's all true." - -"Maybe so," McNeil admitted. "But what's it going to get him, taking up -for slaves and Indians." - -"And poor little children whose fathers beat them, and women dying -alone in the forest?" - -It was Ann who asked this question. She had been sitting by her little -sewing-table, mending stockings. - -"That's what I'm asking," John McNeil repeated. "How's a man going to -make money, fighting customers who swear in his store, or leaving his -shop to hunt folks who have paid him a penny too much; or to get votes, -taking up for folks that haven't any?" - -The young man spoke quite seriously. John Rutledge laughed and then -said: "It's the principle of things that counts. At present, however, -only local issues are being discussed. On these Abe Lincoln is what we -want." - -"You'll lose your vote if you cast it for him. He'll never get anywhere -politically. Mark what I tell you." - - * * * * * - -It was only a few days after this that the entire New Salem community -was thrown into great excitement by news of an Indian invasion. -Treaties had been broken and Black Hawk, the head of the warring Sacs, -was again on the war path. - -A company was immediately formed in New Salem to go out against the -redskins. While the organization was yet forming, a demand was made -for Abe Lincoln as captain. - -He had a rival for the position and the choice was to be made by vote, -each man as he voted to take his place behind the man of his choice. -The voting progressed briskly. When it was finished the line headed by -Abe Lincoln was three times as long as that of his rival. Great cheers -were given, and Lincoln himself was exuberant with joy. A good horse -was brought to him, the stirrups were lengthened, and he mounted. Some -there were who had never seen him on a horse, perhaps. But now to the -shouts of on-lookers and members of his company, he showed himself a -horseman of experience and the angular lines of his body took on a -really military bearing. - -With horses prancing and men shouting and calling, a parade was formed -to march up the one street of New Salem. It was a motley crowd, some of -them in buckskin, some in foxed and homespun breeches, with a generous -sprinkling of coon-skin caps, that formed the company of Captain -Lincoln. In addition to the Clary Grove gang, Wolf Creek patriots were -there and the rowdies from Sand Town, and it was freely conceded by -the cool-headed men of New Salem that not a man could handle such a -crowd save Abe Lincoln. - -Ann Rutledge looked on with smiling face and clapped her hands and -shouted when Lincoln went prancing by on his good horse, his face -bright with excitement and his black hair flying back from his forehead -in the wind. But a shadow came over her face the night after the -parade, and during the next few days, when every woman in town was -foxing breeches for the Company, she tried to see him, for she had -something to say. - -Unable to find an opportunity she sent Sis to tell him Ann had -something to give him before he went away. - -He came at once, and Mrs. Rutledge told him Ann was somewhere in the -back yard. - -He found her in the garden where a few peach trees were struggling into -bloom. - -"I've come, Ann," he said, stopping before her. "You sent for me, -didn't you?" - -"Yes, Abraham Lincoln. There's something I want to say to you before -you go away. I've been holding it against you--but I want to tell you -that I forgive you." - -"Forgive me!" he said in astonishment. "What did I ever do to you that -I should need forgiveness for?" - -"Don't you remember the quilting-bee?" she asked, her face flushing -slightly. - -"And you forgive me?"--he asked the question seriously. Then he -laughed. "Don't forgive. Forgiveness might tempt me to do it again. -Just remember as I go away that I'm not afraid of wolves or bears or -catamounts or snakes or Indians, or any living creature--except women. -It's women I'm afraid of," and he laughed. - -The flush yet showed on Ann's face and her voice was a bit unsteady as -she said, "And there's something else." - -"What is it, Ann?" - -"I--I don't want anything to harm you. I want you to come back sound -and well." - -There was pleading in her eye and a hint of quaver in her voice. - -Abe Lincoln regarded her thoughtfully a moment. Her blue eyes did not -shift before his steady gaze. - -"Why do you want me to return unharmed?" he asked. - -"Because you are kind to the weak and forgotten folks of earth, and not -many think of this kind: because I think often what the child said." - -"What child?" - -"The beaten and abused child of old Kelly that you saved from more -pain." - -"What was it the child said?" - -"'God came,'" she said. "'And his name was Abe Lincoln.'" - -There was an almost imperceptible twitching in Abe Lincoln's face. - -"There are many children," she continued, "many suffering, sad and -helpless ones who need a strong friend to help them. My father says you -have a future. I want you to come back to your future." - -"Do not fear for me. I will come back--to my future. Good-bye." And he -held out his hand. - -"First, may I pin a sprig of wild plum on your coat for luck? It's -almost too early for them yet and I searched the thicket before I found -this, which looks as if it had only half opened its white eyes, but -it gives out its springtime fragrance to stir up happy memories and -hopes." - -Abe Lincoln held out the lapel of his coat. "Look at me, Ann," he said -when she had fastened the flower there. - -She raised her eyes. They were rimmed with tears. - -Abe Lincoln stared a minute as if wholly unable to comprehend the girl; -then he said: "Good-bye, Ann, take care of yourself," and he turned -hurriedly away. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -"BOOKS BEAT GUNS, SONNY" - - -It was the tenth day of July when Abe Lincoln, who had for weeks been -struggling through the swamps and forests of Michigan territory in -pursuit of the fleeing Black Hawk, turned his face homeward. - -The journey was made with many hardships. The remnant of the Company -went hungry for days, and to make matters worse several horses were -stolen, among them Abe Lincoln's. - -A portion of the long way home was made down the Illinois River in -a canoe. The most of it, however, was tramped, and it was a jaded, -footsore and ragged ex-captain that arrived in New Salem the latter -part of July. - -Nobody knew he was coming, no preparations had been made for him, and -when he went to his former home at the Camerons' he learned that, owing -to an increase in the size of the family, there was no longer bed space -for him, but that John Rutledge had said he could lodge at the Inn. - -This was about the best news he could have heard, and tattered and -weary, yet with head held high and smiling face, he presented himself -at Rutledge Inn. - -His welcome here was hearty and genuine, every member of the family, -even to Ann, trying to make him feel at home and all alike impatient to -hear the story of his travels. - -"Did you see the Indians scalp anybody?" Sonnie asked excitedly. - -"No--but we got there after half a dozen had just been scalped. We came -upon them in the early mornin' just as the red sun fell over their -bodies. There were small, red marks on top of the heads. The men were -scouts who had been surprised. One wore buckskin breeches." - -"And did your men always give ready obedience?" asked Davy. - -"Most of the time they did. Once I came near havin' a riot with them. -An aged Indian bearin' a safe-conduct pass from General Cass came -to camp. He was footsore, hungry and weary. The men did not want to -receive him. They said he was a spy and should be killed, and they -made plans to kill him. Just as they were about to proceed, their -six-foot-four Captain arrived and stopped proceedin's. This angered -the men. One of them shouted at me that I was a coward. I told him to -choose his weapon and step out and we'd see who was the coward. This he -did not do. The frightened old Indian was sent on his way in safety." - -"It was a hard campaign for you, and with little results," Rutledge -remarked. - -"Hard, yes--but not without results. There are different kinds of -results, you know, Mr. Rutledge. I didn't kill any Indians, but I had -far better luck than that. I got acquainted with Major John T. Stuart -of Springfield, who asked to be of service to me." - -"What's he going to do for you?" asked Davy. "Give you a fine gun or -sword?" - -"Better than that, Son, he is goin' to let me use his books." - -"Books!" Sonny exclaimed, and the boy's voice was so charged with -disgust they all laughed. - -"Yes, books," Abe Lincoln replied. "Rattlesnakes and panthers and -Indians know the fightin' game and have weapons for the purpose, but -this sort of fightin' will never make the world a better place to live -in. If the world ever gets to be the kind of a place you ask God for -when you pray, 'Thy kingdom come,' it's comin' by brains and hearts -instead of by claws and fangs. You can't shoot sense nor religion -into a man any more than you can beat daylight into the cellar with -a club. Take a candle in, and the thick darkness disappears; just so -give the people knowledge and their ignorance and intolerance and other -devilment will disappear. I haven't lived so powerful long yet, but -I have lived long enough to make up my mind that for the good of all -mankind books beat guns, Sonny." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -ABE MAKES A SPEECH - - -When Abe returned from his few months of service in the Black Hawk War, -he learned that his political opponent, Peter Cartwright, had been -making the most of his opportunity. - -Abe Lincoln had announced his candidacy before he went away, but had -had no time even to plan a speaking tour. Peter Cartwright had remained -on his itinerary and had been speaking to large audiences. The weapon -Cartwright had been using against his opponent with most telling effect -was the implied charge that he was an infidel. - -While Captain Lincoln had been gone from New Salem a minister had come -to the hamlet to make his home, and was already one of the circle -composed of Mentor Graham, Dr. Allen, William Green, John Rutledge, and -other of Abe Lincoln's good friends. - -Even before his return these friends had discussed the matter of -religion as it pertained to the success of this candidate, and had -decided, especially since Cartwright was making much capital out of -the fact that Abe Lincoln was not a church member, that he should -become one. - -Accordingly he was called into council and the case set before him. - -"It is not necessary that I go to the Legislature to keep my own -self-respect," he said to them. "It is necessary, however, that I -deal honestly with myself, and it would be neither fair to me nor to -your society for me to become a member, since I do not believe as you -claim to. I have no use whatever for a God that plots against innocent -children and helpless women, encourages murder, that throws rocks -down on honest soldiers and, as recorded, does many other foolish and -wicked things which would shame a decent Indian. I'm familiar with the -Good Book--too familiar to swallow some portions of it whole. Whenever -you get together on the rule 'Love your neighbor' that Jesus himself -taught, I'll join you." - -"Cartwright is making much of your refusal to be counted with -Christians." - -"And by doin' just this thing Cartwright is provin' himself either -ignorant of the Constitution of the United States or knowingly -betraying it. Our Constitution stands forever for the separation of -Church and State, of religion and politics. If my common, everyday -horse-sense will not let me believe in purgatorial fires, what has -that to do with making Sangamon River navigable? If I haven't any -better sense than to pray to an image, that's my affair so long as it -is not allowed to enter into or affect my public policies, or I do -not try to inflict it on someone else. This is what I make out of our -Constitutional guarantee of civil and religious liberty. I haven't -had much chance to go to school. I haven't had many books to study. -But, gentlemen, I've eaten up the Constitution of our country and -digested it a dozen times over. I may get its meaning wrong. I think -I'm right. If I am, then Cartwright is wrong--just as wrong as I would -be to campaign against him because he preaches hell fire and eternal -punishment, which to me is as damnable a doctrine as my lack of such -belief can ever be to him." - -"Abe Lincoln," said John Rutledge, "I believe you are right. Stand by -your guns. You may lose now but you will come out all right in the long -run." - -Abe Lincoln's first appearance on the stump in this campaign was at -Pappsville, a small place eleven miles west of Springfield. A public -sale had been advertised and the young candidate thought it would be a -good chance to get a hearing. - -After the sale a friend who had accompanied him went about shouting, -"Public speaking! Draw near! Draw near!" - -The crowd soon collected, for every man was interested in a stump -speech. - -Hardly had the crowd gathered than a fight started and a general row -seemed inevitable. - -Seeing a friend of his being pushed about by the rough crowd, Abe -Lincoln jumped from the platform, and, rushing into the crowd, began -shouldering the excited men apart so that his man could get out. -Finally, he pushed against a man who turned about and defied him. -Without a word he grabbed the man by the neck and the seat of the -breeches and tossed him a dozen feet. This act had a quieting effect -on the fight and the fighters stopped to see what manner of political -candidate this was who could pitch men about as a farmer pitches a -shock of wheat. - -What they saw on the rude platform was an unusually tall, ungainly -and homely young fellow, who wore a mixed-jeans coat, bob-tailed and -short-sleeved, pantaloons made of flax and tow linen, a straw hat and -pot-metal boots. - -His speech was short. He said, "Gentlemen and fellow-citizens, I -presume you all know me. I am humble Abraham Lincoln. I have been -solicited by my friends to become a candidate for the Legislature. My -politics are short and sweet like the old woman's dance. I am in favor -of a national bank. I am in favor of the internal revenue system, -education for everybody, and a high, protective tariff. These are my -sentiments and political principles. If elected I shall feel thankful. -If not, I am used to defeat. It will be all the same." - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -STORY OF A BOY - - -Abraham Lincoln was not elected to the Legislature. He received, -however, every vote in New Salem except three, and his friends had -hopes that he might yet develop into something--nobody knew just what. - -Meantime some changes had been made in mercantile affairs in New Salem -and the store of Offutt was no more. This left Abe Lincoln without a -job. - -An opportunity offered for him to secure a store of his own. A store -owned by another man had not long since been raided by the Clary Grove -gang. After drinking all the "wet goods," they broke the glassware, -tied bottles to the tails of their horses, and with a whoop and a yell -went riding about the country. - -Abe Lincoln had no money, but with a young fellow named Berry, whose -father was a leading Presbyterian citizen, he bought the store and they -gave their notes in payment. - -Certain it was the Clary Grove gang would not molest Lincoln's store. -On the other hand, they would have fought to protect it. - -In fitting up this store Lincoln and Berry took out a tavern license, -which gave them the right to sell liquor in small quantities. All -stores kept liquor. Yet this fact did not make it seem right that one -who did not drink himself, who knew the trouble it made others, who -even agreed with Dr. Allen that it was poison, should keep a barrel -of whiskey in the corner of his store, and more than one discussion -between Abe Lincoln and the good doctor were engaged in during these -days. - -Several treasures came into possession of the junior member of the firm -after Berry and Lincoln opened their store. Lincoln one day bought a -barrel. What it contained he did not look to see. It was a good barrel. -The man said it had a book or two down under the papers, and as he -needed the few cents badly, the purchase price was paid and the barrel -put aside. - -When some weeks later the contents was poured out Abe Lincoln -discovered a treasure. He deserted his store long enough to run over to -Rutledge's to make known his wonderful good luck. His homely face was -bright with pleasure and his dull, gray eyes were shining as he held -out a worn and stained copy of Blackstone. - -"Look! Look!" he cried, and in his joy he even tried to dance a jig. - -Another rich possession that came to him was a volume of poems -containing one that he especially liked, the title of which was -"Immortality." - -This poem Abe Lincoln wanted to read the Rutledges as they sat around -the fire on an early fall evening. - -But Davy did not like the sound of the first verse and asked for a -story of the killing of Abe Lincoln's grandfather by Indians. When -this was told he wanted to hear about the voodoo fortune-teller in New -Orleans and the slave-markets and the ships in the harbor. - -So Lincoln told these things while John Rutledge smoked and Mrs. -Rutledge and Ann busied their fingers with their mending, meantime -listening with as much interest as the children to their boarder's talk. - -After Davy's stories had been told it was Sonny's turn. "Tell about -when you were a little boy," he urged; "that's what I want." - -Nothing could have been more acceptable to the entire family than this, -for he had never said much about his own affairs. - -"The little boy you ask me to tell about," he said, "lived far away -in a dense forest; wild cats screamed down the ravines; wolves howled -across the clearin'; bears growled in the under-brush. The house this -little boy lived in was not much better than the cave or the den of the -animals. It was built of logs but had no floor, no windows, and no skin -hung to the door. In a loft above the one room was a nest of leaves and -into this he climbed at night on pegs driven into the wall. - -"Though he was very poor, this little boy was rich in one thing, and -that was his mother. She toiled until her shoulders were stooped and -thin, her face pale and her clear, gray eyes dim and sad, but she was -never too tired to love her children, the boy and his little sister -Sarah. She could read well and had brought into the wilderness three -books: the Bible which she read daily, 'Pilgrim's Progress,' and -Aesop's 'Fables.' Before the boy learned to read she told them stories -from these books in the yellow light of a pine torch which burned upon -the hearth, and the boy minded not the cry of wolves, nor wind, nor -sleet, when he could hear these wonderful stories. - -"The boy was taught many things that boys on the frontier must know. He -learned early to skin animals and fix the hides for clothes but he was -never a hunter. He some way felt that the animals had a right to life, -just as he had. They knew what it was to be hungry and cold and to -sleep in leaves. It was a funny notion, but the boy felt in a way they -were his brothers and he never killed them. - -"After he learned to read he spent hours on the floor lyin' in the -firelight with the Bible spread before him, spellin' out the words and -learnin' the verses until he had read the Book many times. - -"When he was nine years old his mother made him a linsey-woolsey shirt -and possum-skin cap to wear with his buckskin breeches and sent him -away through the woods to school. He only went for a few weeks. The -boys in this school put coals on terrapin's backs. He was not quick to -learn from his books but he made speeches against this cruelty, and his -first fight was with a boy for robbin' a bird's nest. - -"In one school he went to for a short time later, a master named -Crawford taught manners. He made one boy stand at the door. When -the pupils came up they were taught to lift their hats and were -introduced to each other. This teacher said manners were as important -as book-knowledge. - -"The boy only went to school a few weeks altogether, when he was hired -out by his father to work from sunrise to sunset for twenty-five cents -a day. Still he studied, and a cousin named Dennis Hanks helped him. -They made ink with blackberry root and copperas. They made pens of -turkey-buzzard feathers. When they had no paper, which was most of the -time, they wrote on boards with charred sticks. The boy figured on a -wooden shovel and scraped it off clean when it was too full to hold -more figures. - -"His mother was always interested in his effort to get an education. -She always helped him. She was sorry for him because he could not go to -school, but urged him to learn so that he would not always be in the -backwoods. - -"Once he borrowed from the Crawford man who taught the school a book -entitled 'Weems' Life of Washington!' It told about our country's -struggle for freedom, how the Hessians were fought and how Washington -crossed the Delaware. He pored over it until the night. He took -it up into a loft and put it in a chink so it would be handy for -early-morning study. A rain-storm which arose in the night beat in on -the book and swelled the covers. The boy took the book back to its -owner the next mornin' and offered to buy it. The man made him pull -fodder three days for it. The book belonged to the boy now. He read it -over and over until he became well acquainted with the Father of his -Country and began to dream dreams of what he might some day do." - -Abe Lincoln had been talking in a reminiscent mood with a half-smile -on his face. The smile now passed. He continued: "Then death came into -the settlement and took several neighbors. The mother of the boy was -stricken down. She was thirty-five miles from a doctor and her nearest -neighbor was dead. Seven days she lay, her children doin' for her. Then -she called the children to her bedside. To the boy she said, 'Be an -honest and a faithful boy, be a good and tender man. Look after your -sister.' Then death came into the shack of a house and took the patient -mother. - -"The boy's father built a coffin and dug a grave in the clearin' near -the house, and here in the edge of the dense forest where the wild -things lived the tired mother's body was put to rest. There was no -preacher to say a last word, there was no music but the singin' and -the sighin' of the trees. There was no one to cover the rude coffin -with earth but the father. There were no mourners but the two children, -holdin' hands beside the grave and callin' their mother to come back. - -"After the mother had gone the little girl tried to cook and keep -house. The boy went every day to the edge of the forest. Very soon the -tangle began to reach over his mother's grave. He wanted her to have a -funeral sermon. It was not that he thought she needed it. He was sure -she was with God all straightened up and no longer thin but always -smilin' and glad. But she would have wanted a sermon, she had spoken of -it. - -"So, the boy wrote a letter to a good Baptist minister his mother had -known back in Kentucky and told him what was wanted. It was nearly -one year later that he came a distance of eighty miles to preach the -sermon. All the people in the country came; not before had a funeral -been preached when a woman had so long been sleepin' in her grave. -And, as they gathered about, their faces were wet with tears. The boy -never forgot it, nor the preacher's words. - -"That little boy is a man now. Early one mornin' years ago he went -for a last time to the lonely grave and kneelin' there, promised his -mother's God again that he would be honest and tender. And whatever -that boy is now or ever may be, he will owe to that angel mother lyin' -under the wild tangle at the edge of the forest with God's stars -watchin' it until the judgment-day." - -It was quite still around the low-burning fire when he ended his story. -Then John Rutledge spoke abruptly, "Davy, don't you see the fire needs -a log? Sonny, put Tige out, he's scratching down the house. Ann, bring -a pitcher of cider and a plate of apples." - -"Put a few sweet turnips in," Abe Lincoln added; "there's nothing -better than a turnip." - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -ONLY WASTING TIME - - -After Abe Lincoln went to Rutledges' to board, time seemed to go faster -and more pleasantly than ever in his life for him. John Rutledge was -not only an agreeable gentleman, but he was an unusually well-informed -man for a pioneer, and he and the little coterie of friends passed many -winter evenings discussing topics of local and national interest. - -Abe Lincoln spent very little time, however, at the Rutledge home. -There were many debates and public meetings during the Winter, all of -which he attended. His treasured Blackstone was being read and digested -with the same thoroughness he had given Washington and the Constitution -and the Bible. In addition to this he had secured, at no small outlay -of time and expense, a grammar, said to be the only one in the county, -which he was eagerly learning. He was also making the acquaintance of -Shakespeare, with which he was immoderately delighted, and which he had -announced he would learn by heart, as he had much of the text in the -few books he possessed. - -Besides his newly acquired Blackstone and Shakespeare, Lincoln was -making trips to Springfield to borrow from Major Stuart what seemed to -the country youth an inexhaustible wealth of books. - -So it happened that, nights when there was no meeting of any kind, Abe -Lincoln studied alone in the store or sometimes at the cooper shop, -where warmth and light were given him. - -The winter of the busy year came early to New Salem, and the hamlet was -wrapped in a sheet of white which covered the roadways and fields, and -draped the bluffs, and bent the boughs of the forest trees. The streams -were muffled and, save where dark spots showed water moving sluggishly, -were hidden under the white blanket. Cattle huddled by the haystacks -and in barns, and in the log houses great fires blazed on the hearths -and the store of candles was drawn on heavily to make light for the -long evenings when the housewives used the time to spin and knit. - -It was a bitter, cold night that Abe Lincoln after supper sat a few -minutes by the fire. John Rutledge had gone to Springfield and would -not return until next day. There was no meeting, and Mrs. Rutledge and -Ann thought perhaps their boarder would spend the evening with them. - -The wind blew low and seemed to hug close to the earth and move -silently and stealthily as if trying to envelop some victim unaware. -The snow crunched at the slightest tread. The hearth-fire had never -seemed so good. - -Abe Lincoln and Ann were alone in the room. He sat before the fire -looking at the coals; she was getting her spinning ready. - -Rising suddenly he took his hat and gray muffler from the peg on the -wall. - -"You're not going out, Abraham?" Ann inquired. - -"Yes--I'm going over to Muddy Point." - -"To Muddy Point?" Ann exclaimed setting her wheel down. - -"Yes. I have it as straight as the crow lies that Snoutful Kelly's -wife and children are actually sufferin' for food. Do you suppose your -mother will fix up a basket?" - -"Of course--but, Abraham--this is the coldest night of the winter! -Mother!" Ann called rather excitedly, "come here!" - -Mrs. Rutledge entered with a yellow bowl in which she was beating -buckwheat batter to put by the fire to rise for breakfast cakes. - -"Mother!" exclaimed Ann. "Abraham says he is going to Muddy Point." - -Mrs. Rutledge turned and stared at Abe Lincoln a moment as if to make -sure he were there. Then she said, "Are you joking, Abraham?" - -"No, indeed--I'm goin'. Old Kelly's wife is sick and the children -are hungry. I got it straight, and I can't sit by this warm fire so -comfortable and think of them sufferin', I've got to go." - -"But, Abraham Lincoln, there is not another person in New Salem, not a -living soul of them, that would do it such a night as this." - -Abe Lincoln laughed. Then he said, "That's all the more reason I must -go. Will you send a basket?" - -"To be sure--but it's an awful cold night and you haven't any -long-coat." - -"I'll walk fast enough to keep warm," he assured her. "If folks waited -until all signs were right for doin' these little things, they'd never -get done. We only pass this way but once, you know. Any good thing we -can do we must do as we go--we don't come back." - -Mrs. Rutledge stood looking at the tall, ungainly youth. For a moment -his face seemed to be beautiful as the firelight fell on its strong -lines. Then without a word she returned to the kitchen. In a moment she -called Ann to come and help her. Abe went out, too, and together they -fixed a basket and covered it well so that it would not be frozen when -delivered. - -Abe Lincoln was not warmly clad for cold weather. Ann thought of this -as he stood before the fire holding his big square muffler. - -"This will keep me warm," he said, wrapping it about his throat. - -"You haven't any gun," Ann said. "Wolves killed three of William -Green's pigs yesterday, and last week there was a great big catamount -at Honey Grove." - -"Do you remember what I did to Armstrong? I did a catamount that same -way once. I always carry my weapons. God fastened them to me so tight I -can't leave them." - -Ann and her mother laughed. Abe Lincoln went out into the cold; and -they heard the sharp crunching of the snow under his quick footsteps. - -"I'm going to spin to-night, Mother," Ann said. "You don't care if I -put the kettle on and make Abraham something hot to drink when he comes -home, do you?" - -"A very good idea," Mrs. Rutledge said. After she had done some mending -she put the water pail by the fire, hung a roll of pork sausage on the -wall, and, after having taken other precautions to insure a good warm -breakfast when everything would be frozen up the next morning, she went -to bed, and Ann was left to spin and to think. - -Never was Ann Rutledge long alone that she was not singing. So now, as -her wheel turned in the firelight, she began to sing a glad song full -of life and hope and joy crowded into the words and melody of the old -tune, "O, how I love Jesus!" - -As the fire, eating its way through the back log, told the passage -of time she stopped and listened. The kettle was steaming and on the -kitchen table was a plate of food waiting to be brought in. - -At last the crunching of the snow under heavy footfalls told her he -was coming. But she only turned her wheel a little faster and sung -a little heartier as he entered, lest he should know she had been -watching. - -"O, how I love Jesus!" Abe Lincoln hummed as he came by the fire and -rubbed his hands; "go on with your song and your work. While I get warm -I will tell you a story." - -"Once there was a great camp-meetin'," he began, settling himself in -John Rutledge's big splint-bottom chair. "There was an exhorter named -Barcus who helped stir things up to the boilin'-over point. Among those -who got shoutin' happy was a fair and fond sister. Brother Barcus and -the sister both danced and shouted toward each other. When they met, -he said, his benign countenance shinin' with joy, 'Sister, do you love -Jesus?' 'Oh, yes,' she whispered rapturously; 'yes--yes--yes.' - -"'Then kiss brother Barcus,' was this shepherd's advice to his beloved -sheep." - -Abe Lincoln settled back. Ann laughed. Then she said, "Abraham, we are -bad; you for telling such a story and I for listening." - -"No, we are good," he corrected, "you for not askin' the woman's name -and I for not tellin' whether she kissed Brother Barcus." - -Again Ann laughed. Then she glanced at Abe Lincoln and from him to the -peg where his hat hung. - -"Where is your muffler?" she asked. "You didn't lose it, did you?" - -The tall man looked into the fire a moment before saying, "No--I gave -it away." - -"Gave it away?"--and there was a tone of disappointment in her voice. - -"Yes. I'll tell you about it. When I got out to Kelly's I found the -poor woman in bed, and a new-born baby. The little thing didn't have -any clothes or any warm blanket to wrap around it. I looked at that -fine, thick, warm, wool muffler all made by your hands, and I hated to -give it up. But that baby, Ann--it was such a little helpless thing and -so pitiful, and its mother's eyes looked in such a hungry way at that -gray muffler, I couldn't help it. So I wrapped it up myself. And I felt -that if you had been there you would have done the wrappin'. In fact, I -could see you foldin' the warm cover around that poor little thing. You -would have done it--wouldn't you, Ann?" - -"Yes, Abraham." - -"I was sure of it. Perhaps you'll make me another some time. Now go on -with your spinnin' and your song. It is the best music a tired man -could ever hear." - -Ann turned the wheel a few times, but she did not sing. "When a woman -gets loving Jesus," he observed, "it's a sign she's lovin' somebody -else. Who do you love, Ann?" - -This unexpected question took Ann quite by surprise. - -"You know as well as I do that I am engaged to marry John McNeil. And -don't you think he is one of the best young men in town?" There was a -suggestion of appeal in the question. - -"I am sure he is--one of the very best in the county. But tell me, Ann, -what it is to love. You know the spellin' book definition. It's in the -Bible, too, that love is stronger than death. But they both came out of -somebody's mind first, somebody who loved. Tell me about it." - -"Why should I know?" - -He mused a moment, then he said as if to the fire instead of Ann: "It -won't be until I _know_, that I promise to marry a woman." - -Ann glanced at Lincoln. He seemed for the moment unconscious of her -existence. She called him from his reflections by speaking his name. - -"Abraham," she said as the wheel spun slowly, "I have a secret to tell -you, a confession to make." - -He was all attention in a minute. She dropped her hands in her lap and -moved a little way from behind the wheel. - -"Do you remember the camp-meeting, and Brother Cartwright saying you -were a deluded sinner, and saying you were worth praying for?" - -"Did he? I believe he did." - -"Well, since that night, every day I have been remembering you at the -throne of grace, but I have made up my mind it is only wasting time. -I still don't understand how anybody can be saved and not believe in -hell, and you do some things that are not right, like the day at the -quilting-bee, which was not fair to John McNeil. My Bible says, 'by -their fruits shall men be known,' and, Abraham, your life bears fruit, -much better fruit and more of it than do some of those who call you a -sinner. So I've decided it's just wasting my time and God's to pray for -you any more." - -In the moment of silence that followed this speech, Ann turned back to -the wheel. - -"Don't spin," he said; "there's something I want to say." - -She folded her hands in her lap and waited. There was no sound in the -room save the sputter of the fire. A bit of charred wood fell into the -ashes. Lincoln took the tongs and threw it back, then he sat looking at -it. - -Presently he turned to Ann. "And you have been rememberin' me at the -throne of Grace? I don't know anything about thrones and mighty little -about grace, for the grace of life has not been my portion. But this is -what I want to say. If a man can get to God through the intercession of -a true and noble and pure-hearted man, as all Christians say they do, -I don't see why a man can't get to God through the pleadin's of a true -and noble and pure-hearted woman." - -Ann looked at him questioningly. - -"I don't know what you mean, Abraham," she said. - -"I mean just this--if ever I reach the throne of grace where just men -get nearer glimpses of God, it will be through--Ann Rutledge. Do you -understand this?" - -Ann's eyes had not for an instant left the figure of the man who was -speaking. The homely, bronzed face in the frame of black hair, the -slightly stooping shoulders, the big hands stretched at full length -on the arms of the chair, made a firelight picture fascinating to the -girl. He had asked a question--she had not answered it, yet she leaned -forward, and after studying his face a moment she said, "Abraham, you -look as if you were starving. I must get you something to eat"; and she -hurried to the kitchen. - -Lincoln leaned forward and buried his face in his hands. "It wouldn't -be fair to John McNeil," he seemed to hear her saying again, and with a -deep sigh he said in his heart: "Separated by the rules of the game of -honor." - - * * * * * - -"Ann," said Mrs. Rutledge the next morning, "what did you and Abe -Lincoln find to talk about so long last night?" - -"Camp-meetings and mufflers and Kelly's new baby," Ann answered. - -"You must be careful, Ann," her mother said. "Your word is out to John -McNeil and he has a good start in life. Abe is a fine boy and honest as -the day is long, but he hasn't got anything to take care of a woman on. -Besides, he does all sorts of queer things. For all we know he may yet -take to writing poetry. You must not give him any encouragement. Since -that quilting-bee I've had some thoughts. He wasn't there to learn to -quilt. He'd be fearful hard to get shut of if he got in love good and -hard." - -"He has no idea of love at all," Ann hastened to assure her mother. "He -doesn't even know what it means. He told me so." - -"That's the worst kind to get stirred up. The kind that just naturally -knows how are always having attacks of love the same as they do attacks -of measles. But the kind that has to be waked up and taught by some -woman have terrible bad cases. Don't you get Abe Lincoln stirred up." - -"He doesn't care for girls, anyway--no particular ones. He likes books -and is not the kind to fall in love." - -"Love can pipe through any kind of a reed," was Mrs. Rutledge's answer. -"Don't stir Abe Lincoln up." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -TOWN TOPICS - - -Nor many months had elapsed after Abraham Lincoln went into the "store -business" before those interested began to feel that John McNeil had -not been mistaken when he said Lincoln would not be a success as a -business man. - -After everybody else in town was questioning whether or not the store -was making money, Lincoln himself declared it was petering out. - -This in no way interfered with his story-telling and studying hours. -The store was head-quarters for political and all other kinds of -discussions, and study-hall for the most unwearying scholar in the -village. - -So it happened that when Abraham should have been devising schemes -to make money he was memorizing Blackstone, debating some point of -Constitutional law, or working out some rule of grammar. - -Nor was this the worst. While Lincoln was letting the store go to ruin -for lack of business skill and application, his partner, Berry, was -drinking up the wet portion of the stock. - -John McNeil looked on with disgust and made comments, many of them to -Ann Rutledge. She could not deny them, for she had found Abe Lincoln a -most absent-minded and in some ways a most unsatisfactory boarder. - -More than once she had rung the bell at meal-time with no success at -bringing Abe Lincoln to the table. Once when she was sure he must -be half-starved she went to the store to bring him. She found him -stretched on the counter with head propped up against a roll of calico, -deeply buried in a dingy, leather-bound book. When she finally drew -attention to herself from the book he said: "Run back home, Ann, -Blackstone is making a point. I'll be there in a few minutes." - -Determined that he should eat, after waiting an hour she went back -to the store carrying a plate of food. "Abraham Lincoln," she said, -"you've got to eat." - -"What for?" he asked absently. - -"Because if you don't you'll get to be nothing more than a human -grape-vine and you won't even be as good looking as you are now." - -"What's that?" he said, looking up after finishing the sentence he was -reading. "Say that again." - -She repeated her remark. Lincoln laughed. Then he said, "Put the feed -on the molasses barrel. I'll get it in a minute," and he turned back to -the book. - -When the Lincoln and Berry mercantile company had so far gone to the -bad that the end was in sight, the nominal owners sold out to a couple -of men who paid them, as they had paid, with notes. - -Free from the store Lincoln was now ready for another occupation, and -at this time was appointed postmaster, a very small job since the mail -came but twice a week in good weather, with pay accordingly. - -It gave him time for study, however, which he continued on his rounds -of delivery, for with the three or four letters that might come in a -week placed carefully in the top of his hat, he would start out to -deliver them. Between stops he would mount a fence where the rails -crossed under the shade of some tree, and here he would read and -reflect and memorize, oblivious of time or men or finances. - -There was always plenty to talk about in New Salem, and for that -matter plenty to do the talking. The last baby's first tooth had a -significance, for by the baby's age might be forecasted the time of the -next one's arrival. The last tooth of the oldest citizen was likewise -of importance, as it called out all the best recipes for mush and other -nourishing soft edibles. - -Among the more important news was the announcement, after he had served -some months as postmaster, that to this official duty Abe Lincoln was -to add the most important one of surveyor. He had already received -the appointment and was taking lessons in figures from Mentor Graham, -preparatory to starting out with his rod and chain. - -It seemed to make no difference in Abe Lincoln's popularity that he had -failed as a business man. He was still considered the best man in town, -the best judge or referee, an authority in disputes and a peace-maker. -He was the best-informed man on general subjects and the gentlest as -well as the strongest man among them. - -His wider acquaintance throughout the county served to enlarge the -number of his friends, and New Salem politicians again decided to make -him their candidate for the Legislature. - -In addition to his new professional work, Abe Lincoln had entered the -ranks of the reformer in a manner as strenuous as it was unique. - -Having become exasperated with the drunkenness of Snoutful Kelly and -the consequent neglect of his family, Abe Lincoln and a sufficient -corps of assistants determined to get some sense into his head by a new -way. Accordingly they captured Kelly while lying by the roadside in a -drunken sleep, and removing him quietly to the top of the long, sloping -street at New Salem, proceeded to fasten him up, in an empty whiskey -barrel, which they started on its way down hill. - -Long before the barrel reached the bottom of the road it gave forth -such sounds as never disgraced a music-box, and the men waiting at the -foot of the hill roared with laughter as the barrel went its way down, -emitting howl after howl, and yell after yell, as it bumped its course -to the bottom. - -When it had reached its stopping-point, Lincoln stood it on its end and -through the bung hole called Kelly's attention to the ducking he had -once got with such salutary effect and made him swear by the God above -him, and those present, that he would never touch another drop, lest a -more horrible fate should befall him. - -When the victim of reform crawled out he was brushed off by Lincoln and -given a handful of change, with instructions to proceed back where he -got his whiskey, which he had relieved himself of in the barrel, and -buy some meat and flour to take home. - -This reform experiment had not been advertised. But it was town talk -the next day. The men generally said it was a good thing for old Kelly. -Some of the women disagreed. Ann Rutledge said the man who had sold -whiskey had no business punishing the man who drank it. - -After this came a few days of another kind of discussion of Abe -Lincoln. It was rumored that he was studying to be a lawyer. Opinion -was divided as to whether this would make a man of him or ruin him. - -Mentor Graham and Dr. Allen were agreed that he already knew the -Constitution as well as any lawyer in Springfield and would make a good -lawyer. To others it seemed a pity that an otherwise honest citizen -should aspire to nothing better than being a "limb of the law," and -when Ole Bar heard it he said with a touch of real sadness, "Lord God, -has Abry Linkhorn fallen to this? I'd ruther he'd a been a bar." - -Whatever might be the outcome, New Salem never worried long over any -one matter. There was too much coming on afresh. - -The next topic, and one that especially interested the female portion -of the community, was the discovery that John McNeil's partner was also -in love with Ann Rutledge. - -This leaked out in an unexpected way. - -Abe Lincoln being everybody's friend and knowing how to read and -write, was often called on to write letters for less educated lovers, -for children and sometimes for business men. He also read for those -who could not read. This was expected of him as postmaster. One day a -schoolchild brought a roll of written matter to him. It was composed of -bills from the Hill and McNeil store. But inside was a letter from Hill -to McNeil charging that if McNeil had played fair, his partner, too, -might have had some chance to win the fair Ann Rutledge. - -When Abraham Lincoln read this letter he was for some reason well -pleased, and he understood why Hill was always so exceptionally nice -to Ann Rutledge and gave her better bargains than his close and -business-like partner would have thought of doing. - -Yet he felt sure that Ann did not know of his burning affection or she -would not so often have gone to the store or accepted so many favors of -him. - -After some consideration his sense of humor got the best of him and he -decided to take the papers to McNeil himself. This he did. When asked -if he had read the letter he admitted without hesitation that he had, -and offered a friendly bit of jollification. - -Immediately there were words between Hill and McNeil. Lincoln tried to -act as pacifier and the letter was put in the stove. Several bystanders -had heard the difficulty, however, and were not slow to get its -meaning. Hill was in love with Ann Rutledge. He charged McNeil with -some unfair advantage of him. The news spread like a delicious ripple, -much to the embarrassment of Ann Rutledge herself, who was informed of -it by Nance Cameron before sun-down. - -But the town gossip which went farthest and quickest and was to last -longest, started about a week later when John McNeil disposed of his -interest in his store and his farm, and suddenly left New Salem. - -It was reported that he left town on his best horse, that Mrs. Rutledge -and Ann had seen him off, and that he had said he was going back East -to get his family. - -"What did he sell the best farm in Sangamon County for if he expected -to return? Was he still engaged to Ann Rutledge--or was their -engagement broken off? Had Hill had anything to do with it? Or did -McNeil think Abe Lincoln liked Ann?" These and many other questions -were asked. - -Abe Lincoln asked no questions, but for the time Blackstone and -Shakespeare, his grammar and his poem were alike forgotten, and he -enjoyed the half-fearful sensation of one walking in the dark toward a -sunrise. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -ALIAS McNEIL - - -Of all the people in New Salem who were surprised at the sudden and -mysterious leave-taking of the lover of Ann Rutledge, no one was so -mystified and troubled as Ann herself. Especially was she perplexed and -troubled about a promise he had exacted from her the last night they -were together. - -"Ann," he said, "you've promised to marry me--haven't you?" - -Ann looked at him questioningly. "Of course--why do you ask such a -question?" - -"Will you wait for me if I should go away for a time?" - -"Surely you believe I will." - -"Yes, you'll wait unless Abe Lincoln gets you while I'm away." - -"Abe Lincoln," she repeated. "What makes you say that?" - -"Abe Lincoln has not been keeping company with any of the girls, and -it's not their fault. No more is it natural for a young fellow as full -of life as Abe Lincoln is not to like the girls--except when they like -_one_. I'm not blind. There's no other girl in New Salem like you; -maybe no other one good enough for Abe Lincoln. He'll want something -extra on account of his book-learning. Abe's a good fellow, but he's -lazy as a dog, always lying around when he ought to be laying by some -dollars." - -"But he is studying and reading when he is lying around. When anybody's -mind is at work they're not lazy." - -"You always take up for Abe Lincoln I notice--ever since the day his -ark got stuck on the dam. I suppose it's because he was born under a -lucky star." - -"What's lucky about Abraham Lincoln?" - -"Everything. The way he got to bring the steamboat down the river; the -way he got to be captain in the Black Hawk war. And now they says he is -certain to go to the Legislature." - -"But it's not luck. It's because he can do things. 'I will prepare -myself,' he often says, 'and when my chance comes I will be ready.'" - -"Yes, that's what he says, and that's exactly the reason he'll get you -while I'm away." - -"But I have promised you, John." - -"Out of sight out of mind," he answered. - -"Do you think I would forget a solemn promise?" There was surprise and -something of resentment in her tone. - -"Not exactly that, though Abe Lincoln could talk black into white if he -took a notion. But a fellow don't care to have a girl stick to him just -on account of a sacred promise." - -"What makes you talk so strangely?" she asked. "And tell me, where are -you going? You haven't told me this yet." - -"I'm going back where I came from--back where I left my people when I -came out here." - -"That was in New York somewhere." - -"Yes, in New York somewhere. I expect to come back and bring them." - -"When are you going?" - -"To-morrow." - -"To-morrow! So soon?" she exclaimed in surprise and pain. "Will you be -gone long?" - -"Maybe--I don't know how long. But before I go I've a secret to tell -you." - -"Something you have never told me?" - -"Something I have never told anybody. Something you must not tell." - -"Not even my mother? I tell her everything." - -"Not even your mother, nor father." - -"What is it, John?" and Ann's face was troubled as she asked the -question. - -"You solemnly promise you will not tell--at least not until I come -back?" - -"I'd like to know what it is before I promise. It doesn't seem right to -keep things from Father and Mother. I never do." - -"Not even my secrets? Don't you trust me, Ann?" - -"Of course I do, John." - -"Then promise." - -Ann was sorely puzzled. Her lips twitched. - -"Promise," he repeated, "and don't cry. It's nothing to cry about." - -Still Ann hesitated. "Father would think it strange." - -"How can he think it strange if he knows nothing about it?" - -"I promise," she said solemnly. - -"All right, then, my name is not John McNeil at all." - -Ann stared at him a moment. Then with something like a gasp she said, -"Your name is not John McNeil? What is it? Who are you?" - -"Just this. I came here from--nobody knows just where, not even you, -Ann. I named myself John McNeil because I wanted to lose myself." - -"What for?" she questioned mechanically. - -"Back where I came from my folks are poor--these no-account poor that -every enterprising man despises. I wanted to get something together and -knew I should never be able to do it if they learned where I was, for I -was eternally being called on to help them and keep them from starving -when I was where they could call on me." - -"Have you heard nothing from them since you came here?" - -"Nothing." - -"Oh, John! how could you? Perhaps your mother has wanted for something." - -"She would have wanted just the same if I had been there." - -"She might even be dead." - -"I don't think so and hope not. At any rate, I have made some money. -Now I'm going back to get the rest of them and I want you to wait for -me until I come back. But your name will never be Ann McNeil." - -"What will it be?" she asked with pale lips. - -"Well," he said, looking at her with a half-smile, "if it's not Mrs. -Abraham Lincoln before I return, it will be Mrs. James McNamra." - -"James McNamra," she repeated as if puzzled. "I never heard the name." - -"It is my name. You will get used to it." - -Ann was silent. She was making an effort to choke back great lumps that -kept rising in her throat. Then the tears came and ran over the rims of -her dark, blue eyes. - -"How funny women are," McNeil said. "There's nothing to cry about, and -I want to see you laughing the last time." - -"I want to tell Mother and Father," she sobbed. - -"You said you wouldn't. Are you going to keep your promise?" - -"Yes," she answered. - -"Then kiss me good-night. To-morrow I will ride past here on my way to -Springfield. But there'll be no kissing then. The town folks will have -enough to talk about as it is." - - * * * * * - -After McNeil had left town Ann began watching the post-office, and the -postmaster rendered her careful help in the matter. - -But days went by and no letter came. The fair face of Ann Rutledge -took on a worried look, and had it not been for the kindly assistance -of the postmaster the gossips might have known more of Ann's -correspondence--or lack of it, than they had yet been able to learn. - -The strain on Ann, the worst part of it being the secret, which to her -was fast coming to seem little short of a crime against her good father -and mother, began to tell on her. She laughed little and sang less. She -was more seldom seen with the young people. - -Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge noticed this, as well as did Abraham Lincoln, -and one night, when Ann's face showed that she had been particularly -disappointed because of no letter, Abe Lincoln suggested that Ann learn -grammar with him out of his highly prized little book. Both Mr. and -Mrs. Rutledge accepted the offer as a special favor. - -So it happened that Ann and Abe were left together, and with the -precious grammar spread on Ann's little work-table they sat down to -their task, he on one side, she on the other. The book was not large, -and bending over it the mop of coarse, black hair all but touched the -crown of fine-spun gold. - -"I will be the teacher," Abe Lincoln said after they had looked through -the book, which was the only one of the kind in New Salem. - -"We will new study the verb 'to love,'" and turning the pages he found -the place. - -"I love," he said, looking across at Ann. - -Her eyes were on the book. - -"Next is 'You love'?" He spoke the words as a question with the accent -on the "you." - -"Say it now, Ann, just as I have, and look at your teacher. First, 'I -love.'" - -"I love," she repeated. - -"Might be better," he said. "Now the next, and look at your teacher and -repeat after me, 'You love'?" - -As Ann repeated the question her face took on a touch of pink. - -"Very good--very good, indeed. Now the next is, 'We love.' We will say -that together with the accent on the 'we.' Now--one--two--three--'we,'" -and he beat three times slowly with his big hand "Ready, 'We love.'" - -There was much more emphasis in the teacher's statement than in that -of the pupil. The effect on Ann was to cause a merry laugh. "Ann," -said Abe Lincoln, "I'm goin' to give you this grammar. I know it by -heart--by heart, Ann--especially the verb 'I love.' I want you to learn -it"; and he wrote across the top, "Ann Rutledge is learning grammar," -and pushed it across the table to her. - -"What a splendid present!" she said with a smiling face. "How I wish I -had something to give you, Abraham--would you take my little Bible--and -read it?" - -"Oh, Ann!--would you give it to me?" he asked with the joy of a child. - -"You won't give it away like you did the muffler, will you?" - -"Wouldn't you be willin' if I should run across a bigger sinner than -Abe Lincoln?" he answered laughing. - -From a chest of drawers she took a little, brown book and handed it to -him. - -"It must be marked, Ann," and, taking the pencil he had written on the -grammar with, he handed it to her, saying, "Now we will find a place -where the verb 'to love' is found." - -The quick ease with which he turned to the passage he had in mind -surprised Ann. With the open page before him he said, "You are -religious, Ann. You obey the commands of the Holy Scriptures, don't -you?" - -"I try to." - -"And you'll do anything in reason you are told to by the Book?" - -"Yes, indeed." - -"Take your pencil and mark this"; and, with his long forefinger -pointing to the text, he read impressively, "'This is my commandment, -that you love one another.'" - -Whether in the Scriptures or out of it, Ann and Abe soon found -something to laugh at. "Ann is laughing," Mr. Rutledge said to his -wife. "How good it sounds! What on earth has been the matter with her?" - -"She hasn't heard from John McNeil," Mrs. Rutledge answered. - -"McNeil seems to be a good fellow and unusually successful," John -Rutledge observed after a moment of reflection, "but Ann's not married -to him yet." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -IN THE CELLAR - - -After months of waiting Ann Rutledge received a letter from John -McNeil. It was a straightforward explanation of the delay, mentioning -sickness along the way, and other obstacles. - -Ann Rutledge was delighted. In some way it seemed to lift a burden and -answer a question. - -Nance Cameron had the pleasure of starting the news of the letter, and -its satisfactory contents, which allayed gossip, and for a time Ann was -quite herself again. But no more letters came, and Ann was soon again -cast down by the strangeness of her lover's silence. Once when she had -hurried to the post-office after the weekly mail had arrived only to be -told by the postmaster there was no letter, she made an appeal to him -which touched his heart. - -"He ought to write to me," she half sobbed. "Everybody is wondering -about it. I don't want people to know he never writes. Don't tell it." - -The postmaster promised, but Ann's troubled face haunted him, and he -found himself getting thoroughly indignant with McNeil, even though -glad beyond expression that he was treating her just as he was. - -As the days and weeks went by Ann found the burden of the secret -weighing heavily on her conscience, and the thought kept intruding -itself that since he had deceived her in one way he might have done -so in other ways. It was hard to think this, and yet it was almost as -easy to believe as that his name was not McNeil and that he had been -gone months without writing. She felt that she had done very wrong to -promise to keep a secret, and such a grave and important secret, from -her parents. Yet she had promised, and, torn between the feeling that -she must confide in her parents and that she must keep her promise, -she grew pale and quiet and unlike the laughing, singing Ann of a few -months previous. Her parents noticed this with concern, and it hurt the -heart of Abe Lincoln, yet none of them surmised the real trouble. - -One day after Ann had been her unreal self for several months, Lincoln -came home for supper early and went into the kitchen to help Mrs. -Rutledge. - -"I want a pan of potatoes," she said. "They're in the short bin near -the door. I sent Ann for them half an hour ago, but she must have gone -somewhere else." - -"Mrs. Rutledge," said Abe Lincoln as he tucked the pan under his arm, -"what ails Ann?" - -"I'm sure I don't know. Her father and I have wondered. It's something -about John McNeil I think. I suppose she's heard the talk. I can't -understand John McNeil. He's too fine a young fellow to do anything -mean I'm sure. I hope John Rutledge don't turn against him. He's slow -to rile up, but the fur flies when he does get mad. Run on now after -the taters." - -Abe Lincoln made his way down the cellar-steps softly. The door was not -closed. As he entered he thought he saw some object move in one of the -dark corners. Opening the door a little more he looked into the dark. -When his eyes had become accustomed to the gloom he saw the outlines -of a human figure huddled together, and putting down his pan, with -shoulders and head bent, he walked over the hard, earthen floor to the -dark corner. - -Here he found Ann Rutledge sitting on the edge of a turnip-box with her -head leaning against the log and earthen wall. - -"Ann--Ann Rutledge," he said softly. A sob was his only answer. - -"Ann--Ann," he said, bending over her. - -"Go away, please," she said. - -"No, I will not go away. You are in trouble. I want to help you." - -"You cannot--nobody can help me," and again her voice was choked with -sobs. - -"Of course somebody can help you. Tell me about it. Perhaps I can help -you." - -"But I cannot tell--my trouble--is--is--a secret." - -"A secret," Lincoln said--"a secret--who from?" - -"From everybody in the world but John McNeil. I promised him I would -not tell--not even my mother." - -"He got you to swear to a secret you could not confide in your mother?" -and Lincoln seemed aghast. - -"Yes--and I never had a secret from Father and Mother before." - -"Ann--Ann Rutledge!" and Lincoln's voice was no longer gentle; "a -secret from a girl's mother is never the right kind of a secret. A -mother is the one person on earth no honorable man would want secrets -kept from. It is wrong Ann--wrong." - -"I believe it is. It is wearing me out--it is breaking my heart--I feel -that I cannot keep it--and yet I promised." - -"Ann Rutledge!" Lincoln was bending over her and there was a tone in -his voice that compelled her to look up. In the gloom his face had -taken on a strange, white cast and something of the expression it had -borne when Jack Armstrong had tried the unfair trick. - -"Ann Rutledge," he whispered under his breath, "has John McNeil in any -way wronged you? If he has--if he has--I--will choke the life out of -him, and that without warnin'." - -"Oh, Abraham!" she cried, "don't talk so. I don't know whether he has -wronged me or not. That's what the secret's about--I don't know and I -wish I could die right here in this cellar," and again she turned her -face to the wall and sobbed. - -Speechless, Abraham Lincoln looked down upon her. His face was pale, -his teeth set--his great fists were clenched, yet what could he do? - -The sobs of the girl beat against his heart, strongly fanning the pain -and fierce passion. - -"What shall I do--what shall I do?" she said brokenly. - -"You shall go straight to your mother," he said firmly. "Tell her -everything." - -"But I promised--gave an honorable promise, a solemn promise that I -would not tell." - -"There can be no such thing as an honorable promise to the kind of a -man who does not know the meanin' of the word. There can be no such -thing as a sacred promise to a man who has no more conception of -sacredness than a beast. The man who has brought you to this trouble, -of whatever kind it may be, is unfit for consideration. Go to your -mother. If you don't go _I'll carry you there in my arms_." - -A moment she hesitated. Then she arose. He twined his fingers around -her arm and without speaking they crossed the cellar. At the door she -paused. "Come on, Ann," he said, and they went up the steps together. - -Entering the kitchen, Abe Lincoln said, "I found your little girl in -the cellar--in trouble. She has come to tell her mother about it. I'll -go fetch the potatoes." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -FATHER AND DAUGHTER - - -After Ann Rutledge confided her heart-troubling secret to her mother, -Mrs. Rutledge lost no time in laying the matter before her husband. -She feared it would be hard to make him see that John McNeil's conduct -toward Ann had been honorable, and John Rutledge believed in the kind -of honor that makes a man's word as good as his bond, and would take -advantage of no situation to perpetrate an injustice. - -He listened in silence as Mrs. Rutledge told him Ann's secret, the -secret that was changing the glad-hearted girl into a quiet, nervous -woman. Several times he seemed about to speak. He listened, however, -until the end, but Mrs. Rutledge knew he was angry. - -"Now, John," she counseled, "don't be too hard on John McNeil. What he -said may all be true. He may go back and get his people and bring them -right here as he said." - -"Maybe he will--but does that change the fact that he played double? -Does that change the fact that during his years of plenty he has never -helped those of his own flesh and blood who may have suffered? John -McNeil is as cold a trade-driver as ever hit the trail to the West, and -if he comes back here----" - -"Now, John, be careful. Aside from the awful effect the whole thing has -had on poor Ann, there may be no real sin committed." - -"Aside from the effect on our Ann? My God! how much more sin could a -man commit unless he had ruined her reputation--and if he had done -that----" and John Rutledge arose and paced the floor. - -"But he didn't. How can you let such a thought come into your head -about Ann? Don't get yourself all worked up over a straw man." - -"Straw man?" he exclaimed angrily. "Is it a straw man that our Ann -laughs no more? Is it a straw man that we never hear her singing home -across the bluffs? Is it a straw man that her sweet face has been -taking on lines of worry, ill fitting the face of Ann Rutledge? Is it -a straw man that she was forced into a promise to keep a secret--a -dishonorable secret--from her own father and mother? There's no straw -man about any such thing as this." - -John Rutledge sat down and lit his pipe. After it was smoking well, -Mrs. Rutledge said, "What shall I say to Ann?" - -"Tell Ann to come to me," he said shortly. - -Mrs. Rutledge went out, and a moment later Ann came. When she entered -the room her father was standing with his back to the fireplace, his -hands behind him. - -"Yes, father," she said quietly. - -John Rutledge surveyed her a moment. What he was thinking of she had -not time to consider, but the expression on his face seemed to be a -combination of wrath and pity, of love and outraged justice. - -"A man called John McNeil asked my consent to marry you, Ann." - -"Yes, Father"; her voice was a trifle unsteady. - -"I supposed him to be the honorable and straight-faced young gentleman -he seemed to be." - -She made no reply. John Rutledge blew out a couple of puffs of smoke. - -"From your mother I have just learned that there is no such person as -John McNeil." - -"No, Father." - -"This McNamra, or whoever he may be, may turn up in these parts again -some time." - -"I don't know"; and the tremor had not left her voice. - -"He might have the unmitigated hardihood to expect to marry the -daughter of John Rutledge, the girl he courted under the name of -McNeil. If he should--if he should come back and should even look like -he thought of such a thing--I would--would----" - -"Father," Ann said softly, stepping nearer him, for she saw that he was -angry, "you wouldn't do anything wrong." - -"Wrong?" he said. "Wrong--no--nothing wrong--what I'd do would be -right"; and he turned and knocked his pipe against the chimney with -such force as to threaten its existence. - -"Perhaps he was telling the truth. Perhaps he will return some day just -as he said he would." - -"Perhaps--perhaps. But is he telling the truth about his name? No, -he is lying. One way or another he has lied to a woman, and a man -who will desert his own father and mother would desert his wife. I'm -not condemning him too hard, but he will never marry John Rutledge's -daughter. Do you understand, Ann." - -"Yes, Father"; her voice was unsteady. - -"He has put you in a most embarrassing position--more than you know. -You will be talked about when his double life is known, and, since it -is bound to come out, the sooner the better, and I shall see to that. -Gossips will discuss matters that's none of their business, but they -will not go too far, my girl, for John Rutledge is your father." - -"Perhaps I will hear from him--even yet," she said with an effort. - -"If you do, hand the letter to me. I'll give the young man some advice -about swearing dutiful daughters to keep secrets from their parents." - -The tears which Ann had struggled to keep back now stood in her eyes, -and she feared to speak lest the slightest movement of her face would -start them running down her cheeks. - -John Rutledge looked at her. The expression on his stern face changed -instantly, and the voice was wonderfully softened as he said, "Ann, my -little girl, don't cry. Don't waste good tears. It's not too late to -mend the harm. To-night when you say your prayers add a couple of lines -telling your Creator that the best thing He has done for you up to this -good time is to save you from being the wife of a man whose word would -have no other meaning to you than so much noise. Run on now, my girl, -and tell your mother I'd like to see her." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -GLOOM AND THE LIGHT - - -Ann's secret was not long in gaining publicity after her father found -it out, nor was he disposed entirely to discredit the gossips' reports -that McNeil's strange actions might be due to a living wife or some -crime committed. Why else on earth would a man change his name, desert -a girl like Ann Rutledge, and go away--nobody knew where? - -The town gossip greatly embarrassed Ann Rutledge, yet she was glad she -had told her parents, and, the burden of the secret now being removed, -she was more like herself. - -The action of John McNeil and the consequent displeasure of Ann's -father were much to the liking of Lincoln, and while he felt sorry for -Ann, his sorrow was not sufficient to hold back his joy, which was -given expression in the jolliest stories he had ever told. Laughter -seemed infectious around the post-office when the postmaster was there. -His days in New Salem had all been busy, happy days with his good -friends, and opportunities for study. But better than all was the -growing consciousness that an undefined hope which had been struggling -against a clearly defined duty, was approaching the right of way. His -heart was glad as he went about over the country with his stakes and -chains. - -It was just about this time that the wheel of fortune turned. The men -who had bought the Lincoln and Berry store and had given Lincoln paper -to pay his debts with, closed their doors one day without notice, and, -without saying farewell to a soul in New Salem, disappeared. - -When Lincoln heard this he felt slip upon him the burden of a debt that -staggered him. Not in a lifetime did it seem he would be able to pay -it. And so it was that just as it seemed that he was about to enter the -path of a golden glow he was thrown, instead, into the black gloom of a -great despondency. - -When the word was passed around town of Abe Lincoln's bad luck -there was much talk. What would he do? There seemed to be just two -alternatives, to skin out and leave it all, as the men had done who -bought the store, and his partner Berry before them, had done, or to -settle down to a lifetime of struggle and pay the debt. Everybody -believed Abe Lincoln thoroughly honest, but here was a test that -seemed beyond the powers of human endurance. - -The night the store was closed, Abe Lincoln did not come home to supper. - -"Where is Abe Lincoln?" the Rutledges asked. - -Nobody knew. Ann slipped away to the post-office. It was closed. She -rattled the door and called his name at the latch-hole but received no -answer. - -Day was drawing to a close, but she made an excuse to go to the mill, -and with a little basket on her arm she hurried down the sloping road. -Twilight shades were falling over the weather-stained log building -which seemed to be drawing itself into the shadows of the trees on the -opposite bank of the river. The big, stone wheel was silent, but the -waters falling over the dam gave out the sound of something alive. - -Quietly she approached the wide mill doors which stood open. On the -threshold she looked carefully in. For a moment the deeper gloom of -the inside blinded her. Then the big, white millstone took shape, and -the door, opening onto the river platform. Through this a pale light -filtered. - -Taking a step farther in, she looked again toward some dark outlines -which she was sure were not those of pillar or prop, outlines which -took the form of a tall, shadowy giant standing against the doorway and -looking out upon the river in the falling darkness. - -She crossed the mill rapidly and softly, and, approaching the tall -shadowy figure, touched the giant of the gloom on the arm and said, -"Abraham Lincoln." - -He turned about quickly. "Ann--Ann Rutledge--what are you doing here?" - -"I have been looking for you." - -"Why?" - -"You did not come to supper." - -"I often go without supper." - -"I heard of your trouble. I wanted to find you and to help you. You -found me in the cellar--and helped me." - -"And what can you do--what can anyone do for me?" and he turned again -to the river. "Look at the darkness. Only _that_ for me." - -"But light always follows darkness, Abraham. God has planned it so. -Sometimes the night is very dark, and very long, but morning comes. It -is always so." - -He was silent and they stood together in the gloom. - -"God!" he said to himself. "Is there a God? I wonder. If there is a God -He knows how hard I've tried--worked against fate itself, how I wanted -to be something in the world. I've loved to study about Washington and -have been fool enough to dream I might do something for my country some -time. But Washington came from a race of cavaliers. I come from the -poorest of ten thousand. Washington at the age of twenty-one was an -Adjutant General of Virginia with the rank of Major. Abraham Lincoln at -twenty-one was driving two yoke of oxen to an emigrant wagon through -the mud-holes and wilds of the West and had never been to school a year -in his life. I was tryin'. I felt that I was gettin' ahead. Now comes -a burden that will crush me to earth--for Ann Rutledge--Ann Rutledge," -and he turned toward her and spoke with fierce determination, "every -penny of this debt must be paid if it takes me _to the day of my death_ -with my coffin money thrown in." - -"Yes, Abraham Lincoln," she answered gently, "every penny--and God will -help you do it, for God never expects the impossible. He's not that -kind of a God, you know." - -"You talk about God," said Lincoln rather indifferently, "as if you -were sure--well, I believe you are. I knew it the night I heard you -singin' on the bluff. I have heard you sing that song many times -since--sometimes in my dreams. I wish I could feel as you do when you -sing your pilgrim song. I have imagined that I will some day, but -now--now I think of my mother lyin' under a forgotten tangle where -strange beasts creep. She was a pilgrim, too--but she passed out of it -all weak and weary. Yet she believed just as you believe, as I have -tried to believe." - -"But, Abraham--you know we are here for just a little time. The song -says, 'I can tarry--I can tarry but a night.' Sometimes the night is -very short, as when a child passes on. Sometimes it is longer, as when -an old, old man dies. But whether long or short, the night gives way to -the morning with its light and fresh life and strength. I know it is -so." - -She had been speaking in a quiet voice with a touch of pleading, for -she felt he was not paying close attention. - -"How do you know it?" he asked, turning to her. "Tell me how you know -it--or why you believe so strongly." - -"Let us sit down," she said, "here where the light is fading on the -river. See, only the foam shines now. But in just a little while the -moon will put a thousand bars of silver on the water. We are not afraid -of the dark--you and I--nor of each other. I want to tell you a story." - -He was paying attention now. They sat down on the broad step of the -mill door. To him Ann Rutledge had never been so close before, and -yet just now so unattainable. Never before had she spoken to him in -such childish simplicity, yet now she was mysteriously beyond his -understanding. - -"I have often doubted," he said, with something like a sigh as he -stretched his legs across the platform and waited; "I should like to -believe--as you do. Can you make me?" - -"I will tell you a story," she said again. Her voice was low and sweet. -It seemed in tune with the gathering darkness, the falling of the -water, the evening calm and the burdened heart of the man. - -"When I was yet very small I began wondering and asking questions about -things I could neither understand nor believe. It was while we were -back in Kentucky I was sent to the pasture to watch the cows. There -was a pond in the low end of the pasture where the reeds grew and where -all was very quiet around. I was sitting beside the water, wondering -perhaps if something strange and beautiful would appear from its depths -as in fairy stories, when I saw a hideous, mud-colored grub creeping -slowly above the water-line and climbing the reed. I was tempted to -knock it back out of sight, it was so ugly. But I only watched. Very -soon its muddy shell cracked open, something with wings crept out -and the shell fell back to the place from which it had come. The new -creature spread its wings slowly. They dried, turning as they did so -into silver gauze, which he spread out like bits of shining lace. Then -he went skimming away across the pond and over the dandelions and -grass flowers, even over the heads of the grazing cows. In all my life -I had never dreamed of anything so wonderful nor had any fairy story -ever been told me that was so marvelous as what I had just seen. I -looked back to the pond. A ray of sun was shining so that I could see -the bottom. The cast-off shell was lying there in the mud. There were -others around it like it, except they had life in them. They crept up -and maybe looked at the empty shell. One touched it and turned away. - -"After a time the new creature with the silvery wings came again and -rested on the reed. His reflection showed in the water. Perhaps he -could see those who were as he had been, creeping in the mud. But he -had no way of telling them that they would one day become creatures of -the upper world of sun-shine and flowers and sky, for the only world -they knew was mud. And then I thought of people--and that we are yet -dwelling in the world of mud. The Bible calls it the 'earth.' It says -'there is a natural body'--do you remember--'There is a natural body -and there is a spiritual body. The first is of the earth--earthy.' And -it is not until we have left the old body that we can know the life on -wings--the life up in God's big fields of sun-shine that we call heaven. - -"As I watched the shining creature sitting on the reed, I thought -perhaps it was a mother wishing she could tell her child down below to -be brave and not mind the mud, for at longest it can last but a little -while. Of course there was no way the one could speak and the other -hear. But it was a helpful thought. Do you ever think of your mother -this way? Do you ever feel when you are in the gloom that she is not -very far away, and only waiting until you have been changed, to tell -you many things? The Bible calls it 'when this mortal shall have put on -Immortality.'" - -"Immortality," the man repeated, as if to himself. It was the title of -the new poem he so liked. Then he said, almost reverently, "Go on, Ann." - -"_I believe_," she said simply, "that's why I am so happy when I'm -singing 'I'm a pilgrim.' It is my soul you hear singing, Abraham--_that -part of me that will not die_, that is shouting on the way. Wasn't God -good to plan it all so lovely?" - -Abraham Lincoln turned slowly and looked down on Ann Rutledge. - -The moon was throwing its first gleams across the river. In the pale -light the face and hair with its pale red-gold halo seemed to stand out -from the shadowy background like something ethereal and unreal. The man -gazed at it. It was so shining--so happy. - -"You were sobbin' in the cellar not so long ago," he said. - -"That was the darkness--but always the light comes back." - -"Because you believe." - -"Don't you believe? Oh you must believe, Abraham." - -"Do you want to help me to believe? Do you want to help me to reach the -heights--higher heights than man has ever climbed? For I feel that you -can help me do even this. You can transform me, and I do not expect to -die either--not yet." - -"What can I do for you?" - -"Once I saw an eagle rise from a bluff on the river. Easily it lifted -itself above everything and soared against the sky. So was I lifted up -when I heard you singin' on the heights. All night long I sat thinkin' -about it. I could not fathom the mystery then. With the sunrise the -matin' call of the bird began to unfold the mystery to me. Ann--Ann -Rutledge, I want you to let me love you." - -"Does love have to be let?" She asked the question, looking out across -the water and woods. - -"No--never. But dams can be built, and then the waters on their way -must do one of two things--break the dam or change their course. I do -not want to change my course. I do not want to break a dam--if it can -be helped--for I'll make a rip-snortin' big smash-up of it if I do. May -I love you?" - -He was looking into her face, which was still shining. - -"Let me get a letter to John McNeil asking him to release me." - -"And then, Ann?" - -"Then--Oh, Abraham Lincoln!--_then_--but we mustn't even talk of it -yet"; and she arose from the step. - -The tall man stood beside her. The rising moon cast a light on his -face. The girl looked at it in wonderment. - -"Abraham," she said, "you do not look like the same man I found here." - -"Keep still, Ann," he whispered. "We are just outside heaven." - -"And you believe now--believe?" and she waited for his answer. - -"Believe, yes I believe. I must believe in the _Great Creator_. Nothin' -less could have fashioned the soul of Ann Rutledge. From now on, -eternally, I shall believe to my soul's salvation." - -"Out of the gloom into the light," she said softly. - -A few moments they stood as if not wishing to break some magic spell. -Then he said, "You must run right home. We will not go out together; -but from the door I will watch until you are well away, then I will -follow." - -Another moment they tarried in the wide mill door as if loath to leave, -then she went out. - -As she did so a small dark figure stepped around the corner of the -mill. The next moment the voices of Davy and Sis Rutledge were heard -calling, "Ann--Ann Rutledge!" - -"So that's the Mollie that ain't at the mill for no corn grindin'," the -small man around the mill said to himself when Ann had answered the -call. "Now who's the other bat?" - -A moment later the tall figure of Abe Lincoln emerged from the building -and turned toward the hill. - -"Eh--eh--eh!" granted the man behind the corner. "He's a bar--he's a -bar," and he slapped his foxed breeches and walked half-way up the hill -with his coon-skin cap squeezed tightly under his arm as an expression -of his joy. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -COVERING THE COALS - - -When John Rutledge was consulted about the sending of Ann's proposed -letter asking for a release from her engagement to John McNeil, he -said, "What for? Hasn't he released you enough yet? He'll never answer -it." - -"Don't be too hard on him, John," Mrs. Rutledge said. "He always seemed -to know about manners." - -"Men have been killed for having no worse manners," Rutledge said dryly. - -"But we wouldn't want to be anything but fair," Ann pleaded. - -John Rutledge looked at her a moment. Then he reached out his hand and -placed it on her red-gold hair. - -"Poor little, tender-hearted goose," he said, moving his hand up and -down in awkward pats. "Go ahead if it will make you feel any better." - -So the letter was written, and approved by John Rutledge. Ann wrapped -it in stout brown paper, tied it carefully with string, her father gave -her the money to pay its way, and the postmaster mailed it for her. - -After the letter had been gone several weeks Ann began watching for a -reply. Abe Lincoln also watched, and though no comment was made the -matter was of tremendous importance to both of them. - - * * * * * - -The spring of 1834 rapidly passed into summer. In the home and garden -Ann and her mother were busy every day, while with Abe Lincoln time had -never seemed to go so fast. His surveying was taking him farther and -farther into the county. In every locality he made new friends. His -work was bringing him some money also and he had begun to make payments -on the giant debt which hung over him. The entire town considered him -little less than a hero, one of those uncommon heroes whose valor lies -in simple honesty. - -Several of the unhappy experiences of debt came to him, however, for -his payments were of necessity slow, and once he was sued at the law -and was compelled to turn over his horse and watch--two necessaries he -had secured. Friends, however, helped him get them back. - -As the citizens of New Salem had before determined, Lincoln was -nominated for the Legislature, and during the summer, as he went about -his surveying, he used every opportunity to get acquainted with the -people. "I must understand the people," he would say to John Rutledge. -"I must come in contact with the people. _It is the will of the great -mass of common people, not the preference of the favored few, that -makes Democracy._" - -To the end of accomplishing this he took time to get acquainted -everywhere, sometimes telling stories, sometimes going into fields and -lending a hand at gathering in the harvest. But always his honesty, -sincerity and hearty sympathy with the toiler, and his big, glad -hand of fellowship won him friends, and often after he had told John -Rutledge of his travels the older man would say to his wife, "Abe's -going to make something of himself. I don't know what. But he's got the -stuff in him." - -There was much interest in the election. His opponent did not now -charge him with being an infidel. The pioneer citizens of Sangamon -County were rigidly against the union of church and state and Abe -Lincoln had them well informed concerning the perils of a republic if -this foundation-stone of democratic government should be stolen or -cheated from them. Nor would it have been easy in and about New Salem -to make the impression that Abe Lincoln was devoid of religion. - -When the voting was over and Abe Lincoln was safely elected there was -a celebration in New Salem out of all proportion to the size of the -village, and one of the proudest and happiest of all the shouting, -cheering crowd was Ann Rutledge, whose face had taken on again its -old-time gladness. - -During the campaigning time Abe Lincoln had seen little of Ann, and the -letter which she had long looked for had not come. - -It was after the election excitement had subsided that Abe Lincoln -found an evening for Ann. Early after supper the family sat about the -fire, and Davy and Sis and Sonny were loath to go to bed, for they had -not seen their good friend much of late. But they moved out when John -Rutledge bade them, and after a half-hour of conversation Mr. and Mrs. -Rutledge gave the room to Ann and Abe. - -"Don't forget to cover the coals, Ann," her mother had said as she left -the room. - -"Where's the book. I haven't read my poem for a long time," Abe -Lincoln said when they were alone. - -Ann took the book from her table-drawer and found the poem entitled, -"Immortality." Lincoln read a few verses. - -"It doesn't say much about immortality--does it?" Ann asked. - -"Not much, but it means it, because of course the souls of men and of -women do not wither and die like the leaves of the willow and the oak. -But I should never have known the meanin'--the full, sure meanin' of -the word, nor have entered into the better spirit of the poem, if it -had not been for you, Ann Rutledge." - -"I am glad if I have helped you, but put the book away. Let's tell our -fortunes in the fire." - -Lincoln put the book on the table and stirred up a bed of glowing -coals. Then, side by side, they looked into the future. - -"Look," she said, "at the lines just there. I have a long life-line--so -long I must be going to live a hundred years." - -He laughed. - -"And yours is long. And right in there there is a wedding--and over -there are one, two, three--at least half a dozen children for me." -She laughed and stirred the coals again. "This now is your fortune. I -see journeys and lots of people. I believe I see the capitol building -at Vandalia. Maybe you are going to be a great judge or some state -official." She stirred again, but this time she turned and said, "I've -always wished, Abraham, that you knew some love-stories." - -"I do," he answered promptly. - -"You?" and she opened her blue eyes wide. - -"Yes--the best in the world." - -"Where did you get them? You never read story-books." - -"The best books and the greatest books in the world are full of -love-stories. In fact, Ann, if love and love-stories were taken out -there wouldn't be anything left for the other fellow to write a book -about. - -"How about Blackstone--couldn't he write a book?" - -"No. In a world without love there would be no matin' in the springtime -and no people to write about." - -"I didn't mean that. I was talking about just plain love-stories." - -"So am I. I've read Shakespeare. Did you ever hear his love-story -about Antony and Cleopatra? It's one of the greatest love-stories in -the world. She went to him in a wonderful, golden barge with purple -silk sails and flower-decked maidens dancin' under its Tyrian purple -canopies. Little boats swarmed all about it, burnin' incense so that -it was wafted on the water in perfumed breezes. This was the ship the -fairy Egyptian went to Antony in. Theirs was the love stronger than -death. We will read it some time." - -"I like it--tell me more." - -"You know the love-stories in the Bible: the one about Ruth and Boaz, -a little out of place these times, but good for its day. You know the -unruly passion that caused poor old Samson's downfall, a love-affair in -which he loved fiercely but not wisely. But the story that to my mind -means more than them all, is the story about Jesus and Mary." - -"Oh, Abraham!" she said with a start. "You don't mean that Jesus loved -Mary." - -"Of course He did. Didn't he love everybody? What else can you make of -the incident where Mary, so anxious to show her love in some unusual -way, went to the dinner where she emptied her vase of costly perfumes -on his hair and feet? Do you remember that her act immediately called -forth unkind comment and the sort of criticism that hurts a gentle -woman beyond the power of words to tell? What did Jesus do? Did He sit -by dumb like a coward and let her feelin's be wounded when, whether -wisely or unwisely she had sought to prove her love? Was He afraid of -those sharp-tongued men? I tell you, Ann, every time I read the story, -this Jesus the world loves looms up bigger and grander and more heroic -and sublime! Such tender consideration as He showed marks a man, a man. -Do you remember what He said as she sat with her eyes full of tears -before these men? 'Let her alone,' He said; then He spoke the few words -which were forever to link the name of Mary with that of Jesus, even as -He prophesied." - -While Ann was considering this somewhat new view of an old story her -Mother's voice was heard calling, "Don't forget to cover the coals, -Ann." - -Ann reached for the shovel. - -"Not yet," he said, taking her hand and moving his chair closer to -hers. She did not try to withdraw her hand from the large one that -held it. - -For a moment he sat looking into the fire. Then he turned to her. -"Ann," he said in a low voice, and unsteady, "Ann Rutledge, look at me. -I have something to say to you." - -Ann turned her face to his. For a moment he seemed to search it with a -gaze as tender as it was masterful and as pleading as it was secure. - -"We are goin' to cover the coals," he said. "Do you know, Ann, that -hearts are hearthstones where women keep the live fire burnin'? My -hearthstone has been ash-strewn and cold--with nobody to cover the -coals?" - -She felt the large hand around hers tighten its grasp, but he yet -looked into the fire. - -When he spoke again it was with a different tone. The pleading was -gone. There was a tone of masterful security in it. - -"Ann," he said, "we have been waitin' for a letter. It has not come. -The time is now past when one or ten thousand letters refusin' to -release you would avail anything. When a man loves a woman as I love -you, it is his God-ordained privilege to get her. Do you understand? -I _love_ you. I have loved you since before I ever saw your face. It -came to me the night I heard you singin' on the heights. I love you -more than anything on earth or in heaven and I feel some way that love -like this can come but once. I _love_ you and I would give my life to -have you mine--to cover the coals on the hearthstone of my heart." - -There was such an intensity in his voice, in his face, as Ann had never -seen. There was a pleading hunger, there was a suppressed mastery that -she was conscious of. She did not take her eyes from his face. "Ann," -and without letting go of her hand he arose and drew her up before him, -"together we stand at the most momentous time of all our lives--do you -love me?" - -"Do I love you?" Ann half whispered with a smile that turned her face -radiant; meantime her eyes grew shining with tears. The next instant -she felt those long arms around her that Ole Bar had hinted would be -useful in mating season, felt them binding her slender body so close -she could hear the rapid thumping of his heart, and he kissed her with -the savage joy of sweet possession, and, cradling her face in his -strong hand, he held her cheek against his and breathed the fierce and -tender joy words could not tell. - -"Oh, Abraham," she whispered, "do you love me so much--so _very_ much." - -"Love you?" he said half defiantly. "You cannot know, for you have not -starved for it as I have. I love you, Ann Rutledge--not for a week or a -month, or a year, but until this mortal shall have put on immortality; -for if souls are immortal as you have taught me, _love is eternal_." - -A moment longer they stood in each other's arms. Then he held her away -from him, looked at her and in serious tones said, "Sing for me, Ann: -just one stanza of that good old hymn, 'This is the way I long have -sought.'" - -"Hear Ann," Mrs. Rutledge said to her husband as the old-time music of -happy laughter sounded on the stillness of the night. - -"Good for Abe!" he answered drowsily; "let them alone." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -"HE'S RUINT HISSELF FOREVER" - - -There was no one in New Salem surprised when it began to be whispered -about that Abe Lincoln was setting up to Ann Rutledge. - -Indeed that seemed quite the natural thing. Both were favorites. Both -were different in some ways from any others, perhaps superior, and -both were everybody's friends. The wonderful change in Ann, too, was a -source of pleasure to all who knew her, for she had not been able to -hide the disappointment and embarrassment through which she had passed. - -Abe Lincoln had always been fairly happy so far as any one knew. He -seemed even more happy now, and quite naturally the people charged -this to Ann Rutledge, and the two words, "Ann and Abe," began to be -everywhere linked together. It was not until Thanksgiving, however, -that any definite announcement was made. This was at a dinner, the -biggest and jolliest ever given in New Salem. - -"Mother," John Rutledge had said to his wife, "the increase has been -fair, but we've more than increase to be thankful for. Ann's got back -to herself again. Fact, there never was a time in all her life when her -singing sounded so good to me as now, and she laughs as if there were -no such thing in the world as trouble. Then I'm not sorry she and Abe -fixed things up. Abe Lincoln's got some future, sure as two and two -make four. It does seem outside the bounds of all reason that a young -backwoodsman that never went to school and has had more hard knocks -than ten men generally stands up under, could ever get to be Governor -of Illinois. Yet who knows--who knows?" - -"John," Mrs. Rutledge answered, "you're getting visionary. Just 'cause -you like Abe Lincoln uncommon well and he's going to marry our Ann -ain't any sign he'll ever get to any such exalted position as Governor." - -"I don't know. He's doing fairly--fairly. He's the youngest member in -the Legislature. His life is before him. He's going to finish law next -year, and Major Stuart says there's no man, old or young, in this state -to-day that knows the Constitution like Abe Lincoln. He may never get -there, but I'd not die of surprise if he did. And I'm waiting with -interest to see what stand he takes down at Vandalia. But getting back -to Thanksgiving, we have uncommon things to be thankful for, Abe has -no home and like as not nobody ever had a dinner for him. Let Abe and -Ann have a dinner and invite in some of the young people." - -This plan suited Mrs. Rutledge. Abe and Ann were delighted and -preparations were at once begun. There were mince and pumpkin pies, -and cakes and plum pudding to be baked, and the tenderest pig and -the biggest turkey on the farm were to be roasted. The cellar and -store-house were raided and in the woods Ann had the good fortune to -find a vine with shining leaves and blue-black berries which she twined -about a great bouquet of evergreen set in a frame of shining, red -apples in the middle of the table. - -Abe stayed near Ann, and once when she was making pastry for jam tarts -he kissed her, until in self-defense she powdered his black hair white -with her flour-dusted hands, and Mrs. Rutledge laughed until she had to -rest her ample body in an easy chair. - -This incident was not long in getting out, for Nance, who was present, -told it at singing-school, and it was passed around with as genuine -a feeling of pleasure as if those telling it were themselves being -kissed. - -"I've been looking for just this kind of love-affair for Abe Lincoln," -Hannah Armstrong said. "The kind that's taking up with everything that -swings petticoats only has skin-deep cases, but there's others has bone -cases. When it gets in the bone, ain't any use ever trying to get it -out." - -The afternoon before Thanksgiving, Abe Lincoln announced that he was -going to Springfield on an important mission. What it was he told -nobody but Ann's mother. Ann had an idea the mission had something to -do with the festivities of the next day, but no hint was dropped as to -what it was. - -With Thanksgiving came the dinner and the merriment about the long -table of laughing and story-telling with jokes about Ann and Abe, for -as yet the progress of their courtship was not definitely known. - -Abe and Ann had been put side by side in two chairs which Nance and -other girls had decorated with strings of pop-corn and sprigs of green. -When the dinner was at last over, Abe arose and, stretching himself -to his full height and stepping behind Ann's chair, said, "There are -all sorts of Thanksgivin's and all sorts of things to be thankful for. -But there will never be another one like this, for I have asked Ann -Rutledge, the sweetest girl in all the world, to be my wife, and she -has done me the honor of givin' me her promise. I have here a little -band of gold to be put on that finger which it is said sends the -channels of its blood directest to the heart. It has words inside which -carry the world's greatest message. Hold out your hand, Ann." - -The speech was a surprise. Every eye was turned on Ann as Abe Lincoln -took her hand and slipped the little band on her third finger. John -Rutledge leaned eagerly forward. Immediately there was a great clapping -of hands and then the young people gathered around Ann to see the ring -and to learn the message that Abe had had put in the ring. - -"Read it Ann--read it," they cried. - -And Ann, her face shining with joy and pink with blushes, read, "Love -is eternal." - -She looked at Abraham Lincoln. Their eyes met a moment, then he bent -down and kissed her, and again the young companions shouted and laughed -and, when there were none of them looking his way, Ann's father wiped -his eyes. - - * * * * * - -Just a few days later Abraham Lincoln made ready to go to Vandalia, -seventy-five miles from New Salem, to represent Sangamon County. As -usual he had no money, but he had no trouble borrowing enough to buy a -cheap suit, which was the best, however, he had as yet put on his back. -John Rutledge furnished the horse, and Ann and her mother looked after -his simple outfit. - -"Abraham," Ann said when she surveyed him in his new suit, "you look so -nice, only your tie is crooked." - -He pulled it around, saying, "Such a nuisance. What are they good for, -anyhow?" - -Ann laughed. "You've got it as far out of line under your left ear now -as you had it before under the right," she said. "Let me fix it for -you." Stepping on a foot-stool she motioned him to stand before her, -and straightened his tie. - -"Abraham," she said in despair before he left the house, "it's crooked -again--your tie." - -"Let it alone," was his answer. "The tie is all right. It's my neck -that's crooked." - -After he had gone Ann began spinning, piecing quilts and hemming linen -in preparation for a spring wedding. - -Both John Rutledge and Ann heard from Sangamon County's representative. -To the father he wrote that he was forming a plan to have the state -capitol moved from Vandalia to Springfield, in his opinion a much -better point than the small place down the country. What he wrote -to Ann nobody asked. Sometimes she let her father and mother read -the letters. Once John Rutledge read, "I am glad you are so well--so -strong, so happy, my little pilgrim. The world is a new world, Ann, -now that I have you. I feel some insistent force pushing me on to -something--I do not know what. But with the love of a woman like you, -there are no heights a man dare not reach out for." - -Meantime discussion in New Salem about Lincoln kept up. Almost every -man in town was of the opinion that Abe was going to be somebody, -but they all waited to see what he would stand for in this his first -experience as representative of the people. - -It came at last. Abraham Lincoln had gone on record in favor of woman -suffrage and against slavery. - -When this news was told in the little group of which Ole Bar happened -to be one, he was for a moment struck dumb with disappointment. Then -with impressive profanity he burst out, "A bar would have more sense. -Couldn't he find nothin' in Vandalyer to take up but wimmin and -niggers? He's ruint hisself forever." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -GOD'S LITTLE GIRL - - -Early in the spring John Rutledge decided to move from Rutledge Inn to -his farm about seven miles beyond New Salem. - -Mrs. Rutledge and Ann suffered the pangs of heart that come to women -when they must leave homes made dear by the birth of children and of -love. Aside from the sentiment, however, Mrs. Rutledge was glad to -change to farm life, for inn-keeping had been hard for her. - -Ann's chief objection was going where she could not see Abe Lincoln -often, for his surveying was already taking him much away, and they -both knew he could not find time often to visit the farm. It was -also decided at this time that the wedding of Ann and Abe should be -postponed for a year. - -"Ann needs more education," Mr. Rutledge had said, "and a woman has to -get what she is going to before she has the cares of a home and family. -And, too, you should finish your law course. Then you and Ann can set -out in life together." - -"Perhaps you are right," Abe Lincoln said. "Of course I want Ann, and -the sooner the better. But I can't support her yet, and I guess it's -not fair to take her away." - -"I wasn't thinking of that at all. You could get along some way, but -you are both young, and a year will soon pass." - -Shortly after this Ann began studying with Miss Arminda Rogers, a -cultured and efficient instructor who was to prepare her for a year at -the Jacksonville Academy, one of the best in the state. Abe Lincoln was -to work by day and study by night to finish his law course. - -The young people of New Salem were sorry to see Ann leave, but seven -miles was not too much of a walk, and many good times were planned. The -most important merry-making on hand was a May party to be held on the -green beyond New Salem. Abe Lincoln and Ann had both promised to be -present, and all the young people in the country about, even to "Baby" -Green, were looking forward to it with pleasure. - -It was a merry day. Abe Lincoln romped with the small boys. He climbed -saplings and twisted the tender branches so they would grow into -canes to be some time carried to Springfield. He swung the girls in -grape-vine swings. He held one end of the jumping-rope while Ann -Rutledge jumped one hundred, and her combs flew out and her auburn hair -went streaming over her shoulders. Then he picked up the combs and -tried to twist her hair for her, and the children laughed at his clumsy -effort and Ann's funny coiffure. Later they twined a vine with flowers -about her, and made her Queen of May, while everybody young and old -joined hands in a ring and danced around singing: - - Kneel to the prettiest, - Bow to the wittiest, - Kiss her who you love best. - -"Who is the prettiest?" Abe Lincoln shouted. - -"Ann Rutledge," the children shouted back. Then they dared him to kiss -her, which he did while they clapped their hands. - -Then the smallest girl, who was "Baby" Green, was told to pick the -prettiest man, and she called in her piping voice "Linkin--Linkin," and -then screamed with fear lest Ann Rutledge should kiss him and not she -herself, and again the children cheered and laughed. - -After the games and the merriment Ann and Abe Lincoln slipped away. - -"I want to go to my schoolroom," she said. - -"Your schoolroom?" he questioned. - -"Yes, down to the creek where the ferns grow. I have no such place at -the farm, and I miss it, for the fern dell is a schoolroom where I -learn wonderful lessons from the growing things, and from the little -brook which goes on its unknown way to find its mother, the ocean." - -So they started away across the field toward the creek. They did not -notice the cloud above their heads until they felt raindrops on their -shoulders. - -"Let's run," Ann said, "over under the haystacks. It's only a shower." - -But before they got to the haystack they were both wet. When Abe -Lincoln expressed some concern about Ann she only laughed and said, "Am -I sugar or salt that I cannot stand a little water?" - -"But you are so hot now. You ran as fast as I did, Ann." - -Together they drew close back under the straw and did not mind the -minutes lost, for there was always much to talk about. - -When the shower had passed, they went on around the hill down to the -creek. Here they found the little stream considerably swollen. Coming -to the place where, on the opposite bank, the ferns were growing, Ann -stepped to the water's edge and standing on a stone sang: - - On Jordan's stormy banks I stand - And cast a wistful eye. - -The next moment Abe Lincoln had taken her in his strong arms and put -her across to the other bank. - -"Look, Abraham," she said pointing to the lacy, green leaves. "Do you -notice that some are longer than others and greener and stronger? Well, -in this difference lies a secret." - -She sat down on a shelf of rock and began pushing the brown leaves and -mould away from something. Her face was bright with interest. But Abe -Lincoln was not yet interested in what she was, but in her. "See here -is the dirt in which this little sickly plant grows and its roots go no -farther than this," and she measured a finger length. "But the roots -of this big, strong plant go too deep for measurement, and so I learn -that the blacker the soil, and the deeper the plant goes into the dark -and the silence, the higher it reaches toward the blue sky. Isn't it -wonderful that even little plants can preach such great sermons?" - -"Tongues in the trees, books in the runnin' brooks, sermons in stones -and good in everything," Abe Lincoln repeated. - -"That sounds like the Bible, but I've never found it there." - -"It got left out," he laughed. "Shakespeare put it in his." - -Ann smiled, but she had something more to say. - -"When I come here, Abraham, I think of you. I can't say you are like -a fern, they are too small and weak among the growing things. You -are like a wonderful tree that reaches up above every other, and the -reason, I am sure, is because the roots of your life have gone deeper -into the dark and the silence than the rest of them. When I hear them -talking in class-meeting about 'growing in grace and the knowledge of -God,' I think of you and my ferns, and I say, 'Out of the depths, fresh -strength; out of the dark, new life; and even in the gloom we are on -the way.'" - -He was listening intently now. "But, Ann," he said, "the ferns come to -life only to die again." - -"Yes, and come back more and better the next season. It is not the -special leaf nor flower that is eternal; these are but the forms. It is -_life itself_ that is eternal. And the burial in the dark does not kill -it. Last year there were two leaves here, this year there are six, next -year there will be a whole family. It is life more abundant, Abraham, -and from it all I learn to go on my way as the brook goes, singing -always." - -For a moment there was no sound in the fern-dell except the tinkling -music of the water running over the stones. - -"I wonder what it all means," he observed. "Sometimes I feel that I am -a child of some dark tragedy. Again I feel like I am a child of special -Providence. I wonder which I am--perhaps neither." - -"Perhaps both," she said "Great suffering and great joy belong to the -same soul." - -Ann was still sitting on the damp rock with her vine wreath in her -hair. Through the tall trunks of the trees on the bluff above, the -sun-light fell into the ravine, a ray falling across her head and -shoulders. - -As if he had forgotten everything else, Abe Lincoln now turned his -attention to her. He looked long and earnestly. - -"Ann--Ann--is it true?" - -"What?" she said with some surprise. - -"That you are mine." - -"What a strange question." - -"I am afraid sometimes that it is too good to be true. I have never -known such happiness--such riches--such enlargement of my soul as -since I have known you. Many men have claimed to get to God through his -Son. I am findin' my way through one of his daughters." - -"No--no--I am only God's little girl--his little schoolgirl, and -just beginning to learn. Sometimes I cannot understand it from the -preachers, but here God teaches me quite easily." - -"God's little girl," he repeated. "Well, I need not be jealous of Him. -He will give me a square deal. He'll not take you away from me." - -"Oh, Abraham," she said, rising hurriedly, "I am going to--to----," and -she sneezed. - -"You are catching cold," he said, stooping to pick up the vine leaves -that had fallen from her head. "What did I let you sit on that damp -stone for? I don't know the first thing about takin' care of a woman." - -"You will have plenty of time to learn," she laughed, holding out her -hands for the wreath. - -"I should like to keep this always, but it will wither." - -"Let us leave the Queen's crown on her throne," and he took the wreath -from her and put it on the stone where she had been sitting. - -Then, with his strong arms to help her, they left the quiet place, -climbed the bluff and hurried home across lots to the Rutledge farm. - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -THE END OF JUNE - - -It was June. On the farm the young corn shimmered in long, green rows. -In the corners of fences and along the edges of the woods, wild roses -were blooming. - -Abe Lincoln and Ann had sent messages back and forth but he had seen -her only once since the May party, until the month of June was drawing -to a close, when he took time to go out to the farm for an all-night -visit. - -He found her apparently well and happy, though she was taking cough -syrup. - -"Ann caught cold at the May party," Mrs. Rutledge said. "It's nothing -much, only we don't want her throat to get sore so she cannot sing." - -After the early supper Ann and Abraham went out for a walk. "Don't let -her stay out too long," Mrs. Rutledge counseled. "Night air and cough -syrup don't get on well together." - -To them both it was a strangely pleasant walk, for they were both -working to the same end; and this night they talked about what the -future had in store for them when they should live their lives together. - -"By another June we will have our own home," he said. "I have never had -a home. I had a mother with the sort of love without which there can -never be a home. But it was not in her power to make our dwellin'-place -much better than the homes mother animals provide. Our home will never -be grand but there will be no other home like it in all the world." - -"Then I can help you study, and you can help me. I will have to pry you -away from your books, perhaps, and poke food into your mouth." - -And so they laughed and planned and kept close to each other until he -said, "Ann, you're not going your usual gait to-night. Are you tired?" - -"Yes--and I don't know why. I haven't done anything much to-day. Let's -take hold of hands as we did at the May party and play we're children, -only I'll walk if you don't mind. How big and strong and comfortable -your hand is Abraham. I could shut my eyes and almost believe it was -God leading me on." - -He held her hand a little tighter. She stopped a moment to cough. - -"Hadn't we better go in, Ann?" - -"No. It's such a lovely evening--like the night at the mill, and I do -not see you often--not half enough. I could not endure it, only I know -that we are both working hard so that just a little later we can be -together all the time. Let me stay out a long while with you. I love to -be near you." - -"As you say," he answered, "but I'm not so forgetful this time," and -he took off his coat and wrapped it about her. They went on a little -farther until they came to the steps over the stile and here they sat -down and he drew her close to him. - -Somewhere down in the shadows a whippoor-will called. Then from far -across the meadow the drowsy tinkle of a cow-bell reached their ears. - -"Listen, Ann," Abe said. "It makes me think of the night I heard you -singin' on the bluff--the night I fell in love with the soul of you -before I knew what your body looked like. The tinkle of a cow-bell will -make me think of you and your song as long as I live." - -"Just as the smell of wild-plum blossoms will make me hear the mellow -music of a horn floating over river and trees and make me think of you -as long as I live." - -"Can't you sing for me, Ann--your pilgrim song? How I would like to -hear your clear voice ring out here just now." - -"How strong I was then," Ann said reflectively. "It seems a long time -ago. Just now I am not so much of a pilgrim as when I herded home the -cows. Pilgrims are on the way somewhere you know, and I'm not traveling -much these days--just to my school and back and helping mother. Will -you wait until next time you come? I'll be myself again by then." - -"Look--the evenin' star is coming up," he said pointing. "Twilight and -evenin' star and here we two sit together. Isn't it wonderful? The -world is new to me, Ann. The same fields are here, the same woods, the -same river flowin' between its wooded banks, the same sun, the same -people, and yet all is changed--and all because of you. I hold that man -to be most pitied of all men who does not know the meanin' of love. I -used to wonder just what was meant by the words 'God is love' until -I met you. Now I know that _love_ is _life_. God is the life of the -world. This is love and so with the end of June old things have passed -away. All has become new. My cup runneth over." - -"Do you know it, Abraham--the rest of it? Let us say it together. 'The -Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in -green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my -soul.' ... We will teach it to our children," said she. - -"Our children," he repeated in a strangely changed, new voice. He -arose, stepped down the stile and stood looking up at Ann. The pale -light fell on her shining hair. Her face was radiant. - -"Our children," he again said. "There is one way too sacred for -man's understanding. It is the sacred way of woman's crowning -glory--Motherhood. I have thought of it--of the mothers of men. The -mother of Jesus, what a great mother, yet poor beyond compare. Her -baby born in a stable. His life lived close to the hearts of the poor -people, His own and His mother's kind. It may be true that the mother -would not have been known to the world save through the Son. But -without such a mother the world would not have heard of the Son. - -"And I think of another mother whose kind face was lit with a holy -light of love for her children. She, too, had a son. He was born in a -hut. He learned to learn the sufferin' of his mother's kind--the poor. -If God shall let him do some little part in makin' the world a better, -happier place for the poor and helpless, his mother's name will not be -forgotten, for whatever he may do he would not have done without that -mother." - -While speaking these words the homely man had turned majestic. His -long, bent figure seemed in the twilight to rise to a tremendous -height. "And in the days to come," he continued, "though I may never -reach the shinin' goal of great achievement the son of Ann Rutledge -will, for never yet has any man been blessed with such a mother as she -will be." - -Ann looked at him in wonderment. For the passing moment she seemed to -be near a divinity. - -"Abraham," she whispered, "you make me feel like taking off my shoes. -This place seems holy and you are its prophet." - -They walked slowly toward the house. The shades of night were falling. -The far bells sounded at intervals. The evening star looked down on -them. - -How could the man know as he held the woman that he loved close to him -under the violet vale of the calm June night that it was the little -pilgrim's last earthly walk with him? - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI - -STRONGER THAN DEATH - - -During July, Ann stopped her studies with Miss Rogers until she should -get stronger. The weather was hot and she had already made such good -preparation for entering the Jacksonville School that her mother -thought a little rest would be of benefit to her. - -When Abraham Lincoln visited her he found her leaning back in a big -chair, a piece of needle-work and her little grammar in her lap. - -She held out her hand, drew him down to her and kissed him. "I am -trying to recall every word my teacher said to me the night I was -taught 'To love,'" she said, laughing. - -They did not leave the house this time. They talked over much of the -past that was happy and made plans for their future and Ann showed him -some of the linen towels and table-covers she had made and they talked -of the books they would have in their little home. - -"I should like to hear you read your favorite poem," she said. "Lines -of it come to me and make me think--think of many things." So he read -the poem, and when it was put aside they went back to their plans and -were happy. - -After this visit there were several new farms to be surveyed and a town -to be platted and Abe did not get back to Ann until near the middle of -August. He saw Dr. Allen in New Salem, who told him Ann was not getting -along well. "We've never been able to break up the cough, and she's not -mending. Better run out, Abe." - -Immediately all work was dropped and Abe Lincoln hastened across the -country to the Rutledge farm. - -He was met by Mrs. Rutledge. She greeted him kindly, but the enthusiasm -of her usual motherly greeting was not there. He did not have time to -wonder, for he was quietly shown into Ann's room and the door closed. - -He found her lying on a bed and in a loose garment not like the trim -dresses he had always seen her in. Nor was her fair hair coiled about -her head and held with combs, but lay beside the pillow in a long -braid. Her cheeks were like wild roses and her violet eyes shone with a -strange brightness. She was beautiful, but her face was thin and there -was a pinched expression Abe Lincoln did not understand. He looked at -her a minute then bent over and put his arms around her. - -"Lift me up, Abraham," she said, "I have wanted you so--have wanted to -talk with you, for I have been lying here living over all the happy -times we have had, and nobody in all the world would understand but -you." - -He sat beside her on the bed. She leaned her head against his shoulder, -and when he put his arm behind her for a support he could not help but -notice how thin she had grown. An expression anxious, inquiring, came -over his face. But she was looking up at him. - -"We've had such glad, glad days. Do you remember the day the raft -stuck? I seem to hear again the mellow tones of the horn floating in -over the trees, and I smell plum blossoms." - -Abe Lincoln touched his lips to her forehead as she continued. "How -little we thought then that God had planned us for each other. Then -there was the quilting-bee. Do you know Abraham, I wouldn't have minded -your holding my hand under the quilt, if I hadn't felt it was wrong. I -liked it. I'm glad now you did it." - -Abraham laughed. - -"And the evening at the mill when we sat in the dark together. To me -that has always seemed a holy time. It was so different from the May -party. How we romped and played that day. How the children laughed and -sang! How I jumped the rope and--how you kissed me. I didn't count but -it must have been a dozen times. And the wreath they put around my -head. Wasn't it a pretty wreath? And we skipped away and went cross -lots to my little schoolroom where you picked me up and carried me -across 'Jordan's stormy floods.'" - -Again Lincoln laughed. Ann only smiled, but her face was bright with -happiness. - -"But of them all, Ann--of all the wonderful days or nights the time I -heard you singin' on the bluff comes first." - -"You have not forgotten that," she said softly. - -"Forgotten? I shall never forget--neither in this world nor in the -world to come, for that was the night my soul, though I did not know -what was the matter with me at the time, began unfoldin' itself from -the old life." - -"Your soul," she repeated. "Abraham, we believe in souls, don't we?" - -"Yes." - -"And we believe that, though our bodies through the change called -death, drop back into the pond, the new creature in another, better -form lives on." - -"Yes, Ann--we believe it." - -She leaned against him, and breathed heavily for a moment, while he -with puzzled, anxious face watched her. - -When she was rested she said: "Did you ever think how swiftly thought -travels? We sit here together and our bodies do not move, yet we go to -the river and the mill; we go to the woodland and the bluff. I have -thought about it and I believe that souls can travel as quickly and as -easily as mind--for souls have lain aside the weight of the earthly -body, you know. Do you think souls can travel this way?" - -"I don't know, Ann." - -"I believe it," she said firmly. "Our souls can travel. And so my -soul will always go wherever you are. If you are in Vandalia, or -Springfield, my soul will be there. If you should get as far away as -Chicago, even there my soul will be with you, and though you cannot see -my face or hear my voice, you will know. - -"Sometime there will come to your heart joy like the wild, glad, -singing joy of my life when I could run and shout. It will be then that -the singing, shouting soul of Ann Rutledge is quite near, helping you -rejoice. Sometimes when you are tired and weak and the way is dark, -you will feel new strength bearing you up. It will be the soul of Ann -Rutledge, strong and free trying to help you out of the gloom. And when -you feel the force of that strange power that makes you different from -all other men--that makes you tenderer and stronger--when you feel -something pushing you on to greater things as the wild phlox is pushed -through the sod into the sun-shine, it knows not how, the soul of Ann -Rutledge will be as close as your own breath to whisper her unshaken -faith in your effort. Then there will be quiet times, perhaps lonely -times, when apart from all the world you will feel a gentle tugging at -your heart. It will be the soul of Ann Rutledge saying 'I do not want -to be forgotten.' ... And when you get old, dear, dear Abraham, when -your eyes are too dim to see other faces than those of the long-gone -past, you will hear her voice who has been sleeping under the grass for -fifty years--the voice of Ann Rutledge calling you on--the unforgetting -love of Ann Rutledge as strong and fresh as when she shouted on the -heights and gave herself to you." - -She had been speaking slowly, softly, yet with deep feeling as if half -to herself. She was not looking at the man beside her, whose bronzed -face had undergone a transformation. - -"Ann--Ann," he cried, "for God's sake what are you talkin' about?" and -he bent and looked into her face. - -"Dear, dear Abraham," she said soothingly, and she held her lips in a -close pressure against his forehead, his cheeks, his eyes. - -"I did not want to tell you we are going to part. It seemed I could -not. And yet--yet--Oh, Abraham!--I am so tired--so tired, and the heart -of me beats weaker every day." - -He put her back on the pillow and threw himself down beside her. She -put her arms about his neck, drew his head against her breast, wiped -the tears which were streaming down his brown cheeks and tried to -comfort him as a mother comforts a child. - -A few moments he sobbed. Then he arose and straightened himself to his -full height. - -"Ann," he said, "it's all a mistake. I believe there is a God. If -there is and He has any heart in Him, He will spare me this. I have had -nothin' but you--I ask nothin' but you. I have never loved any woman -but you, and I never shall, for none can take your place. If you should -be taken away I will never live long enough to get over the loss. God -knows this. He is not cruel. He will not let it be so--He will not, -Ann!" - -He sat down on the edge of the bed and put his arm around her. - -"Help me up again," she whispered, and she rested her head on his -shoulder. She had been dry-eyed and had spoken with a steady voice. Now -there was a sob in her voice and her eyes were blurred with tears as -she said: "Put your arms around me--your big, long, strong arms--and -hold me tight--tight. Oh, Abraham! if you could only hold me tight -enough to keep me here with you! I do not want to be bad, but I do not -want to go and leave you--no, not even to be with God! Oh, Abraham! -will you pray that I may stay with you--will you?" - -"Pray? Pray?" he groaned in pain. "I will pray every minute. I will -pray while I walk with my rod and chains, crossin' the fields, -skirtin' the woods, walkin' the streets, everywhere I will pray." - -Ann coughed and Lincoln put her down. He smoothed the coverlet and -brushed back her red-gold hair. Then again he straightened up to his -full stature. - -"Ann, we've both been frightened. Your cough is better--it is looser. I -am sure of it. Isn't it, Ann?" - -There was an appeal in his tone and face. - -Ann smiled--a bright, sweet smile. To Lincoln it was full of hope. -"Nothing hurts me," she answered. - -Her smile was reassuring. Something of the anxiety went out of his -face. "Yes, you are better. If I were not sure of it I would not leave -this house. When I come again you will be still better. God is not -going to have it otherwise. I have never done Him any harm." - -"Dear, dear Abraham--how I love you. How I shall always love you--here -or over there. For though my body is weak, that part of me which loves -is strong and well--very strong, and it loves you, my Abraham. It -will be yours, and will be with you longer than the mind of man can -measure--for I know now that love is stronger than death." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII - -THE UNFINISHED SONG - - -During the month of August, 1835, an epidemic, called by different -names, one of which was black ague, visited the country about New Salem. - -Dr. Allen was busy riding night and day, and Abe Lincoln, who himself -had suffered one chill and was taking peruvian bark to prevent a second -one, went with him whenever he could get the time, to nurse the sick -and sometimes help make a coffin and bury the dead. - -Through Dr. Allen, Abe heard from Ann, the good doctor's information -always being that Ann was about the same, and believing her better her -big lover went to others who seemed to need him. - -Then Davy was stricken down and Abe Lincoln made his plans to go out to -the Rutledge farm and stay as long as needed to nurse him. His visit -was hastened by news that Ann had had a chill, and he knew, though -Dr. Allen's words were few, that he was alarmed. "She must not have -another," the good doctor said. "She is too frail to stand it." - -With a heart almost stopped by fear Lincoln reached the farm. His -greeting by Mrs. Rutledge and her smiling face reassured him. - -"Ann is better, Abe," she said gladly. "She had a terrible chill last -night and for a time we were frightened half to death, but she will not -have another. She really is better. She is going to mend now. Her fever -is dropping off and she does not cough so much. She feels like herself -and has been singing. She wants you, Abe," and good Mrs. Rutledge -laughed. - -As he entered the room Abe Lincoln found Ann propped up in pillows and -singing. He almost expected to see her active young form come bounding -to meet him. Instead, she held out her hand and with a face wreathed in -smiles said: "Dear Abraham, God has answered your prayers, I am going -to get well." - -"Thank God! Thank God!" he exclaimed fervently. Then he stopped, stood -back and looked at her a moment. "Oh, Ann, you look just like an angel!" - -"What do you know about angels? Anyway, I'm not going to be an angel. -I'm going to stay here to bake your bread and darn your socks and make -you eat!" - -Dr. Allen had come in shortly after Abe Lincoln and was in the other -room standing with Mrs. Rutledge by Davy's bedside. When Mrs. Rutledge -heard the happy laughter coming from Abe and Ann she looked at Dr. -Allen and said with tears of joy in her eyes, "How good it is to hear -Ann laughing again." - -Dr. Allen glanced at her questioningly. He said nothing. - -Ann was talking again of the beautiful days that were past on which her -mind seemed continually to dwell. - -"Do you know, Abraham, I cannot tell you how I know it, but I believe I -have loved you from the first time I ever saw you, and when you asked -me at the mill if you might love me I was almost sorry you did not ask -me then if I loved you--only I knew you would not think it right until -we sent that letter which was never answered. - -"But the night that stands out best of all is the night we covered the -coals, for that is when I first felt your good, strong arms about me -and your kisses on my lips--and all over my face. And the very best day -of all the days was when you put the ring on my finger. Abraham, let's -live it over again, that night and that day. I cannot stand with you -before the fire now, nor have I been to the table for several weeks. -But we can play it, can't we?" - -"Yes, indeed--make a Shakespeare play with two scenes. One scene will -be by the open fire--one will be the Thanksgivin'." - -"And we will be lovers." - -"I never intend to be anything else." - -"All right, begin. Say it over--just what you did the night by the -fire." - -Very tenderly and with all the meaning of his soul he said the words -her heart was hungry to hear again, and he kissed her. - -With a radiant face she reached under the pillow and took out the -little gold ring. - -"Here's the ring. It won't stay on now. But put it on just as you did, -and say the same words. I was so proud and so happy I thought my heart -would burst, and my thanksgiving to God was very real." - -His face was sober now. He took the ring and the thin, white hand, and, -repeating the words that had made her so happy, he slipped the ring -over her finger as he kissed her again and again. Then he lifted her -hand and kissed it. - -"You are getting to be a better lover all the time," she said. "Hold -out your hand." She put the tips of her fingers in the palm of his hand -and the ring dropped from her thin finger. "Keep it for me a little -while. Don't let anyone get it and don't lose it. Now shall I sing for -you?" - -"Yes, Ann--no music this side of heaven will ever be so sweet to me as -your singin'." - -"Dear old goose," she laughed. "Then hand me my hymn-book." - -She turned the pages slowly. "I have sung all the old ones and found -some nice new ones. Here is a new song--a happy song: - - What a mercy is this! - What a heaven of bliss! - How unspeakably happy am I, - Gathered into the fold--" - -The song was interrupted by a slight cough which ended in a choking -spell. She rested a moment. - -"Do you like it, Abraham?" - -"Yes, but that's not my song." - -"You want the pilgrim song?" - -"Yes, my little pilgrim, that is mine. Can you sing it?" - -"Yes, indeed, and I want to": - - I'm a pilgrim and I'm a stranger; - I can tarry, I can tarry but a night! - -Her voice was clear and steady. There was the same triumphant ring, -the same quaver and lengthening of certain syllables. But the strong -buoyancy had given place to something suggestive of an echo song, and -it seemed to the listening lever that the message came from some more -distant heights than the bluff. - -"That's the sample," she announced. "If it sounds all right I'll begin -again and sing through from the first--sing it all. But Abraham, put -the big shawl, that's on the foot of the bed, up here handy." - -"Are you cold, Ann?" - -"No, not yet--but I feel--feel strange." - -He put the shawl beside her. - -"It's handy now. I'll sing." - -Again she sang the lines "I'm a pilgrim--I'm a stranger----" She was -singing slower now. When she came to the words "I can tarry," she -stopped a moment. "The shawl, Abraham, wrap it about me tightly." - -"Let me call your mother," he said as he wrapped the shawl about her. - -"Not just yet--not until I finish my song. I will hurry. 'I can -tarry--I can tarry----'" - -Again the song was interrupted by a struggle for breath, and she seemed -to be swallowing something. - -"Put your arms around me--I want to finish." Her voice wavered. She -shivered. Then came the words quite clearly, but sounding very far -away, "'Do--not--detain--me----'" - -Again there was a slight struggle for breath, and her head fell against -his breast. - -"Ann! Ann! What's the matter, Ann?" - -She did not answer. - -He put his hand under her chin and turned her face toward him. A film -was forming over the half-closed violet eyes. - -"Ann! My God! Ann!" The words were wrung from him now in fear and agony. - -Warm and close she lay in his arms like a little child--but she was -silent. - -He placed her on the pillow and called to her again. He wrapped his -fingers about her wrist. He put his ear against her breast, half -groaning, half calling: "Ann! Ann!" - -It was still in the room. He arose from the bedside and slightly -raising his face, which was drawn and ashy gray, he called: "Ann! Ann!" - -Again the silence. - -Then with such a groan as voices the agony of the human soul, he -whispered hoarsely: "My God--why hast Thou forsaken me!" - -A moment later, Mrs. Rutledge and Dr. Allen who were standing beside -Davy's bedside heard someone step into the doorway. - -They looked around. There in the open way that made a rude frame they -saw a picture of unutterable sorrow. Deep as the still foundations -of the finest soul, the hurt had struck. Like some monarch of a -timber-line twisted by titanic force, so he seemed to have been -ruthlessly stormbeaten out of semblance to his former self. The little -lines that had traced their way on a young man's face seemed suddenly -to have grown deep as by long erosion, and he was as pallid as a dead -child. - -He seemed to be making an effort to speak. The muscles of his face -twitched. No sound came from his lips, but they framed the word: "Ann!" - -"Abraham, what is it?" Mrs. Rutledge cried in alarm. - -Dr. Allen ran to Ann's bedside, Mrs. Rutledge following. The man in -the doorway waited until he heard a mother crying: "No--no, she is not -_dead_!" - -Then he was gone. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII - -"WHERE IS ABE LINCOLN?" - - -News of the death of Ann Rutledge spread quickly, even Snoutful Kelly -taking the news to Muddy Point, and though there was much sickness in -the vicinity a large number gathered around the open grave where her -young body was to be put away. Even Clary Grove, with a constitutional -dislike for funerals, was well represented, and Ole Bar, who had made -his boast that he had never been to a "berrying" in his life, stood -back behind the trees, holding tight a flower which he had picked to -put on the grave. - -Most of those present came from a genuine love of Abe and Ann. Some -came to see how the strongest man and greatest lover in Sangamon County -would take his bitter loss. - -These were disappointed. Standing as he did, head and shoulders above -any other man in the community, it would have been unnecessary to look -for the chief mourner. And yet every eye around the grave searched for -Abe Lincoln. - -While the preacher was trying to give words of hope and consolation -to the bereaved ones it was quiet in the place of graves except for -subdued sobs. But when the singers began the old, plaint hymn. - - Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep, - From which none ever wakes to weep, - -sobs broke out everywhere, for the melody carried to the saddened -hearts about the open grave more than the words of the preacher had -done, the pain-filled consciousness that the voice of the gladdest, -sweetest singer of them all was hushed forever. - -After the simple burial rites were over, Nance Cameron, Miss Rogers and -others brought armfuls of early goldenrod and asters which they had -gathered, to cover the low mound of the best-loved girl in New Salem. - -It was not until the company had gone that Ole Bar came out of the -woods, and, kneeling by the grave, put his lone flower over the place -where under the earth her hands were folded. - -From the dead, interest turned to the living, and the one question -asked by his friends was: "Where is Abe Lincoln?" Dr. Allen asked Mrs. -Rutledge. She did not know and asked John Rutledge. He did not know. -William Green was asked and Mentor Graham. Nobody knew anything about -Lincoln. - -Early the morning after the day of the funeral, Katy Kelly looked out -and saw a man coming. - -"Ma," she called, "there's an old man comin' to our place." - -Visitors being almost unheard of out there, Mrs. Kelly looked out. For -a moment she seemed puzzled. The man was somewhat stooped and walking -slowly. It was none other than Abraham Lincoln. - -"Howdy, Mrs. Kelly," he said wearily. "I was passing by and thought I'd -stop a minute." - -Mrs. Kelly hastened into her one room and cleared off the only chair in -the house. - -"Ma," whispered Katy, not knowing she had ever seen him before, "What's -ailin' of that old man?" - -"Shut up," her mother whispered. "His gal's dead, and he's not got over -it yet." Then to Lincoln she said: "You look nigh starved, Mr. Linking. -We hain't much, but if you was to refuse I'd feel powerful hurt." - -"But I'm not hungry at all--I couldn't eat. I've been over about -Concord and just stopped to get a drink of water." - -"We've got a cow since Kelly got broke up from dram drinkin'. You'll -take a cup of milk, I'm sure." - -He drank the milk, thanked her and went on. She watched him until he -disappeared behind the trees. "He's a awful-sized man to take it to -heart so. Don't he know there's as good fish in the sea as has ever -been caught?" - -The second night that Abe Lincoln was missing a few of his close -friends held a council at Dr. Allen's house. William Green was there -and Mentor Graham. Dr. Allen had been telling them that Lincoln himself -had not been well for several weeks. The suggestion that he might have, -in a moment of despair, ended his life was not reasonable to those who -knew him. Neither was Dr. Allen of the opinion that the shock would -impair his reason. - -"Lincoln is large in all ways. He has a great mind and a great heart. -He has been a great lover--the greatest lover that ever lived in these -parts. Just now he is numbed by the shock of his loss as one is numbed -by a great blow. He is somewhere alone in his grief--no telling where. -But unless he has food and medical attention, he too may follow Ann -shortly. We must find him." - -While they were discussing his whereabouts, Lincoln was, as Dr. Allen -had supposed, alone with his grief. - -After a night by the grave of his dead, Abe Lincoln set out at twilight -of the second day to visit the places where she who seemed yet living -had lived. - -Turning his face toward New Salem he made his way slowly along the -well-known roadway to the place where he had dropped his bundle and -listened on a never-to-be-forgotten night to a sweet voice singing on -the heights. Then he had been a friendly stranger in New Salem. How -fast the years had gone. What long and patient waiting and what fulness -of joy had been their measure. But now the cup was bitter to the brim -with the stupefying potion of dead hope and the gall of human loss. - -In the shadow of the bluff he paused. He moved nearer the bluff, raised -his face and, with a feverish expectancy, listened. As he stood the -drowsy stillness was broken by the far, faint tinkle of a cow-bell. For -a moment the mirage of hope set his heart beating with spasmodic joy. -It was all a fearful dream--all a heart crushing unreality. She was -yet up on the heights, alive, glad, singing and shouting. He listened, -even straining his ear for the first notes of her glad, free song. - -As if she were not yet beyond sound of his voice he called: "Ann! Ann!" -Again he listened intently. - -The gray of twilight deepened. The dim music of the far-away bell -dissolved itself in a pervading hush, and all was still. - -In a voice suggesting the pain of a fresh blow, the man in the shadow -whispered with upturned face, "Ann! Ann!" The whisper, too, was -gathered into the all-enveloping gloom and silence. - -He went a little farther on, the soft music of water running over -stones came to his ear. It was the stream in the schoolroom where ferns -had been books and God had been the teacher. - -Mechanically he turned toward it. The swollen stream across which he -had carried Ann on a night not so long ago was smaller now. He stepped -across. - -The gray of the open road deepened in the fern-dell into gloom. But -no light was needed to bring to the vision of the man the picture of -one he yet sought in the land of the living. Again he saw her with the -sun-shine falling over the red-gold tresses of her wreath-bound hair -as she sat on the ledge of rock. Again he heard her voice but he was -too numb now to remember its message. - -Groping his way to the stone, he knelt beside it and spread his hands -over the place where she had sat. His fingers came in contact with dead -leaves. Feeling along the way they lay he found the wreath, yet there, -that had been a crown on May day. Lifting it gently he cried: "Oh, Ann! -Ann! It cannot be. You have not gone away forever! You will come back -to me! We will have our little home! Oh, Ann! Ann!" His pleading voice -ended in a groan. He dropped his face against the faded leaves. - -How long he remained by the rock and the wreath he did not know. After -a time, like a crushed and wounded animal, he crept from the place and -proceeded on his way toward the village. - -He walked slowly a few minutes, then, as if drawn by some pleasant -fancy, he quickened his pace. The rear of the mill-dam had caught his -ear. He was going to the mill. Here was a place that she had said -seemed sacred to her, and he was glad when the dark outlines of the -mill stood out against the growing shadows. The double doors stood -open, just as they had before. He went into the building and out on the -platform over the river, just as he had before. The foam of the falling -water shone white in the pale light, just as it had before. The trees -cast their shadows and the stars their bright reflections, just as -before. He leaned against the doorway as he had done once before when -in great gloom, then he waited for the one to come who had brought the -light. - -Several times he turned toward the door as if expecting to see the -fair-faced girl emerging from the dusky gray and coming toward him. In -a sort of numb expectancy he waited. Once he reached out his long arm -as if to encircle some near object, but there were only shadows in the -dark. - -After a time he took the little ring from his pocket. He moved near the -edge of the platform. He lifted the frail, little token of eternal love -to his lips and held it there a moment. Then he reached his long arm -out over the foaming water and with a groan let the ring fall into the -depths of the smoothly flowing Sangamon. - -As if loath to leave the place he turned back from the doorway and, -leaning against the wall, looked out into the darkness. Shortly after -he had done so, someone touched him gently on the arm. With a great -start he cried: "Ann! Ann!" - -A small figure drew back slightly and a voice said: "I've been lookin' -fer you, Abry Linkhorn. You're worse than a bee to run down." - -The man hesitated a second, then he held out his hand and said, "Howdy, -partner. What did you want with me?" - -"I've been numerous in bar hunts as you've heard tell, but I haven't -never gone to no berryin', so help me God, but the berryin' of your -Ann. And I wouldn't have gone for no one else's 'ceptin' it was you." - -"I wish it had been," the man said. - -"Maybe so, but since I was thar and you wasn't thar and I heard -something that made me pestiferous glad I went, I thought you would -like to hear about it." - -"You are kind to think of me. What could have made you feel glad?" - -"It made me feel glad to learn that God's not--not a damn fool." - -"How did you learn this?" - -"From the berryin' itself. The parson read out of a book that when -this here meat body changes into the other kind like Ann Rutledge has, -then death is swallered up in victory. Don't this sound like God's got -horse-sense?" - -"I don't know anything about God." And there was bitterness in the -answer. - -"Yeh, you do. You know nothin' but God could make a gal like your Ann -Rutledge. And if God's not a blame fool he made her for something -more than the little time she's spent in this here New Salem. I'm not -promiscuous enough to tell it like the parson, but I'm tellin' you, -Abry Linkhorn, that when I set by that grave and put my flower over -the place where her hands was berried and said what I didn't never -have words to say when she was here about thankin' her for remembering -poor Ole Bar, I _know_ she heard it. She didn't say nothin', but I -seen her smile and I know--I know--curse it, I can't tell what I know. -But Ann Rutledge ain't blowed out like no candle. I know this. And I -am glad. And I'm glad, too, Abry Linkhorn, that she wasn't none of -my gal. If you'd seen John Rutledge standin' beside that grave you'd -been glad she wasn't no flesh and blood of yourn. I never knew before -that grizzle-tops like him, that's men, and not chipper-perkers, liked -gals so well. He didn't make no noise like her mother did, but it's -still water that runs deep and he'll have the heart-bleeds for many a -changin' moon." - -"Poor Rutledge," Lincoln said brokenly. "I must go to see him." - -"Yep, and there's others you ought to go to see, and you can't get -started none too quick. The whole kit and posse of 'em's' about to -start searchin' fer you; Clary Grove to boot. Any reason why you should -make your friends beat the bushes when walking's good and you ain't no -cripple?" - -It was this appeal that turned the steps of Lincoln to the home of Dr. -Allen as he and William Green yet sat discussing him. - -As Ole Bar and Abe Lincoln passed Rutledge Inn, the latter looked -across the street. A light burned in the window of the room where Ann's -little sewing-table had been. - -The tall man hesitated and moved on. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV - -FOR THE THINGS THAT ARE TO BE - - -While Dr. Allen and William Green were yet discussing the strange -disappearance of Abe Lincoln, the door opened and he stood before them. - -They turned toward him and beheld what seemed a wreckage, wrought by -hunger and longing, unrest and the sorrow of a loss which could never -be made good. In his face were lines already too deeply cut for Time's -erasure. - -No word was spoken. The two men seemed awed by the majesty of his -silence and strangely moved by his dumb sorrow, and, strong men though -they were, tears wet their cheeks. - -"Doc," Lincoln said, "how long will this last--for I cannot, cannot -bear to think of--of----" - -His voice grew unsteady. He did not finish the sentence; instead he -said, "Is there any honorable way I can finish it all?" - -"You do not want to finish it. You want to live your life." - -"I have lived my life." - -The voice seemed far away as if from some ancestral tomb. "I have -lived my life. I found it here in New Salem--and I will leave it here." - -"No, no. You will feel differently after awhile. You will want to live -for the things that are to be." - -"For the things that are to be? What can a man do when that which alone -could make life worth living is taken from it forever?" - -"There are other incentives to life than love. There is ambition with -its measure of fame, and service with the pleasure of duty," Dr. Allen -said. - -"Ambition--fame," Lincoln repeated wearily. "What is fame but a -bauble--a passin' bauble." - -"But think what you may live to do for humanity in some way or another. -You have made a good beginning--you have put in the foundation, -Lincoln. You might be Governor of Illinois some day. Think then what -you might accomplish for liberty--for freedom and justice." - -"My interest in these things is dead. Everything is dead." - -"No, not dead, only numb. Great pain brings numbness, but Time heals -the deepest cuts. The edges stay tender, the old wounds bleed and the -scars remain. But in spite of all, the numbness and the pain give way -in time to the healing forces of nature." - -Lincoln dropped his head wearily on the table. He was ill, tired, -hungry, suffering from loss of sleep--all this with the other. - -Dr. Allen looked helplessly at Green and wiped his eyes again. - -"Abe"--it was Green speaking. "Can't you pull yourself together for a -little while--at least until you get Jim Henry's note paid? Tom Dickson -from up near Springfield says they're having hard luck. He was over -their way and found Jim's wife and baby sick and him about to lose -his place. Just a little along now and then will save the day. He was -talking about your note, said you would pay every cent of it. On the -strength of this they were given more time. This here's a plain duty -and a man's job, Abe." - -Lincoln raised himself and looked at Green. "Jim Henry's dependin' on -me and they've given him more time because my note is good?" - -"That's it. And when his wife was down a few months ago and went to see -Ann Rutledge, Ann told her you would pay every cent of it if it was the -last act of your life." - -"I suppose this is one of the things that are to be," he said, -addressing Dr. Allen. - -"No doubt. And with the days that follow new duties and new -opportunities will unfold. 'God moves in a mysterious way,' the hymn -book tells us, 'His wonders to perform.' We don't know how or why, but -back of it all He moves, and He needs strong men, men not afraid, men -who cannot be bought or sold to stand for the interests of the people -and the rights of those helpless ones who are always the prey of the -powerful and unscrupulous." - -"Perhaps you are right," he answered. "I'll not neglect a duty." - -Thus it was that the man who did not care to stay in the world to be a -governor chose life with all its losses in order to pay an honest debt. - -Then William Green delivered a message from "Baby Green" which was a -pressing invitation to Abe Lincoln to visit her for the very unselfish -reason that the door had mashed her toe and she needed a great, tall -horse to ride her. - -So Abe Lincoln went home with William Green, where he was fed and -looked after by the motherly Aunt Sally Green and where he was in turn -expected to look after "Baby Green." Here children came to romp with -him, books and papers were sent, and occasionally several of the old -friends from New Salem came out to tell him the political gossip. - -Aunt Sally found something for him to do every night, for she did not -want him wandering away to Ann's grave. He made no effort to do so, -however, and after a few weeks' rest he returned to New Salem to take -up his life as best he could, and day by day live on for the things -that were to be. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV - -THE POEM - - -The Clary Grove gang were going to have an important meeting. It had -been rumored that Windy Batts, who went as a missionary to the Indians, -had lost his head. The general satisfaction with which this news had -been received by the Clary Grove gang, singly, indicated that it -would prove a pleasant topic for discussion, and nobody was likely to -disagree with Ole Bar when he said: "Them pizen shooting injuns has riz -to a tall and mighty pre-eminence in my mind if they cut off that fire -and brimstone croaker's rattle box." - -Kit Parsons was expected to divulge a plan for giving the angels -another job. He had been desperately sick during the summer, and while -lying at death's door a local religious enemy had said the gates of -hell would soon shut Kit in where he had ought to have been before he -was born. Kit said he had pulled through to fan the face off of this -profane wretch with brick-bats. The details of the plans expected to -prove interesting. - -A great horse-swapping horse-story was also expected, provided Buck -Thompson reached New Salem that night. He had been up the Ohio River -and it was told by a man that passed through Sangamon County that Buck -had traded a Yankee out of a horse and got fairly good boot; that he -took the horse, fed it some filler, painted its ears, trimmed its tail -and dyed it, put a few dapples on its hide and traded it back to the -same Yankee for yet more boot. - -The group was about the fire when Buck came. He had been away some -weeks, and before the story-telling started he wanted to hear something -of town affairs. - -"Lots of sickness," Kit Parsons said. - -"Yeh?" Buck questioned. - -"Yes--Grandpa Johnson's dead and Clem Herndon's boy and Ann Rutledge." - -Buck was interested now. - -"Ann Rutledge dead? No!" - -"Yeh--she's dead." - -"Abe's gal." - -"Dead and buried out near Concord." - -"Poor old Abe. Take it hard, did he?" - -"Nobody knows. He ain't saying nothin'." - -"They say he went crazy for a time," Kit Parsons remarked. - -"They lie," said Ole Bar. "Abry Linkhorn hain't never gone nowhere near -crazy at no time." - -"Maybe he didn't go clear crazy, but Doc Allen said he was hit hard and -wasn't likely to git over it no time soon." - -"I bet a bottle against a bottle he's over it now," said Buck Thompson. -"Who'll take it up? Will you, Jack Armstrong?" - -"If it was somebody like you are I would. You get petticoat-fever every -change of the moon, take it like spring pimples that's always goin' and -comin'. But some take it like the smallpox and don't never get over the -scars. Abe Lincoln's the kind that will wear the scars." - -"Bars is the same," Ole Bar ventured. "Most bars is done with their -women folks after matin' season. Once in a lifetime you find a pair of -bars stickin' together. Nobody but their maker knows what they do it -fur. It's the same with men, and Abry Linkhorn, he picked him out one -worth stickin' to. - -"Yeh--nobody blames him for gettin' sweet on Ann Rutledge. But poke -up the fire and let's get jolly or this dead talk will stir up the -spooks." - -While they were piling up the fire and stacking up the bottles, someone -looked down the road and saw a tall, slightly bent figure approaching -in the darkness. - -"Boys, he's comin'," Kit Parsons announced. - -"Who--who's coming?" - -"Abe Lincoln--or his ghost." - -"Thunder--I hope he's not crazy. I kin manage Yankees and niggers--but -crazy ones--ugh!" and Thompson shrugged his shoulders. - -"Pull in your sorgum-sucker," Ole Bar said shortly, "and don't none of -you get nothin' started about his gal." - -"That's it," said Jack Armstrong. "If he hain't forgot about her let's -help him do it. Let's give him a howlin' good time." - -Then they grew silent, for he was approaching and they wondered. They -had not seen him since Ann's death. - -The fresh flames were throwing fitful lights up into the overhanging -brown branches and over the faces of the group, when Lincoln came into -the circle of light and, extending his hand here and there, said: -"Howdy, boys, howdy." - -Something like a sigh of relief passed around the group. He didn't seem -crazy. - -He dropped himself in the circle of light. Then for the time they saw -his face the effect of which was to bring a respectful silence over the -noisy group. - -The wind rustled slightly and a couple of brown leaves floated down -to the fireside. The gray face looked up a moment. Another leaf was -falling. They all watched it. - -"Boys," said Lincoln in a voice they did not know, "the leaves are -fallin' early." - -"Yeh--droppin' early this year." - -Again there was a pause. Then he said, "I haven't been with you in a -long time." - -"Not in a coon's age--and we're glad to have you, Abe." - -"I'm glad to be here. I felt as if it would do me good to see you all. -And I've brought a poem I want to read if you don't care." - -"Is it jolly?" - -"Yeh--something damn jolly is what we want." - -"No," said Lincoln slowly, "it is not jolly. It's the other kind. But -this is my favorite of all poems. May I read it to you?" - -"Go to it, Abry Linkhorn," Ole Bar said. - -Abe Lincoln took a book from his pocket, opened it and laid it on his -knee. - -He read as if asking them the question: - - O why should the spirit of mortal be proud? - Like a swift, fleeting meteor, a fast-flying cloud; - A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave, - Man passes from life to his rest in the grave. - -There was a slight pause. Every man's eye was on the gray face bending -over the book in the flickering light. - -When he began reading the next verse he lifted his eyes from the pages -and looked away, farther away than the circle of brown-branched trees. -There was, to the men, a suggestion in his tone of an approach to -something strange, perhaps forbidding. - - The leaves of the oak and the willow shall fade, - Be scattered abroad and together be laid. - -He paused a moment. Involuntarily several glances were cast toward the -leaves lying by the legs at their feet. - -He went on: - - And the young and the old, the low and the high, - Shall moulder to dust and together shall lie. - -It was very quiet. - - The peasant whose lot is to sow and to reap, - The herdsman who climbs with his goats up the steep, - The beggar who wandered in search of his bread, - Have faded away like the grass that we tread. - -There was much more than the words in the reading. - -The group about the fire saw the peasant, saw the herdsman. They saw -the saint who enjoyed the communion of heaven and the sinner who dared -to remain unforgiven. There in the quiet of the night beside the ashes -and the flames, he was making all these live--and go their short way. - - So the multitude goes--like the flowers or the weeds - - * * * * * - - So the multitude comes, even these we behold, - To repeat every tale that has ever been told - -Kit Parsons punched the fire. Buck Thompson reached for a bottle and -drew his hand back empty. - - We are the same that our fathers have been, - - * * * * * - - We drink the same stream and view the same sun - And run the same course that our fathers have run. - -Pausing again, as if a line of thought ran in between the verses, he -looked away from the book. The next verse was about the mother and -child--each, all are away to their dwelling of rest. - -He seemed now hesitating whether or not to proceed. The men watched him -without comment. His gray face was marked with a fresh baptism of pain -which he seemed to be struggling to put away. - -With unsteady voice he read. - - The maid on whose cheek, on whose brow, in whose eye, - Show beauty and pleasure-- - -Here there was a long pause. Ole Bar got up and went out. Kit Parsons -poked the fire. Buck Thompson took to spitting. But no man spoke as the -voice by the fire pronounced the words "her triumphs--are by," and even -the fire seemed to burn softly. - -For a moment he glanced about the group--a helpless glance of appeal to -those strong men. Buck Thompson was drawing his sleeves across his eye, -evidently to remove some foreign matter. Jack Armstrong was pinching -his red bandanna down under his leg. Another chunk was pitched into the -fire. - -It was a relief when he went on again to the "Hand of the king that the -scepter hath borne," and the "brow of the priest that the miter hath -worn." They seemed to see the king and the priest and they felt the -force of the words as he read: - - From the death we are shrinking, our fathers would shrink. - To the lives we are clinging our fathers would cling. - But it speeds from us all--like--a--bird--on--the--wing. - -He measured the words off slowly. He was not looking at the book. -Perhaps he saw fleet birds winging their way beyond his vision. His -listeners divined something of the kind. - -He had reached another hard place. He picked up the book and looked at -it and replaced it on his knee. Again he was speaking nearer or farther -than those just about him. - - They loved--but the story we cannot unfold.... - They joyed, but the tongue of their gladness is dumb. - -"Jo," he said, handing the book to Kelsy, "you know the poem. Finish it -for the boys." - -Kelsy finished it. But they did not hear him. The poem to them mattered -little. The man who had read it meant much. - -"What's the name of that there poem?" Buck Thompson asked. - -"_Immortality._" - -"Immortality--that means that this here vale of tears is not all that's -comin' to us?" - -"That's it. We are only here a little while at best. Any good thing -therefore that we can do, let's do it. We won't come back this way, you -know." - -Here Ole Bar returned. They all looked at him inquiringly. - -"What you lookin' at?" he growled. "Nothin' the matter with that poem. -But my fool nose she runs like the devil at first frost fall and leaves -ain't much good fur shuttin' her off when'a poem's goin' on." - -His explanation was accepted. - -Lincoln was speaking again. "You've been good friends to have, and I -want to say, because I won't always be about these parts, that if any -of you ever get in need of a friend and Abe Lincoln can help him out, -call on him. And I want to say to you that I've lived the best time of -my life right here in New Salem--the happiest--and--well, I'll see you -again--good-bye, boys." And the tall man slightly bent, and moving as -if aged, left the group around the fire. - -There was silence about the fire for a full minute. - -"Poor Old Abe," said Buck. - -"I'd a give my right arm to have kept this here thing from happenin'," -said Armstrong. - -"Do you fellows recollect," Kit Parsons said, "the man that was through -here preaching two years ago--the feller that preached one night about -the 'Man of Sorrows?' Recollect how the women bawled? Looked like they -couldn't suppress themselves nor get hold of enough dry-goods to sop -up their flowin' tears. It's just now soakin' into my head the reason -of it all." - -"Well, what was it?" - -"That feller made 'em _see_ the man." - -Here was thought for reflection. - -A moment later Buck Thompson took up a bottle, threw back his head and -raised it to his lips, saying as he did so, "I'm glad he didn't say -nothin' about Ann Rutledge." - -"Ann Rutledge!" exclaimed Ole Bar. "Idiot! Fool! He didn't mention -_nothin' else_." - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI - -ON THE WAY - - -It was an October afternoon. - -The first frosts had fallen, and where, a few short days before, the -goldenrod had shed its autumn glory, it now stood sere and earth-bent. -The late asters had lost their color and the wind-blown tendrils of -summer vines were but stiff spirals, clinging to the sumacs like -skeletons of their former graceful selves. - -In the Concord burying-plot all was gray and brown and restful. From -the forest of oak and hickory on the one side the leaves had fallen, -and lay cradled about the grave and strewn over the grassy slope that -led to the little stream where willows held out their slender arms, -nude, save for here and there a pale and trembling leaf. - -A haze hung over the distant fields which seemed to permeate the -near-by woods, giving a tint of filmy softness even to the shadows -gathering between the somber tree trunks. - -There seemed no living thing about when a man, himself tall and somber -as the trees through which he walked, came to the place of graves, and -going to one of them fell beside it crying: "Ann! Ann!" - -A moment he knelt, speaking the name before he threw himself -full-length with his face upon the sod. Whether he were praying there -or weeping or struggling for the grace of resignation, none might know, -for no sound came from his lips. - -It was not until the sun had dropped behind the tree-top that he -arose. Yet a little time he tarried. Then he went into the edge of the -wood and stood with his sad, gray eyes turned to the little mound of -earth. As the shadows lengthened, reaching out from the forest toward -the grave as if to gather it in, they seemed to bind him in also with -the elemental things about him, things rugged, resigned, patient and -eternal. - -A passing breeze stirred the dead leaves into music like the plaint -murmur of some long-forgotten sea, and back in the dusk a lone bird -piped, sending onto the stillness a message from the vague and -shoreless bounds of some eternal place. - -"Out of the depths fresh strength; out of the dark, new light; and even -in the gloom we are on the way." - -The somber man in the gathering shadows lifted his eyes from the low -mound to a cloud-bank rimmed with silver. The mask of sorrow seemed -suddenly to have softened. A faint smile lit his face as he said -reverently, "Soul of Ann Rutledge--yes, I _believe_." - -A bird darted out of the shadows and disappeared in the gray and fading -sky. - -The man turned and started on his way, like the lone bird, he knew not -whither. - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Soul of Ann Rutledge: Abraham -Lincoln's Romance, by Bernie Babcock - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SOUL OF ANN RUTLEDGE: *** - -***** This file should be named 62028.txt or 62028.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/0/2/62028/ - -Produced by Mary Glenn Krause, Graeme Mackreth and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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