which he assisted in building. He gave directions for the erection of a suitable monument to his father, and then rode to Charleston, where his step-mother was living. A great crowd had gathered to welcome him. Many remembered him as he appeared on that day when he put Dan Needham on his back in the wrestling-match (see page 60).

loving and helpful he obedient, kind, and tender.

Returning to Springfield, he found his old friends of New Salem

there to shake hands

[Where Abraham Lincoln bade farewell to his step-mother. From a photo with him once more;

graph taken by the author in October, 1890.]

among them Hannah

Armstrong, whose son he defended when accused of murder.

"I am afraid that those bad people will kill you," said Hannah. "Well, they can't do it but once," the reply. (*)

It was late in the afternoon, and the sun was setting when Isaac Colgate called. They talked of old times, of those whom he used to know in New Salem. Mr. Lincoln spoke tenderly of Ann Rutledge. "I have ever loved the name of Rutledge. I loved Ann honestly, truly, dearly. She was beautiful, intellectual, good. I think of her often."(") So he unbosomed himself to his dear old friend in the twilight of that winter evening.

His business in Springfield was closed, his trunks packed. He enFeb. 10. tered the office of Lincoln & Herndon to bid his partner fare1861. well. He was weary, and threw himself upon the lounge. He was once more looking far away. He broke the silence at last.

"Billy, how long have we been together?"

"Over sixteen years."

"We haven't had a cross word during all that time, have we?" "Not one."

The old smile was upon his face as he went over the past.

"Don't take down the sign, Billy; let it swing that our clients may understand that the election of a President makes no change in the firm of Lincoln & Herndon." He took a farewell glance at the room-the books, the table, the chairs. Together the partners descended the stairs. "Oh, Billy, I am sick of office-holding, and I shudder when I think of what is before me. The chances are that I never shall return." The old sadness was upon him.

"Oh, that is an illusory notion. It is not in harmony or keeping with the popular ideal of a President," the remark of Herndon, who did not know what else to say.

"But it is in keeping with my philosophy. Good-bye.” (')

The Provisional Government of the Confederate States had been organized-Jefferson Davis, President, and Alexander H. Stephens, Vice

1861.

president of the Confederacy. Mr. Davis was on his way from Feb. 11, Mississippi to Montgomery, addressing the people in all the principal towns. He stood upon the balcony of the Exchange Hotel in that city the evening before his inauguration, with a negro by his side holding a tallow candle, which threw its flickering light upon the crowd in the street.

England," he said, "will not allow our great staple, cotton, to be dammed up within our present limits. If war must come, it must be on Northern, not on Southern soil. A glorious future is before us. The grass will grow in Northern cities where the pavements have been worn off by the tread of commerce. We will carry war where it is easy to advance, where food for the sword and torch await our armies. in the densely populated cities."

Mr. Davis had some reason for using such language, for a great many people in the Northern States had assured the Secessionists that they sympathized with them.

"If there is to be any fighting, it will be within our own borders, and in our own streets," wrote ex-President Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire. Fernando Wood, Mayor of New York, proposed that New York City secede from the State of New York.

"If force is to be used, it will be inaugurated at home," said the Democratic politicians of Albany.

"If the cotton States can do better out of the Union than in it, we insist on letting them go in peace," wrote Horace Greeley, editor of the New York" Tribune," who had done what he could to elect Mr. Lincoln.

The snow was falling in Springfield, but people were hastening to the railroad station to see once more the man whom they honored and loved. The conductor of the train which was to bear the Presi

Feb. 10. dential party to Washington was about to give the signal for

1861.

starting, but waited, for Mr. Lincoln was standing upon the platform of the car with his hand uplifted. These his parting words:

"My friends No one not in my situation can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place and the kindness of these people I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one of them is buried. I now leave, not knowing when or whether ever I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon

Washington. Without the assistance of that divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance, I cannot fail. Trusting in Him, who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell."

Mr. Lincoln had invited several gentlemen to accompany him to Washington; among others, Norman B. Judd, David Davis, Edwin V. Sumner, John Pope, David Hunter, and Ward Laman.

Mr. Lincoln was very much affected as he entered the car, after saying good-bye to his friends. He was on his way to become the chief executive of a great nation. But instead of elation at the prospect before him of exercising influence and power, there was depression of spirit.

In Montgomery, Jefferson Davis was talking of carrying the sword and torch into Northern cities, of conquest, war, and devastation. In Springfield, the words of Abraham Lincoln were in the spirit of those spoken by Jesus Christ in the "Sermon on the Mount." His voice trembled and its tender pathos brought tears to the eyes of those who heard him.

It was natural that the people should desire to see the man who had been elected President, and the route to Washington was arranged to take in a number of the large cities-Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, Pittsburg, Cleveland, and Buffalo. In each of these he spent a night and addressed great crowds of people. When the train left Cleveland, Mr. Patterson, of Westfield, was invited into Mr. Lincoln's car.

"Did I understand that your home is in Westfield?" Mr. Lincoln asked.

"Yes, sir; that is my home."

"Oh, by-the-way, do you know any one living there by the name of Bedell ?"

"Yes, sir, I know the family very well.”

"I have a correspondent in that family. Mr. Bedell's little girl, Grace, wrote me a very interesting letter advising me to wear whiskers, as she thought it would improve my looks. You see that I have followed her suggestion. Her letter was so unlike many that I received some that threatened assassination in case I was elected-that it was really a relief to receive it and a pleasure to answer it."

The train reached Westfield, and Mr. Lincoln stood upon the platform of the car to say a few words to the people.

"I have a little correspondent here, Grace Bedell, and if the little miss is present, I would like to see her."

Grace was far down the platform, and the crowd prevented her seeing or hearing him.

"Grace, Grace, the President is calling for you!" they shouted. A friend made his way with her through the crowd.

"Here she is."

Mr. Lincoln stepped down from the car, took her by the hand, and gave her a kiss.

"You see, Grace, I have let my whiskers grow for you." (')

The kindly smile was upon his face. The train whirled on. His heart was lighter. For one brief moment he had forgotten the burdens that were pressing him with their weight.

At Buffalo, Albany, and New York great crowds welcomed him. No boastful words fell from his lips. He gave no hint as to his course of action other than to preserve the Union and faithfully execute the trust committed to him by the people.

His speeches were disappointing. People expected he would give an outline of what he intended to do. It seems probable that he himself did not know. He had faith in God, in the people, and in himself. He would endeavor to execute the laws in accordance with the Constitution, and do the right thing at the right time.

Would he ever become President? There were rumors that the electoral vote never would be declared-that something would happen to prevent its being counted.

February 13th was the day fixed by law. Strange faces appeared