INTERNATIONAL FALLS PRESS PAGE SIX Then the~ party—save Harry Needles, or a cradle and~race them" playfully braced for a second and suddenly both A MAN FOR THE AGES "All that kind of thing can be safely Kirkham and Burns and Shakespeare who stayed in the grove to keep watch across the field of grain cutting a sprang forward. Their shoulders left to the common sense of our and Blaclcstone and Starkie, and the —took its captives into the cabin. wider swath than any other and always name together with a thud. It was (Continued From Page Two.) people," said Abe. "The remedy is science of surveying and been elected Three of them were boys from holding the lead. Every man like two big bison bulls hurling their education, not revolution. Slowly the to the legislature. I wonder if you eighteen to twenty years of age. The was out of breath at the end of his weight in the first shock of battle. people will have to set down all the said Berry. "If we ain't careful we'll could even have whipped Jack Armstrong." other was a lanky, bearded Tennesseean swath and needed a few minutes for For a breath each bore with all his items in the ledger of common sense 7_ git" prayed for plenty." some forty years old. One of the recuperation. That gave Abe a chance strength and then closed with his adversary. that passes from sire to son. By and "K the customers don't come faster "Or have enjoyed the friendship of young lads' had hurt his hand in the for his statement of the county's needs Each had an under hold by some generation will strike a balance. —I. reckon ^ve'11 need it," said Abe. Bill Berry and acquired a national evening's frolic. Blood was dripping and his plan of satisfying them. He with one arm, the other hoo'ced That may not come in a hundred "Howdy," said the minister as he debt, or have saved my imperiled from It. The four sat silent and fearful had met and talked with a majority iround a shoulder. Samson lifted Abe years. Soon or late the majority 'Vto^ed at the hitching bar, dismounted country in the war with Black Hawk, and ashamed. of the voters before the campaign from his feet but the latter with tremendous of the people will reach a reckoning and tied his mare. "Don't be Abe laughed. Sarah made tea and put it with meat ended in his election In August. efforts loosened the hold of with John Barleycorn. If there's skeered o' this 'ere dog. He were tied In the matter of dress the postmaa^ and milk and doughnuts and bread and Mie Vermonter, and regained the turf. At odd times that summer he had too much against him they will act. when I left home but he chawed his ter had great confidence in the ta butter on the table for them. Samson They struggled across the dooryard, been surveying a new road with Harry You might as well try to stop a glacier rope an' come a'ter me. I reckon If and knowledge of his young friend, washed and bandaged the boy's "he ground trembling beneath their Needles for his helper. In September by building a dam in front of It. nobody feeds him he'll patter back tonight. Harry Needles, whose neat appearance wound. The captives ate as if they "eot. They went against the side of they resumed their work upon They have opened an account with Any plug tobacco?" Abe regarded with serious admiration. were hungry, while the minister went it in .the vicinity of New Salem and he house, shaking it with the force slavery, too. By and by they'll decide "A backload of it," said Berry, going So he asked Harry to go out to feed his dog. When the men Abe began to carry the letters in his .f their impact. Samson had broken its fate." into the store to wait on the minister. with him on his new mission and help had finished eating Samson offered hat again. Every day Ann was looking ••he grip of one of Abe's hands and Such was his faith in the common to choose the goods and direct the them tobacco. The oldest man filled for him as he came by in the dim -»ow hnd his feet in the air again but folk of America whose way of learning When they came out the latter tailoring, for it seemed to him a highly his pipe and lighted it with a coal. light of the early morning on his way 'he young giant clung to hip and and whose love of the right he carved off a corner of the plug with important enterprise. Not one of the captives had said a houlder and wriggled back to his to work. knew as no man has known it hte jack-knife, put it into his mouth "Our appropriation is only fifteen word until this tall Tennesseean remarked "Anything for me?" she would ask. oothold. Those lesser men were In this connection the New Englander and sat do\vn on the doorstep. dollars," said Abe as thsy c&me in after his pipe was going: "No mail in since I saw you, Ann," !irilled and a little frightened by the wrote in his diary: sight of "the big village*' on a warm "Thankee, mister. You done been nighty struggle. Knowing the strength was the usual answer. "He has spent his boyhood in the "Where do Samson Traylor live?" bright day late in October. "Of course^ right good to us." Often he would say: "I'm afraid South and his young manhood in the Abe took him to the road and point" I can't expect to make myself look not, but here—you take these letters of the wrestlers they felt a fear of North. He has studied the East and ed the way. like the President of the United broken bones. Each had torn a rent and lock through 'em and make sure." "Who told you to come here?" Samson "There be goin' to be a raid," said States with such a sum, but I want to in the coat of the other. If they kept lived In the West. He is the people— demanded. Nuckles. "I reckon, by all I've heard, look like a respectable citizen of the Ann would take them in her hands, there was danger that both would I sometimes think—and about as slow 'Twere a man from St. Louis. He it'll come on tonight." trembling with eagerness, and run indoors be stripped. The children had begun to make up his mind. As Isaiah says: done said you hated the South an' United States, if that is possible. I'll "A raid! Who's going to be raided?" to tfie candlelight, and look them ro cry. Sara* begged the struggling 'He does not judge after the sight of were holpin' niggers to run away." give the old Abe and fifteen dol Abe asked. 0 over. Always she came back with the his eyes neither reprove after the hearing men to stop and they obeyed her. "And he offered to pay you to come to boot for a new one and we'll see "Them Traylor folks. Thar be a little bundle of letters very slowly "If any of you fellers think that's of his ears.' Abe has to think here and burn this house and run what comes of it." St. Louis man, name o' Biggs, done as if her disappointment were a heavy fun you can have my place," said Abe. about It." Traylor out of the county, didn't he?" Springfield had been rapidly changing. stirred up the folks from Missourey burden. "Samson, I declare you elected the In April Abe wrote another address Abe asked. It was still small and crude, but and Tennessee on the south road 'bout "There'll be one next mail if I have to the voters announcing that he was strongest man in this county. You've "He did—yes, suh—he suah did," the Yankee who holps the niggers out some of the best standards of civilization to write it myself," Abe said ons again a candidate for a seat in the got the muscle of" a grizzly bear. I'm answered the man—like a child in his had been set up in that community. o' bondage. They fce goin' to do some morning in October as he went on. glad to be quit o' ye." legislature. Late that month Harry ignorance and simplicity. Families of wealth and culture regulatin' tonight. 01 Satan'U break To Harry Needles, who was with walkld with him to Pappsville where "It ain't a fair election, Abe," Samson "I thought so," Abe rejoined. "You loose. Ef you don't wa'ch out they'll in the East had sent their sons and him that morning, he said: a crowd had assembled to attend a laughed. "If you were rassling tackled a big Job, my friend. Did you come over an' burn his house sartln." a share of their capital to this little "I wonder why that fellow don't public sale. At one place there were for the right you could flop me. This know that every one of you could be "We'll watch out," said Abe. "They metropolis of the land of plenty to go write to Ann. I couldn't believe that men in the crowd who knew Harry's iittle brush was nothing. Your heart sent to prison for a term of years, and don't know Traylor. He's one of the into business. Handsome, well-groomed he has been fooling her, but now I record in the war. They called on wasn't in it, and by thunder, Abe, I've a good mind to see that you go best itoen in this county." horses, in silver-mounted harness, don't know what to think of him. I him for a speech. He spoke on the when it comes to havin' fun I rather there. You men have got to begin drawing carriages that shone "so you "I've heered he were a he man an' wonder what has happened to the need of the means of transportation iuess we'd both do better to let each right now to behave yourselves mighty could see your face in them," to quote a right powerful, God-fearin' man," fellow." in Sangamon county with such insight other alone." proper or you'll begin to sup sorrow." said the minister. from Abe again, were on its streets. The mail stage was late that evening. and dignity and convincing candor 'Tain't exactly good amusement, Stephen Nuckles returned as Abe The two New Salem men stopped "He's one of the best men that ever As it had not come at nine Mr. that both Abe and the audience hailed not for us," Abe agreed. was speaking. and studied a big sign in front of a came to this country and any one Hill went home and left Abe in the him as a coming man. Abe and he It was growing dark. Ann Rutledge "You jest leave 'em to me, Mr. Lincoln," large store on which this announcement that wants to try his strength 1s welcome store to wait for his mail. The stage were often seen together those days. arrived on her pony, and called Abe he said. "These be good men, had been lettered: to I don't," said Abe. "Are you arrived a few minutes later. Abe examined In New Salem they were called the aside and told him that the raiders but ol' Satan done got his hooks on "Cloths, cassinettes, cassimeres, velvet going over there?" the little bundle of letters and disappointed lovers. It was known were in the village and were breaking 'em. Mis' Traylor, ef you don't mind, silks, satins, Marseilles walstcoating, newspapers which the driver had left "I were goin' to warn 'em an' help there that Abe was very fond of Ann the windows of Radford's store because I be goin' to do a job o' prayin' right fine, calf boots, seal and morocco with him. Then he took a paper and 'em ef I cain." Rutledge, although he had not as yet, he had refused to sell them liquor. now. Men, you jest git down on yo' pumps for gentlemen, crepe Usse, lace sat down to read In the firelight. "Well, go on, but don't stir 'em up," openly confessed to any one—not even "Don't say anything about it," Abe knees right hyar along o' me." veils. Thibet shawls, fine prunella While he was thus engaged the door Abe cautioned him. "Don't say a word to Ann—there being no show of hope cautioned her. "Just go into the house It is recorded later in the diary that shoes." opened softly and Ann Rutledge entered. about the raid. I'll be over there with for him. Ann was deeply in love with with Sarah Traylor and sit down and the rude Shepherd of the prairies "Reads like a foreign language to The postmaster was not aware some other fellers soon after sundown. John McNeil—the genial, handsome have a good visit. We'll look after worked with these men on their farms me," said Abe. "How would you like of her presence until she touched his and successful young Irishman. The We'll just tell 'em it's a he the raiders." for weeks until he had them wonted a little Marseilles waistcoating?" arm. party come over for a story-tellln' an' affair had reached the stage of frankness, Then Abe told Samson what was to the fold. Suddenly a man touched his shoulder "Please give me a letter," she said. a rassle. I reckon we'll have some of an open discussion of plans, up. The men concealed themselves in with a hearty "Howdy, Abe?" "Sit down, Ann," said he, very gently, of fond affection expressing itself in fun. Ride on over and take supper some bushes by the roadside while the It was Eli, "the Wandering Jew," CHAPTER XI. as he placed a chair In the fireglow. with 'em. They're worth knowing." caresses quite indifferent to ridicule. minister sat close against an end of as he had been wont to call himself In a few minutes the minister For Ann it had been like warm sunlight the house with his bloodhound beside in the days when he carried a pack In Which Abe, Elected to the Legislature, She took It, turning toward him mounted his horse and rode away followed on the growing rose. She was him. Before they were settled in on the road through Peter's Bluff and Gives What Comfort He Can to with a look of fear and hope. Then by his big dog. neater in dress, lovelier in form and their places they heard the regulators Clary's Grove and New Salem to he added: Ann Rutledge in the Beginning of "If I was you I wouldn't go," said color, more graceful in movement and coming. There were eight men in the Beardstown and back. Her Sorrows—Also He Goes to "I'm sorry, but the truth is it didn't Berry. sweeter-voiced than ever she had been. party according to Abe's count as "Dis is my store," said Eli. Springfield for New Clothes. come. It is terrible, Ann, that I have "Why not?" It is the old way that Nature has of they passed. The men, in concealment, "Your store!" Abe exclaimed. to help In this breaking of your heart "It'll hurt trade. Let the rest of preparing the young to come out upon Radford's grocery had been so hurried to the cabin and surrounded "Ya, look at de sign." that is going on. I seem to be the Traylor's friends go over. There's the stage of real life and to act in its wrecked by the raiders that its owner it, crouched against the The Jew pointed to his sign-board, head of the hammer that hits you so enough of 'em." moving scenes. Abe manfully gave was disheartened. Reinforced by John walls. In a moment they could see a some fifty feet long under the cornice, hard, but the handle is in other hands. "We must all stand as one man for them his best wishes and when he Cameron and James Rutledge he had big spot, blacker than the darkness, on which they read the legend: Honestly, Ann, I wish I could do the law and order," said Abe. "If we spoke of Ann it was done very tenderly. succeeded in drawing them away before moving toward them. It was the "Eli Fredenberg's Emporium." suffering for you—every bit of it—and don't there won't be any." The look of sadness, which all they could steal whisky enough to massed raiders. They came on with Abe looked him over from head to give your poor heart a rest. Hasn't As soon as Abe had had his supper had noted in his moments of abstraction, get drunk. But they had thrown the stealth of a cat nearlng its prey. foot and exclaimed: he written you this summer?" he went from house to house and deepened and often covered his much of his goods into the street. A lionlike roar broke the silence. The "My conscience! You look as if you "Not since July tenth," she answered. asked the men to come to his store face with its veil. That is another Radford mended his windows and offered preacher's bloodhound leaped forward. had been fixed up to be sold to the Then she confided to Abe for a piece of important business. way that Nature has of preparing the his stock for sale. After a time The waiting men sprang to their feet highest bidder." that her lover told her before he went When they had come he told them young. For these the roses have fallen Berry and Lincoln bought it, giving and charged. The raiders turned and The hairy, dusty, bow-legged, threadbare away that his name was not McNeil and only the thorns remain. They what was in the winfl. Soon after that notes in payment and applied for a ran, pell mell, in a panic toward their peddler had been touched by but McNamar that he had changed are not lured they seem to be driven hour Abe and Philemon Morris, and license to sell the liquors they had horses. Suddenly the darkness seemed some miraculous hand. The lavish his name to keep clear of his family Alexander Ferguson, and Martin Waddell to their tasks, but for all, soon or thus acquired. to fill with moving figures. One of until he had made a success that and Robert Johnson and Joshua late, her method changes. Late that autumn a boy baby arrived he had gone East to get his father Miller and Jack Kelso and Samuel On a beautiful morning of June, in the Traylor home. Mrs. Onstott, and mother and bring them back with Hill and John McNeil set out for the 1834, John McNeil left the village. Mrs. Waddell and Mrs. Kelso him lastly she came to the thing Traylor cabin. Samson greeted the Abe Lincoln and Harry and Samson came to help and one or the other that worried her most—the suspicion party with a look of surprise. and Sarah and Jack Kelso and his of them did the nursing and cooking of her father and mother that John "Have you come out to hang me?" wife stood with the Rutledges in the while Sarah was in bed and for a was not honest. "They say that he he asked. dooryard of the tavern when he rode little time thereafter. The coming probably had a wife when he came "No just to hang around ye," said away. He was going back to his of the baby was a comfort to this lonely here—that that is why he don't write Abe. home in the East to return in the autumn mother of the prairies. to me." "This time it's a heart warmin'," and make Ann his bride. The There is a letter from Sarah to her Then after a little silence she pleaded Jack Kelso averred. "We left our girl wept as if her heart would break brother dated May, 10, 1833, in which "You don't think that, do you, wives at home so that we could pay she sums up some months of history Abe?" our compliments to Mrs. Traylor in the words that follow: "No," said the latter, giving her without reserve, knowing you to be a "The Lord has given us a new son. the advantage of every doubt. "John man above jealousy." I have lived through the ordealthanks did a foolish thing, but we must not "It's what we call a he party, on to His goodness—and am strong condemn him without a knowledge of the prairies," said Ferguson. "For again. The coming of the baby has the facts. The young often do foolish one thing I wanted to see Abe and reconciled us to the loss of our old things and sickness would account for the minister have a rassle." friends as much as anything could. his silence. You go home and go to The Reverend Stephen Nuckles It has made this little home dear to sleep and stop worrying, Ann. You'll stood in front of the door with Sarah us and proved the quality of our new get that letter one of these days." and Harry and the children. He was friends. Nothing is too much for them a famous wrestler. A day or two later Abe and Harry to do. I don't wonder that Abe Lincoln "I cain't rassle like I used to could, went to Springfield. Their reason for has so much confidence in the hut I be willin' to give ye a tr.y, Abe," the trip lay in a talk between the postmaster people of this country. They, are •said the minister. and Jack Kelso the night before sound at heart, both the northerners "You'd better save your strength as they sat by the latter's fireside. and the southerners. Harry Needles for ol' Satan," said Abe. is getting over his disappointment. He "Go on,.Abe," the others urged. "I've been living where there was goes down to the store often to sit ^'Give him a try." no one to find fault with my parts of with Abe and Jack Kelso and hear Abe modestly stepped fonvard. In speech or with the parts of my legs them talk. He and Samson are getting the last year he had grown less inclined which were not decently covered," deeply interested in politics. Abe to that kind of fun. The men said Abe. "The sock district of my lets Harry read the books that he borrows took hold of each other, collar and person has been without representation The Jew Pointed to Hit Signboard. from Major Stuart of Springfield. elbow. They parried with their feet in the legislature of my intellect The boy is bent on being a lawyer and for an instant. Suddenly Abe's long up to its last session. Then we got a hand of the West had showered her improving his mind. Bim Kelso writes x-ight leg caught itself behind the left bill through for local Improvements favors on him. They resembled in to her mother that she is very happy knee of the minister. It was the hip and the governor has approved the some degree the barbaric pearl and in her new home but there is something Suddenly the Darkness Seemed to Fill lock as they called it those days. Once appropriation. Suddenly we discovered gold of the East. He glowed wit With Moving Figures." between the lines which seems prosperity. Diamonds and ruffled linen secured the stronger man was almost that there was no money in the to indicate that she is trying to put and Scotch plaid and red silk on sure to prevail and quickly, The treasury. But Samson Traylor has the fleeing men, whose coat tails the a good face on a bad matter. Abe sturdy circuit rider stood against it offered to buy an issue of bonds of his neck and a blue band on his hat dog had seized, was yelling for help. has been appointed postmaster. Every for a second until Abe sprang his bow. the amount of fifteen dollars." and a smooth-shorn face and perfumery The minister rescued him and the dog time he leaves the store he takes were the glittering details that Then the heels of the former flew upward 'Tm glad to hear you declare in went on roaring after the others. the letters in his hat and delivers them surrounded the person of Eli. and his body came down to the favor of external improvements," said When the New Salemites got to the as he gets a chance. We have named grass, back first. Kelso. "We've all been too much absorbed "Come in," urged the genial proprietor The Girl Wept as If Her Heart Would edge of the grove they could hear a the new baby Samuel." of the Emporium. "I vould like "That ar done popped my wind by internal improvements. Break. number of regulators climbing into One evening, of that summer, Abe to show you my goots and introduce bag," said the minister as he got up. You're on the right trail, Abe. You've the treetops. Samson had a man in came out to the Traylors' with a letter you to my brudder." been thinking of the public ear and "Call in," said John McNeil and the when he turned far down the road each hand Abe had another, while in his hat for Sarah. too little of the public eye. We must In the men's department after much others echoed it. and waved his hand to her. Harry Needles and Alexander Ferguson "How's business?" Samson asked. thoughtful discussion they decided upon show some respect for both." "I call in Samson Traylor." said the "Oh, my pretty lass! Do you not were in possession of the man "Going to peter out, I reckon," Abe "Sometimes I think that comely a suit of blue jeans—-that being minister. hear the birds singing in the meadows?" whom the dog had captured. The answered with a sorrowful look. "It the only goods which, in view of the dress ought to go with comely diction," At last the thing which had long said Jack Kelso. "Think of minister was out in the grove with will leave me badly in debt. I wanted said Abe "But that's a thing amount of cloth required, came within been a subject of talk and? argument the happiness all around you and of his bloodhound that was barking and something that would give me a you can't learn in books. There's no the appropriation. Ell advised In the stores and houses of New Salem the greater happiness that is coming growling under a tree. Jack Kelso chance for study and I got it. By against It. grammarian of the language of dress. was about to come to pass—a when he returns. Shame on you!" arrived with a lantern. Ohe of Samson's jlng! It looks as if I was going to Then I'm so big and awkward. It's "You are like Eli already," he said. trial of strength and agility between "I'm afraid he'll never come back," captives began swearing and have years of study trying to get over a rather hopeless problem." "You haf got de pack off your back. the two great lions of Sangamon county. Ann sobbed. struggling to get away. Samson gave It. Have you got any work to give "You're in good company," Kelso Look at me. Don't you bear my clothes Either of them would have given him a little shake and bade him be "Nonsense! Don't get a maggot in me? You know I can split rails about say somet'ing?" assured him. "Nature guards her best a month's work to avoid It. quiet. The man uttered a cry of fear your brain and let the crows go walking as fast as the next man and I'll take "They are very eloquent," said t."Yell, men with some sort of singularity, "Now we shall see which is the son and pain and offered no more resistance. over your face. Come, we'll take my pay in wheat or corn." dey make a speech. Dey say not attractive to others. Often she of Peleus and which the son of Telemon," Stephen Nuckles' came out of a ride in the meadows and if I don't "You may give me all the time you 'Eli Fredenberg he is no more a poor makes them odious with conceit or Kelso shouted. bring you back laughing you may call the grove. can spend outside the store," said devil. You cannot sneeze at him once deformity or dumbness or garrulity. "How shall we rassle?" Samson me no prophet." "The rest o' that ar party done gone Samson. again.^Nefer. He has climb de ladder Dante was such a poor talker that asked. So the event passed. upstairs to roost," said the minister. up.' Now you let me sell you That evening they had a talk about no one would ever ask him to dinner. "I don't care," said Abe. Harry traveled about with Abe a "I reckon my dog*U keep 'em thar. We the whisky business and its relation to somet'ing vat makes a good speech If it had not been so I presume his "Rough and tumble," Ferguson proposed. good deal that summer, "electioneering," better jest tote these men inter the for you." the character of Ellphalet Biggs and muse would have been sadly crippled as they called it, from farm to house an* have a prayin'' bee. I've got to sundry Infractions of law and order "If you let me dictate the speech by indigestion. If you had been a Both men agreed. They bent low a right smart good chanct, now, to farm. Abe used to go into the fields, I'll agree," said Abe. in their community. Samson had declared good dancer and a lady's favorite, I intently watching each other, their with the men whose favor he sought, whop ol* Satan." that It was wrong to sell wonder if yon would have studied great hands outreach lug, They stood .They, moved the raiders' horses. and bend Jiis long back over a scythe (To be continued) liquor.