e fireplace, talking with all who came, Sarah seemed to see,
not a man about to become President, but a forlorn-looking little boy.
She had loved that little boy from the moment she first saw him. He had
always been a good son to her--a better son than her own John.

When the last visitor had gone, she drew her chair closer. It was good
to have a few minutes alone together.

"Abe," she told him, "I can say what scarcely one mother in a thousand
can say."

He looked at her inquiringly.

"You never gave me a cross word in your life. I reckon your mind and
mine, that is--" she laughed, embarrassed, "what little mind I had,
seemed to run together."

He reached over and laid a big hand on her knee. She put her wrinkled,
work-hardened hand on his.

When the time came to say good-by, she could hardly keep the tears back.
"Will I ever see you again?" she asked. "What if something should happen
to you, Abe? I feel it in my heart--"

"Now, now, Mother." He held her close. "Trust in the Lord and all will
be well."

"God bless you, Abraham."

[Illustration]

He kissed her and was gone. "He was the best boy I ever saw," she
thought, as she watched him drive away.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Growing up in southern Indiana, not far from where Abraham Lincoln spent
his boyhood, Frances Cavanah has always had a special interest in
Lincoln and the people who knew him. Furthermore, she is recognized
today as one of America's leading writers of historical books for boys
and girls. She has written many books for young people and has also been
associate editor of _Child Life Magazine_. One of her most interesting
and beautiful books is OUR COUNTRY'S STORY, a fascinating
introduction to American history, told in terms simple enough for
children under nine. Miss Cavanah now lives in Washington, D.C., and
devotes all of her time to writing.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Paula Hutchison was born in Helena, Montana, and attended schools in the
State of Washington until she came east to attend Pratt Institute in
Brooklyn, New York. After graduating, she studied for several years in
Paris, London, and Florence and made painting trips to Cornwall, the
English lake district, and Scotland. She now lives in a small town on
the New Jersey shore where she and her husband have a six-acre farm, on
which she has her studio. Miss Hutchison has illustrated a great many
books for children and has also illustrated a number which she has
written hersel