" FOR A BOOK.

Once "Abe" borrowed Weems' "Life of Washington" from Joseph Crawford, a
neighbor. "Abe" devoured it; read it and re-read it, and when asleep put
it by him between the logs of the wall. One night a rain storm wet it
through and ruined it.

"I've no money," said "Abe," when reporting the disaster to Crawford,
"but I'll work it out."

"All right," was Crawford's response; "you pull fodder for three days,
an' the book is your'n."

"Abe" pulled the fodder, but he never forgave Crawford for putting so
much work upon him. He never lost an opportunity to crack a joke at his
expense, and the name "Blue-nose Crawford" "Abe" applied to him stuck to
him throughout his life.

PRAISES HIS RIVAL FOR OFFICE.

When Mr. Lincoln was a candidate for the Legislature, it was the
practice at that date in Illinois for two rival candidates to travel
over the district together. The custom led to much good-natured raillery
between them; and in such contests Lincoln was rarely, if ever, worsted.
He could even turn the generosity of a rival to account by his whimsical
treatment.

On one occasion, says Mr. Weir, a former resident of Sangamon county, he
had driven out from Springfield in company with a political opponent
to engage in joint debate. The carriage, it seems, belonged to his
opponent. In addressing the gathering of farmers that met them, Lincoln
was lavish in praise of the generosity of his friend.

"I am too poor to own a carriage," he said, "but my friend has
generously invited me to ride with him. I want you to vote for me if you
will; but if not then vote for my opponent, for he is a fine man."

His extravagant and persistent praise of his opponent appealed to the
sense of humor in his rural audience, to whom his inability to own a
carriage was by no means a disqualification.

ONE THING "ABE" DIDN'T LOVE.

Lincoln admitted that he was not particularly energetic when it came to
real hard work.

"My father," said he one day, "taught me how to work, but not to love
it. I never did like to work, and I don't deny it. I'd rather read, tell
stories, crack jokes, talk, laugh--anything but work."

THE MODESTY OF GENIUS.

The opening of the year 1860 found Mr. Lincoln's name freely mentioned
in connection with the Republican nomination for the Presidency. To be
classed with Seward, Chase, McLean, and other celebrities, was enough to
stimulate any Illinois lawyer's pride; but in Mr. Lincoln's ca