s with its keen
edge. As the "Slavery Coon" wouldn't heed the warning, Lincoln did cut
the tree from under him, and so he came down to the ground with a heavy
thump.

This Act of Emancipation put an end to the notion of the Southern slave
holders that involuntary servitude was one of the "sacred institutions"
on the Continent of North America. It also demonstrated that Lincoln was
thoroughly in earnest when he declared that he would not only save the
Union, but that he meant what he said in the speech wherein he asserted,
"This Nation cannot exist half slave and half free."

WROTE "PIECES" WHEN VERY YOUNG.

At fifteen years of age "Abe" wrote "pieces," or compositions, and even
some doggerel rhyme, which he recited, to the great amusement of his
playmates.

One of his first compositions was against cruelty to animals. He was
very much annoyed and pained at the conduct of the boys, who were in the
habit of catching terrapins and putting coals of fire on their backs,
which thoroughly disgusted Abraham.

"He would chide us," said "Nat" Grigsby, "tell us it was wrong, and
would write against it."

When eighteen years old, "Abe" wrote a "piece" on "National Politics,"
and it so pleased a lawyer friend, named Pritchard, that the latter
had it printed in an obscure paper, thereby adding much to the author's
pride. "Abe" did not conceal his satisfaction. In this "piece" he wrote,
among other things:

"The American government is the best form of government for an
intelligent people. It ought to be kept sound, and preserved forever,
that general education should be fostered and carried all over the
country; that the Constitution should be saved, the Union perpetuated
and the laws revered, respected and enforced."

"TRY TO STEER HER THROUGH."

John A. Logan and a friend of Illinois called upon Lincoln at Willard's
Hotel, Washington, February 23d, the morning of his arrival, and urged a
vigorous, firm policy.

Patiently listening, Lincoln replied seriously but cheerfully:

"As the country has placed me at the helm of the ship, I'll try to steer
her through."

GRAND, GLOOMY AND PECULIAR.

Lincoln was a marked and peculiar young man. People talked about him.
His studious habits, his greed for information, his thorough mastery
of the difficulties of every new position in which he was placed,
his intelligence on all matters of public concern, his unwearying
good-nature, his skill in telling a story,