ouching in a great degree and proves that a
nice song, well sung, has often a powerful influence in recalling tender
recollections. It proves, also, that Abraham Lincoln was a man of fine
feelings, and that, if the occurrence was a put-up job on the lady's
part, it accomplished the purpose all the same."

A "FREE FOR ALL."

Lincoln made a political speech at Pappsville, Illinois, when a
candidate for the Legislature the first time. A free-for-all fight began
soon after the opening of the meeting, and Lincoln, noticing one of
his friends about to succumb to the energetic attack of an infuriated
ruffian, edged his way through the crowd, and, seizing the bully by the
neck and the seat of his trousers, threw him, by means of his strength
and long arms, as one witness stoutly insists, "twelve feet away."
Returning to the stand, and throwing aside his hat, he inaugurated his
campaign with the following brief but pertinent declaration:

"Fellow-citizens, I presume you all know who I am. I am humble Abraham
Lincoln. I have been solicited by many friends to become a candidate for
the Legislature. My politics are short and sweet, like the old woman's
dance. I am in favor of the national bank; I am in favor of the
internal improvement system and a high protective tariff. These are my
sentiments; if elected, I shall be thankful; if not, it will be all the
same."

THREE INFERNAL BORES.

One day, when President Lincoln was alone and busily engaged on an
important subject, involving vexation and anxiety, he was disturbed by
the unwarranted intrusion of three men, who, without apology, proceeded
to lay their claim before him.

The spokesman of the three reminded the President that they were
the owners of some torpedo or other warlike invention which, if the
government would only adopt it, would soon crush the rebellion.

"Now," said the spokesman, "we have been here to see you time and again;
you have referred us to the Secretary of War, the Chief of Ordnance, and
the General of the Army, and they give us no satisfaction. We have been
kept here waiting, till money and patience are exhausted, and we now
come to demand of you a final reply to our application."

Mr. Lincoln listened to this insolent tirade, and at its close the old
twinkle came into his eye.

"You three gentlemen remind me of a story I once heard," said he, "of a
poor little boy out West who had lost his mother. His father wanted to
give him a relig