with all his
possessions in a pair of saddle-bags, and calling at the store of Joshua
F. Speed, overlooking "the square," in the following dialogue:

Speed--"Hello, Abe, just from Salem?"

Lincoln--"Howdy, Speed! Yes, this is my first show-up."

Speed--"So you are to be one of us?"

Lincoln--"I reckon so, if you will let me take pot luck with you."

Speed--"All right, Abe; it's better than Salem."

Lincoln--"I've been to Gorman's and got a single bedstead; now you
figure out what it will cost for a tick, blankets and so forth."

Speed (after figuring)--"Say, seventeen dollars or so."

Lincoln (countenance paling)--"I had no _idea_ it would cost half that,
and I--I can't pay it; but if you can wait on me till Christmas, and I
make anything, I'll pay; if I don't, I can't."

Speed--"I can do better than that; upstairs I sleep in a bed big enough
for two, and you just come and sleep with me till you can do better."

Lincoln (brightening)--"Good, where is it?"

Speed--"Upstairs behind that pile of barrels--turn to the right when you
go up."

Lincoln (returning joyously)--"Well, Speed, I've moved!"

STUART & LINCOLN

Major Stuart had grown so thoroughly interested in Lincoln, approving
the diligence with which the young law student applied himself to the
books which he had lent him, that, after his signal success in bringing
about the removal of the State capital to Springfield, the older man
invited the younger to go into partnership with him.

Abe had been admitted to the bar the year before, and had practiced law
in a small way before Squire Bowling Green in New Salem. Greatly
flattered by the offer of such a man, Abe gladly accepted, and soon
after his arrival in Springfield this sign, which thrilled the junior
partner's whole being, appeared in front of an office near the square:

------------------------------
| STUART & LINCOLN |
| ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW |
------------------------------

"I NEVER USE ANYONE'S MONEY BUT MY OWN"

After a while Lincoln left Speed's friendly loft and slept on a lounge
in the law office, keeping his few effects in the little old-fashioned
trunk pushed out of sight under his couch.

One day an agent of the Post Office Department came in and asked if
Abraham Lincoln could be found there. Abe arose and, reaching out his
hand, said that was his name. The agent then stated his business; he had
come to collect a bala