The forest boy: a sketch of the life of Abraham Lincoln. For young people

Preface

We have attempted in this volume a sketch of the life of Abraham Lincoln, adapted to young persons. None, so far as we know, of the biographies written since his death have had this special object in view.

We have given the facts in such detail that his general history may be understood, and have aimed so to group them together that his true picture may be seen from several points of observation. To do this we have made the chapters somewhat topical, btit not to an extent to interrupt essentially the chronological order.

"We have studied to bring out, for an example and inspiration to the young, that moral integrity and true goodness which were so prominent in Mr. Lincoln's character. We hope, therefore, that our book will be found worthy t; Preface.

to be invited into the Sabbath-schools and Christian families of our country.

Much of the material here presented was found afloat in a fragmentary form, but derived, we are assured, from authentic sources.

We are indebted to the biography of Mr. Lincoln, by the Hon. J. H. Barrett, for many facta of his early life; and to letters published in "The Independent," by Mr. Carpenter, the artist, for sprightly illustrations of his later years.

We also acknowledge our indebtedness for many tact- to the unrivaled Life of Lincoln by

Db. Bollard.

Credit due to other sources is given in the Course of the narrative.

We commend T»ur unpretending volume to the attention of the young, from a deep conviction that the more they study the history of our late President, the more his character will interest and profit them. Z. A. M.

Qutjn i M - tombr, 1866.

Chapter I. Ie Pioneerj

The Valley of the Shenandoah — The Grandfather of Abraham Lincoln — The Journey to Kentucky — Indian Hostility — Daniel Boone's Fight — Abraham's Grandfather shot by the Indians — His Widow and the little Thomas Lincoln Page 15

Chapter II. Little Abraham

Nolin Creek — The Log-cabin and New Home — Abraham's Mother — His Father — His Brother and Sister — Another Log-cabin Home — The Play-ground — The Father's Stories — The Mother's Instructions — Abraham's Wise Opinions 22

Chapter III. A New Home

Fondness for Moving — Hatred of Slavery — The Old Home sold — Singular Pay — Hunting after a new Location — Bad Luck on the River — A Place found — A touching Incident on leaving the Old Home— The Journey — The New Cabin : its Rooms and Furniture — The Mill — Planting and Hunting 29

Chapter IV. Schools And Books

Abraham's first Teacher — Six Months in School — Reading the Bible in the Family — Learning to "Cypher" — How Abraham made rapid Improvement — First School Books — "Esop's Fables"— Abraham's Lucky Shot at a Turkey — Other Good

8 COX T E N I S.

Books — Bunyan's " Pilgrim's Progress" — Weem9's "Life of Washington" — "Life of Henry Clay " — Abraham's Dress at this Time Page 36

Chapter V. The Great Bereavement

The Death of Abraham's Mother — Her Comfort in Sickness, and her humble Burial — The Itinerant Preachers — Elder Elkins — Abraham's first Letter — The Arrival of Elkins — The Great Gathering — The Funeral Sermon — Abraham's Love for Sarah— Their new Mother — Sarah's Death 43

Chapter VI. Early Manliness

•

Abraham's Ambition — Letter Writing — "Ramsay's Life of Washington " — The Accident — Manly Conduct of Abraham — Saving the Life of a Drunkard — First Voyage down the Mississippi — The First Dollar— Accident at the Mill — Abraham a Ferryman — Second Trip down the Mississippi — Midnight Attack by Negroes— Good Habits 52

Chapter VII

B E G I N N I X G A X E W.

A new Home desired — Removal to Hlinois — The Journey — Abraham's Energy — Abraham helps build a Log-cabin — Its Historical Character— Rail-splitting and Plowing— Abraham and the Traveler— Abraham's Father moves again — His Death. . 65

Chapter VIII. Energy And Honesty

Abraham's Dress and Rough Appearance — Social Qualities —Willingness to Work — The way he obtained new Pants — Another Voyage to New Orleans — Abraham in a Store — Anecdotes of his Honesty — Gets the name of " Honest Abe" — A Boaster humbled — "The Clary's Grove Boys" — Abraham conquers their Champion 71

Contents. 9

chapter ix. A STEP HIGHER

Abraham's desire to learn — " Conquers " a Grammar — AmbitioL — Debating Clubs and "Practicing Polemics" — Abraham's first Public Speech: its great Success — Anecdote — Studying and rocking the Cradle — Confidence in his sound Judgment Page 80

Chapter X. Early Public Honors

Black Hawk "War— Mr. Lincoln enlists — Anecdote of his Election as Captain — Long Marches — The Volunteers return Home — Captain Lincoln re-enlists twice — Black Hawk's Defeat

— Captain Lincoln's Popularity with his Men — His Journey Home — His humorous allusion to his War Experience — Attempts Trading, and fails — His "National Debt" — Becomes Postmaster — Anecdote — Honest Settlement of his Accounts — Surveyor 87

CHAPTER XL

WINNING HIS WAT.

Compliments — Lincoln and the College Boys — Getting out of Difficulty — His first Political Canvass — Elected to the State Legislature — Begins to study Law— Walks to the State Capital

— First Experience as Legislator — Walks Home — His second Canvass — Public Debate — Anecdote — His Antislavery Record — " The Long Nine " — Lincoln's Position 96

Chapter XII. "riding The Circuit."

Lincoln a Lawyer — Removes to Springfield — Again in the Legislature — The Leader of his Party — Anecdote — Putting down a troublesome Member — Becomes the Advocate of the Poor and Oppressed — Anecdotes — His Conscientiousness as <■ Lawyer — Popularity on "The Circuit"— The two Colts — An ingenious Statement 106

10 Context s.

chapter XIII. THE RESCUE

Young Armstrong : accused of Murder — Public Excitement — Critical Condition of the Accused — Mr. Lincoln offers his Services — The Trial — The Prisoner and his poor Mother — Mr. Lincoln's Defense and Appeal — The Decision — Touching Scene after the Acquittal . Page 114

Chapter XIV. Further Incidents Of "the Circuit."

A Pig in Distress — " Only a Pig " — Demands of Conscience

— The Pig rescued — Philosophizing — Remembers the Poor among his Acquaintance — Pity for an unfortunate Client — The Case of the poor Widow — The Colored Boy saved from Slaver/ — Takes unpopular Cases 122

Chapter XV. At His Own Home

Marriage of Mr. Lincoln — Interesting Letters — His Children

— Affection for his Children — Anecdotes — Absent-mindedness

— Mr. Lincoln "surprised" — Studies Geometry — An Invention — A Lecture on Inventions — Knowledge of the Bible — Mr. Lincoln's Law Partner's Pen-picture of him 130

Chapter XVI. In Congress

Generous Conduct — Friendship for Henry Clay — Moral Courage — Anecdotes — Elected to Congress — Speeches — Anecdote of his Independence — Antislavery Record — Short Tour in New England — Returns to Illinois and canvasses for General Taylor— Applies for Office, and laughs at his Failure 143

Chapter XVII. A Great Contest Commenced

Mr. Lincoln's temperate Habits not spoiled at Washington — An Illustration — A Pro-slavery Law — Mr. Lincoln's Opposition to it — Lincoln and Douglas — Their first Public Debate —

Contents. 11

Mr. Lincoln joins the Kepublican Party — Great Speech in its behalf — Becomes its Western Leader — Intimations of Political Advancement Page 151

CHAPTER XVHI.

A TRIUMPH ACHIEVED.

" Popular Sovereignty " — Mr. Lincoln's intense Resentment of its Claims — Republican Candidate for the United States Senate — Great Debate with Judge Douglas begun — The Opponents' kind Words for each other — Douglas flinches from the Debate — Accepts a qualified Challenge — The Contest — Penportraits of the Debaters by Newspaper Reporters — The Results 160

Chapter XIX. The White House In Prospect

Slavery — The Rising against it of the Public Voice — Mr. Lincoln named as a Presidential Candidate — Political Nicknames — "The Rail-splitter " — Visits Kansas — Going East — At New York — Crude Appearance — Speech in Cooper Institute

— Its wonderful Success — Glances at New York — Anecdote —

— Speeches in Connecticut — Visits Harvard College — Anecdotes 172

Chapter XX. The Voice Of The People

Nominations for President — The Chicago Convention — Mr. Lincoln nominated, and "no Bargains" — His Reception of the News — Visit of the Committee from the Convention — Rush of Visitors — Anecdotes — The rustic young Men — The honest old Lady 184

Chapter XXI. The White House Entered

Mr. Linooln elected President — His conflicting Feelings — The Joy of the loyal People, and Resentment of the Slaveholders — His Religious Feelings — Visits Chicago — Anecdotes — The little

12 Contents.

Patriot— The little Girls — Leaves Springfield for Washington — Journey — Plots against his Life — Escape, and Arrival at Washington — Inaugural — Oath — White House Page 19 9

CHAPTER XXH.

THE NATION'S "GREAT TROUBLE."

The Great Rebellion commenced — The Forts seized — Mr. Lincoln's Perplexities — He refuses to begin the War — Fort Sumter taken — The loyal People aroused — Judge Douglas comes to Mr. Lincoln's Aid — Hon. George Bancroft on the Uprising of the People 211

Chapter XXIII. Log-cabin Simplicity At The -white House

Mr. John Hank's first Visit at the White House — Professor Goldwin Smith and Mr. Lincoln — Mr. Carpenter's first Interview — Mr. Lincoln at the Iron Fence — Fred. Douglass at the White House — A black Embassador as good as a "ginger-colored one " — Negro Visitors — The little Girls — " It's so cold " — The Irish Boy — Insults resented — An old Friend 223

Chapter XXIV. Tenderness And Sympathy

The President's keen Sympathies — The condemned Soldier Boy reprieved — The dying Soldier's Blessing — The poor Washer-woman's Son — The Mother and her Child — A Husband pardoned — The President counting Greenbacks — The Widow's three Sons — " Now I have one and you one " — The Children's Petition — Stanton and Lincoln — The little Kitten — The President in the Hospitals 242

Chapter XXV. Pleasant Humors

Mr. Lincoln's "Jokes" — Their Purpose — A Relief to an overburdened Heart — Sadness and Pleasantry — A touching Incident — " No Time for Stories " — The Emancipation Proclamation — With what Feelings sent forth — The Nasby Papers — The Peace Commissioners — "Root, Hog, or die" — "Let

Contents. 13

'em wriggle" — "Who ranks?"— The Young German Lieutenant — An important Testimony — Mr. Lincoln's Stories never coarse Page 256

Chapter XXVI. Confidence In God

Early religious Tendencies — Mr. Lincoln's Conversion — "I do love Jesus" — A serious Mistake — The important Question: "Are we on God's Side?" — The President's Love for the Bible

— Giving Freedom to the Slaves — His Anxiety concerning the Measure — "Promised God I would do it" — "Prayer and Praise " — " Give God the Glory" — "Duty "—An unusual Scene in the East Room 269

Chapter XXVII. The White House Home

The White House not barred — Early Rising — How Mr. Lincoln's early Hours were spent — In the Family Circle — Little "Tad" — "I'll keep my part of the Bargain" — Tad's White House Guard — Willie — His Death — Mr. Lincoln's Mourning, and how he was comforted 280

Chapter XXVIII. The Rainbow Of Peace

Mr. Lincoln re-elected President — The Soldiers for him — Made " von Veteran " — His Modesty — The Inaugural Address

— A remarkable Passage — The great Success of the Army and Navy — The Heroes: Banks, Butler, Farragut, Thomas, Sherman, and Grant — The President at City Point — The little Kitten — The Fall of Richmond — Mr. Lincoln enters the City — The Joy of the Negroes — Last Interview with Secretary Seward — "Now for a Day of Thanksgiving " 290

Chapter XXIX. The Dark Cloud Ofsorrow

Congratulations — The good Spirits and Gratitude of the President — His generous Feelings toward the South — Mrs. Lincoln's Account of her Husband's last Days — His Attendance

1-i Contents.

upon the Theater — The Engagement to attend Ford's Theater — Reluctance to go when the Hour arrived — The Escape of General Grant — Arrival of the President and Party at the Theater— The Assassin— The fatal Deed — The Murderer's Death — The Attack upon Mr. Seward — How he learned that the President was dead — The great Mourning Page 300

Chapter XXX. The Burial — Benedictions — Farewell

The Remains of Mr. Lincoln at Baltimore — Harrishurgh — Philadelphia — The City moved at its Coming— At New York City — Its Business suspended — Immense Procession, and Fifteen Thousand Soldiers — From Albany to Buffalo — The Honors at the West — The Resting-place at Oak Ridge Cemetery — The Mourning of the Freedmen — " Massa Sam's Dead" — The News of the Assassination at Montreal, London, Paris, and throughout "Europe — The Universal Grief — The Lesson taught — Farewell / 311 illustrations.

Mr. Lincoln's Fikst Public Address 2

Young Lincoln at his Mother's Grave 48

Dragging the Wagon 135

Viewing Carpenter at Work on the Picture 230

THE

FOREST BOY.

Chapter I. The Pioneers

The beautiful valley of the Shenandoah, in Virginia, has recently been desolated by war. Here Sheridan gave Early the terrible blows which sent his army, broken and dismayed, back to their comrades behind their intrenchments of Richmond.

Almost one hundred years before this time, in 1780, there was living in this valley a family whose history the loyal people of the United States will always delight to study. It consisted of father, mother, three sons, and two daughters. The valley at this period was but thinly inhabited, there being only a few towns, and those far apart; while the Indian still pitched his wigwam on its sunny slopes, and the wild beasts roamed the forests. Yet this family caught the spirit of emigration. Daniel Boone, the famous hunter of those times, had taken a journey from his home in South Carolina to "The country of Kentucky," and returned with glowing accounts of its fertility and beauty. " The Western excitement " spread along the sea-shore to Virginia, and hundreds of families followed Boone in his new enterprise. The long journey, the great privations which it required, and even the dangers of the wilderness into which they went, afforded an excitement which they loved.

Such were the feelings of the family of whom we have just spoken. Its head was Abraham Lincoln, grandfather of the President. His youngest child, at this time about two years old, was Thomas, who became the father of Abraham, the Deliverer of his country.

When this pioneer family broke up their home in the Shenandoah, and turned away from the familiar scenes of their youth and the graves of their fathers, they did not, it must be remembered, step into the cars to be whirled, in a few hours, to their chosen encampment. A part of their journey lay through an almost unbroken wilderness, where the feet of white men had seldom ventured, and where the savage Indian still roamed. One rudely constructed wagon, or the backs of a few horses, sufficed to carry the emigrants and their scanty supply of goods. The trusty rifle, and perhaps the berries by the wayside, supplied the cravings of hunger ; the pure stream gave them drink, and the branches of the trees afforded them shelter at mid-day and at night.

Mr. Lincoln did not end his weary journey until he had passed nearly through Kentucky to the valley of the Ohio River. He selected a spot upon which nature had bestowed her richest gifts : the land was fertile, the game abundant, the scenery beautiful, and everything seemed to say, God is here ! Already the settlers from Virginia and the Carol in as began to meet those who came down the Ohio from the North and East.

These lands were the hunting-grounds of the Indians ; their fathers had followed the deer through these forests, and paddled their canoes upon these rivers, and the traces of their wigwams and their graves, for many generations, were here. It is not strange, therefore, that they claimed them, and looked with no friendly eyes upon the pale-faced strangers. They informed Daniel Boone in a very savage way that they did not bid him welcome : they made war upon all his company.

Just after Mr. Lincoln had erected his cabin, a large number of Indian warriors encamped not far from him. Daniel Boone assembled all the men of the scattered settlements of the country and gave them battle. Boone was defeated, many of his men killed, and his own son left wounded and dying in his arms. Inspired by a father's love, he plunged into the river near which the battle was fought, and swam with him to the opposite side, the Indians following close behind. When he reached the shore his boy was dead, and the father was obliged to leave his body in the hands of the savages to save his own life.

But the red man did not long appear in open fight. The whites increased in number, and were too skillful in their mode of warfare for the poor ignorant savages, who learned, that their safer way was to hide in the bushes, or skulk behind trees, and pounce upon their foe as the tiger springs upon its unsuspecting prey. They came upon the settlers when they were not watching, killed the men, and often carried off the helpless women and children, after having burned their cabins.

About four years from the time Mr. Lincoln came to Kentucky, he was one day a short distance from his home chopping down trees. While he was thus busy, thinking, perhaps, of his children, and how he might better provide for their comfort, he did not know that the eyes of bloody savages, peering out from their

hiding-places, were watching him. In a fatal 2 moment he set Lis loaded gun, which the pioneers ever kept near them, against a tree, and, stepping a few rods away, lifted his ax to fell a tree. At the instant the deadly arrow pierced his body, and he dropped dead. His corpse was found at the foot of the tree, the ax lying beside it, and his gun where it was left.

It was a sad and gloomy day in the cabin of these pioneers when they laid the head of the family away in the grave, and thought that the same bloody men who had killed him were watching for their lives. But, though sorrowful, they were strong and brave ; their women had the courage of men, and the children the stout hearts of older persons.

Soon after this Mrs. Lincoln took the children and went a little further east from the Ohio, seeking, perhaps, the neighborhood of friends, or thinking that the savages would not attack her away from their favorite hunting grounds.

Little Thomas was now only six years old. The rough journey, the rude new home, and the heavy bereavement, were a severe school for his tender age; and when only six more years had passed away he was obliged to leave his mother's cabin, and seek his living by labor among strangers. He grew up an ignorant, but not an idle and wicked man. He never learned to read, and he wrote only his own name, and that he had been taught to copy from the writing of another person, as boys copy pictures or trace maps ; he did not even know the letters of which it was composed. But Thomas Lincoln had a strong hand and an honest heart. People loved the boy, and he found friends and work.

Chapter II. Little Abraham

Thomas Lincoln was twenty-eight years old when lie married Nancy Hanks. This was in 1806. He had erected a log-cabin to receive his bride. It was such a house as his own hands could build in a few days with the aid of an ax only. It was situated by a little stream called Nolin Creek, in what is now Larue County, Kentucky. Heavy timber covered about two thirds of the land around them. This was the fertile land which the emigrants cleared for cultivation, the rest being open and barren, and either quite level, or swelling into mounds and hills. From the top of one of these hills, now called the "Blue Ball," the stream running by Mr. Lincoln's cabin door could be followed by the eye, in a fair day, as it curved around the hills and shot across the plains, growing wider and deeper, until it emptied into the Ohio River, twenty miles distant. In the breezes, and from the trees, came a spirit of freedom and peace to the happy couple. The grandeur and beauty of nature about them spoke of God in a voice both clear and elevating. Only man was vile, for as the savages disappeared the white men came with their slaves. But Thomas and Nancy Lincoln, though poor, did not wish to become rich by the unrewarded toil of others.

Mrs. Lincoln had come, in childhood, with the emigrants from Virginia. She was from her youth a member of the Baptist Church, but her husband did not become a member until after their marriage, and was won to Christ, it may be, by her pious example.

Mr. Lincoln was a man of average height, broad-chested, and well built. He was able and willing to work, but ready to spend. Good-natured himself, he did not suspect others o'f ill will, even when he had good grounds of distrust. He took the world too easy to thrive, and was quite content to be what he was, a man of honest poverty.

Mrs. Lincoln was one of those remarkable women whom generations to come will delight to honor. She was of moderate height, slightlymade, and of a sad, pale countenance. She was gentle and amiable, seeking the friendship and love of others. To her other gifts was added a mind of the first order. We shall see with what reason her son, long after her departure to be with Christ, called her his " angel mother." She was too frail a flower for exposure to the rude winds of pioneer life ; a gem of great purity amid rough surroundings, where, indeed, such gems are often found. 1 . She could read, and she well improved the few books with which she was favored.

Thomas and Nancy had three children : Sarah, the first-born, Abraham, and Thomas. The latter died in infancy. Abraham was born, in the little log-cabin of which we have spoken, on the 12th of February, 1809. Such was the birthplace and Buch the parents «>i' Abraham

Lincoln, whose name is now known throughout the world. Abraham was about two years old when his father moved from the log-cabin on Nolin Creek to one a little further east, three miles from what is now Hodgenville. It was not much expense or trouble to build a cabin, and so his father seems to have moved for apparently slight reasons, not having occasion to account the removal of the furniture a great item.

In this new home Abraham lived until he was seven years of age. It still stands, and has been frequently seen in the pictures as it now appears. This Lincoln cabin is plainly much decayed ; but if we imagine the front to be tight, the fence perhaps away entirely, we shall see the humble home of Abraham Lincoln nearly the same as when he lived in it.

"We cannot think that Abraham and his sister Sarah were able to carry on their childhood's sports within doors ; but their playground was ample. The tall trees of the surrounding forests which overshadowed the soil prevented the growth of underbrush or tangled vines. Nature's carpet of green and brown was spread for their feet. There were no neighbors with sensitive ears to chide their hearty shout or merry laugh. Abraham could dam the little streams, and form mimic waterfalls ; while Sarah on the hillside was making evergreen wreaths for her own hat, or leafy crowns for her brother's brow. If they chose the more invigorating amusement of "hide and seek," what grand hiding-places were the tree trunks, and what a run they might have without danger of bolting against a table or pitching over a chair !

Though the children could not play in-doors, they could, and did, when not able or not inclined to go out, do something better. At this time they were not old enough to help their mother in the household labor. It is said that there were two ways in which their parents delighted to interest and instruct them at the fireside. The first and most important was the reading by the mother, who had a pleasant way of making remarks, and of exciting talk concerning that which was read. The father told thern stories of the early settlers of Virginia and Kentucky, and the incidents, often repeated in his mother's cabin, of the long journey to the West. He had his tale, too, of Indian cruelties, which aroused the ardent spirit of Abraham. Sarah was better suited with the accounts of autumn feasts among neighbors, and of their winter merry-making. Mr. Lincoln told a story well, and he was fully rewarded when he saw the happy countenances of Sarah and Abraham, as they sat on their little stools at his feet, listening with sparkling eyes. Mrs. Lincoln's amusement of the children was accompanied by a more valuable instruction, and even her husband greatly profited by her pleasant words. At this time there were only two books, so far as we can learn, in the Lincoln cabin, the Bible and Catechism. From these precious truths were taught. The word of God became more valuable to Abraham than the highest honors or the greatest treasures. Sitting at his mother's feet, he listened to those Bible stories which have such wonderful power to interest and instruct, and of which the good never tire. Even at this early age he had a keen, inquiring mind, and asked many questions concerning Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, and other famous men, which his mother took great pleasure in answering. When he was alone with Sarah he had his wise opinions to offer concerning what his mother had read. These sayings, though childish, were little sparks from the same glowing mind which so amused and instructed others in later years.

The Forest Boy.

Chapter III. A New Home

In 1816, when Abraham was in his eighth year, his father began to think of a new home. He seemed to like moving ; and the excitement attending a new situation, different scenes, and untried difficulties, was the stimulus to activity in which he delighted. Things were uninteresting to pioneers after they became familiar ; at least this appears to have been the case with Mr. Lincoln. We do not think his thoughtful, frail wife felt just so, yet she possessed a heroic as well as loving spirit, and where her dear ones went she followed with a calm trust in the God of providence.

Mr. Lincoln could readily find some excuse for his desire to push on further West. The titles to lands in Kentucky were much disputed at this time. Old settlers were sometimes obliged to give up their homes and improved lands to new claimants, because the records of the courts had not been carefully kept. Daniel Boone, whose right to whatever land in Kentucky he could reasonably desire must have been as good as any claim could be, except that of the Indians, was dispossessed of nearly all his estate by later comers. Mr. Lincoln hoped that further west his home would be more secure.

He thought, too, of the evils of slavery, which were spreading over this new country, and did not wish his children to grow up under its influence. Yet his son never thought that this was a principal reason for his removal. He could not then see the sinfulness of slavery as good men have since seen it ; but he saw enough to convince him that he and his family would be happier and more prosperous in a free state.

While Mr. Lincoln was planning in reference to his new home, and talking the matter over with his wife, a man by the name of Colby came into his cabin. He wanted to buy the farm, and does not appear to have been afraid that Mr. Lincoln's title was not good. They soon made a bargain, Colby agreeing to pay for the house and cultivated lands, for the whole real estate of Thomas Lincoln, three hundred dollars ! The very convenient " greenback " currency, which passes alike at the counter in New York or Boston and the cabin of the West, was not of course in circulation then, and gold and silver were seldom seen among the buyers and sellers of those forest homes. "We should not, however, have " guessed " that the purchaser of the farm paid for it mostly in whisky ; but such was the case. He agreed to give ten barrels of that article, valued at two hundred and eighty dollars, and twenty dollars in cash.

It must be remembered that these were days when even good men thought that the daily use of intoxicating liquors as a drink might be good ; but they have learned better now, and the light that has been given to the people of the country through the temperance cause renders the making, selling, or using the poisonous article as a drink, a sin. Mr. Lincoln learned in after years that the wise treatment of whiskywas neither to touch, taste, nor handle it.

Mr. Lincoln was to have a short time in which to make his preparations to move. He at once built a flatboat, and launched it upon a stream a short distance from his cabin, called the Rolling Fork. Into this flatboat (a boat much like gondolas of the Eastern shores) he put his ten barrels of whisky and the heavy articles of the farm and cabin. He then started off to find a spot for his new home, leaving his family until his return. He floated down the Rolling Fork into the Ohio River, and then along the shore safely for some distance. But the most careful navigator is sometimes wrecked ; so Mr. Lincoln, though doubtless very carefully watching to avoid every danger, as a man would naturally do whose boat bore his entire wealth, was upset, and his cargo plunged into the rushing waters. He must have been near some landing-place, as he obtained immediate aid in righting his boat and saving a few barrels of whisky and some other valuable articles. His loss, however, must have been veiy severe, and he doubtless continued his voyage with a sorrowful heart. Landing at Thompson's Ferry, Indiana, he gave a man his flatboat to carry him and his goods into the interior. Their team dragged slowly along a poor road ; sometimes they were obliged to stop and open one through the woods with the ax. They arrived at last, after journeying eighteen miles, at a location whose fertility and beauty invited them to stop.