lways brought home all the chickens he could carry, while some of
the others, with their finely trained dogs and latest improved
fowling-pieces, came home alone.

"'How is it, Jake?' inquired one sportsman, who, although a good shot,
and knew something about hunting, was often unfortunate, 'that you never
come home without a lot of birds?'

"Jake grinned, half closed his eyes, and replied: 'Oh, I don't know that
there's anything queer about it. I jes' go ahead an' git 'em.'

"'Yes, I know you do; but how do you do it?'

"'You'll tell.'

"'Honest, Jake, I won't say a word. Hope to drop dead this minute.'

"'Never say nothing, if I tell you?'

"'Cross my heart three times.'

"This reassured Jake, who put his mouth close to the ear of his eager
questioner, and said, in a whisper:

"'All you got to do is jes' to hide in a fence corner an' make a noise
like a turnip. That'll bring the chickens every time.'"

WARDING OFF GOD'S VENGEANCE.

When Lincoln was a candidate for re-election to the Illinois Legislature
in 1836, a meeting was advertised to be held in the court-house in
Springfield, at which candidates of opposing parties were to speak. This
gave men of spirit and capacity a fine opportunity to show the stuff of
which they were made.

George Forquer was one of the most prominent citizens; he had been a
Whig, but became a Democrat--possibly for the reason that by means of
the change he secured the position of Government land register, from
President Andrew Jackson. He had the largest and finest house in
the city, and there was a new and striking appendage to it, called
a lightning-rod! The meeting was very large. Seven Whig and seven
Democratic candidates spoke.

Lincoln closed the discussion. A Kentuckian (Joshua F. Speed), who had
heard Henry Clay and other distinguished Kentucky orators, stood near
Lincoln, and stated afterward that he "never heard a more effective
speaker;... the crowd seemed to be swayed by him as he pleased." What
occurred during the closing portion of this meeting must be given in
full, from Judge Arnold's book:

"Forquer, although not a candidate, asked to be heard for the Democrats,
in reply to Lincoln. He was a good speaker, and well known throughout
the county. His special task that day was to attack and ridicule the
young countryman from Salem.

"Turning to Lincoln, who stood within a few feet of him, he said:
'This young man must be taken down, and I am truly sorry t