rnal with
a certificate of character attached, written by--possibly--a member of
the Horse Marines. "Punch," was very much disgusted to find that its
credulity and faith in mankind had been so imposed upon, especially when
the election returns showed that "the-War-is-a-failure" candidate ran
so slowly that Lincoln passed him as easily as though the Democratic
nominee was tied to a post.

SATISFACTION TO THE SOUL.

In the far-away days when "Abe" went to school in Indiana, they had
exercises, exhibitions and speaking-meetings in the schoolhouse or the
church, and "Abe" was the "star." His father was a Democrat, and at that
time "Abe" agreed with his parent. He would frequently make political
and other speeches to the boys and explain tangled questions.

Booneville was the county seat of Warrick county, situated about fifteen
miles from Gentryville. Thither "Abe" walked to be present at the
sittings of the court, and listened attentively to the trials and the
speeches of the lawyers.

One of the trials was that of a murderer. He was defended by Mr.
John Breckinridge, and at the conclusion of his speech "Abe" was so
enthusiastic that he ventured to compliment him. Breckinridge looked at
the shabby boy, thanked him, and passed on his way.

Many years afterwards, in 1862, Breckinridge called on the President,
and he was told, "It was the best speech that I, up to that time, had
ever heard. If I could, as I then thought, make as good a speech as
that, my soul would be satisfied."

WITHDREW THE COLT.

Mr. Alcott, of Elgin, Ill., tells of seeing Mr. Lincoln coming away from
church unusually early one Sunday morning. "The sermon could not have
been more than half way through," says Mr. Alcott. "'Tad' was slung
across his left arm like a pair of saddlebags, and Mr. Lincoln was
striding along with long, deliberate steps toward his home. On one of
the street corners he encountered a group of his fellow-townsmen. Mr.
Lincoln anticipated the question which was about to be put by the group,
and, taking his figure of speech from practices with which they were
only too familiar, said: 'Gentlemen, I entered this colt, but he kicked
around so I had to withdraw him."'

"TAD" GOT HIS DOLLAR.

No matter who was with the President, or how intently absorbed, his
little son "Tad" was always welcome. He almost always accompanied his
father.

Once, on the way to Fortress Monroe, he became very troublesome.
The Pres