ide to watch
Lincoln's operations.

AN IMPROBABLE PROPHECY

For the novelty of the thing, John Hanks claimed to have taken young
Lincoln to a "voodoo" negress. She is said to have become excited in
reading the future of the tall, thin young man, saying to him, "You will
be President, and all the negroes will be free." This story probably
originated long afterward, when the strange prophecy had already come
true--though fortune tellers often inform young men who come to them
that they will be Presidents some day. That such a woman could read the
Emancipation Proclamation in that young man's future is not at all
likely.

Another story is told of Abraham Lincoln's second visit to New Orleans
that is more probable, but even this is not certain to have happened
exactly as related. The young northerner doubtless saw negroes in
chains, and his spirit, like that of his father and mother, rebelled
against this inhumanity. There is little doubt that in such sights, as
one of his companions related, "Slavery ran the iron into him then and
there."

"I'LL HIT IT HARD!"

But the story goes that the three young fellows--Hanks, Johnston and
Lincoln--went wandering about the city, and passed a slave market, where
a comely young mulatto girl was offered to the highest bidder. They saw
prospective purchasers examine the weeping girl's teeth, pinch her flesh
and pull her about as they would a cow or a horse. The whole scene was
so revolting that Lincoln recoiled from it with horror and hatred,
saying to his two companions, "Boys, let's get away from this. If ever I
get a chance to hit that thing"--meaning slavery--"_I'll hit it hard_!"

In June the four men took passage up the river on a steamboat for the
return trip. At St. Louis, Offutt got off to purchase stock for a store
he proposed to open in New Salem, where he planned to place young
Lincoln in charge.

WRESTLING WITH THE COUNTY CHAMPION

The other three started on foot to reach their several homes in
Illinois. Abe improved the opportunity to visit his father's family in
Coles County, where Thomas Lincoln had removed as soon as he was able
to leave their first Illinois home near Decatur.

Abe's reputation as a wrestler had preceded him and the Coles County
Champion, Daniel Needham, came and challenged the tall visitor to a
friendly contest. Young Lincoln laughingly accepted and threw Needham
twice. The crestfallen wrestler's pride was deeply hurt, and he found it