nce due the Post Office Department since the
closing of the post office at New Salem.

The young ex-postmaster looked puzzled for a moment, and a friend, who
happened to be present, hastened to his rescue with, "Lincoln, if you
are in need of money, let us help you."

Abe made no reply, but, pulling out his little old trunk, he asked the
agent how much he owed. The man stated the amount, and he, opening the
trunk, took out an old cotton cloth containing coins, which he handed to
the official without counting, and it proved to be the exact sum
required, over seventeen dollars, evidently the very pieces of money Abe
had received while acting as postmaster years before!

After the department agent had receipted for the money and had gone out,
Mr. Lincoln quietly remarked:

"I never use anyone's money but my own."

DROPS THROUGH THE CEILING TO DEMAND FREE SPEECH

Stuart & Lincoln's office was, for a time, over a court room, which was
used evenings as a hall. There was a square opening in the ceiling of
the court room, covered by a trap door in the room overhead where
Lincoln slept. One night there was a promiscuous crowd in the hall, and
Lincoln's friend, E. D. Baker, was delivering a political harangue.
Becoming somewhat excited Baker made an accusation against a well-known
newspaper in Springfield, and the remark was resented by several in the
audience.

"Pull him down!" yelled one of them as they came up to the platform
threatening Baker with personal violence. There was considerable
confusion which might become a riot.

Just at this juncture the spectators were astonished to see a pair of
long legs dangling from the ceiling and Abraham Lincoln dropped upon the
platform. Seizing the water pitcher he took his stand beside the
speaker, and brandished it, his face ablaze with indignation.

"Gentlemen," he said, when the confusion had subsided, "let us not
disgrace the age and the country in which we live. This is a land where
freedom of speech is guaranteed. Mr. Baker has a right to speak, and
ought to be permitted to do so. I am here to protect him and no man
shall take him from this stand if I can prevent it." Lincoln had opened
the trap door in his room and silently watched the proceedings until he
saw that his presence was needed below. Then he dropped right into the
midst of the fray, and defended his friend and the right of free speech
at the same time.

DEFENDING THE DEFENSELESS

A widow came to Mr.