ng sausages, a neighbor with whom he had had a violent quarrel
that day, came into the grocery and made his way up to the counter
holding by the tail two enormous dead cats which he deliberately threw
on to the counter, saying, 'This makes seven to-day. I'll call around
Monday and get my money for them.'"

* * * * *

During the months intervening between his election and his departure for
Washington, Lincoln maintained a keen though quiet watchfulness of the
threatening aspect of affairs at the national capital and throughout the
South. He was careful not to commit himself by needless utterances as to
his future policy; but in all his demeanor, as a friend said, he
displayed the firmness and determination, without the temper, of
Jackson. In December following his election he wrote the following
letters to his intimate friend, Hon. E.B. Washburne, then a member of
Congress from Illinois:

SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Dec. 13, 1860.

HON. E.B. WASHBURNE--_My Dear Sir_: Your long letter received.
Prevent, as far as possible, any of our friends from demoralizing
themselves and our cause by entertaining propositions for
compromise of any sort on the slavery extension. There is no
possible compromise upon it but which puts us under again, and
leaves us all our work to do over again. Whether it be a Missouri
line, or Eli Thayer's Popular Sovereignty, it is all the same. Let
either be done, and immediately filibustering and extending slavery
recommences. On that point hold firm, as with a chain of steel.

Yours as ever, A. LINCOLN.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Dec. 21, 1860.

HON. E.B. WASHBURNE--_My Dear Sir_: Last night I received your
letter giving an account of your interview with General Scott, and
for which I thank you. Please present my respects to the General,
and tell him confidentially that I shall be obliged to him to be as
well prepared as he can to either _hold_ or retake the forts, as
the case may require, at and after the inauguration.

Yours as ever, A. LINCOLN.

The Southern States, led on by South Carolina, which formally severed
its connection with the Union November 17, 1860 (only eleven days after
Lincoln's election), were preparing to dissolve their alliance with the
Free States. Mississippi passed the ordinance of secession January 9,
1861; Florida followed on the 10th; Alabama on the 11t