e who have heard him will
never forget the squeaking voice and haggard look.

According to Webster, the three cardinal points essential to true
oratory are clearness, force and sincerity. In all of these Stephens was
proficient. His descriptive powers were remarkable, and he could blend
pathos with argument in a manner unusual. He was a warm friend of Mr.
Lincoln, and one of the most characteristic stories ever told of Mr.
Lincoln is in connection with Governor Stephens' diminutive appearance
and great care for his shattered health. On one occasion before the war
he took off three overcoats, one after the other, in the presence of Mr.
Lincoln, who rose, and walking around him, said, "I was afraid of
Stephens, for I thought he might keep on taking off clothes until he
would be nothing but a ghost left," and speaking to a friend standing
by, remarked further, "Stephens and his overcoats remind me of the
biggest shuck off the smallest ear of corn that I have ever seen in my
life." One by one the eminent men of State pass away. Their deaths make
vacancies which the ambitious and active hasten to occupy whether they
are able to fill them or not.

MILLARD FILLMORE.

Great, indeed, are the possibilities of our country. The subject of this
narrative, thirteenth president of the United States, was born in Summer
Hill, Cayuga county, New York, January 7th, 1800. The nearest house to
that of Fillmore was four miles distant. Cayuga county was then a
wilderness with few settlers, consequently young Fillmore's education
was limited to instruction in reading, writing, spelling and the
simplest branches of arithmetic. At fourteen he was bound out to learn
the fuller's trade.

Think of it boys, what splendid opportunities most of you have; yes, all
of you have, compared to that of Fillmore, for he had not the advantage
of our glorious and complete school system, and at that was bound out
when a mere lad. Yet at the age of nineteen he presumed to aspire to
become a lawyer! He had two more years to serve in his apprenticeship,
but "Where there's a will there's a way." "To think a thing impossible
is to make it so," and he accordingly set to work contriving to gain for
himself an education.

Contracting with his employer to pay him $30 for his release, that
obstacle was overcome. He next made an arrangement with a retired
lawyer, by which he received his board for services, and studied nights.
This continued for two years, wh