Lincoln Story Book, The

<h3>NOT TO BE THOUGHT OF!</h3> <p>It has been seen that creditors treated the struggling Lincoln with the utmost forbearance, countering the adage that "forbearance is not acquittance." He was given the occasion to show how he was neighborly when the turn came. A client of his was long deferring settlement when the lawyer met him by chance on the courthouse steps, at Springfield.</p> <p>He accosted him cordially, and remarked about an accident that had befallen him.</p> <p>Cogdale had been blown up by gunpowder and lost a hand. He began to apologize for the business delay, showing that he was crippled manually as well as in his pursuits.</p> <p>Lincoln plainly expressed his sympathy and sorrow.</p> <p>"I have been thinking about that note of yours," faltered the unhappy man.</p> <p>The lawyer drew the paper in question out of his wallet and forced it upon him.</p> <p>"It is not to be <i>thought of!</i>" replied he, laughing in his droll yet saturnine mode.</p> <p>Cogdale honestly added that he did not know when he really could pay.</p> <p>But the donee hurried away, saying:</p> <p>"If you had the money, I would not take it out of your only hand!" <br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />