Lincoln was always ready to help any man, woman, child or animal. He was
naturally kindhearted, and “possessed in an extraordinary degree the
power of entering into the interests of others, a power found only in
reflective, unselfish natures.” He loved his friends and sympathized with
them in their troubles. He was anxious always to do his share in making
their labors day after day as light as possible.
Thus we are told by his neighbors (biography by Mr. Herndon and others)
that he cared for the children while on a visit to a friend’s house;
gave up his own bed in the tavern where he was boarding when the house
was full, and slept on the counter; helped farmers pull out the wheel of
their wagon when it got stuck in the mud; chopped wood for the widows;
rocked the cradle while the woman of the house where he was staying was
busy getting the meal, and otherwise made himself useful. No wonder there
was not a housewife in all New Salem who would not gladly “put on a
plate” for Abe Lincoln, or who would not darn or mend for him whenever
he needed such services. It was the “spontaneous, unobtrusive helpfulness
of the man’s nature which endeared him to everybody.”