Lincoln was appointed postmaster at New Salem by President Jackson. The
office was given him because everybody liked him, and because he was the
only man willing to take it who could make out the returns. Lincoln was
pleased, because it gave him a chance to read every newspaper taken
in the vicinity. He had never been able to get half the newspapers he
wanted before.
Years after the postoffice had been discontinued and Lincoln had
become a practicing lawyer at Springfield, an agent of the Postoffice
Department entered his office and inquired if Abraham Lincoln was
within. Lincoln responded to his name, and was informed that the
agent had called to collect the balance due the Department since the
discontinuance of the New Salem office.
A shade of perplexity passed over Lincoln’s face, which did not escape
the notice of friends present. One of them said at once:
“Lincoln, if you are in want of money, let us help you.”
He made no reply, but suddenly rose, and pulled out from a pile of books
a little old trunk, and, returning to the table, asked the agent how
much the amount of his debt was.
The sum was named, and then Lincoln opened the trunk, pulled out a
little package of coin wrapped in a cotton rag, and counted out the
exact sum, amounting to more than seventeen dollars.
After the agent had left the room, he remarked quietly that he had never
used any man’s money but his own. Although this sum had been in his
hands during all those years, he had never regarded it as available,
even for any temporary use of his own.