Soon after Mr. Lincoln began to practice law at Springfield, he was
engaged in a criminal case in which it was thought there was little
chance of success. Throwing all his powers into it, he came off
victorious, and promptly received for his services five hundred dollars.
A legal friend, calling upon him the next morning, found him sitting
before a table, upon which his money was spread out, counting it over
and over.
“Look here, Judge,” said he. “See what a heap of money I’ve got from
this case. Did you ever see anything like it? Why, I never had so much
money in my life before, put it all together.” Then, crossing his arms
upon the table, his manner sobering down, he added: “I have got just
five hundred dollars; if it were only seven hundred and fifty, I would
go directly and purchase a quarter section of land, and settle it upon
my old step-mother.”
His friend said that if the deficiency was all he needed, he would loan
him the amount, taking his note, to which Mr. Lincoln instantly acceded.
His friend then said:
“Lincoln, I would do just what you have indicated. Your step-mother is
getting old, and will not probably live many years. I would settle the
property upon her for her use during her lifetime, to revert to you upon
her death.”
With much feeling, Mr. Lincoln replied:
“I shall do no such thing. It is a poor return at best for all the good
woman’s devotion and fidelity to me, and there is not going to be any
halfway business about it.” And so saying, he gathered up his money and
proceeded forthwith to carry his long-cherished purpose into execution.