By reason of the distances and the lonesomeness, it was the pleasant
habit of candidates to make their electioneering tours together. In
seeking reelection in 1838, Lincoln was accompanied by Mr. Ewing. They
stopped at one country house about dark, when the good wife was going
a-milking, while her husband was still a-field. Intent on securing her,
as she had the repute of being "the gray mare," the two partizans
accompanied her to the paddock. Ewing, to show his gallantry as well as
his familiarity with farm work--a main point in such
communities--offered to relieve the dame of the pail and fill it, while
she rested. In the meantime, Lincoln chatted with her, so that Ewing
could hardly get a word in. At his finishing his self-chosen task, he
beheld the pair deeply absorbed, for Lincoln had exercised his glib
tongue to such advantage as to secure her influence over her man's vote.
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