"I'll sign it on one condition," said Smoot.
"What is that?" Abe asked.
"That you'll give me a commission."
"A man like you can't expect too much. Would you care to be a General?"
"I wouldn't give the snap of my finger for that. What I want to be is your friend."
"You are that now, aren't you?" Abe asked.
"Yes, but I haven't earned my commission. You haven't given me a chance yet. What can I do to help you along?"
Abe was much impressed by these kindly words. "My friends do not often ask what they can do for me," he said. "I suppose they haven't thought of it. I'll think it over and let you know."
Three days later he walked out to Coleman Smoot's after supper. As they sat together by the fireside Abe said:
"I've been thinking of your friendly question. It's dangerous to talk that way to a man like me. The fact is I need two hundred dollars to pay pressing debts and give me something in my pocket when I go to Vandalia. If you can not lend it to me I shall think none the less of you."