TRIBUTE TO THE WOMEN.
During the war many fairs were held to raise money to send extra food, clothing and medicine to the soldiers in the fields and hospitals. The ladies generally managed these fairs in the different towns. They asked Mr. Lincoln to speak at one of them and he gladly consented. He said:
"This extraordinary war in which we are engaged falls heavily on all classes of people, but the most heavily on the soldier. For it has been said, 'All that a man hath will he give for his life.' And while all contribute of their substance, the soldier puts his life at stake and often yields it up in his country's cause. The highest merit, then, is due the soldier. In this war extraordinary developments have manifested themselves, such as have not been seen in former wars, and among these manifestations, nothing has been more remarkable than these fairs for the relief of suffering soldiers and their families. The chief agents of these fairs are the women of America. I am not accustomed to the language of eulogy; I have never studied the art of paying compliments to women; but I must say that, if all that has been said by orators and poets were applied to the women of America, it would not do them justice for their conduct during this war. I will close by saying, God bless the women of America."
MORE LIGHT WANTED.
Another of Mr. Lincoln's stories was this:
A traveler on the frontier lost his way one stormy night. It was a terrible thunder storm. He floundered along until his horse played out. He could see only when the flashes of lightning came. The peals of thunder, however, were proportionately strong and frightening. One roar and all around him seemed crashing; he fell on his knees. He was not much given to praying so his prayer was short:
"O, Lord, if it's all the same to you, give us a little more light and a little less noise."