Lincoln Helps Man Settle A Debt, Guy Screwed Twice

1914

ONE WAY TO PAY A DEBT.

A Suit That Lincoln Settled In His Own Peculiar Manner.

A crack brained attorney who lived in Springfield, supported mainly by the other lawyers of the place, became indebted in the sum of $2.50 to a wealthy citizen of the county. The creditor, failing after repeated efforts to collect the amount due him, came to Mr. Lincoln and asked him to bring suit. Lincoln explained the man's condition and circumstances and advised his client to let the matter rest, but the creditor's temper was up, and he insisted on bringing suit. Again Lincoln urged him to let the matter drop, adding, "You can make nothing out of him, and it will cost you a good deal more than the debt to bring suit."

The creditor was still determined to have his way and threatened to seek some other attorney who would be more willing to take charge of the matter than Lincoln appeared to be. Lincoln then said, "Well, if you are determined that suit shall be brought I will bring it, but my charge will be $10." The creditor paid over the money and gave peremptory orders that the suit should be brought that very day.

After his client's departure Lincoln went out of the office. He returned in about an hour with an amused look on his face. I asked what pleased him, and he replied: "I brought suit against ——— and then hunted him up, told him what I had done, handed him half of the $10, and we went over to the squire's office. He confessed judgment and paid the bill." Lincoln added that be did not see any other way to make things so generally satisfactory. — "The Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln."