heard of him: his name is Abraham Lincoln."

"I have heard of him, and I have seen him--in Union County before I
came here," said Georgiana, with enthusiasm.

"He came here once to hear Mr. Clay speak," I resumed; "and I saw them
walking together one day under the trees at Ashland--the two most
remarkable-looking men that I ever beheld together or in human form."

My few acres touch the many of the great statesman. Georgiana and I
often hear of the movements of his life, as two little boats in a quiet
bay are tossed by the storms of the ocean. Any reference to him always
makes us thoughtful, and we fell silent now.

"Georgiana," I said at length, softly. "It's all in self-defence. I
believe you promised to marry me in self-defence."

"I did!" she said, promptly.

"Well, I certainly asked you in self-defence, Miss Cobb," I replied.
"And now in a few days, according to the usage of my time, I am going
to take your life--even at the peril of my own. If you desire, it is
your privilege to examine the deadly weapons before the hour of actual
combat," and I held out my arms to her appealingly.

She bent her body delicately aside, as always. "I am upset," she said,
discouragingly. "You have been abusing Kentucky."

"Ah, that is the trouble!" I answered. "You wish me to become more
interested in my fellow-creatures. And then you will not let me speak