borrowed horse, with all his earthly possessions packed in a pair
of saddle-bags, Lincoln entered the store owned by Speed, the
saddle-bags over his arm, to ask the price of a single bed with
its necessary coverings and pillows. His question being answered,
he remarked that very likely that was cheap enough, but, small as
the price was, he was unable to pay it; adding that if Speed was
willing to credit him until Christmas, and his experiment as a
lawyer proved a success, he would pay then. "If I fail in this,"
he said sadly, "I do not know that I can ever pay you." Speed
thought he had never seen such a sorrowful face. He suggested
that
instead of going into debt, Lincoln might share his own roomy
quarters over the store, assuring him that if he chose to accept
the offer, he would be very welcome. "Where is your room ?"
Lincoln asked quickly. "Upstairs," and the young merchant pointed
to a flight of winding steps leading from the store to the room
overhead.

Lincoln picked up the saddle-bags, went upstairs, set them down
on the floor, and reappeared a moment later, beaming with
pleasure. "Well, Speed," he exclaimed, "I am moved!" It is seldom
that heartier, truer friendships come to a man than came to
Lincoln in the course of his life. On the other hand, no one ever
deserved better of his fellow-men than he did; and it is pleasant
to know that such brotherly aid as Butler and Speed were able to
give him, offered in all sincerity and accepted in a spirit that
left no sense of galling obligation on either side, helped the
young lawyer over present difficulties and made it possible for
him to keep on in the career he had marked out for himself.