liked to hear Lincoln because his stories and his wit delighted them. Once when reading some strong points in favor of his argument Lincoln read a little too far, and before he was aware of it the argument seemed to favor the other side. He paused a moment, and in a half-laughing, comical way, said "There, there, may it please the court, I reckon I've scratched up a snake. But, as I'm in for it, I guess I'll read it through." With his matchless and ingenious manner he proceeded to win his case by convincing his hearers that it was not so much of a snake after all. Law cases today are factual and have lost these elements of public appeal.
Within a few years book agents swarmed over the country. Among several other works they sold numberless copies of Our Family Physician; Legal Forms and the Law; and An Encyclopedia of Practical Information and Universal Formulary In One Volume, which brought untold confidence and pleasure to many pioneers in their old age and which they often passed on with the admonition, "Never let this book get lost."
Following the bitter cold winter of 1855-56 the Peoria and Oquawka and the Illinois Central put an end to driving teams to Peoria and Chicago to deliver grain and buy coal and commodities such as stoves, iron hinges and other metal. Most of the cabins were replaced with larger frame homes, and there were more social activities which made life more pleasant.
New settlers frequently arrived without means. The father in one German family spent all but fifty cents for the cost of their travel, and this went for the iron nails to be used on the little home they planned. The people gradually had better clothing, a greater variety of food, with sugar, wheat flour and spices.
New neighbors were exchanging visits and recipes. If from Virginia they might caution to use only just a "smidgen" of certain ingredients; some called a pail a bucket, others a chest of drawers a bureau or a skillet a spider. Some had porches, some verandahs, or if from Maryland, stoops. Then there were mothers who made crullers, others who made fastnachts or doughnuts. With native Americans from the East, South and North and immigrants from Germany, England, Ireland and France, and others with Welsh, Swedish and Scotch forebears, even such a product as ham was prepared by each in their own way. The New Englander pickled his in a brine strong enough to float an egg; then they were dried and smoked with hardwood, probably maple, and corncobs. The Virginians rubbed the surface of their hams with salt, pepper, sugar and a little saltpeter daily for a considerable period; then they were ready for a long, cool smoking over hickory, applewood and oak, followed by several years of aging. They were piled one on another, giving them a flat appearance, the shape an indication of the slow cure. Those from Tennessee often used molasses, vinegar, peppercorns, herbs and spices in their curing, then smoking them in applewood and maple.
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