Twist I wanted some more, said, ’You seem fond of our Illinois sausages.’  To which I responded affirmatively, adding that I thought the article might be relied on where pork was cheaper than dogs.  ‘That,’ said Mr. Lincoln, ’reminds me of what occurred down at Joliet, where a popular grocer supplied all the villagers with sausages.  One Saturday evening, when his grocery was filled with customers for whom he and his boys were busily engaged in weighing sausages, a neighbor with whom he had had a violent quarrel that day, came into the grocery and made his way up to the counter holding by the tail two enormous dead cats which he deliberately threw on to the counter, saying, ’This makes seven to-day.  I’ll call around Monday and get my money for them.’”

* * * * *

During the months intervening between his election and his departure for Washington, Lincoln maintained a keen though quiet watchfulness of the threatening aspect of affairs at the national capital and throughout the South.  He was careful not to commit himself by needless utterances as to his future policy; but in all his demeanor, as a friend said, he displayed the firmness and determination, without the temper, of Jackson.  In December following his election he wrote the following letters to his intimate friend, Hon. E.B.  Washburne, then a member of Congress from Illinois: 

     SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Dec. 13, 1860.

HON.  E.B.  WASHBURNE—­My Dear Sir:  Your long letter received.  Prevent, as far as possible, any of our friends from demoralizing themselves and our cause by entertaining propositions for compromise of any sort on the slavery extension.  There is no possible compromise upon it but which puts us under again, and leaves us all our work to do over again.  Whether it be a Missouri line, or Eli Thayer’s Popular Sovereignty, it is all the same.  Let either be done, and immediately filibustering and extending slavery recommences.  On that point hold firm, as with a chain of steel.

     Yours as ever, A. LINCOLN.

     SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Dec. 21, 1860.

HON.  E.B.  WASHBURNE—­My Dear Sir:  Last night I received your letter giving an account of your interview with General Scott, and for which I thank you.  Please present my respects to the General, and tell him confidentially that I shall be obliged to him to be as well prepared as he can to either hold or retake the forts, as the case may require, at and after the inauguration.

     Yours as ever, A. LINCOLN.