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Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1911. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... VII. "I HAD A FRIEND" Oh, friendship! of all things the most rare, and therefore most scarce because most excellent, whose comforts in misery are always sweet, and whose counsels in prosperity are ever fortunate.--Lilly. HAD a friend!" Is there anything more beautiful in all this world than the consciousness of possessing sweet, loyal, helpful friends, whose devotion is not affected in-the least by a fortune or the lack of it; friends who love us even more in adversity than in prosperity? At the breaking out of the Civil War, when the qualifications of the different candidates for the Presidency were being discussed, and Lincoln was mentioned, someone said: "Lincoln has nothing, only plenty of friends." It is true that Lincoln was poor, that when he was elected to the legislature of his State he borrowed money to buy a suit of clothes, in order that he might make a respectable appearance, and that he walked a hundred miles to take his seat. It is a matter of history that he also borrowed money to move his family to Washington after he was elected President, but how rich was this marvelous man in his friendships! Friends are silent partners -- every one of them interested in everything that interests the other, every one trying to help the other to succeed in life, to make a good impression, to stand for the best thing in him and not the worst, trying to help the other do what he is endeavoring to do, rejoicing in every good thing that comes to him. Can anything be more sublime, more beautiful than the loyalty, the devotion of friends! Even with all his remarkable ability, Theodore Roosevelt could never have accomplished anything equal to what he has but for the powerful, persistent, enthusiastic assistance of his friends. It is doubtful whether he would ever have be...
