The excitement that followed was intense--so much so that fighting men thought a duel must settle the difficulty.

Lincoln, by the programme, followed Early.

He took up the subject in dispute and handled it fairly and with such ability that everyone was astonished and pleased.

So that difficulty ended there.

Then for the first time, aroused by the excitement of the occasion, he spoke in that tenor intonation of voice that ultimately settled down into that clear, shrill monotone style that afterwards characterized his public speaking, and enabled his audience, however large, to hear distinctly the lowest sound of his voice." Mr.Arnold says that Lincoln's reply to Dr.Early was "often spoken of as exhibiting wonderful ability, and a crushing power of sarcasm and ridicule.