I shall not take your case, but will give you a little advice, for which I will charge you nothing.

You seem to be a sprightly, energetic man.

I would advise you to try your hand at _making six hundred dollars some other way_." Senator McDonald states that he saw a jury trial in Illinois, at which Lincoln defended an old man charged with assault and battery.

No blood had been spilled, but there was malice in the prosecution, and the chief witness was eager to make the most of it.

On cross-examination, Lincoln "gave him rope" and drew him out; asked him how long the fight lasted and how much ground it covered.