A SMALL AUDIENCE.
Reading edition
Mr. Herndon got out a huge poster announcing a speech by Mr. Lincoln, employed a band to drum up the crowd, and bells were rung, but only three persons were present. Mr. Lincoln was to have spoken on the slavery question.
Gentlemen: This meeting is larger than I knew it would be, as I knew Herndon (Lincoln's partner) and myself would be here, but I did not know any one else would be here: and yet another has come—you John Pain, (the janitor.)
These are bad times, and seem out of joint. All seems dead, dead, dead: but the age is not yet dead; it liveth as our Maker liveth. Under all this seeming want of life and motion, the world does move nevertheless.
Be hopeful. And now let us adjourn and appeal to the people.