Lincoln regarded himself not only as the legal adviser of unfortunate people, but as their friend and protector; and he would never press them for pay for his services.  A client named Cogdal was unfortunate in business, and gave Lincoln a note in payment of legal fees.  Soon afterwards he met with an accident by which he lost a hand.  Meeting Lincoln some time after, on the steps of the State House, the kind lawyer asked him how he was getting along.  “Badly enough,” replied Mr. Cogdal.  “I am both broken up in business and crippled.”  Then he added, “I have been thinking about that note of yours.”  Lincoln, who had probably known all about Mr. Cogdal’s troubles, and had prepared himself for the meeting, took out his pocket-book, and saying, with a laugh, “Well you needn’t think any more about it,” handed him the note.  Mr. Cogdal protesting, Lincoln said, “Even if you had the money, I would not take it,” and hurried away.

Mr. G.L.  Austin thus describes an incident of Lincoln’s career at the bar:  “Mr. Lincoln was once associated with Mr. Leonard Swett in defending a man accused of murder.  He listened to the testimony which witness after witness gave against his client, until his honest heart could stand it no longer; then, turning to his associate, he said:  ‘Swett, the man is guilty; you defend him; I can’t.’  Swett did defend him, and the man was acquitted.  When proffered his share of the large fee, Lincoln most emphatically declined it, on the ground that ’all of it belonged to Mr. Swett, whose ardor and eloquence saved a guilty man from justice.’”

At a term of court in Logan County, a man named Hoblit had brought suit against a man named Farmer.  The suit had been appealed from a justice of the peace, and Lincoln knew nothing of it until he was retained by Hoblit to try the case in the Circuit Court.  G.A.  Gridley, then of Bloomington, appeared for the defendant.  Judge Treat, afterwards on the United States bench, was the presiding judge at the trial.  Lincoln’s client went upon the witness stand and testified to the account he had against the defendant, gave the amount due after allowing all credits and set-offs, and swore positively that it had not been paid.  The attorney for the defendant simply produced a receipt in full, signed by Hoblit prior to the beginning of the case.  Hoblit had to admit the signing of the receipt, but told Lincoln he “supposed the cuss had lost it.”  Lincoln at once arose and left the court-room.  The Judge told the parties to proceed with the case; and Lincoln not appearing, Judge Treat directed a bailiff to go to the hotel and call him.  The bailiff ran across the street to the hotel, and found Lincoln sitting in the office with his feet on the stove, apparently in a deep study, when he interrupted him with:  “Mr. Lincoln, the Judge wants you.”  “Oh, does he?” replied Lincoln.  “Well, you go back and tell the Judge I cannot come.  Tell him I have to wash my hands.”  The bailiff returned with the message, and Lincoln’s client suffered a non-suit.  It was Lincoln’s way of saying he wanted nothing more to do with such a case.