There are various theories on the origin of the nickname "Honest Abe." When Abraham Lincoln was working as a clerk in a store in New Salem, he once took 6 1/4 cents too much from a customer. That night when the store closed, he walked three miles to return the woman's money. Another time a customer who asked for 1/2 pound of tea was mistakenly given only 1/4 pound because Lincoln had absent-mindedly left a 1/4 weight on the scales. Very early in the morning, when he discovered the mistake, he walked a long way to give the customer the right amount of tea.
It is a shame that people aren't taught our heritage in school and that Sunday school was obviously not a major part of this person's upbringing.
Some of us have that instinct. When mistakes are made and we are aware of it, we correct it. There is a judgment from these “special” times.