''Abe'' Lincoln's Yarns and Stories - University of Macau Library

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 104Lincoln's great height made him an easy subject for the cartoonist, and theyused it in his favor as well as against him."ALL SICKER'N YOUR MAN."A Commissioner to the Hawaiian Islands was to be appointed, and eightapplicants had filed their papers, when a delegation from the Southappeared at the White House on behalf of a ninth. Not only was their manfit--so the delegation urged--but was also in bad health, and a residence inthat balmy climate would be of great benefit to him.The President was rather impatient that day, and before the members of thedelegation had fairly started in, suddenly closed the interview with thisremark:"Gentlemen, I am sorry to say that there are eight other applicants for thatplace, and they are all 'sicker'n' your man."EASIER TO EMPTY THE POTOMAC.An officer of low volunteer rank persisted in telling and re-telling histroubles to the President on a summer afternoon when Lincoln was tiredand careworn.After listening patiently, he finally turned upon the man, and, lookingwearily out upon the broad Potomac in the distance, said in a peremptorytone that ended the interview:"Now, my man, go away, go away. I cannot meddle in your case. I could aseasily bail out the Potomac River with a teaspoon as attend to all the detailsof the army."HE WANTED A STEADY HAND.When the Emancipation Proclamation was taken to Mr. Lincoln bySecretary Seward, for the President's signature, Mr. Lincoln took a pen,