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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 142"We walked in and were at once recognized and seated--the two boys stillcontinuing their play about the room. "Tad" was spinning his top; andLincoln, as we entered, had just finished adjusting the string for him so asto give the top the greatest degree of force. He remarked that he was havinga little fun with the boys."At another time, at Lincoln's residence, "Tad" came into the room, and,putting his hand to his mouth, and his mouth to his father's ear, said, in aboy's whisper: "Ma says come to supper."All heard the announcement; and Lincoln, perceiving this, said: "You haveheard, gentlemen, the announcement concerning the interesting state ofthings in the dining-room. It will never do for me, if elected, to make thisyoung man a member of my Cabinet, for it is plain he cannot be trustedwith secrets of state."THE GENERAL WAS "HEADED IN"A Union general, operating with his command in West Virginia, allowedhimself and his men to be trapped, and it was feared his force would becaptured by the Confederates. The President heard the report read by theoperator, as it came over the wire, and remarked:"Once there was a man out West who was 'heading' a barrel, as they used tocall it. He worked like a good fellow in driving down the hoops, but justabout the time he thought he had the job done, the head would fall in. Thenhe had to do the work all over again."All at once a bright idea entered his brain, and he wondered how it was hehadn't figured it out before. His boy, a bright, smart lad, was standing by,very much interested in the business, and, lifting the young one up, he puthim inside the barrel, telling him to hold the head in its proper place, whilehe pounded down the hoops on the sides. This worked like a charm, and hesoon had the 'heading' done.