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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 17to move from."The President then told a story of a witness in court in a neighboringcounty, who, on being asked his age, replied, "Sixty." Being satisfied hewas much older the question was repeated, and on receiving the sameanswer the court admonished the witness, saying, "The court knows you tobe much older than sixty.""Oh, I understand now," was the rejoinder, "you're thinking of those tenyears I spent on the eastern share of Maryland; that was so much time lost,and didn't count."Blair was made Postmaster-General.NO VICES, NO VIRTUES.Lincoln always took great pleasure in relating this yarn:Riding at one time in a stage with an old Kentuckian who was returningfrom Missouri, Lincoln excited the old gentleman's surprise by refusing toaccept either of tobacco or French brandy.When they separated that afternoon--the Kentuckian to take another stagebound for Louisville--he shook hands warmly with Lincoln, and said,good-humoredly:"See here, stranger, you're a clever but strange companion. I may never seeyou again, and I don't want to offend you, but I want to say this: Myexperience has taught me that a man who has no vices has d----d fewvirtues. Good-day."LINCOLN'S DUES.Miss Todd (afterwards Mrs. Lincoln) had a keen sense of the ridiculous,and wrote several articles in the Springfield (Ill.) "Journal" reflectingseverely upon General James Shields (who won fame in the Mexican and