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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 170Illinois River, by the name of Naples. The only tavern of the place hadevidently been constructed with reference to business on a small scale. Pooras the prospect seemed, Mr. Lincoln had no alternative but to put up at theplace.The supper-room was also used as a lodging-room. Mr. Lincoln told hishost that he thought he would "go to bed.""Bed!" echoed the landlord. "There is no bed for you in this house unlessyou sleep with that man yonder. He has the only one we have to spare.""Well," returned Mr. Lincoln, "the gentleman has possession, and perhapswould not like a bed-fellow."Upon this a grizzly head appeared out of the pillows, and said:"What is your name?""They call me Lincoln at home," was the reply."Lincoln!" repeated the stranger; "any connection of our Illinois Abraham?""No," replied Mr. Lincoln. "I fear not.""Well," said the old gentleman, "I will let any man by the name of 'Lincoln'sleep with me, just for the sake of the name. You have heard of Abe?" heinquired."Oh, yes, very often," replied Mr. Lincoln. "No man could travel far in thisState without hearing of him, and I would be very glad to claim connectionif I could do so honestly.""Well," said the old gentleman, "my name is Simmons. 'Abe' and I used tolive and work together when young men. Many a job of woodcutting andrail-splitting have I done up with him. Abe Lincoln was the likeliest boy inGod's world. He would work all day as hard as any of us and study by