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

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

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<strong>Yarns</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Stories</strong>, by Alex<strong>and</strong>er K. McClure 207"There were eight or ten <strong>of</strong> us, our ages ranging from eight to twelve years.Although I was but seven or eight years <strong>of</strong> age, Mr. <strong>Lincoln's</strong> visits were <strong>of</strong>such importance to us boys as to leave a clear impression on my memory.He drove out to the place quite frequently. We boys, for hours at a timeplayed 'town ball' on the vast lawn, <strong>and</strong> Mr. Lincoln would join ardently inthe sport. I remember vividly how he ran with the children; how long werehis strides, <strong>and</strong> how far his coat-tails stuck out behind, <strong>and</strong> how we tried tohit him with the ball, as he ran the bases. He entered into the spirit <strong>of</strong> theplay as completely as any <strong>of</strong> us, <strong>and</strong> we invariably hailed his coming withdelight."HIS PASSES TO RICHMOND NOT HONORED.A man called upon the President <strong>and</strong> solicited a pass for Richmond."Well," said the President, "I would be very happy to oblige, if my passeswere respected; but the fact is, sir, I have, within the past two years, givenpasses to two hundred <strong>and</strong> fifty thous<strong>and</strong> men to go to Richmond, <strong>and</strong> notone has got there yet."The applicant quietly <strong>and</strong> respectfully withdrew on his tiptoes."PUBLIC HANGMAN" FOR THE UNITED STATES.A certain United States Senator, who believed that every man who believedin secession should be hanged, asked the President what he intended to dowhen the War was over."Reconstruct the machinery <strong>of</strong> this Government," quickly replied Lincoln."You are certainly crazy," was the Senator's heated response. "You talk asif treason was not henceforth to be made odious, but that the traitors,cutthroats <strong>and</strong> authors <strong>of</strong> this War should not only go unpunished, butreceive encouragement to repeat their treason with impunity! They shouldbe hanged higher than Haman, sir! Yes, higher than any malefactor theworld has ever known!"

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