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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 232He sat down on the couch, and said to his law partner, Judge Herndon:"Billy, you and I have been together for more than twenty years, and havenever passed a word. Will you let my name stay on the old sign until Icome back from Washington?"The tears started to Herndon's eyes. He put out his hand. "Mr. Lincoln,"said he, "I never will have any other partner while you live"; and to the dayof assassination, all the doings of the firm were in the name of "Lincoln &Herndon."VERY HOMELY AT FIRST SIGHT.Early in January, 1861, Colonel Alex. K. McClure, of Philadelphia,received a telegram from President-elect Lincoln, asking him (McClure) tovisit him at Springfield, Illinois. Colonel McClure described hisdisappointment at first sight of Lincoln in these words:"I went directly from the depot to Lincoln's house and rang the bell, whichwas answered by Lincoln himself opening the door. I doubt whether awholly concealed my disappointment at meeting him."Tall, gaunt, ungainly, ill clad, with a homeliness of manner that wasunique in itself, I confess that my heart sank within me as I rememberedthat this was the man chosen by a great nation to become its ruler in thegravest period of its history."I remember his dress as if it were but yesterday--snuff-colored and slouchypantaloons, open black vest, held by a few brass buttons; straight orevening dresscoat, with tightly fitting sleeves to exaggerate his long, bonyarms, and all supplemented by an awkwardness that was uncommon amongmen of intelligence."Such was the picture I met in the person of Abraham Lincoln. We satdown in his plainly furnished parlor, and were uninterrupted during thenearly four hours that I remained with him, and little by little, as his