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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 277taken."ABE'S" YANKEE INGENUITY.War Governor Richard Yates (he was elected Governor of Illinois in 1860,when Lincoln was first elected President) told a good story at Springfield(Ill.) about Lincoln.One day the latter was in the Sangamon River with his trousers rolled upfive feet--more or less--trying to pilot a flatboat over a mill-dam. The boatwas so full of water that it was hard to manage. Lincoln got the prow over,and then, instead of waiting to bail the water out, bored a hole through theprojecting part and let it run out, affording a forcible illustration of theready ingenuity of the future President.LINCOLN PAID HOMAGE TO WASHINGTON.The Martyr President thus spoke of Washington in the course of an address:"Washington is the mightiest name on earth--long since the mightiest in thecause of civil liberty, still mightiest in moral reformation."On that name a eulogy is expected. It cannot be."To add brightness to the sun or glory to the name of Washington is alikeimpossible."Let none attempt it."In solemn awe pronounce the name, and, in its naked, deathless splendor,leave it shining on."STIRRED EVEN THE REPORTERS.Lincoln's influence upon his audiences was wonderful. He could swaypeople at will, and nothing better illustrates his extraordinary power than he