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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 286When Lincoln was on his way to the National Cemetery at Gettysburg, anold gentleman told him that his only son fell on Little Round Top atGettysburg, and he was going to look at the spot. Mr. Lincoln replied: "Youhave been called on to make a terrible sacrifice for the Union, and a visit tothat spot, I fear, will open your wounds afresh."But, oh, my dear sir, if we had reached the end of such sacrifices, and hadnothing left for us to do but to place garlands on the graves of those whohave already fallen, we could give thanks even amidst our tears; but when Ithink of the sacrifices of life yet to be offered, and the hearts and homes yetto be made desolate before this dreadful war is over, my heart is like leadwithin me, and I feel at times like hiding in deep darkness." At one of thestopping places of the train, a very beautiful child, having a bunch ofrosebuds in her hand, was lifted up to an open window of the President'scar. "Floweth for the President." The President stepped to the window, tookthe rosebuds, bent down and kissed the child, saying, "You are a sweet littlerosebud yourself. I hope your life will open into perpetual beauty andgoodness."STOOD UP THE LONGEST.There was a rough gallantry among the young people; and Lincoln's oldcomrades and friends in Indiana have left many tales of how he "went tosee the girls," of how he brought in the biggest back-log and made thebrightest fire; of how the young people, sitting around it, watching the waythe sparks flew, told their fortunes.He helped pare apples, shell corn and crack nuts. He took the girls tomeeting and to spelling school, though he was not often allowed to takepart in the spelling-match, for the one who "chose first" always chose"Abe" Lincoln, and that was equivalent to winning, as the others knew that"he would stand up the longest."A MORTIFYING EXPERIENCE.