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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 312Lincoln made his first appearance in society when he was first sent toSpringfield, Ill., as a member of the State Legislature. It was not animposing figure which he cut in a ballroom, but still he was occasionally tobe found there. Miss Mary Todd, who afterward became his wife, was themagnet which drew the tall, awkward young man from his den. Oneevening Lincoln approached Miss Todd, and said, in his peculiar idiom:"Miss Todd, I should like to dance with you the worst way." The youngwoman accepted the inevitable, and hobbled around the room with him.When she returned to her seat, one of her companions asked mischievously:"Well, Mary, did he dance with you the worst way.""Yes," she answered, "the very worst."SIMPLY PRACTICAL HUMANITY.An instance of young Lincoln's practical humanity at an early period of hislife is recorded in this way:One evening, while returning from a "raising" in his wide neighborhood,with a number of companions, he discovered a stray horse, with saddle andbridle upon him. The horse was recognized as belonging to a man who wasaccustomed to get drunk, and it was suspected at once that he was not faroff. A short search only was necessary to confirm the belief.The poor drunkard was found in a perfectly helpless condition, upon thechilly ground. Abraham's companions urged the cowardly policy of leavinghim to his fate, but young Lincoln would not hear to the proposition.At his request, the miserable sot was lifted on his shoulders, and he actuallycarried him eighty rods to the nearest house.Sending word to his father that he should not be back that night, with thereason for his absence, he attended and nursed the man until the morning,and had the pleasure of believing that he had saved his life.