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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 363general who did not know his business."That reminds me of a story," President Lincoln said one day to adelegation of the "Grant-is-no-good" style."Out in my State of Illinois there was a man nominated for sheriff of thecounty. He was a good man for the office, brave, determined and honest,but not much of an orator. In fact, he couldn't talk at all; he couldn't make aspeech to save his life."His friends knew he was a man who would preserve the peace of thecounty and perform the duties devolving upon him all right, but the peopleof the county didn't know it. They wanted him to come out boldly on theplatform at political meetings and state his convictions and principles; theyhad been used to speeches from candidates, and were somewhat suspiciousof a man who was afraid to open his mouth."At last the candidate consented to make a speech, and his friends weredelighted. The candidate was on hand, and, when he was called upon,advanced to the front and faced the crowd. There was a glitter in his eyethat wasn't pleasing, and the way he walked out to the front of the standshowed that he knew just what he wanted to say."'Feller Citizens,' was his beginning, the words spoken quietly, 'I'm not aspeakin' man; I ain't no orator, an' I never stood up before a lot of people inmy life before; I'm not goin' to make no speech, 'xcept to say that I can lickany man in the crowd!'"HIS WAY TO A CHILD'S HEART.Charles E. Anthony's one meeting with Mr. Lincoln presents an interestingcontrast to those of the men who shared the emancipator's interest in publicaffairs. It was in the latter part of the winter of 1861, a short time beforeMr. Lincoln left for his inauguration at Washington. Judge Anthony went tothe Sherman House, where the President-elect was stopping, and took withhim his son, Charles, then but a little boy. Charles played about the room as