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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 39nothing, as the post surgeon at Alexandria was immovable, and then askedthe lady why she did not donate money to build a hospital."We have been very much embarrassed by the war," she replied, "and ourestates are much hampered.""You are not ruined?" asked the President."No, sir, but we do not feel that we should give up anything we have left."The President, after some reflection, then said: "There are more battles yetto be fought, and I think God would prefer that your church be devoted tothe care and alleviation of the sufferings of our poor fellows. So, madam,you will excuse me. I can do nothing for you."Afterward, in speaking of this incident, President Lincoln said that the lady,as a representative of her class in Alexandria, reminded him of the story ofthe young man who had an aged father and mother owning considerableproperty. The young man being an only son, and believing that the oldpeople had outlived their usefulness, assassinated them both. He wasaccused, tried and convicted of the murder. When the judge came to passsentence upon him, and called upon him to give any reason he might havewhy the sentence of death should not be passed upon him, he with greatpromptness replied that he hoped the court would be lenient upon himbecause he was a poor orphan!"BAP." McNABB'S BOOSTER.It is true that Lincoln did not drink, never swore, was a stranger to smokingand lived a moral life generally, but he did like horse-racing and chickenfighting. New Salem, Illinois, where Lincoln was "clerking," was knownthe neighborhood around as a "fast" town, and the average young manmade no very desperate resistance when tempted to join in the drinking andgambling bouts.