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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 46"I went to the Chicago Convention," the caller said, "as a friend of Mr.Seward. I have watched you narrowly ever since your inauguration, and Icalled merely to pay my respects. What I want to say is this: I think you aredoing everything for the good of the country that is in the power of man todo. You are on the right track. As one of your constituents I now say toyou, do in future as you d---- please, and I will support you!"This was spoken with tremendous effect."Why," said Mr. Lincoln in great astonishment, "I took you to be apreacher. I thought you had come here to tell me how to take Richmond,"and he again grasped the hand of his strange visitor.Accurate and penetrating as Mr. Lincoln's judgment was concerning men,for once he had been wholly mistaken. The scene was comical in theextreme. The two men stood gazing at each other. A smile broke from thelips of the solemn wag and rippled over the wide expanse of his homelyface like sunlight overspreading a continent, and Mr. Lincoln wasconvulsed with laughter.He stayed to lunch.FORGOT EVERYTHING HE KNEW.President Lincoln, while entertaining a few friends, is said to have relatedthe following anecdote of a man who knew too much:During the administration of President Jackson there was a singular younggentleman employed in the Public Postoffice in Washington.His name was G.; he was from Tennessee, the son of a widow, a neighborof the President, on which account the old hero had a kind feeling for him,and always got him out of difficulties with some of the higher officials, towhom his singular interference was distasteful.