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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 53Thereupon Mr. Lincoln wrote on a visiting card the following:"Let Betsy Ann Dougherty alone as long as she behaves herself."A. LINCOLN."He handed this card to her advocate, saying, "Give this to Betsy Ann.""But, Mr. President, couldn't you write a few words to the officers thatwould insure her protection?""No," said Mr. Lincoln, "officers have no time now to read letters. TellBetsy Ann to put a string in this card and hang it around her neck. Whenthe officers see this, they will keep their hands off your Betsy Ann."HAD TO WEAR A WOODEN SWORD.Captain "Abe" Lincoln and his company (in the Black Hawk War) werewithout any sort of military knowledge, and both were forced to acquiresuch knowledge by attempts at drilling. Which was the more awkward, the"squad" or the commander, it would have been difficult to decide.In one of Lincoln's earliest military problems was involved the process ofgetting his company "endwise" through a gate. Finally he shouted, "Thiscompany is dismissed for two minutes, when it will fall in again on theother side of the gate!"Lincoln was one of the first of his company to be arraigned for unmilitaryconduct. Contrary to the rules he fired a gun "within the limits," and had hissword taken from him. The next infringement of rules was by some of themen, who stole a quantity of liquor, drank it, and became unfit for duty,straggling out of the ranks the next day, and not getting together again untillate at night.For allowing this lawlessness the captain was condemned to wear a woodensword for two days. These were merely interesting but trivial incidents of