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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 56accordance with the tastes of the wearers; calico was rarely seen, and awoman wearing a dress of that material was the envy of her sisters.There being no shoemakers the women wore moccasins, and the men madetheir own boots. A hunting shirt, leggins made of skins, buckskin breeches,dyed green, constituted an apparel no maiden could withstand.CHARACTERISTIC OF LINCOLN.One man who knew Lincoln at New Salem, says the first time he saw himhe was lying on a trundle-bed covered with books and papers and rocking acradle with his foot.The whole scene was entirely characteristic--Lincoln reading and studying,and at the same time helping his landlady by quieting her child.A gentleman who knew Mr. Lincoln well in early manhood says: "Lincolnat this period had nothing but plenty of friends."After the customary hand-shaking on one occasion in the White House atWashington several gentlemen came forward and asked the President forhis autograph. One of them gave his name as "Cruikshank." "That remindsme," said Mr. Lincoln, "of what I used to be called when a youngman--'Long-shanks!'""PLOUGH ALL 'ROUND HIM."Governor Blank went to the War Department one day in a towering rage:"I suppose you found it necessary to make large concessions to him, as hereturned from you perfectly satisfied," suggested a friend."Oh, no," the President replied, "I did not concede anything. You haveheard how that Illinois farmer got rid of a big log that was too big to haulout, too knotty to split, and too wet and soggy to burn.