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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 65Jefferson Davis insisted on being recognized by his official title ascommander or President in the regular negotiation with the Government.This Mr. Lincoln would not consent to.Mr. Hunter thereupon referred to the correspondence between King Charlesthe First and his Parliament as a precedent for a negotiation between aconstitutional ruler and rebels. Mr. Lincoln's face then wore thatindescribable expression which generally preceded his hardest hits, and heremarked: "Upon questions of history, I must refer you to Mr. Seward, forhe is posted in such things, and I don't profess to be; but my only distinctrecollection of the matter is, that Charles lost his head."LOVED SOLDIERS' HUMOR.Lincoln loved anything that savored of wit or humor among the soldiers.He used to relate two stories to show, he said, that neither death nor dangercould quench the grim humor of the American soldier:"A soldier of the Army of the Potomac was being carried to the rear ofbattle with both legs shot off, who, seeing a pie-woman, called out, 'Say,old lady, are them pies sewed or pegged?'"And there was another one of the soldiers at the battle of Chancellorsville,whose regiment, waiting to be called into the fight, was taking coffee. Thehero of the story put to his lips a crockery mug which he had carried withcare through several campaigns. A stray bullet, just missing the tinker'shead, dashed the mug into fragments and left only the handle on his finger.Turning his head in that direction, he scowled, 'Johnny, you can't do thatagain!'"BAD TIME FOR A BARBECUE.Captain T. W. S. Kidd of Springfield was the crier of the court in the dayswhen Mr. Lincoln used to ride the circuit.