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

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 95"Yes, they did have a joke on us," said Aunt Betsy. "They said my man gotinto the wrong room and Charles got into my room. But it wasn't so.Lincoln just wrote that for mischief. Abe and my man often laughed aboutthat."LIKELY TO DO IT.An officer, having had some trouble with General Sherman, being veryangry, presented himself before Mr. Lincoln, who was visiting the camp,and said, "Mr. President, I have a cause of grievance. This morning I wentto General Sherman and he threatened to shoot me.""Threatened to shoot you?" asked Mr. Lincoln. "Well, (in a stage whisper)if I were you I would keep away from him; if he threatens to shoot, I wouldnot trust him, for I believe he would do it.""THE ENEMY ARE 'OURN'"Early in the Presidential campaign of 1864, President Lincoln said onenight to a late caller at the White House:"We have met the enemy and they are 'ourn!' I think the cabal ofobstructionists 'am busted.' I feel certain that, if I live, I am going to bere-elected. Whether I deserve to be or not, it is not for me to say; but on thescore even of remunerative chances for speculative service, I now aminspired with the hope that our disturbed country further requires thevaluable services of your humble servant. 'Jordan has been a hard road totravel,' but I feel now that, notwithstanding the enemies I have made andthe faults I have committed, I'll be dumped on the right side of that stream."I hope, however, that I may never have another four years of such anxiety,tribulation and abuse. My only ambition is and has been to put down therebellion and restore peace, after which I want to resign my office, goabroad, take some rest, study foreign governments, see something offoreign life, and in my old age die in peace with all of the good of God'screatures."