Opened His Eyes.
Mr. Lincoln sometimes had a very effective way of dealing with men who troubled him with questions. A visitor once asked him how many men the Rebels had in the field.
The President replied, very seriously, "Twelve hundred thousand, according to the best authority."
The interrogator blanched in the face, and ejaculated, "Good Heavens!"
"Yes, sir, twelve hundred thousand—no doubt of it. You see, all of our generals, when they get whipped, say the enemy outnumbers them from three or five to one, and I must believe them. We have four hundred thousand men in the field, and three times four makes twelve. Don't you see it?"