“Then, damn-me, said Abe, use your Sickles!”
A Majority Wanted.
When it was reported to Abe Lincoln that the men engaged in the coal pits had refused to fight the old joker said, “He didn’t expect miners (minors) to fight;” “but stay,” said Lincoln, “is there no way of making Majors of these minors?”
A Story concerning a Second Term.
It is said that, some time ago, a gentleman hinted to the President that it was deemed quite settled that he would accept a re-nomination for his present office, whereupon Mr. Lincoln was reminded of a story of Jesse Dubois, out in Illinois. Jesse as State Auditor, had charge of the State House at Springfield. An itinerant preacher came along and asked the use of it for a lecture.
“On what subject?” asked Jesse.
“On the second coming of our Saviour,” answered the long-faced Millerite.
“Oh, bosh,” retorted Uncle Jesse, testily; “I guess if our Saviour had ever been to Springfield, and had got away with his life, he’d be too smart to think of coming back again.”
This, Mr. Lincoln said, was very much his case about the succession.