Considering his own personality Lincoln was very indifferent. He was perfectly aware that many people talked about his “awkwardness” and homely personal appearance. Far from feeling hurt at the remarks occasionally flung at him he rather enjoyed them.
One day he was traveling in a train. He was addressed, without any formal introduction, by a stranger in the car, who said:
“Excuse me, sir, but I have an article in my possession which belongs to you.”
“How is that?” Lincoln inquired, much surprised.
The stranger took a jackknife from his pocket.
“This knife,” said he, “was placed in my hands some years ago, with the injunction that I was to keep it until I found a man uglier than myself. I have carried it from that time to this. Allow me to say now, sir, that I think you are fairly entitled to the property.”
Lincoln related the above story to his friends again and again during his lifetime.—From Lincoln’s Stories, by J. B. McClure.