“Stranger, I’ll tell you what I think: those men who have no small vices seldom have any large virtues.”
I once heard Mr. Lincoln tell of another liquor experience, this time at the expense of Senator David Davis, who was present and enjoyed it as much as the rest of the company. While attending a session of court presided over by Judge Davis, the latter overtook him one morning on the road, and asked him to get into the Davis carriage, which was drawn by a pair of spirited horses, driven by a trusted coachman. They traveled at a rate which made Lincoln uneasy, and soon entered on a piece of new road abounding in ruts and stumps. As the carriage bumped and swayed, Lincoln, in much alarm, turned to the judge and asked:
“Mr. Davis, isn’t your driver drunk?”
From a photograph by Prince, taken in 1908. Half-tone plate engraved by H. Davidson
GENERAL JOHN B. HENDERSON
“No,” replied the judge, “Michael is a sober man and never takes anything.”
After a jar which nearly upset them, Lincoln asked that the carriage should be stopped, so that he could get out. The judge expostulated, but when they struck another stump, Lincoln exclaimed:
“Mr. Davis, your driver is drunk!”
Thereupon Davis loudly demanded of the coachman that he should stop, and, observing him closely, saw the whole truth in the wild gleam of his eyes. The judge indignantly exclaimed: