Part 5 (1/2)

Lincoln had been scanning the compet.i.tor and, smiling, returned: ”He is _long_ enough, certainly. Let us see about that.” He went for his cane [Footnote: Lincoln's cane. This was the cane he carried, instead of going armed. But he was forever leaving it anywhere about, so that, nine times out of ten, he went forth without it on his errant ”browsing” around; and it was a wonder that this time he knew where to find it.] and, placing the ferule end to the wall, to act as a level, he bade the young man draw near and stand under. When the rod was carefully adjusted to the top of the head, Mr. Lincoln continued:

”Now, step out and hold the cane while I go under.”

This comparison showed that the young man stood six feet three exactly. Lincoln's precise figure, too.

”Just my height,” remarked the affable President to the herald of the match; ”he guessed with admirable accuracy!”

Giving both a shake of the hand, he gave them the good-by warmly.

He had seen that they were innocents and shrank from letting them know that they had unconsciously offended his dignity.

THE PRIZE FOR HOMELINESS.

In keeping with his p.r.o.neness to jest at his own expense rather than lose a laugh, Lincoln is credited with telling the following story upon himself:

”In the days when I used to be on the circuit (law), I was accosted on the road by a stranger. He said: 'Excuse me, sir, but I have an article in my possession which belongs to you.' 'How is that?'

I asked, considerably astonished.

”The stranger took a 'Barlow' from his pocket.

”'This knife,' said he, 'was placed in my hands some years ago with the injunction of the community, through its bearer, that I was to keep it until I struck a man homelier than I. I have carried it from that time till this. Allow me to say, sir, that you are fairly ent.i.tled to the testimonial.'”

HOW LONG LEGS SHOULD BE.

A quipster, harping on Mr. Lincoln's abnormal tallness, had the mishap to draw upon himself some quizzing; the President putting the _non plus_ on him by asking:

”How long, then, ought a man's legs to be?”

The answer was given by the sphinx:

”Long enough to reach from his body to the ground.”

LONG METER.

John Sherman will be remembered as originator of the politicians'

”cover” for electioneering activity, ”I am going home to mend my fences.” He was fresh from Ohio, but he included in his round of duties, on visiting the capital, an attendance of a Lincoln reception.