Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-09-24

L1HCoLN's JoKEs.-"Reelect Lincoln ~ says one =
"Id rather vote for Ey Old grandm 'ther." "And he'd
do better in the nursery says another, "or the only
thing he is good at is 10 tell amusing Stories Aud
then one would ask another whether he heard Old Abes
last good anccdoe, and would set about relating il 10
the great gusto Of all present "HaVe you beard his
definition Of 'nigger mathematics? 1t has been going
the rounds here TOR G week or two. A gentleman who
happened to have interview with the national Joker
lust previous TO the battle of Gettysburg ventured
turn the conversation the rebel OF Pennsyl-
yana and made the remark that the rebels spleE-
didIv armed. "ThGrss doubt Of that" reptied mr
Lincoln, because supplied them with the best We
mad" The visitor expressed confident hope however
that Meade would be able to beat Lee and capture his
whole army. The President grinned TO the utmost eX
tent OF his classical mouth and remarked that he was
afraid there would be too much "nigger mathematics
in it. The visitor smiled at the aIlusiOn, ne ie
bound in poeness to do 8uppCsng thee must be some
thing in it. though he could no. the point "BOt
suppose you don't know what 'nggeT mathematics 49,,
continued Mr.. Lincoln. Lay down your hat for
minute and I'll tell you" He himself resumed the SIT
ting posture leaned back in bis chair elevated his heels
on the tab!e and went with his story "Ihere was
darkev in my neghborhood called Pompey, who from
certain quickness in figuring up the prices OF chick
ems and vegetables, got the reputation OF being math
| ematical genius Mr.. johnson, darkey, preacher
| heard of Pompey aud called 30 see MIN "Iear
| Don'ra o great mat'mtshun. POmpey." Yes,
! ear YOU las try" "Well, Pompey, Ize ccm-
pound problem in mat'matics" All right, sar.
Nov, Pompey, apose der am tree pigeons sltIln On
!
how mapy's left?" 1.-TWO OBJ cor8e," replied Pompey,
after little wooLstratchug. va, va, ya,n laughs
Mr.. johnson. knowed you was TOOL FomPey ;
dere's none left ores dead, and dudder twos io"n
away" That's what makes me say condnued MI
Lincoln, that I'm afraid there will be too much negro
mathematics in the FeunsylVAuia campaign" Ant
the result shoWd that i'll hS instance at least the an
ecdote suited the fact L2e'a army was the three pi-
geops Oae Of thelR w95 taken down at Gettysburg,
! but the other two flew the Potomac.
MIR. Lincolns anecdotes are divertng, but they are
not calculated to win him votes. People here begin to
imagine that his upon any question depends
good deal upon the hearing of lne first joke tna hap
pens to come to his mind. ou recohect that when
| Mr. Tusaig, On behalf OF the German emancpauonIsts
of ST. Louis waited upon the President, Mr. Lincoln
expressed his preference for gradual over Immediate
emancipation by saying that he was surgeon ope,
rating upon patient for upon tle neck, be would
try and remove the we little by htte est /! ne should
try and remove it all at once &c might cause death
People here believe that th9 more pertinent lusra,
ton of ampuation dog tail by iaches had come hrs'
to his mind, he would from the moral OF th5 STORY lave
favored immediate emancipation thai the destiny o
q State and nation is dependent upon the passing
humor Of an rrepregsible joker.
St. Louis Cor. N. 7. Heraia.