The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-20

Some of Lincoln's Stories.

Mr. Lincoln usually accompanied his gay
little wife to parties, but seldom remained
where the largest portion of the company
were, but would slip off to some side room,
or perhaps sit upon the stairs, where friends
would soon gather aroundhm, begging him
for story. They often named the tale
they wished him to tell for instance, say
ing, sob. Mr.. Lincoln, do tell us the
'camp-meeting story or the Baker story"
ETC., etc. | was 80 much amused by the
camp meeting story that at one time when
Mr.. L. was stopping at our own home |
got him to relate it, and even to tell me
how to spell some of the ridiculous names
of '.Noah's sons so l think can repeat
it just as he told it but its needs hls pecu-
liar voice to give it effect. Here it is:
"There had been great camp meeting
gong ON for nearly week in the beech
woods in Ohio and on the last day fine
speaker preached the closing sermon. He
was large, powerful man, with a strong
voice, and his hearers were deeply affected.
He was a very sensible man, and, seeing
clouds gathering in the west, he shortened
his sermon, telling the crowd they would
not have much time to collect their effects
and take up their bed and walk, as a storm
was coming on. In less time than it takes
to tell it tents were pulled down, beds,
tables, chairs and children were loaded into
wagons, and all was noise and confusion
on the camp ground. In the midst of all
this hustle a little wzened-faced man as
cended the log steps of the pulpit, and,
clasping his small hands, and rolling his
weak eyes upward, squealed out, brethren
and sisters y He was such striking con-
trast to the last speaker that some did pause
in their work to look with wonder upon
him. Thus encouraged, the little man be-
gan again: Brethren and sisters" q wish
you could have heard Mr. Lincoln initiate
that squeaking voice, al rise to narate
on toe you on the subject of the baptismal
yes, the baptsmal Ahem. There was
Noah, he had three ns-ahem-namehe,
Shadadarack, Meshisick, and Bellteezer
They all went toe Daniels den and likewise
with them was a lion Ahem. Here the
crowd either renewed their work of loading
up the wagons or laughed and turned away.
So the speaker after repeating the above,
and yet gaining no attention, closed abrupt
ly III the following manner ''Dear perish
ing friends ef you will not hear on toe me
on this great subjec | will only say this,
that Squire hobbs has recently lost little
bay mare with tlaxy name and tail
amen =
The last sentence, without a l,ause, was
very ludicrous.
Here is another short story of Mr.. Lin
coins:
''After the Wednesday night services at
a country Westinghouse the minister urged
the members present to subscribe literally
toward erecting lightning-rod on their
new church building, saying: Surely you
are willing to lend to the Lord. Is He not
the owner Of cattle on thousand hills i?
Will he not repay 2? etc. When rich old
farmer got up, and, speaking slowly
through his nose, said: You say the Lord
is owner of the cattle on thousand hills,
do We Well, then, why cant He sell His
cattle and buy lightning-rod, eh ?'"--
Editor's Drd'cer in Harpers Magazine t0r
JuHe.