National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-07-24
LINCOLN AS A JOKER.
COL. TEos. n NELSON TRILa now He AMI
GOV. HAMMOND WIRE GOLD" ny LIN

Col. Thomas H. Nelson told an amusing
reminiscence Of his first acquaintance
with Mr.. Lincoln. In the spring of 1S49
Nelson and Judge Abram Hammond, who
was afterward governor of Indiana, ar
ranged to go from this city to Indian
apolis together in the stage coach. This
was before the epoch of railways, and an
entire day was usually consumed in the
journey. Before the dawn of day the
coach arrived in front of the Tt ire Huute
House, and as these gentlemen were
about to step in they discovered that the
entire back seat was occupied by long,
loomy individual, whose head protruded
from one side of the coach and
his feet from the other. He was
the sole occupant, and was sleep
ig soundly. Hammond slapped
him Familiarity on the shoulder and asked
If he had chartered the stage for the
day. The stranger, now wide awake,
said, certainly not" and at once took
the front seat, after politely asking the
gentleman TO take the place of honor and
comfort, which they accordingly did. AS
daylight advanced they thought they
took in their travelling companion at q
glance. A queer, odd-looking fellow he
was, dressed in well-worn and i'll fitting
suit of bombazine, without vest or cravat,
and twenty-five cent palm hat ON the
back of his head. His very prominent
features in repose seemed dull and ex-
pressionless. Here was rare chance for
fun, and the gentlemen soon availed
themselves of IL IL was not long after
the quizzing commenced before they dis.
covered that the stranger was "greener"
and better subject for merriment than
they expected. they got of many jokes
and "sells." He took them oil with
the utmost innocence and good nature
and joined in the laugh, although at his
own expense. In fact, he seemed to be
rather awed in the presence of such en-
ineht men. At noon they stopped at a
wayside hostelry for dinner. The rain
was falling and the ground was muddy.
The stranger sprang from the coach, en-
tered the inn, and returned with plank
and an umbrella, and the gentlemen, one
after another, were as daintily handed
into the house as if they had been ladies,
he walking in the rain and mud. When
dinner was announced the gentlemen
took their seats and he remained stand
ing, until Hammond, in patronizing
way, said, "Sit down, my good fellow,
and eat with u.s." He appeared to think
that it WIS about the greatest honor of
his life, and he sat down with about half
of his person on n small chair and held
his hat under his arm during the meal.
On being asked if he had ever been in as
large town as Terre Haute before he
said that several years ago he had driven
an OK wagon containing family of
movers through Terre Haute on their way
from Bloomington, Ind, to Paris, ILL.,.
for which he was paid $3.50 He said
also that he had been in Washington city,
about which many surprising things had
been said by the gentlemen, but he didn't
know much about it rs he could not
move in the same circles of society as his
distinguished travelling companions.
Resuming their journey after dinner,
conversation drifted into discussion OF
the comet, q subject that was then agi
tating the scientific world, in which the
stranger took the deepest interest. He
made many startling suggestions, and
asked many questions showing profound
ignorance of the wonderful phenomenon
Nelson amazed him with "words OF
learned length and laundering sound,
talked about the attractions of gravita
ton and conesion, centripetal and cen
trifugal forces, &C., &c. After nj
astounding display of wordy pyrotech
MICS, the now dazed and bewilderet
stranger asked:
"What is going to be the upshot Of
this comet business ?"
Mr.. Nelson replied that he was moi
quite certain, that he differed from most
scientists and philosophers, but that il
his private opinion, the world would fol
low the darned thing off The stranger
exhibited much alarm and anxiety at the
prospect Of such IN appalling catas
trophe.
They arrived at Indianapolis late in
the afternoon and stopped at Browning''
Hotel. The gentlemen repaired to Their
rooms t. improve their costumes. In
few p'nutes Mr.. Nelson descended to tn,
portico and deserted his long, sloomy fel
low traveller in the center of an admirinl
group of lawyers, among whom were
Judge Mclean. Judge Huntington, MIR
Hannigan, Albert S. White aud Col
Thompson who were all amused and in
terested in funny story he was telling
He frequently mentioned the name Of
| Hammond and Nelson and was severa
times interrupted by roars of laughter
Nelson called out Browning, the land
lord, and asked:
"Who is that chap who is creating SC
much sport at our expense?"
Don't you know him" said Browning
llHhntta lao .naal,, &c Ill,,A,g a,
greatest practical joker ON the cont
nentW
This was crusherl Mr. Nelson rushed
up stairs and told Hammond, who wa
still at his toilet, that they would be til,
laughing stock of the whole state; thu
they had been completely outwitted b.
our greenhorn friend, who was no less
parsonage than that inimitable wag, Alb,
Lincoln, of Illinois, who was then con
vulsing our legal friends on the portic'
by an account of our journey. Hammond
rapidly gathered up his buds, pushe,
them into his carpet sack, and suddenl,
left the hotel by the back door, goinI
down muddy alley to the Palmer House
from which he did not emerge for severa
days.
Curiously enough, Hammond was gov
ernor of the state when Lincoln arrived
at indianapolis on his way to Washington
to be inaugurated as President, but re
membering our famous journey, AM
fearing ridicule, he discreetly left tn
city, and did not return until afte
Lincoln's departure.
Nelson had many opportunities afte
the stage ride to cultivate Mr.. Lincoln
acquaintance and friendship, and was
Jealous advocate of his nomination an
election to the presidency. Before leay
ing his home for Washington. Mr.. Lin
coin caused Usher and Nelson, of thi
city, to be invited to accompany him
They agreed to join him at indianapolis
On reaching that city, the presidents
party had already arrived, and upon il
quiry, they were informed that the Pres
ident-elect was in the dining room q