The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-26
LINCOLN AS A JOKER.
Col. II. lei. Nelson Tells How He and Gov.
Hammond Were "Sold" by Lincoln.
To

Hammond Were "Sold" by Lincoln.
Terre Haute Express.
At the Old settlers meeting at the opera house
Col Thomas H. Nelson told an amusing remin-
iscence Of his first acquaintance with Mr. Lin
coin. In the spring of 1S49 Nelson and Judge
Abram Hammond, who was afterward Governor
Of Indiana, arranged to 60 from this city to In
dianapoiis togetlern the stage coach. This was
before the epoch ofrailways, and an entire day
was usually consumed in the journey. Before
the dawn OF day the coach arrived in front of the
Terre Haute House, and as these gentlemen were
about to step in they discovered that the entire
back seat was occupied by along, gloomy indi-
viduat whose head protruded from side Of the
coach and his feet from the other He the
sole occupant andwas sleeping soundly. Ham
mOnd slapped him Familiarity the shoulder and
asked him if he had chartered the stage for the
day. The stranger, now wide awake, said, Ger
tainly not, and at took the front seat, after
politely asking the gentlemen TO take the place of
honor and comfort, which they accordingly did.
AS daylight advanced they thought they took in
their travelling companion at a glance. queer,
odd-looklng fellow he was, dressed in a we'll
worn and ill fitting suit of bon,bazire without
vest cravat, and % cent palm hat on the
back Of his head. His very prominent features
in repose, seemed dull and expressonless. Here
was rare chance for fun. and the gentlemen
soon awaited themselves of it! 1t was not long
after the QuiZzing commenced before they dis
covered that the stranger was ''greener' and a
better subject for merriment than they expected.
They got off many jokes and sells" He took
them all with the utmost innocence and good
nature, and joined IL the laugh, although at his
OWE expense. In fact, ne seemed to be rather
awed IN the presence of such eminent men. At
noon they stopped at wayside hostelIy for
dinner. The rain was falling and the ground
was muddy. The stranger sprang from the coach,
entered the inn, and returned with plank
and an umbrella and the gentleman, one after
another, were as dainty HANDED into the house
as if they Lad been ladies, he walking in the
rain and mud. When dinner was announced
the gentlemen took their seats and he remained
standing, until Hammond, in patronizing way
said, 'sit down, my good fellow, and eat with
US" He appeared to think that it was about the
greatest honor Of his life, and he sat down with
about half of his person on a small chair, and
held his hat under his arm during the meal. On
being asked if lie had ever been in as large
town as Terre Haute before he said that several
years ago he had driven an ox-wagon containing
family Of movers through Terre Haute on
their way from Bloomington, Indiana, to Paris,
Illinois, for which he was paid $3.50. He said
also that he had Sten in Washington City, about
which many surprising things had been said by
the gentlemen, but he didn't know much about
it as he could not move in the same circles of
society as his distinguished travelling compan-
ions,
Resuming their journey after dinner CONVEX
satlon drifted into discussion Of the comet a
subject that was then agtating the scientific
world. in which the stranger took the deepest
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 gravtation and cohesion, centripetal and cen
trifugal forces etc. After an astounding
display Of wordy pyrotechpics, the dazed
and bewidered stranger asked:
What is going to be the upshot of this comet
business!H
Mr.. Nelson replied that he was not quite Ger
tain, that he differed from most scientists and
philosophers, but that in his private opinion, the
world would follow the darned thing off The
stranger exhibited much alarm and anxiety at
the prospect of such an appalling catastrophe.
They arrived at Indianapolis late in the after
noon and stopped at Brownings hotel The gen
temen repaired to their rooms to improve their
costumes. in a few minutes Mr.. Nelson descended
to the portlco and deserted his long gloomy fell
low traveller in the corner of an admiring group
of lawyers among whom were Judge Mclean,
Judge Huntington Mr.. Hannigan AlbersS S. White
and Colonel Thompson, who were all amused and
| interested in funny story. he telling. He
frequently mentioned the name of Hammond
and Nelson and was several times interrupted by
roars of laughter. Nelson called out Browning
the landlord and asked:
''Who is that chap who is creating so much
sport at our eXpense!
Dent you know him?" said Browning. That's
Abe Lincoln, of Illinois, the greatest practical
joker on the continent"
That was a crusher. Mr.. Nelson rushed up
stairs and told Hammond, who still at his
toilet that they would be the laughing stock of
the whole State; that they had been completely
outwitted by our greenhorn friend, who was no
less parsonage than that inimitable wag. Abe
Lincoln, of Illinois, who was then convulsing our
legal friends on the portico by an account of our
Journey. Hammond rapidly gathered up his
buds, pushed them into his carpet sack and sud
denly left the hotel by the back door, going down
muddy alley to the Palmer House, from which
he did not emerge for several days.
CuriouSlv enouph. Hammond was Governor of
the State when Lincoln arrived at Indianapolis
on his way to Washington to be inaugurated as
President, but remembering our famous Jour
ney and fearing ridicule, he discreetly left the
city and did not return until after Lincolns de-
parture.
Nelson had many opportunities after the stage
ride to cultivate Mr.. Lincons acquaintance and
friendship, and jealous advocate of his
nomination and election to the presidency
before leaving his home for Washington, Dir.
LINCOLN CAUSED Isher ard Nelsnn of this city