The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1901-01-25
A LINCOLN ANECDOTE.


Length Of u Mans Legs.
A gentleman from the West tells
this story of Abe Lincoln, which, If not
newy is certainly by no means hack
neyed The gentleman came from the
section in which Abe and Doug
las were conspicuous figures in the
past and the story he tells relates to
decision made by Mr.. Lincoln as to
the proper length Of a mans legs.
As the story goes, Douglas and q
Mr.. Lovejoy were at one of the haunts
in the village, whore they used to
meet for news and gossip. and while
there Abe Lincoln came in and sat
down. disposing of his lengthy limbs
in somewhat awkward manner.
They saw him coming in, and imme-
diately began a conversation in regard
to the proper length Of a mans legs.
"Now." said Lovejoy, "Abe's legs
are altogether too long, and yours.
Douglas. think. are a little short.
Let's ask Abe what he thinks of it."
The conversation had been carried
on with view to Lincoln's overhear-
ing it. and they closed it by saying:
"Abe, what do you think about itp'
Mr.. Lincoln had a far-away look, as
he sat with one leg twisted around the
other, but he responded to the cues
ton:
Think of whatr'
"Well, we've been talking about the
proper length OF a mans legs. We think
yours are too long and Douglas too
short. and we'd like to know what you
think is the proper length"
"Well," said Mr.. Lincoln, "that's
a matter that I've never given any
thought to. 80, Of course, l may be
mistaken, but my first impression is
that q mans legs ought TO be long
enough to reach from his body 70 the
ground. Yankee BladA
HORSES FASCINATED By FIRE.
Tho Animals Seized with Strange Mad
ness When In Peril.
The panic that is inspired in the
minds of horses by a phenomenon so
strange as fire can be understood only
by those who have witnessed fire in a
large stable where numbers of horses
are kept, says the st. Louis Globe-Dem
Ocrat. The scene that ensues is one of
the most frightful that can be conceived.
The horses are rescued from the burn
ing building with the utmost difficulty
and only with the most serious peril to
the lives and limbs of the rescuers.
The animals go mad with fright, rear,
kick and dash from side to side SO Wild
ly as to make an attempt at rescue as
perilous as an adventure on a hostile
battery. When rescued they will often
break away from those who hold them
and charge back at full speed into the
burning building, there to perish in the
flames. They resist every attempt to
take them out. They have been known
to tear their rescuers with their teeth,
to throw them to the ground and tram
pie on them, to kick out their brains
AS the fury Of the flames increases so
does the panic of the unfortunate ami
mails. They scream out in their agony
as the fire reaches their bodies. yet will
they not for all thai seek safety in the
open air. They are crazcd with fear,
and yet remain to be burned to death
when ten seconds run would carry
them to liberty. But they never make
the run, and, as q rule, are burned
alive in their stalls, where alone they
seem to fancy they can find security.
There is but one way to get them out
and that is to blind them with some
convenient cover, such as Il coat or a
blanket, and thus, unable to see the
dancers about them trembling in
every limb, apparently ready to fall to
the earth with fear, they may be led
out. But the cover must not be too
quickly removed from their eyes; in
fact, it should not be taken off until
the animals are out of sight of the
burning building, otherwise they will