The herald., 1916-04-13
A Story Of
Abraham Lincoln S
Physical Strength
BY ELINOR MARSH

'e Deen lOI years old
1ad he not fallen in his prime at th.
mana OF an assassin or been taken of
III some other unnatural way he Womb
doubtless have lived to a great age, 70,
he was physically very strong man
we may well wonder how Abrab
Lincoln endured the strain OF fou,
years OF civil war, millions of peopI,
looking at him to bring about a resto
rauoh or the Union, foreign nations
threatening to intervene. thus ipsuripc
the division Of the country; yainly trv.
Ing TO find generals who could accom-.
push results, and constantly abused
lor what was considered his misman.
agemenC 1t would seem that no man
without herculean strength could live
through such an ordeal.
That the physical structure OF Abra.
nam Lincoln was equal to the reouire.
ments Is made plain by the following
story told OF him many years ago by
friend or his bOyhoOd who was en-.
ployed In the same store with lincoln
Billy said Abe one day, what
makes you bet with Enoch? You ought
10 know better than to bet with n man
on MS own tricks. II he didn't know
ne had sure thing he wouldn't bet"
Inc advice was given because this
Enoch would come into the store in
the evening ostensibly for the purpose
or loafing, but really to win small bets
by number Of tricks. One OF these
was doubling up his hand so as TO hide
one or his fingers. He would bet that
Billy couldn't mark that particular fin
ger Or course Enoch always won
such bets. When Abe advised RiIIv
TO stop betting the latter told him that
ne had lost nearly a dollar to Epocb
and he didn't wish to stop till the
money was won back.
will you promise me-" said Abe
that you'll never bet any more if I
put you in a way to win back wbnt
you have lost and great deal more?"
You bet!' replied Billy.
How would you like a plug hat to
wear with your Sunday clothes? 1t
would set you up with the girls"
I'D Ike plug hat first rate, but
now am going TO get one, seeing that
1t would cost me 81? 1t would take
pretty nigh weeks salary"
Il reckon can help you to one. At
any rate, we can try the next time
Enoch comes around and wants to bet
you on his tricks. Tell him that you've |
got tired betting picayune amounts.
but II he really wants to bet something /
worth while you'll go him; then, If he
agrees, you offer to bet him that Abe
Lincoln can take forty gallon barrel
or whisky off the floor and drink out
Of the bunghole."
"Can you do that, Abe?"
Reckon can. After the store
closes tonight I'll try It."
As soon as the proprietor had gone
home for the day the two clerks shut
up the store, and there was a re-
learsal, at which Abe convinced Billy |
hat he would risk nothing provided
he could get Enoch to take the bet
The next day Enoch came into the
store and had not been there long be-
ore he called to Billy an offer to bet
him on some new trick that had not
'et been demonstrated. Billy was
Weighing out some sugar at the time
md said he hadn't time to do any fool
ng. But EnOch hung around till Billy
lad finished what he was doing, when
10 renewed his offer. Billy consented
o talk with him and during the inter-
lew said:
DO you know. Enoch, how strong
he Lincoln ISL"
mo. don't, but reckon he's pretty
trong."
II shouldn't be surprised If Abe could
IT up one Of those barrels Of whisky
yer there in the corner and take a
rink out of the bunghole."
BET you a quarter he can't"
"Now, look a-here. Enoch. I don't ,,
ant any more of these small bets. !.
you want to bet something to make
worth while I'll 60 you, but If you
on't, why, let's have no more talk
bout it."
What you want to bet, BillyT
ION Abe's being able to take a forty
lllon barrel or the floor and drink
It Of the bunghole.'
"Fll bet you he can't do It"
'Enoch, I'm wanting a plug hat, and q
aybe you're wanting one. Did you
Ter wear one?"
II had one once 1t set me OF fine" a
well, here's your chance to get an
her. I'll bet you a plug hat that Abe "
n take that barrel-the big one-up IL
the floor and take a dram out o. the O
ng hole" L
There was good deal Of dickering, b
d Enoch tried to lift the barrel him g
II, not succeeding In stirring Il.
nally he agreed to Billy's PROPOSE fe
n. and the bet was duly made in the
essence Of witnesses. pl
Abe being called upon to decide the b;
{, advanced to the barrel and, stoop-
:, tilted 1t on his right knee. Then p;
bent backward, and Billy pulled out hi
, bung. Abe craned his neck for at
lrd and took a drink out Of the bung
lie, spit IL out on the floor and set eli
; barrel down again.