The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1916-06-23
A Story Of
Abraham Lincoln S
Physical Strength
By EINOR MARSH

If Abraham Lincoln had lived till his
birthday falling due in February, 1916,
he would have been 107 years old.
Had he not fallen in his prime at the
hand of an assassin or been taken OF
in some other unnatural way he would
doubtless have lived to a great age, for
he was physically very strong man.
We may well wonder how Abraham
Lincoln endured the strain of four
years of civil war, millions of people
looking at him to bring about a resto-
ration of the Union, foreign nations
threatening to intervene, thus insuring
the division of the country; vainly try
ing to find generals who could accom-
plish results, and constantly abused
for what was considered his misman-
agement 1t would seem that no man
without herculean strength could live
through such an ordeal
That the physical structure of Abra-
ham Lincoln was equal to the require
ments is made plain by the following
story told of him many years ago by
a friend of 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
to know better than to bet with a man
on his own tricks. If he didn't know
he had sure thing he wouldn't bet"
The advice was given because this
Enoch would come into the store in
the evening ostensibly for the purpose
of loafing, but really to win small bets
by a number of tricks. One Of these
was doubling up his hand so as to hide
one of his fingers. He would bet that
Billy couldn't mark that particular fin
ger OF course Enoch always won
such bets. When Abe advised Billy
to stop betting the latter told him that
he had lost nearly dollar to Enoch
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 l
put you In way to win back what
you have lost and a great deal more"
You betw 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 like a plug hat first rate, but
how am going to get one, seeing that
it would cost me 81? 1t would take
pretty nigh weeks salary"
81 reckon 1 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 if 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 a forty gallon barrel
of whisky off the floor and drink out
of the bunghole."
"Can you do that, AbeT
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-
hearsal, at which Abe convinced Billy
that 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-
fore he called to Billy an offer to bet
him on some new trick that had not
yet been demonstrated. Billy was
weighing out some sugar at the time
and said he hadn't time to do any fool
ing. But Enoch hung around till Billy
had finished what he was doing when
he renewed his offer. Billy consented
to talk with him and during the inter
view said:
do you know. Enoch. how strong
Abe Lincoln is?'
mo, l don't. but reckon he's pretty
strong"
81 shouldn't be surprised if Abe could
lift up one of those barrels of whisky
over there in the corner and take
drink out of the bunghole."
bet you a quarter he can't"
''Now, look a-here, Enoch. l don't
want any more of these small bets.
If you want to bet something to make
it worth while I'll so you, but if you
don't, why. let's have no more talk
about it"
what you want 70 bet Billy?"
"On Abe's being able to take forty
gallon barrel off the floor and drink
out of the bunghole."
"I'll bet you he can't do it"
"Enoch. I'm wanting plug hat, and
maybe you're wanting one Did you
ever wear oneT
81 had one once. 1t set me off fine"
We'll, here's your chance to get an
other. I'll bet you plug hat that Abe
can take that barrel-the big one-up
off the floor and take dram out o. the
bung hole"
There was a good deal of dickering,
and Enoch tried to lift the barrel him
self, not succeeding in stirring it.
Finally he agreed to Billy's PROPOSE
lion, and the bet was duly made in the
presence of witnesses.
Abe being called upon to decide the
bet, advanced to the barrel and, stoop-
ing, tilted 1t ON his right knee. Then
he bent backward, and Billy pulled out
the bung. Abe craned his neck for
ward and took a drink out of the bung
hole, spit it out on the floor and set
the barrel down again.