Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-02-13
CORA BURNETT, SENIOR AT THE
DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL, WINS
MEDAL FOR LINCOLN ADDRESS

gest crop of laugh is produced by a
man who ranks among the greatest
and wisest Such a man was Abraham
Lincoln, whose wholesome fun, mixed
with true philosophy, made thousands
laugh and think at the same time. He
was firm believer in the saying,
Laugh and world laughs with you"
Nothing that can be written about
Lincoln can show his character in such
true light as the yarns and stories
he was so fond of telling, and at which
he would laugh as heartily as anyone.
His humor was always spontaneous,
which gave it zest and elegance that
the professional humorist never at,
tains. 1t bubbled up on the most un-
expected occasions, and often unsettled
the most carefully planned arguments.
Lincoln's face was one of the saddest
in repose, and his sympathies for the
people, who were suffering from the
war, often made him speak about the
sorrows which shadowed the homes of
the land and for which his heart was
freely bleeding. He would be dis
cussing in the most serious and heart
felt manner the sorrows and bereave-
ments of the country, and when it
would seem as though the tension were
so strained, that the brittle cord of
life must break, his face would sud-
denly brighten like the sun escaping
from behind the cloud and he would
tell an appropriate story and no one
misunderstood it. His face could,
within the space of few minutes, be
transformed from the saddest one ever
looked upon, to one of the brightest
and most mirthful. Indeed, for a man
whose life was so full of great re-
sponsibilities, Lincoln had many hours
of laughter when the humorous, fun
loving side of his great nature asserted
itself.
The ancients had Aesop and his
fables. The moderns had Abraham
Lincoln and his stories. Aesop's fables
have been printed in book form in
almost every language and millions
have read them with pleasure and
profit Lincoln's stories, scattered in
the recollection of thousands of people
in various parts of the country, are like
Lincoln himself The more we know Of
them the better we like them.
Before Lincoln was ever heard of as
a lawyer or politician he was famous
as story teller. AS politician, he
always had a story to fit the other
side; as a lawyer he won many cases
by telling the jury a story which
showed them the justice of his side
better than any argument could have
done.
pOnce, when Lincoln was pleading a
case, the opposing lawyer had all the
advantages of the law the weather
was warm, and his opponent, as was
in frontier courts, pulled
off his coat and vest as he grew
warmer in the argument.
At that time, shirts with buttons be-
hind were unusual Lincoln took in
the situation at once. Knowing the
prejudices Of the primitive people
against pretension of all sorts, or any
Of superior social rank,
arising, he said: Gentlemen of the
jury, having justice on my side, don't
think you will be at all influenced by
the gentleman's pretended knowledge
Of law, when, you see he does not even
know which side of his shirt should be
in 'front.' There was a general laugh,
and Lincolns case was won.
This example of Lincoln's humor not
only shows that Lincoln was a shrewd
lawyer but shows his knowledge of
human nature
While nearly all of Lincoln's stories
nave humorous side, they also con-
ain moral, which, every good story
should have. They contain lessons that
,ould be taught so we'll in no other
way. The parallels, yarns, stories, an
scdotes and sayings of the Immortal
Abe" deserve a place beside Aesop's
Gables, Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress
md all other books that have added to
he happiness and wisdom of mankind.