Lincoln A Funny Story!

[frontrank2]

Mr. Lincoln was always read to join in a laugh at the expense of his person, concerning which he was very indifferent. Many of his friends will recognize the following story,--the incident having actually occurred,--which he used to tell with great glee:--

'In the days when I used to be 'on the circuit,' I was once accosted in the cars by a stranger, who said, 'Excuse me, sir, but I have an article in my possession which belongs to you.' 'How is that?' I asked, considerably astonished. The stranger took a jack-knife from his pocket. 'This knife,' said he, 'was placed in my hands some years ago, with the injunction that I was to keep it until I found a man uglier than myself. I have carried it from that time to this. Allow me now to say, sir, that I think you are fairly entitled to the property.'

Source: Francis Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, p. 148-149.

 

[Lincolncarver]

I am doing a series of wood busts of Mr. Lincoln. His face while not symetrical or of classic beauty is infinately interesting. While trying to carve his hair and beard I often think that I spend more care arranging his hair that he ever bothered with.

 

[28thNewYork]

I have often thought that the older the members of the Rolling Stones get, the more they resemble Mr. Lincoln.

 

[diane]

I am doing a series of wood busts of Mr. Lincoln. His face while not symetrical or of classic beauty is infinately interesting. While trying to carve his hair and beard I often think that I spend more care arranging his hair that he ever bothered with.

That made me think of something funny! Lincoln, while running for senator, had his picture taken and sent out with newsboys so everybody would know what he looked like. He wasn't much used to photos and just took his hat off - his hair was all over the place like an egg beater had been at it. One of the newsboys handing out the photos yelled, "Don't worry, folks! He'll look a lot better when he combs his hair!"

 

[Patrick H]

Great stories and I find them believable. Keep them coming, please!

 

[bankerpapaw]

I have often thought that the older the members of the Rolling Stones get, the more they resemble Mr. Lincoln.

I believe you are wrong. The Rolling Stones are much uglier than Mr. Lincoln.

 

[frontrank2]

Lincoln was, naturally enough, much surprised one day, when a man of rather forbidding countenance drew a revolver and thrust the weapon almost into his face. In such circumstances "Abe" at once concluded that any attempt at debate or argument was a waste of time and words.

"What seems to be the matter?" inquired Lincoln with all the calmness and selfpossession he could muster.

"Well," replied the stranger, who did not appear at all excited, "some years ago I swore an oath that if I ever came across an uglier man than myself I'd shoot him on the spot."

A feeling of relief evidently took possession of Lincoln at this rejoinder, as the expression upon his countenance lost all suggestion of anxiety.

"Shoot me," he said to the stranger; "for if I am an uglier man than you I don't want to live."

www.worldwideschool.org

 

[BillO]

I believe you are wrong. The Rolling Stones are much uglier than Mr. Lincoln.

I'd call it a draw. Lincoln would probably agree with me.

 

[KansasFreestater]

Great stories and I find them believable. Keep them coming, please!

If you enjoy wonderful anecdotes about Lincoln, I cannot recommend highly enough the book of reminiscences written by Francis Bicknell Carpenter, who was sort of an "artist in residence" for six months in Lincoln's White House.

 

[Patrick H]

If you enjoy wonderful anecdotes about Lincoln, I cannot recommend highly enough the book of reminiscences written by Francis Bicknell Carpenter, who was sort of an "artist in residence" for six months in Lincoln's White House.

Thanks!

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Gosh, these just make you wish SO much, you could have met him. You know what? I'm guessing back in the old, pre and early marriage days Mary was pretty witty too, enjoyed him as much as we do. maybe something they shared before all the darkness helped rob her of that tiny smile and twinkly eyes she had in very early pics. Lincoln resorted to humor in awful times, or so it seems. She couldn't find it, poor creature.

SO lucky for us this man became President with folks following him around scribbling down every word spoken like it was Gospel. And am I the only one who doesn't think he WAS ugly? He never lost the whole rugged thing, never became Washington-politician soft. So many, many men of the era, you look at the LoC pics, geesh- soft, indistinct characterless faces. Even the pretty boys like Banks- not the kind of little boy looks I find attractive.

Ok, now Hancock and Buford, whole ' nother story.

 

[Elennsar]

I can see Lincoln being attractive in the right light - not stunning, but not repulsive.

He sounds like he would have had a very warm smile, which I think is a plus.

Some people can look stern and still be good looking (Buford is definitely a good example), but Lincoln's features don't favor that.

 

[samuel orris]

I like the scene in the movie Lincoln where he is reminded of a story and Stanton stomps out of the room screaming, "Not another story!"

 

[rhp6033]

According to one unverified source I read recently, Lincoln took umbrage to being called "two-faced" by his political appointments. "If I had two faces, do you really think I would continue to use this one?"

Thanks for adding some humor to the posts today - It's only 7:15 a.m. in Seattle, and I badly need something to lighten the mood!

 

[frontrank2]

During the Lincoln - Douglas debates, Lincoln got a tremendous laugh from the audience when he said one of Senator Douglas' arguments was "as thin as the homeopathic soup that was made by boiling the shadow of a pigeon that had starved to death."

 

[diane]

Gosh, these just make you wish SO much, you could have met him. You know what? I'm guessing back in the old, pre and early marriage days Mary was pretty witty too, enjoyed him as much as we do. maybe something they shared before all the darkness helped rob her of that tiny smile and twinkly eyes she had in very early pics. Lincoln resorted to humor in awful times, or so it seems. She couldn't find it, poor creature.

SO lucky for us this man became President with folks following him around scribbling down every word spoken like it was Gospel. And am I the only one who doesn't think he WAS ugly? He never lost the whole rugged thing, never became Washington-politician soft. So many, many men of the era, you look at the LoC pics, geesh- soft, indistinct characterless faces. Even the pretty boys like Banks- not the kind of little boy looks I find attractive.

Ok, now Hancock and Buford, whole ' nother story.

The odd thing was, there were several men in the area around where Lincoln was born who looked a good deal like him - some so much people thought maybe Tom wasn't his dad! I've never thought Lincoln was handsome but then I don't think Brad Pitt is handsome, either! It's Lincoln's eyes that are so fascinating - they would be startling in life.

 

[KansasFreestater]

I can see Lincoln being attractive in the right light - not stunning, but not repulsive.

He sounds like he would have had a very warm smile, which I think is a plus.

Some people can look stern and still be good looking (Buford is definitely a good example), but Lincoln's features don't favor that.

I've read as many reminiscences about Lincoln by people who actually knew him as I can get my hands on. One comment I've seen over and over by different folks is that your initial impression when you saw him was the feeling of, I can't believe someone could actually be that homely! What was God thinking?! But then he would start talking... and he'd warm to the subject... and his face would absolutely transform. Especially when he smiled or laughed.

 

[Elennsar]

I've read as many reminiscences about Lincoln by people who actually knew him as I can get my hands on. One comment I've seen over and over by different folks is that your initial impression when you saw him was the feeling of, I can't believe someone could actually be that homely! What was God thinking?! But then he would start talking... and he'd warm to the subject... and his face would absolutely transform. Especially when he smiled or laughed.

Interesting. It seems that part of why he's not seen that way now (at least not commonly) is that the photography technology of the day can't really capture that very well, although some portraits might give a glimpse of it.

 

[KansasFreestater]

Interesting. It seems that part of why he's not seen that way now (at least not commonly) is that the photography technology of the day can't really capture that very well, although some portraits might give a glimpse of it.

Well, back then, taking pictures was considered serious business, and everybody put on their most serious faces for the camera. Which is too bad, since we'd love to see what these people looked like when they smiled!

 

[Elennsar]

Well, back then, taking pictures was considered serious business, and everybody put on their most serious faces for the camera. Which is too bad, since we'd love to see what these people looked like when they smiled!

Any in particular besides Lincoln? For some reason I want to see the people like Bragg or Forrest - the ones who look especially serious - smiling.

Not Halleck though. Butler is ugly but not creepy, Halleck is disconcerting looking.