Lincoln Story Book, The

<h3>WORSTED IN A HORSE-TRADE.</h3> <p>Until Lincoln--seeing that his decisions created enemies, whichever way they fell--renounced being umpire for horse-racing and the like events, momentous on the border, he officiated in many such pastimes. Before he found them "all wrong," he had a horsy acquaintance in a judge. This was at a time when he was practising law, which involved riding on circuit, as the court went round to give sittings like the ancient English justices, attending assizes. During such excursions, they played practical jokes, naturally. Among their singular contests was a bet of twenty-five dollars--as forfeit if, in horse-swapping, the loser rejected the horse offered on even terms with the one he "put in." Neither was to know anything of the equine paragon until simultaneously exhibited.</p> <p>As good sport was indicated where two such arrant jokers were in conflict, a vast throng filled the tavern-yard where the pair were to draw conclusions. At the appointed hour the court functionary dragged upon the scene a most dilapidated <i>simulacrum</i> of man's noblest conquest--blind, spavined, lean as Pharaoh's <i>kind</i>, creeking in every joint--at the same time that his fellow wagerer carried on under his long arm a carpenter's <i>horse</i>--gashed with adze and broadax, bored with the augur, trenched with saw and draw-knife--singed, paint, and tar-spotted, crazy in each leg of the three still adhering--in short, justifying Lincoln to reverse his cry at viewing the real animal:</p> <p>"Jedge (for judge), this is the first time I ever <i>got the worst</i> of it in a hoss-trade!" <br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />