Lincoln Story Book, The

<h3>HARD TO BEAT!</h3> <p>Of his Washington experience in 1848, Lincoln brought a pack of tales about the statesmen then prominent. He declared to have heard of Daniel Webster the subjoined:</p> <p>In school little Dan had been guilty of some misdoing for which he was called up to the teacher to be caned on the hand. His hands were dirty, and to save appearance he moistened his right hand, on his way up, and wiped it on his pants. Nevertheless, it looked so foul on presentation to the ferule that the teacher sharply protested:</p> <p>"Well, this is hard to beat! If you will find another hand in this room as filthy, I will let you off!"</p> <p>Daniel popped out his left hand, modestly kept in the background, and readily cried:</p> <p>"Here it is, sir!"</p> <p>(Told by Lincoln before "the Honorable Mr. Odell, and others." This is not the ex-governor, Mr. Odell, of New York, who pleads guilty to the editor of "being too young to have the honor of speaking with Mr. Lincoln." The worse luck--both would have profited by the mutual pleasure.) <br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />