Lincoln Story Book, The

<h3>GROUNDS FOR A FINANCIAL ESTIMATE.</h3> <p>When the mercantile agencies were young, they acquired a consensus of opinion upon a business man by annoying his acquaintances with inquiries. One such house queried of Lincoln about one of his neighbors. His reply was a smart burlesque on the bases on which they rated their registered "listed."</p> <p>"I am well acquainted with Mr. X----, and know his circumstances. First of all, he has a wife and baby; together, they ought to be worth $50,000 to any man. Secondly, he has an office in which there is a table worth $1.50, and three chairs worth, say, $1. Last of all, there is in one corner a large rat-hole, which will bear <i>looking into!</i> Respectfully, etc." <br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />