Lincoln Story Book, The

<h3>NO VICES--FEW VIRTUES.</h3> <p>Some one was smoking in the presence of the President, and had complimented him on having no vices--such as drinking or smoking.</p> <p>"That is a doubtful compliment," said the host. "I recollect being once outside a coach in Illinois, and a man sitting beside me offered me a. cigar. I told him I had no vices. He said nothing, smoked for some time, and then grunted out:</p> <p>"'It's my experience that folks who have no vices have plaguey few virtues.'"</p> <p>(Mrs. General Lander--Miss Jean Davenport, of stage life, the original of Dickens' "Miss Crummies"--must have heard this in the presidential circle, for she would say: "If a man has no petty vices, he has great ones.")</p> <p>A later version ascribes the reproof to a brother Kentuckian, also a stage companion, variation sufficient to prove the happening. <br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />