Lincoln Story Book, The

<h3>HIS <i>PEN</i> WANTED TO KEEP THEIR HOGS SAFE.</h3> <p>Just after the call for seventy-five thousand ninety-day men to subdue the outbreak after Sumter was cannonaded, a deputation of loyal Virginians waited upon the President. They expounded on this levy that the fair fields of the South would be overrun by the ragamuffins of the Northern cities, and the hen-roosts and pig-houses ravished, etc.</p> <p>"But what would you have me do?" asked Lincoln, who did not then foresee his having to conduct the military movements.</p> <p>"Mr. President, if you would only lend us your pen a moment--" meaning, of course, that he should write a line to calm the rising storm.</p> <p>But the other pretended to misunderstand him, saying: "Lend my pen! my <i>pen</i>? What would you do with that?--keep your hogs safe with that?" <br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />