Lincoln centennial number . have be-come a surprising thing. Many anecdotesrelate the boisterousness of his apprecia-tion of a humorous situation or tells of his cheery laugh, which filledthe Blue Room with infectious goodnature. Homeric laughter, Hay saysit sometimes was; adding this genialtouch, that it was dull pleasure toLincoln to laugh alone. Some visitorsat the White House were filled withwonder at the quick transition from un-bridled mirth to pathetic wxonder that the boisterous laugh-ter became less frequent year by year, theeye grew veiled by constant medit
Lincoln centennial number . have be-come a surprising thing. Many anecdotesrelate the boisterousness of his apprecia-tion of a humorous situation or tells of his cheery laugh, which filledthe Blue Room with infectious goodnature. Homeric laughter, Hay saysit sometimes was; adding this genialtouch, that it was dull pleasure toLincoln to laugh alone. Some visitorsat the White House were filled withwonder at the quick transition from un-bridled mirth to pathetic wxonder that the boisterous laugh-ter became less frequent year by year, theeye grew veiled by constant meditation onmomentous subjects; the air of reserve anddetachment from his surroundings in-creased, and, as Hay says, and his pic-tures and the two contrasting life-masksshow, he rapidly grew old. Lincolns sense of humor, which flavorednow and then his speeches and writings,and constantly his conversation, wentalong with a homely wit which frequentlybrought to his argument quaint and con-vincing illustration. His sense of humor. linyraved on wood by Timothy Cole ABRAHAM LINCOLNFrom an ambrotype taken May 19, i860, the day after his nomination for President. LINCOLN THE LEADER 489 was, indeed, a real assistance in his leader-ship, having many uses: it relieved thestrain of his strenuous labors; it helpedto attach the masses to his personality;and it assisted him out of many did not fully know till lately that hehimself so keenly appreciated the part thatstory-telling played in his career. ColonelBurt reports a strange interview withLincoln at the Soldiers Home at a timeof keen anxiety and when a person presenthad rudely demanded one of his goodstories. I believe, said Lincoln, turn-ing away from the challenger, I havethe popular reputation of being a story-teller, but I do not deserve the name inits general sense; for it is not the storyitself, but its purpose, or effect, that inter-ests me. I often avoid a long and uselessdiscussion by others or a laborious ex-planat
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