LINCOLN AS AN AXEMAN

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 86, 11 April 1923, Page 15

LINCOLN AS AN AXEMAN

Another Abraham Lincoln story has been unearthed. It is told by a centenarian now living at Oklahoma. During a lull in the fighting, he cays, ho was.one nf a number of men in hjs regiment who ■were assigned to out down trees for firewood. He was busy chopping, when there camo up a tall, gaunt man accompanied by several officers. "Would you mind letting me have the a?« for a minute?" asked the stranger; "I haven't cut a tree down in years." When the axe was handed over 'he removed hie long blaol: ooat, rolled up his sleeves, and without further word swung at his tree. Ho showed at once that he was an expert; for he made •the ohips fly, and was soon half-way through. Then he handed the axe back with an expression of thanks, and the remark that he had not forgotten his old trade after_ all. and that the chopping had relieved his mind. It was not until tho party of visitors had gone that the narrator of the tale learnt'thai his .axe had beep borrowed by tie President of the United States. He felt humiliated that, he had not recognised Lincoln. As. ho stood there humbly with axe in hand ho decided that the' best thinir ho could <io would bo to finish Lincoln's job.. So he went to the other side of the tree arid cut through 'until it fell.