among the cobwebs in my brain." Covering his face over with his
newspaper, Mr. Lincoln lay back in his chair, and the children, drawing
their stools closer to the fire, waited in patience to see the result of
his meditation. It soon became evident, however, by his breathing, which
became louder and longer, that Mr. Lincoln was falling asleep, and when
at last he gave a loud snore, Robert could stand it no longer, and
springing up, pulled the newspaper away, exclaiming,--

"O papa, you were actually going to sleep! You'll never find the story
if you do!"

"I think, after all, I _must_ have dropped over," said Mr. Lincoln,
rubbing his eyes; "but you are wrong in thinking I couldn't find a story
in my sleep, for I was just in the middle of such a nice one, when you
wakened me, and, lo and behold, I found it was a dream."

"Oh, do tell us what you dreamed, papa," said Lily. "Your dreams are so
funny sometimes. I think I like them better than the real stories."

"But it was only a bit of a dream. Bob there in his impatience knocked
off the end, and I think it was going to be a very entertaining one."

"I'll tell you how you can manage, papa," said Lily earnestly, "you can
make an end to it as you go along: you do tell us such nice stories out
of your head."

Mrs. Lincoln having come into the room with the two younger children, a
chair was placed for her and baby beside Mr. Lincoln. Little Dick
trotted off to Robert's knee, and the dog, Charley, hearing that a story
was going to be told, laid himself down on the rug before the fire, at
Lily's feet.

[Illustration: WAITING FOR PAPA'S STORY.]

"It's a very strange story, mamma," said Robert. "Papa fell asleep for
two or three minutes, and dreamed the beginning of it. I am so sorry I
wakened him; but he gave such a loud snore, I never thought he could be
dreaming when he did that."

"Ah, but you are wrong there," said Mr. Lincoln, laughing; "you will
hear the reason of the snore very soon. Well, then, to begin--but how
can I begin? Lily likes stories to set out with 'Once upon a time;' and
you, Master Bob, like me to mention the hero's name, and tell you how
old he is, and describe him particularly. Now, in this case, I can do
neither."

"You will require to say, Once upon a time, when I was taking 'forty
winks,'" said Mrs. Lincoln, laughing. "I cannot see how you are to
relate this strange story without a beginning."

"Neither can I," said Mr. Lincoln. "You know e