for a Federal hospital. The President said
he could do nothing, as the post surgeon at Alexandria was immovable,
and then asked the lady why she did not donate money to build a
hospital.

"We have been very much embarrassed by the war," she replied, "and our
estates are much hampered."

"You are not ruined?" asked the President.

"No, sir, but we do not feel that we should give up anything we have
left."

The President, after some reflection, then said: "There are more battles
yet to be fought, and I think God would prefer that your church be
devoted to the care and alleviation of the sufferings of our poor
fellows. So, madam, you will excuse me. I can do nothing for you."

Afterward, in speaking of this incident, President Lincoln said that the
lady, as a representative of her class in Alexandria, reminded him of
the story of the young man who had an aged father and mother owning
considerable property. The young man being an only son, and believing
that the old people had outlived their usefulness, assassinated them
both. He was accused, tried and convicted of the murder. When the judge
came to pass sentence upon him, and called upon him to give any reason
he might have why the sentence of death should not be passed upon
him, he with great promptness replied that he hoped the court would be
lenient upon him because he was a poor orphan!

"BAP." McNABB'S BOOSTER.

It is true that Lincoln did not drink, never swore, was a stranger to
smoking and lived a moral life generally, but he did like horse-racing
and chicken fighting. New Salem, Illinois, where Lincoln was "clerking,"
was known the neighborhood around as a "fast" town, and the average
young man made no very desperate resistance when tempted to join in the
drinking and gambling bouts.

"Bap." McNabb was famous for his ability in both the raising and the
purchase of roosters of prime fighting quality, and when his birds
fought the attendance was large. It was because of the "flunking" of
one of "Bap.'s" roosters that Lincoln was enabled to make a point when
criticising McClellan's unreadiness and lack of energy.

One night there was a fight on the schedule, one of "Bap." McNabb's
birds being a contestant. "Bap." brought a little red rooster, whose
fighting qualities had been well advertised for days in advance, and
much interest was manifested in the outcome. As the result of these
contests was generally a quarrel, in which each man, charging foul play,