Lincoln’s Favourite Story

Lincoln was fond of telling stories about himself. One of his favourites was the following:

In the days when I used to be “on the circuit” (travelling on horseback from one country to another), I was once accosted by a stranger, who said, “Excuse me, sir, but I have an article in my possession that belongs to you.”

“What is that?” I asked, considerably astonished. The stranger took a jack-knife from his pocket.

“The knife,” said he, “was placed in my hands some years ago. I was told that I was to keep it until I found a man uglier than myself. I have carried it from that time to this day. Allow me to say, sir, that you are now fairly entitled to the property.