When informed that General Stoughton had been captured by the rebels at Fairfax, the President is reported to have said that he did not mind the loss of the Brigadier as much as he did the loss of the horses. “For,” said he, “I can make a much better Brigadier in five minutes, but the horses cost a hundred and twenty-five dollars a-piece.” _Strong Habits._ “Well,” said the President, after the last repulse before Richmond, “them blessed ‘babies’ do fight, and the old chaps lifted from their graves are at any rate from the right _mould_; the babies are like young puppies that can stand a deal of licking, and the old boys are too old to _run_!” _How to Fight._ “Those Southerners fight! its all blarney,” said Abe; “Put your swords in your sheath, boys, and lick Hills; “But a man without a sword is at fighting a babe “Then, damn-me, said Abe, use your _Sickles_!” _A Majority Wanted._ When it was reported to Abe Lincoln that the men engaged in the coal pits had refused to fight the old joker said, “He didn’t expect miners (minors) to fight;” “but stay,” said Lincoln, “is there no way of making Majors of these minors?” _A Story concerning a Second Term._ It is said that, some time ago, a gentleman hinted to the President that it was deemed quite settled that he would accept a re-nomination for his present office, whereupon Mr. Lincoln was reminded of a story of Jesse Dubois, out in Illinois. Jesse as State Auditor, had charge of the State House at Springfield. An itinerant preacher came along and asked the use of it for a lecture. “On what subject?” asked Jesse. “On the second coming of our Saviour,” answered the long-faced Millerite. “Oh, bosh,” retorted Uncle Jesse, testily; “I guess if our Saviour had ever been to Springfield, and had got away with his life, he’d be too smart to think of coming back again.” This, Mr. Lincoln said, was very much his case about the succession. _Estimate of Official Honours._ As a further elucidation of Mr. Lincoln’s estimation of Presidential honours, a story is told of how a supplicant for office of more than ordinary pretensions called upon him, and, presuming on the activity he had shown in behalf of the Republican ticket, asserted, as a reason why the office should be given to him, that he had made Mr. Lincoln president. “You made me President, did you?” said Mr. Lincoln, with a twinkle of his eye. “I think I did,” said the applicant. “Then a precious mess you’ve got me into, that’s all,” replied the President, and closed the discussion. _Truly Awful._ “When do you think this war will be ended, Mr. Lincoln?” said an impatient citizen. “Why, when we have whipped the slaveowners.” “Then I’m thinking,” replied the citizen, “that you will never live to see its close. I have already seen its clothes, and they are the most blood-stained and bespattered lot I ever saw. But I _trow_, sir, war is sure to spoil the _habits_ of a people, especially when they go to sleep in breeches.”