The Complete Works of Artemus Ward (HTML edition) — John Shaqi
The Complete Works of Artemus Ward (HTML edition)Ward, Artemus
General
The Complete Works of Artemus Ward (HTML edition)
Ward, Artemus
American wit and humor
Kiss the children for me. What you tell me 'bout the Twins greeves me
sorely. When I sent 'em that Toy Enjine I had not contempyulated that
they would so fur forgit what wos doo the dignity of our house as to
squirt dishwater on the Incum Tax Collector. It is a disloyal act, and
shows a prematoor leanin' tords cussedness that alarms me. I send to
Amelia Ann, our oldest dawter, sum new music, viz. "I am Lonely sints My
Mother-in-law Died"; "Dear Mother, What tho' the Hand that Spanked me
in my Childhood's Hour is withered now?" &c. These song writers, by the
way, air doin' the Mother Bizness rather too muchly.
Your Own Troo husban', Artemus Ward.
____________________
HOW OLD ABE RECEIVED THE NEWS OF HIS NOMINATION.
There are several reports afloat as to how "Honest Old Abe" received the
news of his nomination, none of which are correct. We give the correct
report.
The Official Committee arrived in Springfield at dewy eve, and went to
Honest Old Abe's house. Honest Old Abe was not in. Mrs. Honest Old
Abe said Honest Old Abe was out in the woods splitting rails. So the
Official Committee went out into the woods, where sure enough they found
Honest Old Abe splitting rails with his two boys. It was a grand, a
magnificent spectacle. There stood Honest Old Abe in his shirt-sleeves,
a pair of leather home-made suspenders holding up a pair of home-made
pantaloons, the seat of which was neatly patched with substantial cloth
of a different color. "Mr Lincoln, Sir, you've been nominated, Sir, for
the highest office, Sir--." "Oh, don't bother me," said Honest Old Abe;
"I took a stent this mornin' to split three million rails afore night,
and I don't want to be pestered with no stuff about no Conventions till
I get my stent done. I've only got two hundred thousand rails to split
before sundown. I kin do it if you'll let me alone." And the great
man went right on splitting rails, paying no attention to the Committee
whatever. The Committee were lost in admiration for a few moments,
when they recovered, and asked one of Honest Old Abe's boys whose boy he
was? "I'm my parent's boy," shouted the urchin, which burst of wit
so convulsed the Committee that they came very near "gin'in eout"
completely. In a few moments Honest Ole Abe finished his task, and
received the news with perfect self-possession. He then asked them up
to the house, where he received them cordially. He said he split three
million rails every day, although he was in very poor health. Mr.
Lincoln is a jovial man, and has a keen sense of the ludicrous. During
the evening he asked Mr. Evarts, of New York, "why Chicago was like a
hen crossing the street?" Mr. Evarts gave it up. "Because," said Mr.
Lincoln, "Old Grimes is dead, that good old man!" This exceedingly
humorous thing created the most uproarious laughter.
____________________
INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account