Lincoln states that the community among whom he was brought up would have hailed him as a wizard who spoke the dead tongues; and, granting his legal studies made him familiar with Latin as lawyers use it, he carefully avoided those hurdles of the classic orator, Latin quotations. Nevertheless, we have an exception to what would have pleased Lord Byron--the poet thought we have had enough of the classics. The President, spying Secretary Stanton, of the War Department, inadvertently striking an imposing attitude in the doorway of the telegraph-office in the Executive House, without knowing the President was here, at the desk, suddenly was aroused by hearing the jocose hail: "Good evening, _Mars_!"--(Certified by Mr. A. B. Chandler, manager of the postal telegraph, War Department.) * * * * * FILE IT AWAY! Stanton, as secretary of war, was bombarded with complaints and bickerings of the officers under him; they seemed to revel in annoying one famed for being of the irritable genus. Once he showed his principal a letter written in answer to a general who had abused him and accused him of favoritism. Lincoln listened with his quizzing air, and exclaimed rapturously: "That's first-rate, Stanton! You've scored him well! Just right!" As the pleased writer folded up the paper for its envelope, he quickly inquired: "Why, what are you going to do with it now?" It was to be despatched. "No, no, that would spoil all. File it away! that is the kind of filing which keeps it sharp--and don't wound the other fellow! File it away." * * * * * "WHAT WE HAVE, WE WILL GIVE YOU." It being rumored that the paper notes, "the greenbacks," should bear a motto as the coin had, "In God We Trust," it was suggested to quote from the apostles: "Silver and gold we have not, but what we have we will give." It was ascribed to Mr. Lincoln from his familiarity with the Scriptures and prevalent quoting from them. * * * * * MORE "SHINPLASTERS" TO HEAL THE SORE. In 1863 President Lincoln went out to condole with the beaten Unionists, whom General Hooker had led fatally against Lee at Chancellorsville. Lincoln took his little son "Tad" with him. Amid the cheering one of the soldiers plainly voiced a terrible grievance--just when the sufferers were mostly in need of necessaries, the pay was behindhand. So one cried: "Send along more 'greenbacks,' Father Abraham!" The boy was puzzled, but his companion explained that the soldiers wanted their money due. The hearer thought this over for a moment, and then pertly said: "Why don't 'Governor' Chase print some more?" * * * * * "THERE IS MUCH IN AN 'IF' AND A 'BUT.'"