President Lincoln to a party of friends in the White House executive
chamber, Secretary Seward, notably, being among them.)


* * * * *


CONVICTION THROUGH A THRASHING.

In 1831, Abraham Lincoln, returning from a voyage to New Orleans, paid
the usual filial visit to his father, living in Coles County. A famous
wrestler, one Needham, hearing of the newcomer's prowess in wrestling,
more general than pugilism on the border, called to try their
strength. As the professional was in practise, and as the other, from
his amiable disposition and his forbidding appearance was not so, the
latter declined the honor of a hug and the forced repose of lying on
the back. Nevertheless, taunted into the trial, he met the champion
and defeated him in two goes. The beaten one was chagrined, and vented
his vexation in this defiance:

"You have thrown me twice, Lincoln, but you cannot _whip_ me!"

"I do not want to, and I don't want to get whipped myself," was the
simple reply.

"Well, I 'stump' you to lick me!" went on Needham, thinking he was
gaining ground. "Throwing a man is one thing and licking him another!"

"Look here, Needham," said the badgered man, at last, "if you are not
satisfied that I can throw you every time, and want to be convinced