A quipster, harping on Mr. Lincoln's abnormal tallness, had the mishap
to draw upon himself some quizzing; the President putting the _non
plus_ on him by asking:

"How long, then, ought a man's legs to be?"

The answer was given by the sphinx:

"Long enough to reach from his body to the ground."


* * * * *


LONG METER.

John Sherman will be remembered as originator of the politicians'
"cover" for electioneering activity, "I am going home to mend my
fences." He was fresh from Ohio, but he included in his round of
duties, on visiting the capital, an attendance of a Lincoln reception.
He waited in the long file for his turn to shake hands, and, while
doing so, wondered how he would be received. For the informal
"function" was enlivened by the most untoward incidents, due to the
host's simplicity, spontaneous acts and words, and the homelike
nature of the scene. Truly enough, when his chance came, the meeting
was eccentric.

Lincoln scanned him a moment, threw out his large hand, and said:

"'You're a pretty tall fellow, aren't you? Stand up here to me, back