President Lincoln appointed as consul to a South American country a young
man from Ohio who was a dandy. A wag met the new appointee on his way
to the White House to thank the President. He was dressed in the most
extravagant style. The wag horrified him by telling him that the country
to which he was assigned was noted chiefly for the bugs that abounded
there and made life unbearable. “They’ll bore a hole clean through
you before a week has passed,” was the comforting assurance of the wag
as they parted at the White House steps. The new consul approached
Lincoln with disappointment clearly written all over his face. Instead
of joyously thanking the President, he told him the wag’s story of the
bugs. “I am informed, Mr. President,” he said, “that the place is full
of vermin and that they could eat me up in a week’s time.” “Well, young
man,” replied Lincoln, “if that’s true all I’ve got to say is that if
such a thing happened they would leave a mighty good suit of clothes
behind.”