When Governor Curtin of Pennsylvania described the terrible butchery at
the battle of Fredericksburg, Mr. Lincoln was almost broken-hearted.
The Governor regretted that his description had so sadly affected the
President. He remarked: “I would give all I possess to know how to
rescue you from this terrible war.” Then Mr. Lincoln’s wonderful
recuperative powers asserted themselves and this marvelous man was
himself.
Lincoln’s whole aspect suddenly changed, and he relieved his mind by
telling a story.
“This reminds me, Governor,” he said, “of an old farmer out in Illinois
that I used to know.
“He took it into his head to go into hog-raising. He sent out to Europe
and imported the finest breed of hogs he could buy.
“The prize hog was put in a pen, and the farmer’s two mischievous boys,
James and John, were told to be sure not to let it out. But James, the
worst of the two, let the brute out the next day. The hog went straight
for the boys, and drove John up a tree, then the hog went for the seat
of James’ trousers, and the only way the boy could save himself was by
holding on to the hog’s tail.
“The hog would not give up his hunt, nor the boy his hold! After they
had made a good many circles around the tree, the boy’s courage began to
give out, and he shouted to his brother, ‘I say, John, come down, quick,
and help me let go this hog!’
“Now, Governor, that is exactly my case. I wish some one would come and
help me to let the hog go.”