President Lincoln, having arranged to go to New York, was late for his
train, much to the disgust of those who were to accompany him, and all
were compelled to wait several hours until the next train steamed out
of the station. President Lincoln was much amused at the dissatisfaction
displayed, and then ventured the remark that the situation reminded him
of “a little story.” Said he:
“Out in Illinois, a convict who had murdered his cellmate was sentenced
to be hanged. On the day set for the execution, crowds lined the roads
leading to the spot where the scaffold had been erected, and there was
much jostling and excitement. The condemned man took matters coolly, and
as one batch of perspiring, anxious men rushed past the cart in which he
was riding, he called out, ‘Don’t be in a hurry, boys. You’ve got plenty
of time. There won’t be any fun until I get there.’
“That’s the condition of things now,” concluded the President; “there
won’t be any fun at New York until I get there.”