The earlier audiences at the White House were inspired by ludicrous
ideas, far between patriotism and interest in the "tall Hoosier." The
habitual attendants and guards soon discovered that the chief was an
unrivaled host, adapting modes of reception to the differing kind of
callers. He noticed once two young men who hung about the door, so
that, sympathizing with the shy--for he had been wofully troubled by
that feeling in his youth--he went over to the pair, and to make them
feel at home, asked them to be seated while they looked on. But they
didn't care for chairs. The shorter of the two stammered that he and
his friend had a talk about the President's unusual height, and would
the host kindly settle the matter, and see whether he were as tall as
his excellency.
Lincoln had been scanning the competitor and, smiling, returned: "He is
_long_ enough, certainly. Let us see about that." He went for his cane
[Footnote: Lincoln's cane. This was the cane he carried, instead of
going armed. But he was forever leaving it anywhere about, so that,
nine times out of ten, he went forth without it on his errant
"browsing" around; and it was a wonder that this time he knew where to
find it.] and, placing the ferule end to the wall, to act as a level,
he bade the young man draw near and stand under. When the rod was
carefully adjusted to the top of the head, Mr. Lincoln continued:
"Now, step out and hold the cane while I go under."
This comparison showed that the young man stood six feet three exactly.
Lincoln's precise figure, too.
"Just my height," remarked the affable President to the herald of the
match; "he guessed with admirable accuracy!"
Giving both a shake of the hand, he gave them the good-by warmly. He
had seen that they were innocents and shrank from letting them know
that they had unconsciously offended his dignity.
* * * * *