The Puritanic and classically sedate critics blamed the President for
finding recreation in reading and hearing comic tales, used to
illustrate grave texts. He said to a congressman who brought up the
censure at a time when the country was profoundly harried:
"Were it not for this occasional vent, I should die!"
* * * * *
"DOWN TO THE RAISINS!"
It was the regular habit of President Lincoln to read the day's
telegrams in order in the "flimsy" triplicates. They were kept in a
drawer at the White House telegraph-office. As he handled the papers
almost solely, each addition would come to be placed on the last lot of
the foregoing day. When this was attained, he would say with a sigh:
"There, I have got down to the raisins!"
It was due to the story, which amused him, of the countryman. This
tourist entered a fashionable restaurant, and on viewing the long menu,
and concluding that all the dishes were for the customer at the fixed
price, manfully called for each in turn. When he arrived at the last
line, he sighed in relief, and cried:
"Thanks be! I have got down to the raisins!"
* * * * *