Category: Daily Story

Bridge Abutments “I once knew a good, sound churchman, whom we’ll call Brown who was on a committee to erect a bridge over a dangerous and rapid river. Architect after architect failed, and at last Brown said he had a friend named Jones who had built several bridges… Read the full story

Crossing the River “You know Father B., the old Methodist preacher? And you know Fox River and its freshets? Well, once in the presence of Father B., a young Methodist was worrying about Fox River, and expressing fears that he should be prevented from… Read the full story

The Army General Horace Porter relates how President Lincoln dealt with a delegation seeking a change in command of the Army of Tennessee… Read the full story

Noise and Frogs Some years ago a couple of emigrants from the Emerald Isle were wending their way westward in search of employment as a means of subsistence. The shades of night had already closed in upon them as they found themselves in the vicinity of a large… Read the full story

Niagara Falls “At the White House one day some gentlemen were present from the West, excited and troubled about the commissions or omissions of the Administration. The President heard them patiently, and then replied: “Gentlemen, suppose all the property… Read the full story

Counterfeit “I think you are rather hard upon Mr.____. He reminds me of a man in Illinois, who was tried for passing a counterfeit bill. It was in evidence that before passing it he had taken it to the cashier of a bank and asked his opinion of the bill, and… Read the full story

Fun at the Gallows “I was designated by the Secretary of War as a sort of special escort to a company the President from Washington to Gettysburg upon the occasion of the first anniversary of the battle at that place. At the appointed time I found… Read the full story

Mary Todd: The Wife “Well,” said Mr. Lincoln, “I feel about that a good deal as a man whom I call Jones,” whom I once knew, did about his wife. He was one of your meek men, and had the reputation of being badly henpecked. At last, one day his wife was seen… Read the… Continue reading Mary Todd: The Wife

Jocko the Monkey [F.D. Grant submits a number of anecdotes U.S. Grant had omitted from his autobiography:] Just after receiving my commission as lieutenant-general [9 March 1864], the President called me aside to speak to me privately. After a… Read the full story

Mud and Ministers Once, in Springfield, I was going off on a short journey, and reached the depot a little ahead of time. Leaning against the fence just outside the depot was a little darkey boy, whom I knew, named, Dick, busily digging with his toe in a… Read the full story