The Prize for Homeliness
In keeping with his proneness to jest at his own expense rather than lose a laugh, Lincoln is credited with telling the following story upon himself:
“In the days when I used to be on the circuit (law), I was accosted on the road by a stranger. He said: ‘Excuse me, sir, but I have an article in my possession which belongs to you.’ ‘How is that?’ I asked, considerably astonished.
“The stranger took a ‘Barlow’ from his pocket.
“‘This knife,’ said he, ‘was placed in my hands some years ago with the injunction of the community, through its bearer, that I was to keep it until I struck a man homelier than I. I have carried it from that time till this. Allow me to say, sir, that you are fairly entitled to the testimonial.’”