Page:Abraham Lincoln, A Story and a Play.djvu/72

 again, for everyone knows that Abe cannot keep to a tune.)

,—

(Captain Larkin, a little fat man, and a great boaster, enters the store.)

(in a blustering voice),—Fellers, I've got the fastest and best horse in this here town.

The men laugh.

,—I tell ye, I have the best and fastest horse in this here town. (He sees Lincoln winking at his friends. He steps up in front of him and shouts in a loud voice):

I have the best horse in this country. I ran him three miles in nine minutes, and he never drew a long breath.

(looking at him),—Well, Larkins, why don't you tell us how many short breaths he drew?

The crowd laughs.

(doubling up his fists and jumping around),—I'd fight you, Abe Lincoln, if you wasn't so all-fired big.