Nice try, Gene.

Since no one is taking the bait, The Secret Six were six well-placed Northern abolitionists who financed John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. One of them was married to Julia Ward Howe, who wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

My hint of the bouncing red ball was referring to the music part. Remember Mitch Miller and his sing-alongs with the bouncing red ball on your television screen? Okay, maybe not...

Do I still win since I got close?

Yes, go to Harpers Ferry and take a free ride down the rapids of the Potomac River on an inner tube like all the young daredevils! It really is a great historic town and very scenic.

---

(02-11-2014 07:33 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Yes, go to Harpers Ferry and take a free ride down the rapids of the Potomac River on an inner tube like all the young daredevils! It really is a great historic town and very scenic.

P.S. George Washington also had a Secret Six that helped save our Revolution. I think there's a book by that name about them.

Yes, Laurie. There is a review of a book on this topic here.

When people of Lincoln's time spoke of "coffin varnish," what were they referring to?

Coffee? ☕️

If it really refered to coffins, I'd guess lead.

Being an army veteran, I sure had some coffee that was like coffin varnish.

My veteran father drank that kind of coffee too, Bill, but so far none of you have the correct answer.

"Good to the last drop"

That is what some would say about "coffin varnish," too, Gene.

---

(03-03-2014 04:25 PM)L Verge Wrote:  That is what some would say about "coffin varnish," too, Gene.

Hint #2: Consider what social movements were active in 19th-century America.

The temperence movement. Booze?

Well, this is one time that I did not stump the Yankee German! Congratulations, Joseph, and I'll buy you a drink at the conference as your award.

Does that mean that you would rather have a crabcake?