Lincoln's Stovepipe Hat

[David Lockmiller]

On a certain evening, Lincoln left his stovepipe hat on a chair in Stanton's reception room. On his return, a very fat woman rose from the place to bow to the President. Lincoln returned the bow, then, walking behind her, picked up the remains of his hat and said, shaking his head sadly: "Madam, I could have told you that my hat wouldn't fit you before you tried it on!"

--David Homer Bates