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“Mr. Lincoln was always read to join in a laugh at the expense of his person, concerning which he was very indifferent. Many of his friends will recognize the following story,–the incident having actually occurred,–which he used to tell with great glee:–”
In the days when I used to be “on the circuit,” I was once accosted in the cars by a stranger, who 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 jack-knife from his pocket. “This knife,’ said he, ‘was placed in my hands some years ago, with the injunction that I was to keep it until I found a man uglier than myself. I have carried it from that time to this. Allow me now to say, sir, that I think you are fairly entitled to the property.”
Francis Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, p. 148-149.