Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1899 — WANTED HIS HALF OF THE BERTH [ARTICLE]

WANTED HIS HALF OF THE BERTH

A Good Story Geo. M. Pullman Loved to Tell of Lincoln. There was one story of his career that the late George M. Pullman of sleeping car fame used to tell with manifest delight. It was as follcrws: “One night going out of Chicago, a long, lean, ugly man, with a wart on his cheek, came into the depot. He paid George M. Pullman 50 cents, and a half berth was assigned him. Then he took off his coat and vest and hung them up. and they fitted the peg about as well as they fitted him. Then he kicked off his boots, which were of surprising length, turned into the berth, and, having an easy conscience, was sleeping like a healthy baby before the car left the depot. Along came another passenger and paid his 50 cents. In two minutes he was back at George Pullman. “There’s a man in that berth of mine,” said he, hotly, “and he’s about ten feet high.. How am I going to sleep there, I'd like to know? Go and look at him.” In went Pullman—mad. too. The tall, lank man’s knees were uNer his chin, his arms were stretched across the bed and his feet were stored comfortably—for him. Pullman shook him until he awoke, and then told him if he wanted the whole berth he would have to pay sl. “My dear sir,” said the tall man, “a contract is a contract. I have paid yog 50 cents for half this berth, and as you see, I’m occupying it. There’s the other half,” pointing to a strip about six inches wide. “Sell that and don’t disturb me again.” And, so saying, the man with a wart on his face went to sleep again. He was Abraham Lincoln.