Abraham was talking with the colonel when he offered him whiskey and cigarettes. Lincoln then proceeded to tell the colonel that he would agree to a cigarette but the colonel would have to hear his story out. When Lincoln mom was dying a long time ago, she made him promise that he would never drink or smoke. He then asked the colonel if he would have to break his promise just to take the cigarette. The colonel was full of emotion and said no and that he would have wanted to make a promise and keep it to his mom like Abraham did.