The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-07-18

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We find the following Ii he Gan Fancisco
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"A. tie sins Alluded 4, us6sta, sbisids,
Of NJ. Lincoln, wsSo q ru1t3eu1S efa~vinr.
Geld. Gen. 6hieldS hsd III feturned Hon,
the Mexican war. His public OF private life
had not been o. the highest standing, but,
being Of naughty natuFs, and looking with
some degrees of disdain spoA "Honess Abe -
he sought on one occasion 70 force NisaTodd
TO- accept his company, during which tine
something occurred winch gave her Rrsat Of
fence. She wrote severe and sarrnStic srti.
cle, accompanied by piece Of poetsy, ali Of
which was most cutting and ecethinr 70.
buketo General Shields, and handed It to
Mr.. lincoln to hAvs it Published in ths
Springfield paper. Mr.. Lincoln hesitated I
little, but having confidence In his judgment
and good sense TO manage such an affair, he
took it to the editor, enjoined the profouudest
secresy, and it was published. Il was La
bored comment upon much Of Shields public
- well a. private career, and he writhed like
acclaimed tiger under the goad. Although
his name was not mentioned, every thing
pointed directly to him, and he sought BY eve
~ means to find out the authors name. At
last he threatened the editor with immediate
prosecution If he did not disclose it to HIM
and gave him but short time for reply.
The editor went to Mr.. Lincoln's Office,
laid the whole matter before him and asked
his advice. Mr.. Lincoln sat !. moment in
deep study, and then with his characteristic
GOODNESS said:
"Tell Shields Abe Lincoln wrote that ar.
ticle."
The editor repaired to his Office, where be
found Shields in waiting, and when he heard
the information, vowed vengeance upon the
country pettifogger." Mr.. Lincoln Waited
the result with good deal of anxiety, ex>
pecting personal encounter with Shields the
first time they met, but instead he Immediate
ly received challenge to fight duel. This
was unexpected to Mr. Lincoln, but not doubt
ing to still bring the matter to pleasant issue
he proceeded with the affair. But will use
his own language in relating it afterwards.
He said:
g thought il | should fail, after leading
the General as far as l could on the road Of
honor and Shields being small man and
| very tall with exceedingly long arms,
thought sword would serve me as well as
anything, and | chose long swords as the
weapons
Everything being arranged, the parties
met, and when the final issue was about to
come. Shields being perfectly incorrigible,
and Mr.. Lincoln seeing there was no other
alternative, looked Shields earnestly u the
face, and said
shields, do you want to know who wrote
that article?'
"Dd you do t2n said Shields.
"No, sir Mary Todd wrote it," said Mr..
Lincoln, with smile upon his countenance.
The friends present burst into roar of
laughter, joined by Mr.. Lincoln. In few
moments Shields stepped forward, gave Mr..
Lincoln his hand, and joined in the merri-
ment.
Thus ended Mr.. Lincolns duel. He soon
had an interview with Miss Todd, who had
known nothing of the affair, related the cir
cumstances to her, and sought her pardon for
finally disclosing her name. Of course he
was forgiven. To Shields the affair was ever
after annoying, but to Mr., Lincoln, with his
quick sense Of the ridiculous ami the nice APP
probation of humor so characteristic Of the
man, the whole affair was ever laughable
one when referred to in after years.