St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-10-04
Il Story Of Mr.. Lincoln Duel.

We have before heard of the following
story, which appears in the correspond
ence of the San Francisco BuL.tu...
General Shields. Mr. Lincoln and
Mary Todd, the aiiiancel of Mr.. Lincoln.
were all residents of Springfield, Gene
raj Shields had Just returned from the
Mexican war, His public or private life
had not been OF the highest standing, but
beng OF naughty nature, and looking
with some degree of di>lain upon Hon
est Abe he sought on one occasion 10
iorce Miss Todd 10 accept his company.
during winch something occurred which
gave her great Gifense. She wrote a
severe and sarcastic article. accom,,,nieJ
10y piece Of poetry, all Of which was
Il most scathlng and cutting rabuke to
General Shields, and handed il 10 Mr.
Lincoln TO have II published ia the
Springfield paper Mr. Lincoln hesitaf,
ell a little, but hayin. confidence In hi,
Judgment and good sense 10 manage such
an affair. he took il 10 the editor. enioin-
ell the strictest secre>y. and IL WAS pub
lished. Ii was 4 labored comment upon
much of ShicldS's public as well a. private
career, and he wriihed ike a claimed
tiger under the goad. Although his
name was not mentioned, everything
pointed directly 10 him. and he sought
by every means 10 find ont The authors
name Al last lac threatened the editor
with immediate prosecution If he dill not
disclose II 10 him. and cave him but a
short time for 4 reply.
The editor Went TO Mr.. Lincoln's Of
flee, laid the whole matter before him.
and asked his advice Mr.. Lincoln sat
moment in deep study, and then, with
his characteristic coolness. said: Tell
Shields Abe Lincoln wrote that article.
The editor repaired 10 his office, where
he found Shields in waiting. and when
he heard the information vowed ven
geance upon the country pettilogger.
Mr.. Lincoln waited the result with a
good deal oi anXleiv. expecting a person.
al encounter with Shields the first time
they met, but instead he immediately re-
crire,i a challenge 10 fight a iuL Thi-
was unexpected 10 Mr. Lincoln. but not
doubling his ability 10 still bring the mat
fer 10 a pleasant issue. he prooee,lel with
the affair But | viii lie his own lall-
guage IN relating il afterwards. H. sad:
i thought if | should fail. after lrsdina
the General along 50 far aS / could on
his road ot -'honor, and Shields beng
a small man anl | VERY l.ll. with eA-
ceeiingly long arn>, though, a sword
would serve mc a We'll IL anything. and
| chose Ion. swords a. the weapons.
Everything being arranged the Iartic-
met. and when the final issue was about
TO come. Shields being perfectly incor-
rigihle and Mr. Lincoln, Secin- there wa-
no other alternative looked Shields
earnestly in the fac, al.l >aid
Shields. DO Won wsnI 10 know who
Wrote that article
Did vou DO il ? -,id Shields.
No: Mary Todd wrote it. slid Mr.
Lincoln, with Il smile upon hi< counie-
nance.
The friends present burst into a roar
of laughter. joined hv Mr.. Lincoln. In
a few moments Shields stepped forward.
gave Mr.. Lincoln l;s hand. and joincl
IN the merrimcni.
Thus ended Mr.. Lincoln~ duel. H.
soon had an interview with Mary Todd.
who had known nothing OF the affair, re-
lated the circumstances 10 Lcr and sought
her pardon for finally di>clc>im. her
name, Ot Course he was forgiven. TO
Shields the affair was ever afterwards
but 10 Mr.. L.coln. with hi-
quicn sense OF The ridiculous and lhe nice
ot humur - characteristic q.
the man. lhe whole affair was ever
laugllable one when referred 70 in after
Years