Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-01-03

We have before heard Of tip follow
ing story which appears in tlb cores
pondence Of the San Francisco Bulletin:
"General Shields, Mr.. Linfoln and
Mary Todd, the affianced Of MrLincoln,
were all residents Of Springfield. Cen
eral Shields had Just returned from the
Mexican war. His public or private life
had not been of the highest itanding,
but being of a naughty nature, and look
ing with some disdain upon honest Abe.
he sought on one occasion ID fore Miss
Todd to accept his comp apy, during
which something occurred which gave
her great offence. She wroe severe
and sarcastic article, accompanied by a
peice of poetry, all of which Vas most
scathing and cutting rehuke to General
Shields and handed ittd Mr. Lincoln tn
have it published in the Springfield pa
per. Mr. Lincoln hesitated little, but
having confidence in his Judgment and
good sense to manage such an affair, he
took it to the editor, enjoining the strict
est secrecy, and it was published 1t was
a labored comment upon much of Shields
public as well as private career, and he
writhed like chained tiger under the
goad. Although his name was not mem
toned, everything pointed directly to
him, and he sought by every means to
find out the authors name. At last he
threatened the editor with immediate
prosecution if he did not discloseit to
him and gave him but short time for
a reply. h
The editor went to Mr.. Lincoln's oEice
laid the whole matter before him, and
asked his advice. Mr.. Lincoln sat mo-
ment in deep study, and then, with his
characteristic coolness, said: Tell
Shields Abe Lincoln wrote that article
The editor repaired to his office, where he
found Shields in waiting, and when he
heard the information vowed vengeance
upon the country petteioggcr.' Mr.. Lin
coin waited the result with good deal
of anxiety, expecting personal encoun-
ter with Shields the first time they met,
but instead he Immediately received u
challenge to fight a duel. This was un-
expected to Mr.. Lincoln, but not doubt
| ing his ability to still bring the mattcrto
pleasant issue he proceeded with the
affair But will use his own language
in relating it afterwards. He said /
| thought if | should fail, after leading
the General along so far as could on
his road of honor and Shields. beine =
small man very tiiI, Win essceedmgiy
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 ineorrig-
ible and Mr.. Lincoln, seeing there was
no other alternative, looked Shields earn
estly in the face and said:
Shields, do you want to know who
wrote that article?
j did you do it? said Shields.
No; Mary Todd wrote it, said Mr..
Lincoln, with smile ON his countenance.
The friends burst into roar of laugh
} ter joined by Mr.. Lincoln. In a few
moments Shields stepped forward, gave
Mr.. Lincoln his hand and joined in the
J merriment.
Thus ended Mr.. Lncoln's duel. He
, soon had an interview with Mary Todd,
: who had known nothing of the affair,
7 related the circumstances to her, and
5 sought her pardon for finally disclosing
her name. OF course he was forgiven.
f To Shields the affair was ever afterwards
e annoying, but to Mr.. Lincoln with his
r quick sense of the ridiculous and the
nice appreciation of humor so character
S istic of the man, the whole affair was
t ever laughable one when referred to in
s after years."