The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-05-06
Rehind the Scenes-.-A Budget of Gossip by

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issued by Mrs Lncons coored milline entitled Be
hind the Scenes"
STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS ONE OF MRS. L1NCoLSs EARLY
LOVERS.
Mrs Keckley relates that Mrs. Lincoln, from her
earliest childhood, convinced that she would De
the wife of President. When young lady, she was
saws the book courted by Mr.. Lincoln and Mr.. Doug
las The latter offered himself to her and was dis
carded He pressed his suit more boldly:
Mary, you do not know what you are refusing.
You have always had an ambition to become the wife
of President of the United States. Pardon the ego
tsm but fear that in refusing my hand tonight you
have thrown away your best chance to ever rule in the
White House"
81 do not understand you, Mr.. Douglas"
"Then will speak more plainly. You know, Mary,
that m ambitious like YOURSELF and something seems
TO whisper in my ear, You will be President some
day Depend upon it shall make stubborn tight to
win the proud position"
You have my best wishes, Mr.. Douglas still can
not consent to be your wife. l shall become Mrs.
President the victim of false prophets, but 1t
will not be as Mrs. Douglass
have this little chapter in a romantic history from
the lips of Mrs. Lincoln herself
At one of the receptions at the White House, shortly
after the first inauguration Mrs. Lincoln joined in the
promenade with Senator Douglas. He was holding a
bouquet that had been presented to her and as they
moved along he said:
"Mary, it reminds me of old times to have you lean
upon my arm"
You refer to the days of our youth. I must do
you the credit Mr. Douglas, to say that you were a
gallant beau"
"Not only beau, but lover Do YOU remember
the night Irritation was brought to an end?
'Distnctly. You now see that was right I am
Mrs. President, but not Mrs. Douglas"
True you have reached the goal before me, but
do not despair Mrs Douglass nobler woman does
not live-if am spared, may possibly succeed you as
Mrs President"
Mrs Keckley then describes the love-making of Mr..
Lincoln his rejection his despair, and his final accept
ance by Miss Todd. The Herndon story is spoken of
as i" pleasant piece Of felton, The whole affair, as
related in this book is an illustration of the delicacy
of the parties engaged in the work.
LINCOLN AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Passing over vast amount of other matter, we
come to the campaign of 1854, and Mrs Lncon's Pc
culiar method of conducting it.
In 1864 much doubt existed in regard to the reelec-
ton of Mr.. Lincoln, and the White House be-
seged by all grades of politicians Mrs. Lincoln was
often blamed for having certain class of men around
her.
Il have an object in view, Lizabeth," she said to
me in reference this matter. " In political can
vass it policy to cultivate every element of strength
These have influence, and we require influence to
reelect Mr. Lincoln. will be clever to them until af-
ter the election, and them if we remain at the White
House, will drop every one of them, and let them
know very plainly that l only made tools of them.
tie double dealing with them"
docs Mr.. Lincoln know what your purpose is?
asked.
"God, no; he would sanction such proceed
ing, so keep him in the dark and will tell him OF it
when all is over"
Mrs Lincoln was extremely anxious that her hus
band should be reelected President of the United
States. In endeavoring to make display becoming
her exalted position she had to incur many expenses
Mr. Lincolns salary was inadequate to meet them, and
she forced to in debt, hoping that good for
tune would favor her. and enable her extricate her
self from embarrassing situation She bought the
most expensive goods credit, and in the summer of
1864 enormous unpaid bills stared her in the face.
MRS. LINCoLN's DEBTS.
Mrs. Lincoln has long conversation with Mrs.
Keckley in regard to her debts and her plans for
ing their payment We quote:
Il owe altogether about S27, 600 the principal por-
ton at Stewards in New York. You understand, Liz
abeth that Mr.. Lincoln has but little idea of the
pense Of woman's wardrobe He glances at my rich
dresses, and is happy in the belief that the few hun
dred dollars obtain from him supply all my wants
must dress i'll costly Materials The people scrutinise
every article that with critical curiosity The
very fact of having grown up in the West subjects me
to more searching observation 70 keep up appear
ances must have money, more than Mr. Lincoln can
spare me- He is too honest to make penny outside
Of his salary; consequently had, and still have no
alternative but to run in debt"
"And Mr.. Lincoln does not even suspect how much
you owe?"
God, no. this was favoritc expression of
hers" and wonld not have him suspect. If he knew
that his wife was involved to the extent that she is
the knowledge would drive him mad. He is so sincere
and straightforward himself that he is shocked by the
duplicity of others. He does not know thing about
any debts, and value his happiness not to speak of
ny own, too much to allow him to know anything.
This is what troubles me much. If he is reelected,
keep him in ignorance of my affairs but if he is
defeated, then the bills will be sent in, and he will
Know all; and something like historical sob es
capped her.
Mrs Lincoln sometimes feared that the politicians
would get hold of the particulars Of her debts and
hem in the Presidential campaign against her hus
oand and when this thought occurred to her. she was
almost crazy with anxiety and fear
When in ofthese excited moods she would fierce
y exclaim.
The Republican politicians must pay my debts.
Hundreds of them are getting immensely rich off the
patronage OF my husband and is but fair that they
should help me out of my embarrassment will make
demand of them, and when tell them the facts they
cannot refuse to advance whatever money require
A piquant chapter is that upon the exhibition and
sale of the wardrobe All the correspondence given
n full and the whole disgraceul affair is paraded at
ength.