Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-04-17

We have heretofore referred 10 a book wl.I,
the above title, OF which Mrs. Elizabeth Heckly,
a slave for thirty years and subsequently, SER
want OF Mrs. jefferson DAVIS. and fer four.
years an inmate Of the White House. during
Mr. Lincoln's administration, is author. Ir
has just been published and contains some GU
rieus disclosures; among them something
about the cSmpalg OF 1854, and Mrs. LincOln's
peculiar method Of conducting it,
In l-6i much doubt -xisteo In regard 20 Ihe
reelection of Mr.. Lincoln, and the WHITE
House was besleged by all grades of politi-
cIans. Mrs. Lincoln WAS often blamed for
having n certain class of men around her.
Il have an object in view. LiZabeth-" she
said TO me I'm reference TO this matter. ain a
I'll, ment OF strength. These men have infu-
ence- ana We require influence 20 re-eleet Mr..
Lhe election, and then, If remain al ths
White House, VIII drop every one of them,
ana lei them know very plainly that 1 only
made tools of them. They are an unprlaci.
pled set and don't mind a little eoutle-deal.
ing with them.r
{" Does Mr.. Lincoln know what your pur.
pose isl'' sked.
God! no; he would never sanction sneh n
proceeding, SO 1 Keep him in The dark. and VIII
tell him OF II when all is over"
Mrs. Lincoln was extremely xious that hss.
husband should be reelected President of the
nitAd States. In endesvoring 20 make dis
play becoming her exalted position. she had 10
incur many expenses. Mr.. Lincoln's salary
was inadequte TO meet them, and she was forced
10 run in debt. hoping that good fortune would
favor her, and enable her TO e1tricate herself
from an embarrassing situation. She bought
the most expensive goods on credit, and in hs
summer of 1864 enormous unpaid bills stared
her in the face.
Mrs. Lincoln has a long conversation WITH
MRS. Hechley in regard 10 her debts. and her
plans for meeting their payment. We quote
II owe althogether about s27, go; the principal
portion al Stewards, in New York. You IN.
derstand, Lizabeth, that Mr.. Lincoln has but
little idea of the expense Of a woman wari-
robe. He glances at my rich dresses, and IS
happy IN the belief that the few hundred do,-
lars that i obtain from him supply ali NV
wants. / must dress IN costly materials lb.,
people scrutinize every article that i wear
with critical curiosity. The very fact Of hay-
ing grown mp in the West subjects me TO more
searching observation To keep up appear-
ances must have money-more than Mr.
Lincoln can spare for me-. He is too honest ID
make penny outside OF his salary; conss-
quently L mad, and still have, no alternative
but TO run in debt"
"And Mr.. Lincoln does not even suspect
how much you over
'.God, no!'-this was a favorite expression
OF hers-''and would not have him suspect-
III he knew that bis wife was involved 20 lhs.
extent that she is, the knowledge would drive
MIN mad. he rs so sincere and straig htfor ward
himself, that ne is shocked by the duphcity OF
others. He does not know a thing about any
debts, and value his happiness, not 70 speak
OF my own. too much TO allow him 20 know
any ything. This is what troubles me so much.
IL he is reelected, can keep him in ignorance
OF my affairs; but, II be Is defeated, then the
bills VIII be sent IN. and he will know alf's
and something like a hysterical sob escaped
her.
Mrs. Lincoln sometimes feared that the poli.
ticIans would get hold Of the partic ulars of her
debts, and use them in the Presidential cam.
pagn against her husband; and when this
thought occurred TO her she was almost crazy
with anxiety and fear.
When in one Of these excited moods she
would fiercely exclalm:
The Republican politicians must pay mv
debts. Hundreds Of them are getting immense
ly rich on the patronage Of my husband. and
my embarrassment. I will make a demand of
them, and when tell them the facts they can.
not refuse TO advance whatever money L re-.
Quire."
A piquant CHAPTER is that upon the exhibitioa
and sale OF The wardrobe. All the correspond.
ence is given in full, and the whole affair -
paraded al length.