The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-21
LINCOLNTS ASSASSIN
Booths Alleged Courtship OF
a Senator's Daughter.
ROMANTIC, VERY.
But Robert Lincoln Makes Very
Expict Denial


The Portsmouth IVA Occasional has published an
article from Alexander Hunter narrating tho CHIEF
incidents in the social lite John Wilkes Booth just
prior assassination Of President Lincoln. The
story supposed to be told by Mrs Temple, who
that Booth and Lincoln were mutually ac-
quanted that tho spoke OF the former
HALE.
she says:-"Among all OF Bessie Hale's admirers
Booth tho most ardent and devoted, distancing
all competitors except one and that was the Presi-
denis eldest son, Robert Lincoln, who was mildly in
love with Bessie He courted her again and again
and uldn't take Tor his answer. dc had heavy
backing for both the Senator and his wife, aware Of
the splendid advantages OF the match, urged their
daughter TO marry Robert Lincoln and queen II at
the White House, which in those days WAS like tho
palace OF royalty itself. She would have gvcn In, l
confident, but Tor Booth, VINO, with his charm OF
person, manner and intellect. carried the aay and
won hcr heart, but not her hand, for her parents
irowned down and most emphatics1ly vetoed
the intimacy between their daughter and the
actor. Indeed. both father and mother con
s,dered il a great piece OF presumption Tor tho
player to mako love OF the scenic stage. John
Wilkes Booth they considered divine IN the princely
role OF Hamlet wearing the slashcd doublet and
habimcnts OF the half-prince hali-peasant Met
notte but as son-ia-aw to tho first Senator in tho
landl there the charm ceased, and they commanded
the daughter never 10 think OF him.
Chow much Bessie Hale really cared for Booth none
OF US knew; probably not he himself could tell
No was aware Of the absorbing, true, devoted
affection that Bessie had for hm-a love great III It's
purity and snglensss drm in It's attachment as truo
death ITSELF and stronger than HE aud deaiE COM
bined. Only in the fearful trial and the awful times
nj a If n aht ON IN ail
It's brightness. lighting the lurid darkness with its
beams, even the rays OF the lighthouse CLEAN out
across the waste OF angry waters
.sBessie Hale passionately fond OF seeing Booth
assume the character OF Hamlet the Dane, and often
would make him repeat tho famous soloquy in the
parlor.
BoorHs JEALOUSY.
"Booth's was the most jealous temperament ever
knew; he was insane, sometimes, it seemed 10 me,
and, when Bessie accepted any attention from any
man, Booth would act ike patient just out OF
Bedlam. Oae night Can never forget it-thcre was
large hop our hotel and the saloons were crowded
with the wealth, the beauty the bravery and the
talent the land The Bench, the Bar, trade and tn
soldier all represented, and the scene IN the ball
room calculated 10 excite the Imagination
Aua dazzle tho eye
urhe band mad Just commenced TO play ono OF
Strauss waitzes, aud while was standing BY the door,
Iooker-ou 10 Vienna, turned and saw John Wilkes
Booth. lie had buta few moments before returned
from Ford's Theatre, whero he had been acting He
over 10 noticed that ne looked very
angry ana very much excited and asked him the
He ed TO couple crcliuK ~ the Rhythmic
measure OF u waltz They seemed 10 he Obvious Of
every thing In the world. Their m0veme nts
iccl, the malden's head almost rested the youths
shoulder ana with ner eyes nalf closed she listened 10
tho earnest, tender words that her companion was
pouring into her ear. II was Bessie Hale and Robert
Lincoln. AS he witnessed this scene Booths white
teeth cienched over the nusache ana his lace grew
very white, while hts eyes biazed like frc Hc caught
me by the arm with grasp that III ado me vino and
CAUSED ut involuntary cry, and Missed into
my eat r.,,. ~ 10, a.,., ,u,.,., ~, ;,
could XIII him, and hts father TOO, and, by the Lord
OF Hostsl the sands OF his lilo are last running OUT
"sWhat do you meanp asked him, thoro ughly
startled by his manner and words.
. oh, nothing, he said, recovering himself only
the man nad better never been born tnan 70 como be-
my love. Bessie loves me, lll swear;
but what between her people and has they will dispose
oil hor as > lamb led 10 the slaughter
81 am sorry Tor you. Mr. Booth said my husband,
Who standing beside me- had listened TO his words.
.Bootu turned nercuIy and disdaintuily around 10
would rather be Aceon chased and devoured by his
beagi.s, than to be like Lazarus and have his
Wounds licked by dogs out Of PITY.
s.He iei Us abruptly aud wenl out OF the room and
we saw him no nJre that nIgnt.
II told Bessie Halo OF tins scene, and she Was ut
woman always does when she don't know what to do
and nirted openly with Robert Lincoln much 10 thai
young man's delight
"The next morning We all waited Booths coming
anxiousy, and Bessie my parlor until din aer
expecting him. but not then nor that whole day dId
make hts appearance.
"Aao.ner dAy passed, and sim another came and
weul Signs oil Booth. Instead, kouert Lincoln
camo regularly, aud Ny breakfast time a
quists bouqae, OF flowers IRON the wnile House con-
servatory would always be sent TO Bessie, Robert
Lincoln pressed his SUIT boldly aud ardenty. thiuk
she was piqucd at Booths silence, for she gave
| Robert much encouragement and MS visits became
| longer and more frequent
| "Oae Jay, about week after the ball. rs the two
were sitting alone together IN my parlor John Wilkes
| walked abruptly IN, ana, sitting uown with ouiy
kli.nt nod OF recognti on 10 both, took book and
| commenced to read An hour passed on, and his
r.vai, seeing that Booth was determined TO sit
| him out got up, made his adieu, aud lett tho
held opan. Bessie tod me aiterward Thai sue
much Incensed al his behavior an gave uim piece
OF her mind. he retorlcd; she grew more angry, he
more curt and contcnlptuous She recritniuated
/ sharply and then he losing MS temper Hung MIN.
| sell, WIN u nuttcrci curse, out 0f tue room.
"at last tue great event happened that We had all
wished o hoped or prayed Tor, during all the tour
! Court House At our hotel there round oil
congratulations ana rsJolcuas Every night tho par
Iors woaid DO ihronged with an ANXIOUS, eager, ex-
cited party, who would discuss, drunk ana dance tho
night through. Amid ali These scenes Booth moved
cam, stern, silent cold His manner was utterly
CHI nged and instead Of ranting, romantic boy, no
SEEMED composed, practical man. We all
knew that the triumph OF the federal army
| was u blasting OF his most cherished hopes,
| and none Of W said anything to him Tue
subject. Aud 30 the lated Jays sped swiftly by /;
anu while natioh was drunk with joy-wnile the
ringing OF the bes the cracking OF the bouares and
the blaze OF martial music ali united into lie Deum
IN nonor OF victory anu pcaccihis cold Young man
mis- breast secret that would told ma ko
| the world stare with horror
4 Tux FATAL DAY.
$50 time passed until ,ne sun that fatal FRI
day morning, April IA, 1865 Jonn Wilkes came into
the parior az noon, and stayed there only Tor lew
moments. He seemed restless and excited, but not
enough so to attract any attention from us. He left
In an hour and went down. as tie said to witness the
rehearsal oil The new play, our American Cousiu.
| Mrs Hale aud myself thought OF gong that night.
but he strongly advised US not saying, remember,
that II was Good FRIDAY, aud mat low people would
| be present, anu the play would drag that ac-
count. Aicr THIS We decided TO postpone intcn-
| ton ana 70 the night alter.
'Dnncr passed of pleasantly, aud we retired 10 our
rooms Tor our posprandal nap, aud did not reassc-
bic together uutii tue evening, wnen about naf
hour before supper wo all met ia The paror There
Hule unlh la md Nh.