Osage Valley banner. (Tuscumbia, Miller County, Mo.) 1879-1881, 1881-08-25

comments OF sympathy were gath
cred with the diligence OF a
stamp-collector or autograph-hunter
aud carried to the cloister OF the
strange patient; even the heaps of "ex-
changes in the local newspaper offices
were made TO minister TO mind dis
eased." Only it is now doubtful il all
this humoring OF the morbid thirst for
glory has not helped to detain Mrs.
Lincoln thus long IN retirement. Many
will remember that In those critical
"siXties' il used TO be one of the bug
bears OF the press that this lady had a
warm side for the Roman Catholic faith;
and now il appears that, during much
Of the period of her late scclusion, the
Sisters OF Mercy, at her request, have
spent much time with her. generally
one ur more OF them passing the night
in her room. Her rcputed illness has
also brought her many letters OF condo
lence from old friends of herself and
husband, and some of cOngratulation on
the appointment of her son to q posi-.
tion in the Presidents Cabinet But
although she has seemed to take pleas
ure in those cOmmiserating herself, she
has very rarely attempted TO reply;
once In while she indicates n quite
touching and considerate answer TO be
penned by some member of her sister
family. And as she has, from time 10
time, been reported sinking, the auto
graph tiend has felt inspired TO clutch
the signature of Death and paste il in
his little book. His application has
been frequent, aud his disappointment
has kept it an even tally.
But she has not smiled over congrat-
ulation on Robert honorable account.
She sighs and broods upon his official
holding as a new family risk, She often
sits and repeats, Secretary OF War?
Secretary OF War? Then he'll be shot,
sure! That's always the way in war"
And when told OF the shooting Of the
President she manifested no surprise,
but calmly remarked, it is said, II told
You 90, good men have to be shot some
times; don't YOU know how the Jews
killed ChristPn She has plenty of
money, but il is IN the hands of a bank
er here andis zealously guarded by fam
lily friends that she may not have il TO
lose or squander. Of course the wicked,
gossiping busybodies say that this
friendly zeal amounts to the personal
self-interest OF rcsiduary logatees. But
that this lone woman of National IN
terest has had more loose rein than
under restraint In the use Of her funds,
her storo.house Of great trunks packed
full would seom TO attest TO the salts
faction of the average man. There fol-
lowed her hither from Europe a train
of sixty trunks, whose immensity and
iron bindings sorely aggravated the
men OF baggage. Some OF these, how
ever, are filled with domestic debris and
relics of White House life. and it is a
part of the peculiar diagnosis of her
case that she has lugged these things
about tho world with her as the weeds
of distinguished widowhOod, or anu
let's against harm. Some of these
caskets stand in her room by her
special command. And often during
her late seclusicn, she would pass a
forenoon in aGfectionately inspecting
the contents of one of these reservoirs,
replacing them In new order, or she
would light upon some worn and torn
vestment, then pass an hour in patch
work upon il with as much sincerity as
il its wearer were waiting TO put it on.
These trunks testify to Mrs. Lincoln S
penchant for laying up treasures OF
wearing apparel against her imaginary
day OF want. II was this trait which.
five or six years ago, first convinced
her best friends that she was the victim
of serious mental wandering. hap
pered to be within the holding of the
Probate Court of Chicago on the after
noon when she was presented as can
didato for the asylum, much to the as
constituent of that city and the country.
She was attired in plain mourning
black; the full figure of her Washington
era had dwindled till she appeared n
quite slender lady, whose shriveled face
expressed no concern in the doings OF
the hour. She was gentle, and yielded
without murmIr TO the sad-faced
wishes OF her son. and that always firm
friend OF her great husband, Hon.
Isaac N. Arnold, who appeared in
court MS her counsel. She had then
been occupying rooms at prom.
inent hotel for some time; and
L remember that the testimony
before the Jury of conspicuous
citizens ran chic ly to her vast aecumu-
lation OF unmade dress goods within
her rooms, and that she would carry
too much money about the streets upon
her person, even the sum of $4,000 be-
ing found loosely pinned within the
folds of her walking dress. The court
restraint that should be only
kind guardianship of her personal safe
ty aud her financial interests, and she
was led away, amid the tears of many
bystanders, and was made at home for
a time at a private suburban asylum OF
high repute.
Mrs Lincoln's look Of health is
better now than then; in fact, her gen
eral health is good for one OF her age,
and she promises fairly to reach three
score and ten; but her mental strange