The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-06-02
LINCOiN'S LOVE.

"It was this way" said Mr.. Green.
my cousin, Nancy Green. had q great.
strapping baby that she was in the habit
OF Juggling about with her wherever she
went. Possibly Lincoln didn't have a
passion for babies; at any rate, he was
not in love with this one, and remem-
Der very we'll that when his own son Bob
was in the cradle Lincoln used to lie on
the floor reading, and let the future Sec
rotary of War split his lungs yelling to
be carried about the house. If Mrs.
Lincoln happened to arrive home about
this time there was trouble in the family
for few minutes, but no circumstances
or appeals could ever make him good
nurse. He would read, and, so far as
appearances went, was deaf to all the in
fantile cries that came from his hopeful
heirs. When the babies grew up bit,
and knew something, they found in their
father a companion and friend, but
they lad to look elsewhere for nurse.
"Well, at the time mentioned, Lin
coin had grown very fond OF Mary
Owens, and she seemed to take quite q
fancy to him. They were together good
deal, and finally, as was understood, be-
came engaged. One day Mary and
Nancy Green we're going mile or so to
a neighbours, and Lincoln went with
them. As usual, Nancy took the baby
and trudged along with it, although it
was q heavy weight for her. Perhaps
she expected that Lincoln would offer to
shoulder the boy himself for part of the
distance, and so relieve her, but if she
had such expectations they were not
realized, for he put his hands in his
pockets and leisurely sauntered by the
side of Mary Owens, without o glance
toward the baby.
pretty soon Mary became cold, and
answered Lincoln with short and curt
sentences. Then she refused to talk to
him at all, and by the time the end of
the journey was reached she fairly with
cred him with her glances. Lincoln did
not know, or seemed not to know, what
the matter was, and at last asked an ex-
PLANTATION"
whats up, Mary" said he. "You
seem to be in bad bumor."
"Oh, no. she replied, mockingly,
"I'm ez purring and good-natured AZ a
kitten. What.is there to ruffle body,
my gracious! ).
T, Its something I've done. suppose,
said Lincoln.
NO" replied Mary, tartly, "it's moth
ing you've done. It's what ye hahn
done and that's Just what's the matter. "
well, what is it," said Lincoln.
"You don't know, of course, respond
ed Mary, disdainfully.
NO, I'll be hanged if do" said Lin
coln.
"Wall, I'll tell you,' said Mary.
you've walked yer for more'n mile
with us-a great strong Teller like you.
ana let that woman carry baby that
weighs nigh onto forty pounds, and
never so much as lifted yer finger to
help her. That's what ais me-"
"Why, she never asked me, said Lin
coin.
"Oh, she didn't! And you hadn't po-
likeness enough to offer to help her, but
must wait to be asked"
"Why, never thought of it, returned
Lincoln. 81 always supposed she would
be afraid to let fellow like me touch
the baby for fear he might break it or
something. I'd carry n bushel OF EN-
for you, Mary"
"Yes. now" said she bitterly.
ANY time" said Lincoln.
"If asked your responded Mary.
well, reckon you could ask me if
Won wanted them carried" retOrted Lin
coin.
Il just tell you what it is, Abe Lin
coln," cried Mary getting excited, "any
man as is fit to he husband would have
offered to carried that child when he
:. could see its mother was near about tired
= And didn't offer?" said Lincoln,
mo, you didn't" responded Mary.
and so amt tit to be q husband?''
said Lincoln.
THAT'S just the fact, you hain't, said
Mary.
Lincoln turned about with laugh,
and didn't appear to think much more OF
the matter. He treated Mary very
nicely, and much as if nothing had been
said, but her words, no doubt, made a
serious impression, for from that time
their intimacy began to wane, and after
while there was q general understand
ing that the engagement was cancelled.
There were no more words about the
baby, l believe, but it was the baby after
all, that broke up the match.
"Thats nice picture of Yates" said
1, glancing at the wall, where hing a
large photograph, half lfe-size, per-
hsps, OF the war Governor of Illinois.
Eyes," replied Mr.. Green, lit is o
good picture. Yates, think, was the
hantlsomest man ever saw, except John