The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-07-21
Abe l.ineoln's Tir.t Love,

1T was this way, said Mr. Green, NJ
cousin, Nancy Green, had a great strappinl
baby that she was in the habit Of lugginI
about with her wherever she went Possi
bly, Lincoln didn't have a passion for ba
bies; at any rate, he was not in love will
this one, and ] remember very well tha
when his own son Bob was IN the cradl
Lincoln used TO lie on the floor reading
and LET the future Secretary Of War spill
his lungs yelling to DO carried about th'
house, II Mrs. Lincoln happened to ar
rive home about this time there wa
trouble in the family for few minutes
but no remonstranees or appeals could eyei
make him good nurse. He would read
and, so far as appearances went, was dea
to all the infantile cries that came from
his hopeful heirs. When the babies grew
up bit, and knew something, they found
in their father companion and friend,
but they had TO look elsewhere for nurse.
"Well. at the time mentioned, Lincoln
had grown very fond Of Mary Owens, and
she seemed to take quite fancy to him.
They were together good deal, and final
ly, as was understood, became engaged.
One day Mary and Nancy Green were go.
ing mile or so to a neighbor's and Lin.
coin went with them As usual Nancy
took the baby and trudged along with il,
although it was 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 pock-
cts and leisurely sauntered by the side Of
Mary Owens, without glance toward the
baby.
pretty soon Mary became cold and an
swered Lincoln with short and curt SEN
tences. Then she refused to talk with him
at all, and by the time the end Of the jour
ney reached she fairly withered him with
glances. Lincoln did not know, or seem.
cd not to know, what the matter was and
at last asked an explanation.
whats up Mary?" said he. "You
seem to be in bad humor."
"Oh, no., she replied, mockingly, I'm
ez purring and good natured Ell kitten.
What is there to ruflle body, my
gracious"
ats something I've done, suppose"
said Lincoln.
"No replied Mary, tartly, it's nothing
you've done. It's what ye havn't done,
and that's just what's the matter
"Well, what is it? said Lincoln.
"You don't know, of course, responded
Mary, disdainfully.
mo; I'll be hanged if do, said Lin
coin.
"Well, I'll tell you, said Mary "You
have walked here for NOR n a mile with us
IA great strong feller like you-and let
hat woman carry baby that weighs nigh
IN to forty pounds, and never 80 much as
lifted your finger to help her That's
what ails me. y
"Why, she never asked me, said Lin
,oln.
ooh, she didn't And you hadn't
ooliteness enough to offer to help her, but
must wait to be asked
"Why, l never thought of it, returned
Lincoln. II always supposed she would
De afraid to leta fellow like me touch the
)aby for fear he might break it or some
hing. I'd carry bushal OF 'em for you,
Mary"
"Ycs, now" said Mary.
"Any time," said Lincoln.
'If asked you" responded Mary.
"Well, / reckon you could ask me if
rou wanted EN- carried retorted Lincoln.
II just tell you what tits, Abe Lin
oln," cried Mary, getting excited, 'any
nan as is fit to be husband would have
'fered to carried that child when he
ould see its mother were near about tired
o death"
"And / didn't ofier?" said Lincoln.
"No, you didn't" responded Mary.
''And so amt fit to be a husband?"
aid Lincoln.
"Thats just the fact you hain't, said
larry.
'Lincoln turned about with lan3h and
idnt appear to think much Of the matter.
Ie treated Mary very nicely, and much az
nothing had been said, but her words,
o doubt, made serious impression, for
rom that time their intimacy began to
ane, and after time there was general
that the engagement was
anceled. There were no more words
bout the baby, believe; but it was the
ably after all that broke up the match. -