Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-05-05
AN ANECDOTE OF LINCOLN.
How a Child Broke an Engagement
to Mary Owens.


On THE CARS, April l6.
left off just as our host, Mr.. w. G
Green was about to relate how the
match between Abraham Lincoln and
Mary Owens was broken off.
at was this way said Mr.. Green
"My counsin, Nancy Green, had a
great, strapping baby that she was il
the habit of lugging about with hel
wherever she went. Possibly Lincoln
didn't have a passion for babies; al
any rate, he was not in love with this
one, and | remember very well that
when his own son Bob was in the
cradle, Lincoln used to lie on the floor
reading and let the future Secretary
of War split his lungs yelling to be
carried about the house. IfMrs. Lin
coin happened to arrive3 home about
this time, there was trouble in the
family for few minutes, but no re-
monstrances or appeals could ever
make him good nurse. He would
read, and so far as appearances
went, was deaf to all the infantile
cries that came up from his hopeful
heirs. When the babies grew up a
bit and knew something, they found
in their father companion and a
friend, but they had to look elsewhere
for nurse.
"Well, at the time mention, Lin
coin had grown very fond of Mary
Owens, and she seemed to take quite a
fancy to him. They were together
good deal, and finally, as was under
stood, became engaged. One day Mary
and Nancy Green were going a mile or
so to neighbours, and Lincoln went
with them. As usual, Nancy took the
baby and trudged along with it, al
though it was a heavy weight for her. |
Perhaps she expected that Lincoln
would offer to shoulder the boy him
self for part of the distance. and so
relieve her, but if she had such ex-
pectations they were not realized, for
he put his hands in his pockets and
leisurely .sauntered by the side of
Mary Owens, without a glance toward
the baby.
"Pretty soon Mary became cold.
and answered Lincoln with short and
curt sentences. Then she refused TO
talk with him at all, and by the time
the end Of the journey was reached
she fairly withered him with her
glances. Lincoln did not know. or
seemed not to know, what the matter
was and at last asked an explanation.
''' What's up, Mary ?" said he. You
seem to be in a bad humor.' .Oh. no.
she replied, mockingly, I'm ez pur-
ring and good-natured as a kitten.
What is there to rutfie a body. nv
gracious It's something Eve done,
suppose said Lincoln. No. re-
Piled Mary, tartly, ''its nothing you've
done. It's what you hain't done. and
that's just what's the matter We'll.
what is it = said Lincoln. You don't
know, OF course, responded Mary.
disdainfully. NO, III be hanged if
do said Lincoln. Wall, I'll tell
you,' said Mary, You've walked yer
for more'n mile with us-a great.
strong Teller like you-and 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 ails me- why, she never ask
ed me, said Lincoln. ooh, she didn't!
And you hadn't politeness enough to
offer to help her, but must wait to be
asked Why, | never thought Oft J
replied Lincoln. Il always supnosed !
that she would be afraid to let a fell {
low like me touch the baby for fear he '
might break it or something. I'd car
~ a bushel of 'em for you, Mary,
yes, now said Mary bitterly. ANY
time, said Lincoln. 'IfIasked YOU p
responded Mary. well, l reckon {
you could ask me if you wanted them {
carried, retorted Lincoln. L lust tell 5
you what it is, Abe Lincoln, cried
Mary, getting excited, any man as is $
fit to be husband would have offer c
ed to carried that child when he
could see it's mother was near about