The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-06-28
Lincoln's First Love.

between Abraham Lincoln and Annie
Owens was broken off
1T was this way" said Mr.. Green.-
"My cousin, Nancy Green, had a great
strapping baby that she was in the habit
of Juggling about with her wherever
she went. Possibly Lincoln didn't
have passion for babies; at any rate,
he was not in love with this one, and l
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,
If Mrs. Lincoln happened to arrive
home about this time there was trouble
in the family for few minutes, but no
remonstrances or appeals could ever
make him a good nurse. He would
read, and, SO far as appearances went,
was deaf to all the infantile cries that
came from his hopeful heirs. When the
babies grew up bit, and knew some
thing they found in their father COM
panion and friend, but they had to
look elsewhere for nurse.
"Well, at the time mention, Lincoln
had grown very fond of Annie Owens,
and she seemed to take quite fancy to
him. They were together good deal,
and finally, as was understood, became
engaged. One day Annie and Nancy
Green were going mile or so to
neighbours and Lincoln went with them.
AS usual, Nancy took the baby and
trudged along with it, although it was
heavy weight for her. Perhaps she ex-
pected that Lincoln would offer to shoul-
er the boy himself for part of the dis
tance, and so relieve her, but if she had
such expectations they were not realized
for he put his hands in his pockets and
and leisurely sauntered by the side of
Annie Owens without a glance toward
the baby.
pretty soon Annie 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 fair
ly withered him with her glances. Lin
coin did not know, or seemed not to
know, what the matter was, and at last
asked an explanation,
whats up Annie p said he. You
seem to be in bad humor.'
GO oh, no. she replied, mockingly,
'I'm ez purring and good-natured as a
kitten. What is there to ruffle a body,
my gracious !"
"' It's something Nv done,I suppose
said Lincoln.
"'No,' replied Annie, tartly, it's
nothing you've done. It's what you
hain't done, and that's what's the mat
ter
"Well, what is it p said Lincoln.
GO You don't know, of course re-
sponded Annie, disdainfully.
"'No, I'll be hanged if L do, said
Lincoln.
CSC Wall I'll tell you,' said Annie
You have walked yer for more'n a
mile with us-a great, strong feller like
you-and let that woman carry baby
that weighs nigh unto forty pounds,
and never so much as lifted yer finger
to help her. That's what ails me-
"' Why, she never asked me- said
Lincoln.
"Oh, she didn't! And you hadn't
politeness enough to offer to help, but
must wait to be asked
"Why, L never thought of it, re-
turned Lincoln. L always supposed
she, would be afraid to let fellow like
me touch the baby for fear he might
break it or something. I'dcarry BUSH
ell of 'em for you, Annie.
g" Yes, noa0, said Annie, bitterly.
'' Any time, said Lincoln.
"' If l asked you?' responded Annie.
"' Well, reckon you could ask me if
you wanted them carried, retorted Lin
coin.
"' just tell you what it is, Abe Lin
coin, cried Annie, getting excited, amy
man as is fit to be a husband would
have offered to carried that child when
he could see its mother was near tired to
DEATH
And didn't offer p said Lincoln.
go No you didn't responded Annie.
"' And so 1 amt fit to be husbandy'
said Lincoln.
"' That's just the fact, you hain't'
said Annie.
Lincoln turned about with laugh,
and didn't appear to think much more
of the matter. He treated Annie very