The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-05-12
LinCOln's Mother.

The following interesting chapter is from
the historical novel, just published at Stutt-
CART, Germany, by Theodore Canisius, en-
titled "Abraham Lincoln" and translated for
the National Republican by Miss Ella CAMS
Jus, daughter of the author. DR.. Canisius
was an intimate friend of President Lincoln,
and has come into possession of many inter
estisg facts relating to the Lincoln family
which could tend to make him a faithful
biographer:
Unfortunately Abe was not allowed to fol-
low his inclination. The summer season
again called him from his studies. Not only
was there work in abundance in the woods and
field, but the state of his mothers health be-
came more and more hopeless, SO that he was
again compelled to perform the hardest work
Of the household, which his sister could not
accomplish alone. The noble-hearted Mrs.
Lincoln had become the mere shadow of her
former self. Pale and emaciated, she glided
about the house, and when she attempted,
now and then, to perform, with weak and
trembling hands, some little task, she felt as
though the exertion had exhausted all her en-
ergies. She seemed like a moving corpse,
and only her strong will appeared to shield
her body from total dissolution. She would
not yet depart from her beloved ones, and
she lived.
BUT HOW MISERABLE THAT LIFE
during the whole Of that summer What a
torture it had become to her. How many
sleepless, feverish nights succeeded each
other !! At last she could no longer even move
about the hut to direct and superintend the
household affairs For days she lay PROSTATE
on her bed, with closed eyes, only now and
then lsping feebly few words, yet whatever
she uttered in such sad moments was filled
with tender care for her family. Even in the
occasional feverish wanderings Of her mind
her thoughts fingered on that which in her
laborious existence had formed the very es-
sence of her life, and disclosed the once I'M
firing activity of worthy, excellent, and in
dustriouS housewife. On warm, sunny days
Father Thomas would carry
THE WEAK AND NOW FEATHER-LIGHT SUI
into the shade of tree in front of the little
house, where Abe and his sister prepared with
loving hands couch of pillows and bedding.
There Mother Nancy often sat for hours to-
gether, chills creeping through her frame, even
in the glowing sun heat. Even then she look
ed with faint smile toward her husband who
worked in the ad Joining field, and who cast at
intervals careworn and anxious look toward
his suffering wife; or her eyes followed the
flight of birds that seemed to ascend to a
higher world, to that far and unknown land
toward which her soul was striving, for Mother
Nancy was about to close her earthly exist
ence, although she still struggled against her
approaching dissolution. How beautifully, in
such moments, the sunlight TRANSPORTED the
mild countenance of the patient and dying
woman; how distinctly was it then revealed
that pure, God-fearing soul was departing
this life. The quiet and
PIoUs EXPRESSION OF HER FACE
was truly spiritual, the beautiful, eloquent
eyes were clearer than ever, and over her en-
tire figure was poured that holiness with which
the nature of just person in the last hours of
life, like a presentiment of eternal happiness,
is endowed. And when Sarah, who so early
had to take the housewives place, left the hut
and her work now and then to attend to her
mothers wants-when Abe, awkward and
slovenly as he was, crept with Sonowful face
toward the sufferers side, and looked with his
large intelligent eyes tearfully upon the invalid,
often plucking shyly, but tenderly, at the pill
lows, upon which she rested, or, overcome
with grief, bent over her powerless and ANA
ciated hands,
MINGLING THE SCALDING TEARS
with his burning kisses--even then she had a
smile for them, and no worldly anxiety was
visible in her pale. sweet face; for as Heaven
shed its glorious light over her features faith
and hope filled her heart, and robbed the
thought OF death of its horrors A lovely
autumn day was drawing to an end. The sun
had Just disappeared behind the tops of the
forrest trees; the ether, with its light, motion
less clouds, glowed in rosy hues, and shed a
soft golden light over foliage and field, and
over the cabins of the Lincoln's, 1t was yet
daylight, and the little family formed quiet