Mower County transcript., 1895-06-12

"a j ana persuaded that 9ew per sons splaced, 4
highsr estamate on education than ha did, Re-
lpectfully yours, 81 NARY 8. vINnyARIa
s. The reference 70 lincoln . deficiency
''in these little links ~ whichs make up|
the chain of woman's 9 happiness u 81
40 little significance. Il tproved that his
training had indeed been different from
hers "a short time i again wrote
Mr.. Vineyard to inquire as Is the trutl,
of 4 story current in New Salem that
one day 90 she and Mrs. Bowlin Greene
we're climbing up the hill to Able's.
house they were Joined BY Lincoln; that
Mira. Greene was obliged to carry her
,hild, 9 fat baby boy, to the summit;
that Lincoln strolled oarelessly along.
offering no assistance to the woman who
bent under the load. Thereupon Miss
Owens. censuring him for his neglect
reminded him that in her estimation hu
would not make a good husband. In
due time came her answer: \, !. T. Y +:
WESTON. NO.. July e, 1893
DEAR 6IR-l do not think you are pertina,
cious In asking the question relative to old
Mrs.. Bowlin Greene, because wish to ret You
right on that question. Your information no
doubt came through my cousin. Mr.. Gaines
0Feane,i who visited us last winter. Whilst
here he was laughing at me about Mr. Lincoln
and among other things spoke about the cir
oamotance In connection with Mrs. Greene and
child MY impression II now that tacitly ad.
mitted It, for 1t was season OF trouble with
me, and gave but little heed to the matter.
We never had any hard feehngs towards each
other that know Of. On no occasion did I say
to Mr.. Lincoln that did not believe he would
make kind husband because he did not ten
der his services to Mrs Greene in helping Of
her carry her babe As said to you in for.
mer letter., thought him lacking in smaller
attentions. One circumstance presents itself
just now to my minds eye There was com.
pany OF us going to Uncle Billy Greene's. Mr..
Lincoln was riding with me, and we had a very
bad branch to cross The other gentlemen
were very otficious in seeing that their partners
got safely over. We were behind, he riding in,
never looking back to see how got along.
When rode up beside him, l remarked :N"You
are q nice fellow! suppose you did not care
whether my neck was broken or not" He
laughingly replied-I suppose by way Of com.
pliment-that he knew was plenty smart to
take care Of myself.
In many things he was sensitive almost to q
fault He told me Of an incident-that he was
crossing prairie one day and saw before him
"a hog mired down, " to use his own language
He was rather "fixed up" and he resolved
that he would pass on without looking at the
shoat. After he had gone by he said the feel
ing was irresistible, and he had to look back.
and the poor thing seemed to say wistfully,
"There now, my last hope is gone;" that he
deliberately got down and relieved it from its
difficulty.
In many things we were congenial spirits
In politics we saw eye to eye, though since
then we differed as widely as the south is from
the north. But methinksI hear you say, "Save
me from q political woman!" So say I.
The last message I ever received from him
was about q year after we parted in Illinois
Mrs. Able visited Kentucky, and he said to her
In Springfield, "Teu your sister that think
she was great fool because she did not stay
here and marry me.". Characteristic Of the
mani Respectfully yours.
K, MARY s. VINEYARD.
We have thus been favored with the
lady's side of this case, and it is but
fair that we should hear the testimony
Of her honest but ungainly suitor.
Fortunately for us and for history we
have his view Of the case in series of
letters which have been preserved with
sealous care BY the lady's family. The
first letter was written from Vandalia,
Dec. IS, 1886, where the Legislature to
which h. ',r'onged was in session. After
reoiting progress of legislation and
the fatterlng prospect that then existed
for the removal of the seat of govern
ment to Springfield, he gets, down to
personal matters by apprising her Of his
illness for few days, coupled with the
announcement that he is mortified by
daily trips to the postof1ce in. quest OF
her letter, which it seemed never would
arrive. "You see," he complains, II
am mad about that old letter yet. I
don't like to risk you again. I'll try
you once more anyhow" Further along
in the course Of the missive he says:
"You recollect mentioned at the outset
Of this letter that had been unwell
That is the fact, though I believe I am
about we'll now, but that, with other
things cannot account for, have con.
spired, and have gotten my spirits sc
low that feel that I would rather be
in any place in the world than here
really cannot endure the thought Of
staying here ten weeks. Write back al
soon as you get this, and, II possible,
say something that will please me, 70,
really have not been pleased since
left you.' =
4 After the adjournment Of the legisla
ture be returned to; Springfield. from
which point he found time to commune
cate with the friend whose case wa.
constantly uppermos IN his mind. Herr
ID one araoteristio letter: ~ ! IL r.
IA /5ss 4 spR1NarinID, May .. 1887.
'FRIrND MARY-1 have commenced two let
ters to send you before this, both Of which dis
pleased me before got half done. and 60 I'tor'
them up. The drst thought. WASH + seriou
enough, and the second was on the other ex
treme. ! shall send this. turn ont as 1t may.
This thing Of living In Springfield ia rathe,
duh business, after all. At least 1t Is 20 7,
me. j am quite "a lonesome here as ~ eve
was anywhere In my life. have been spokel
to by but one woman since I've been here, an.
should not have been by her II she could hav
avoided 1t. I've never been to church yet m,
probably shalt not be soon. I stay away be
cause am conscious ] should not know how i
behave myself. ! am often thinking Of wha
/ We said Of your coming to live at Springfield
am afraid you would not be satisfied. Their
II : great deal Of dourishing about in carriage
here, which It would be your doom to see with
harn NO