The herald., 1895-05-05
SKETCHES FROM THE LIFE OF LINCOLN

Through the influence OF Joshua +.
Speed, who was q warm friend of the Ed |
wardses, Lincoln was led to call on Miss |
Todd. He was charmed with her wit and |
beauty no less than by her excellent social |
qualities and profound knowledge of the
strong and weak points in individual char
acter One visit succeeded another. 1t |
was the old story. Lincoln had again fall
en- in love. II have often happened in the
room where they were sitting" relates
Mrs Edwards, describing this courtship,
land Mary invariably led the conversa-
tion. Mr.. Lincoln would sit at her side
and listen. He scarcely said word, but
gazed on her as if irresistibly drawn to-
ward her by some superior and unseen
power. He could not maintain himself in
a continued conversation with lady
reared as Mary was. He was not educated
and equipped mentally to make himself
either interesting or attractive to the Ia
dies Mary was quick, gay and in the So
cial world somewhat brilliant. She loved
show and power and was the most ambi-
tious woman I ever knew. She used to
contend when girl, to her friends in
Kentucky, that she was destined to marry
president. 1 have heard her say that
myself, and after mingling in society in
Springfield she repeated the seemingly alb
surd and idle boast. Although Mr.. Lin
coin seemed to be attached to Mary and
fascinated by her wit and sagacity, yet
soon began to doubt whether they could
always be so congenial. In short time
told Mary my impression that they were
not suited or, as some persons who be-
lieve matches are made in heaven would
say, not intended for each other.''
But Mrs. Edwards advice was seed
sown on rocky soil. The courtship ran on
smoothly to the point Of engagement,
when new and disturbing element
loomed up ahead in their paths. 1t was
no less than the dashing and handsome
Stephen A. Douglas, who now appeared
on the scene in the guise of a rival AS a
society man Douglas was infinitely more
accomplished, more attractive and influ-
ential than Lincoln, and that he should
supplant the latter in the affections of the
proud and aristocratic Miss Todd is not to
be marveled at. He was unremitting in
his attentions to the lady, promenaded the
streets arm in arm with her, frequently
passing Lincoln, and in every way made
plain his intention to become the latter's
rival. There are those who believe this
warm reciprocation Of young Douglas af-
fection was a mere Irritation on Mary
Todd's part, intended to spur Lincoln up,
to make him more demonstrative and
manifest his love more positively and with
greater fervor. But a lady relative who
lived with Lincoln and his wife for two
years after their marriage is authority for
the statement coming from Mrs. Lincoln
herself that 'she loved Douglas, and but
for her promise to marry Lincoln would
have accepted him." The unfortunate at
c~IA
these two young men ended in spell of
sickness. Douglas, still hopeful, was
warm in the race, but the ladys physi-
cian-her brother in law-Dr. William
Wallace, to whom she confided the real
cause of her Illness saw Douglas and in
duced him to end his pursuit, which he
did with great reluctance.
Broken Chains Mended.
If Miss Todd intended by her Irritation
with Douglas to test Iincoln's devotion,
she committed gricvous error. If she
believed, because he was ordinarily SO un-
demonstrative that he was without will
power and incapable of being aroused, she
certainly did not comprehend tho man.
Lincoln began now to feel the sting.
Miss Todd spur had certainly operated
and with awakening effect. One evening
his warm friend Speed. Together they
walked back to the fireplace, where Lin
coin, drawing from his pocket letter.
asked Speed to read it.
Tho letter." relates Speed, Twas ad-
dressed to Mary Todd, and in it he made
plain statement of his feelings, telling
her that he had thought the matter over
calmly and with great deliberation, and
now felt that he did not lovo her suf1i-
GENTLY to warrant her in marrying him.
This letter he desired me to deliver.
Upon my declining to do so he threatened
to intrust it to somo other PERSONS hand.
l reminded him that the moment he
placed tho letter in Miss Todd S hand she
would have the advantage over him.
Words are forgotten, l said, msunder
stood, unnoticed in Il private conversation,
but once put your words in writing, and
they stand a living and eternal monument
against YOU Theroupon l throw the un-
fortunate letter in tho fire. Now, l con-
tinued, if you have the courage of man.
hood, go SEQ Mary yourself. Tell her, if
you do not love her. the facts, and that
you will not marry her. Be careful not to
say too much and then leave at your
earliest opportunity Thus admonished,
he buttoned his coat, and with rather
determined look started out to perform
the serious duty for which had just Civ
Ell him explicit directions
That night Speed did not 60 up stairs to
bed with us, but under pretense of want
ing to read remained in the store below.
He was waiting for Lincoln's return. Ten
O'Clock passed, and still the interview
with Miss Todd had not ended. At length,
shortly after II, he came stalking in.
Speed was satisfied. from the length Of
Lincolns stay, that his directions had not
been followed.
"Well, old fellow, did you do as I told
you and as you promised" were Speeds
first words
'Yes, I did," responded Lincoln
thoughtfully, land when I told Mary 1
did not love her she burst into tears, and
almost springing from her chair and
wringing her hands as If in agony said
something about the dcceivcr being him.
self deceived Then he stopped
"What else did you say9" inquired
Speed drawing the facts from him.
Ito tell you the truth, Speed, it was
too much for me- I found the tears trio
king down my own ch eeks. l caught her
in my arms and kissed her. )"
And that's how you broke the engage
ment," sneered Speed. "You not only
acted the fool, but your conduct was tan
tamount to renewal Of the engagement
and in decency you cannot back down
now -