The herald., 1895-05-20

great admiration for Lincoln's brains and
noble qualities. The esteem was mutual,
and it is no stretch of the truth to say that
for years Lincoln exercised undisputed
control of the columns of The Journal him
self Whatever he wrote or had written
went into the editorial page without ques-
tion.
Mrs. Francis, sharing her husbands
views of Lincoln's glorious possibilities
and desiring to do Mary Todd kindly
act, determined to bring about reconcil-
iation. She knew that Miss Todd had
by letter few days after that fatal 1st
of January, 1S41,' as Lincoln styled it,
released him from the engagement, and
that since then their relations had been
strained, if not entirely broken off. As
she viewed it, a marriage between man
as promising in the political world as Lin
coin and woman as accomplished and
brilliant in society as Mary Todd would
certainly add to the attractions Of Spring
field and reflect great credit on those who
brought the union about. She was great
social entertainer, and one day arranged
gathering at her house for the express
purpose of bringing these two people to-
gether Both were invited and both at
tended, but neither suspected the Others
presence. Having arranged things so in
geniously and with so much discretion, it
was no difficult task for the hostess tn
bring the couple together by warm in
PRODUCTION and the encouraging admoni-
tion, BE friends again" Much to the
surprise of both, they found tho web WOW
an around them. They entered into the
spirit of the reconciliation and found Mrs.
Francis roof an inviting place for many
succeeding meetings. A wall reared itself
between them and the past, and they
started again under the auspicious omens
Of another engagement The tact of a
woman and the diplomacy of society had
accomplished what love had long since
despaired of ever doing or seeing done.
The meetings in the parlor of Mrs.
Francis house We're conducted with no
little privacy. At first even Mrs. Edwards
knew nothing of it, but presently it came
to her ears. Il asked Mary" said this
lady, why she was so sccretive about it.
She said evasively that after all that had
occurred it was best to keep the courtship
from all eyes and cars. Men and women
and the whole world We're uncertain and
slippery, and if misfortune befell the en-
Ragement all knowledge Of it would be
hidden from the world. "
Married to Miss Todd.
1t is unnecessary to prolong tho account
of this strange and checkored courtship.
Tho Intervention of the affair with Shields
IN no way impeded If il did not hasten
the marriage Ono morning in November,
Lincoln, fastening to the room of his
friend James H. Mathcney before the lat
ter had arisen from bed, informed him
that he was to be married that night, and
requested him to attend as best man. That
san,e morning Miss Todd called Oh her
friend Julia NJ. Jayne, who afterward
married Lyman Trumbull, and made
similar request. The Edwardses were no.
titled and made such mcager preparations
as were possible on so short notice License
was obtained during the day, the minis
ter, Charles \. Dresser, was sent for, and
in the evening of Nov. 4, 1S42 las pale
and trembling as if being driven to slaugh-
ter" Abraham Lincoln was at last mar
ried to Mary Todd
Ono great trial of his life was now over,
and another still greater one was yet to
come. TO me it has always seemed plain
that Mr.. Lincoln married Mary Todd to
save his honor, and in doing that he sac
rificed his domestic peace. He had search
cd himself subjcctively, introspectively,
thoroughly. He knew he did not love her.
but he had promised to marry her! The
h1dcous thought came up like night
mare. AS the fatal 1st Of january
1S41," neared, the clouds around him
backened the heavens and his life almost
went out with the storm. But soon the
skies cleared. Friends interposed their
aid to avert a calamity, and at last he
stood face to face with the great conflict
between honor and domestic peace. He
chose the former, and with it years of self
torture, sacrificial pangs and the loss for
ever of happy home.
With Miss Todd different motive, but
one equally as unfortunate, prompted her
adherence to the union. To marry Lin
coin meant not life Of luxury and ease,
for Lincoln was not man to accumulate
wealth, but in him she saw position i'll
society," prominence in the world and the
erandest social distinction. BY that means
Ler ambition would bo satisfied. Until