The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-12
Lincoln Again In Love.

Through the influence of Joshua f.
Speed who was a 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, Il have often happened in the
room where they were sitting" relates
Mrs. Edwards, describing this courtship,
land Mary invariably led the converse
ton. Mr.. Lincoln would sit at her side
and listen. He scarcely said a 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 a 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 a girl to her friends in
Kentucky, that she was destined to marry
a president. have heard her say that
NY sui, anu dluCI illAhSiihS cONAOoy LII
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 I
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 a 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 rival. AS
society man Douglas was infinitely more
accomplished, more attractive and in1u-
entail 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 II
plain his intention to become the lat
rival. There are those who believe
warm reciprocation of young Douglas /
lection was mere Irritation on NJ y
Todd's part, intended to spur Lincoln lp,
to make him more demonstrative and
manifest his love more positively and with
greater fervor. But 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
titude she felt bound to maintain between
these two young men ended in spell of
sickness. Douglas, still hopeful, was
warm in the race, but the lady's physi- |
cian-her brother-in -law-Dr. William
Wallace, to whom she confided the real
cause of her illness, saw Douglas and in
luced him to end his pursuit, which he
lid with great reluctance.
Broken Chains Mended.
If Miss Todd intended by her Irritation
With Douglas to test Lincoln's devotion,
he committed grievous error. If she
believed, because he was ordinarily SO I'M
that he was without will
lower and incapable of being aroused, she
certainly did not comprehend the man.
lincoln began now to feel the sting.
Miss Todd's spur had certainly operated
md with awakening effect. One evening
lincoln came into our store and called for
lis warm ffiend Speed. Together they
walked back to the fireplace, where Lin
oln, drawing from his pocket a letter,
sked Speed to read it.
1.-The letter." relates Speed, twas ad-
lressed to Mary Todd, and in it he made
plain statement of his feelings, telling
Ter that he had thought the matter over
almly and with great elaboration, and
low felt that he did not love her suffi-
iently to warrant her in marrying Kim.
This letter he desired me to delivei
Jpon my declining to do so he threatened
o intrust it to some other PERSONS hand.
reminded him that the moment he
laced the letter in Miss Todd's hand she
would have the advantage over him,
Words are forgotten, / said, 'misunder-
TODD, unnoticed in private conversation,
nut once put your words in writing and
hey stand a living and eternal monument
gainst you Thereupon threw the up-
letter in the fire. Now, con-
inued, If you have the courage of man
God, go see Mary yourself Tell her, if
GU do not love her. the facts, and that
on will not marry her. Be careful not to
ny too much, and then leave at your
arliest opportunity. Thus admonished,
Q buttoned his coat, and with rather
etermined look started out to perform
he serious duty for which had just Civ
y him explicit directions.
That night Speed did not go up stairs to
ed with us, but under pretense of want
lg to read remained in the store below.
e was waiting for Lincolns return. Ten
clock passed, and still the interview |
18th Miss Todd had not ended At length, {
Iortly after IL, he came stalking in. =
oeed was satisfied, from the length of :
lncoln's stay, that his directions had not !
zen followed. 1
well, old fellow, did you do as 1 told c
~ and as you promised" were Speeds +
st words. q
Yes, did," responded Lincoln S
oughtfully, land when 1 told Mary I p
not love her she burst into tears and :
most springing from her chair and :
ringing her hands as if in agony said
netting about the deceiver being him v
f deceived" Then he stopped. y
What else did you say9" inquired o
eed, drawing the facts from him. n
To tell you the truth, Speed, it was d
} much for me. l found the tears trio n
ng down my own cheeks. caught her ~
my arms and kissed her" "
And that's how vou broka tho aro.. al