The herald., 1895-05-18


Herndon and Jesse ". weik. Copyright, 1855,
by Jesse ". weik. Copyright, 1892, by D. Ap
pleton & Co.
The time fixed for the marriage was the
lst day in January, 1s41. Careful prepara-
tions for the happy occasion were made at
the Edwards mansion. The house unde--
went the customary renovation, the furni-
ture was properly arranged the rooms
neatly decorated the supper prepared and
the guests invited Tho latter assembled
on the evening in question and awaited in
expectant pleasure tho interesting cerc-
mony of marriage. The BRIDE bcdecked
In veil and silken gown and norvously
toying with the flowers in her hair, sat in
the adjoining room. Nothing was lacking
but the groom. For some strange reason
he had been delayed. An hour passed, and
the guests as well rs the bride were be-
ooming restless. But they were all doomed
tc disappointment. Another hour passed,
messengers were sent out over town, and,
each returning with tho same report, it
became apparent that Lincoln, the princi-
pal in this little drama, had purposely
failed to appearl Tho bride, in grief, dis
appeared to her room, the wedding supper
was left untouched, The guests quietly and
wondcringly withdrew, the lights in the
Edwards mansion were blown out, and
darkness settled over all for the night.
What the feelings of a lady as sensitive,
passionate and proud as Miss Todd were
we can only imagine-no one can ever de-
scribe them. By daybreak, after persistent
search, Lincoln S friends found him. Rest
less, gloomy, miserable desperate he
seemed an object of pity His friends,
Speed among tho number, fearing tragic
termination, watched him closely in their
rooms day and night.
KNIVES and razors and all the instru-
ments that could be used for self destruc-
tion were removed from his reach. " Mrs.
Edwards did not hesitate to regard him as
insane, and of course her sister Mary
shared in that view. But the case was
hardly so desperate. His condition began
to improve after few weeks, and letter
written to his partner Stuart on the 23d
of January, 1S41, three weeks after the
scene at Edwards house, reveals moro per
fectly how he felt. He says: Il am now
the most miserable man living. If what
feel were equally distributed to the
whole human family, there would not be
one cheerful face on earth. Whether
shall ever be better, cannot tell. aw-
L
am is impossible. i must die or be better,
as 1t appears to me. fear shall be un-
able to attend to any business here, and a
change Of scene might help me. If could
be myself, l would rather remain at home
with Judge Logan. l can write no more "
Taken to Kentucky.
During all this time the legislature to
which Lincoln belonged was in special ses-
sion, but for timo he was unable to at
tend. Toward the close of the session,
however, he resumed his seat. He took lit
tie II any part in the proceedings, made
no speeches and contented himself with
answers to the monotonous roll call and
votes on a few Of the principal measures.
After the adjournment CT the legislature
his warm friend Speed, who had disposed
of his interests in Springfield, induced
Lincoln to accompany him to Kentucky.
Speeds parents lived in a magnificent
place few miles from Louisville. Their
farm was well stocked, and they, in the
current phrase, "lived we'll" Thither he
was taken, and there amid the quiet sur
roundings he found the change of scene'
which he told Stuart might help him. He
was living under the cloud of melancholia
and sent to the Sangamon Journal few
lines under the gloomy title of Suicide. :"
fcw years since hunted over the files,
and coming across the number containing
them was astonished to find that some
one had cut them out. l have always sup
posed it was done by Lincoln or by some
one at his instigation.
Speeds mother was much impressed
with the tall and swarthy stranger her
son had brought with him. She was a
God fearing mother, and besides aiding to
tighten his spirits gave him a Bible, ad
vsing him to read it and by adopting its
precepts obtain a release from his troubles
which no other agency in her Judgment
could bring him. He was much de-
pressed. At first he almost contemplated
suicide" But the oongenial associations at
the Speed farm, the freedom from un-
pleasant reminders the company of his
stanch friend and, above all, the motherly
care and delicate attentions of Mrs. Speed
exerted marked influence over him. He
improved gradually, day by day gaining
strength and confidence in himself, until
at last the great cloud lifted and passed
away. In the fall ho and Speed returned
to Springfield. At this point, as affording
us the most reliable account of Mr.. Lin
coins condition and views, it is proper to
insert portion Of his correspondence with
Mr.. Speed. For some time Mr.. Speed was
reluctant to give these letters to the world.
After some argument, however, he at last
shared my view that they were properly a
matter of history.
Lincoln as a Conso1er.
The first of these letters is one he gave
Speed when the latter started on his jour
ney from Illinois to Kentucky. 1t bears no
date, but was handed him Jan. l, 1S42, as
Speed has testified in another letter to
me that he left Springfield on that day.
1t is full of consolation and advice how
best to conduct himself during the periods
Of gloom which it appears Speed himself
had when he was courting his wife. Il
know" he says, what the painful point
with you is at all times when you are un-
happy. 1t is an apprehension that you do
not love her as you should What non
sense! How came you to court her? Did
you court her for her weallths Why, you
say she had none. But you say you rea-
soned yourself into it, What do you mean
by thats Was it not that you found ycur
self unable to reason yourself out of it!
Did you not think, and partly form the
purpose, of courting her the first time you
ever saw her or heard of her? What had
reason to do with it at that early stagei
There was nothing at that time for reason
to work upon. Whether she was moral,
amiable, sensible, or even of good charac-