The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-05-24

most ambitious woman I ever knew.
She used to contend when girl, to her
friends in Kentucky, that she was des-
tined to marry president. Ihave heard
her say that myself, and after mingling
in society in Springfield she repeated
the seemingly absurd and idle boast.
Although Mr.. Lincoln seemed to be at
tached 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 suit
ed, or, as some persons who believe
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 an engage
ment, when new and disturbing ele-
ment doomed 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 society man Douglas
was infinitely more accomplished, more
attractive and influential than Lincoln,
and that he should supplant the latter
in the affections of the proud and aris-
tocratio Miss Todd is not to be marveled
at. He was unremitting in his atten-
tions 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
rival. There are those who believe this
warm reciprocation of young Douglas
affection 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 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 attitude 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 physioan-her broth
er-in-law-Dr. William Wallace, to
whom she confded the real cause Of her
illness, saw Douglas and induced him
to end his pursuit, which he did with
great reluctance.
Broken Chains Mended.
If Miss Todd intended by her firta-
ton with Douglas to test Lincoln's de-
votion, she committed grievous error.
If she believed because he was ordinari-
ly so undemonstrative that he was with
out will power and incapable of being
aroused, she certainly did not compre-
bend the man. Lincoln began now to
feel the sting.
Miss Todd's spur had certainly operat-
ed and with awakening effect. One
evening Lincoln came into our store
and called for his warm friend Speed
Together they walked back to the fire.
place, where Lincoln, drawing from his
pocket letter, asked Speed to read it.
1.-THE letter." relates Speed, twas
addressed to Mary Todd, and in it he
made a plain statement of his feelings,
telling her that he had thought the mat
ter over calmly and with great delibera-
tion, and now felt that he did not love her
sufficiently to warrant her in marrying
him. This letter he desired me to de-
liver. Upon my declining to do so he
threatened to intrust it to some other
PERSONS hand. reminded him that the
moment he placed the letter in Miss
Todd's hand she would have the advan-
tage over him. Words are forgotten, ,
I said, misunderstood, unnoticed in a
private conversation, but once put your
words in writing, and they stand liv
ing and eternal monument against you.
Thereupon l threw the unfortunate let
ter in the fire. Now I continued, If
you have the courage of manhood, 60
see 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 admonish-
ed, he buttoned his coat, and with a
rather determined look started out to
perform the serious duty for which l
had just given him explicit directions. :"
That night Speed did not go up stairs
have often happened in the room where
they were sitting" relates Mrs. Ed
wards, describing this courtship, "and
Mary invariably led the conversation.
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 continued conversation with lady
reared as Mary was. He was not educat-
ed and equipped mentally to make him.
self either interesting or attractive to
the ladies. Mary was quick, gay and in
the social world somewhat brilliant.
She loved show and power and was the
to bed with us, but under pretense Of
wanting 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 Lincoln's stay, that
his directions had not been followed.
"Well, old fellow, did you do as l
told you and as you promised?' were
Speed S first words.
eyes, l did," responded Lincoln
thoughtfully, land when l told Mary |
did not love bor she hurst into tears