The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-07-19
IKE CHEs OF LINCOLN.
Fhe Missing Bridegroom---Dis-
appointed Bride.
EHE UNTOUCHED WEDDING SUPPER

speed Fakes Lincoln to His Home In Ken
tucky-His Correspondence With Speed
Restored spirits-C Goodness With Mar,
@ Passing Away-Gaining Confidence.
From ''The Life of Lincoln" by william FL
Herndon and Jesse W. Weik. Copyright, 1888
by Jesse W. Weik Copyright, 1892, by D. Ap
2M pleton q Co.
The time fixed for the marriage was the
1st day in January, 1s41 Careful prepare
IN tions for the happy occasion were made al
the Edwards mansion. The house under
went the customary renovation, the furni-
N ture was properly arranged, the rooms
neatly decorated, the supper prepared and
y the guests invited. The latter assembled
on the evening in question and awaited in
expectant pleasure the interesting cere-
mony of marriage The bride, bedecked
in veil and silken gown and nervously
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 as the bride were be-
coming restless. But they were all doomed
~ AuObueF DUur pdSSeu
messengers were sent out over town, and
each returning with the same report it
became apparent that Lincoln, the princi
pal in this little drama, had purposely
failed to appearl The BRIDE in grief, dis
appeared to her room, the wedding supper
was left untouched, the guests quietly and
wonderingly withdrew, the lights in the
Edwards mansion were blown out, and
darkness settled over all for the night
What the feelings of lady as sensitive,
passionate and proud as Miss Todd were
we can only imagine-no one can ever de-
scribe them. By day break, after persistent
search Lincoln S friends found him. Rest
less, gloomy, miserable, desperate, he
seemed an object of pity. His friends,
Speed among the Der, 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, 1871, three weeks after the
scene at Edwards house, reveals more per
fectly how he felt. He says: Il am now
the most misera BILE man living. If what
I feel were equally distributed to the
whole human family, there would not be
one cheerful face on earth Whether T
shall ever be better, l cannot tell. aw-
fully forebode shall not To remain as
am is impossible. l must die or be better
as it appears to me 1 fear l shall be I'M
a tO atf TO h11c
change of scene might help me. If could |
be myself 1 would rather remain at home |
with Judge Logan. can write no more. "
Taken to Kentucky.
During all this time the legislature to
which Lincoln belonged was in special ses-
sion, but for a time he was unable to at
tend. Toward the close of the session.
however, he resumed his seat He took lit
tie If any part in the proceedings, made
no speeches and contented himself with
answers to the monotonous roll call and
votes on few of the principal measures.
After the adjournment of 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.
They were published in the paper, and a |
few years since hunted over the files, |
and coming across the number containing |
them was astonished to find that some |
one had cut them out. I 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 Bible, ad.
vising him to read it and by adopting it's
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 congenial associations at
the Speed farm, the freedom from I'M
pleasant reminders the company of his
stanch friend and, above all, the motherly
care and delicate attentions of Mrs. Speed
exerted a marked influence over him. He
improved gradually, day by day gaining
puIShSVu COuuu6uC0 III HllIS6ll, uHbll |
at last the great cloud lifted and passed
away. In the fall he 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
matter of history
Lincoln a Consider.
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. /, 1912, 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 counting his wife. Il
know, he says, what the painful nniat
with yoC is at all times when you are I'M
happy. 1t is al apprehension that you do
not love her as you should. What non
sensel How came you TO court her? Did
you court her for her weallthy WHY Won