The herald., 1895-04-24
SKETCHES FROM THE LIFE OF LINCC00I ,Nl

Lincoln; that Mrs. Greene was obliged to
carry her child, a fat baby boy, to the
summit; that Lincoln strolled carelessly
along, offering no assistance to the woman
who bent under the load. Thereupon Miss
Owens, consuming him for his neglect re-
minded him that in her estimation he
would not make a good husband. In due
time came her answer:
WESTON, Mo-, July %. 1865.
Mr.. ". Fl. Herndon:
DEAR SIR-I do not think you are pertina-
cious in asking the question relative to old
Mrs. Bowlin Greene, because wish to set you
right on that question. Your Information no
doubt came through my cousin, Mr.. Gaines
Greene, who visited us last winter. Whilst
here ho was laughing at me about Mr.. Lincoln
and among other things spoke about the cir
cumstance in connection with Mrs. Greene and
child. My impression is now that tacitly ad-
mtted it, for it YVES a season of trouble with
me, and gave but little heed to the matter.
We never had any hard feelings towards each
other that know of. On no occasion did say
to Mr. Lincoln that did not believe he would
make q kind husband because he did not ten
der his services to Mrs. Greene in helping of
her carry her babe AS said to you in a for
mer letter, thought him lacking in smaller
attentions. One circumstance presents itself
just now to my minds eye. There was COM
pany Of us going to Uncle Billy Greenes. Mr..
Lincoln was riding with me, and we had a very
bad branch to cross. The other gentlemen
were very officious in seeing that their partners
got safely over. We were behind, he riding in,
never looking back to SEQ how i got along.
When rode up beside him, remarked: "You
nice fellowl l suppose you did not care
whether my neck was broken or not" He
laughingly replied-I suppose by way of com
pliment-that he knew was plenty smart to
take care Of myself.
In many things he was sensitive almost to
fault. He told me of an incident-that he was
crossing prairie ono day and saw before him
"a hog mired down, " to use his own language.
He was rather fixed up" and he resolved
that he would pass on without looking at the
shoat. After he had gone by he said the feel
ing was irresistible, and he had to look back,
and the poor thing seemed to say wistfully,
"There now, my last hope is gono;" that he
deliberately got down and relieved it from its
difficulty.
In many things we were congenial spirits.
In politics we sew eye to eye though since
then we differed as widely as the south is from
the north. But mcthinks hear you say, "Save
me from political womanl" So say l.
Tho last message ! ever received from him
was about year after we parted in Illinois,
Mrs. Able visited Kentucky, and he said to her
in Springfield "Tcll your sister that think
she was u great fool because she did not stay
hero and marry me-" Characteristic of the
mani ReSpoctfully yours,
MARY S. VINEYARD.
We have thus been favored with the la
dy's sido OF this case, and it is but fair
that we should hear tho testimony of her
honest but ungainly sutton. Fortunately
for us and for history we have his view of
tho case in a series of letters which have
been preserved with Jealous care by the la
dy's family. The first letter was written
al, Al
legislature to which he belonged was in
session. After reciting the progress of
legislation and the tlattcring prospect that
then existed for tho removal Of the seat of
government to Springfield, he gets down
to personal matters by apprising her of his
illness for few days, coupled with the an-
nouncement that he is mortified by daily
trips to the postoffice in quest of her let
ter, which it seemed never would arrive.
"You sec," he complains, Il am mad
about that old letter yet. l don't like to
risk you again. I'll try you once more
anyhow" Further along in tho course of
the missive he says: You recollcct 1
mentioned at the outset of this letter that
I had been unwell That is the fact
though l believe l am about we'll now, but
that, with other things cannot account
for, have conspired, and have gotten my
spirits so low that feel that l would rath-
or DO in any place in the world than here.
/ really cannot endure the thought of stay
ing hero ten weeks. Write back as soon as
you get this, and, If possible, say some
thing that will please me, for really 1
have not been pleased since l left you.
This letter is SO dry and stupid" he
mournfully concludes, THAT am ashamed
to send it, but with my present feelings
cannot do any better"
After tho adjournment of the legislature
he returned to Springfield, from which
point it was matter of easy driving to
reach New Salem, where his ladylove was
sojourning, and where he could pay his
addresses in person. 1t should be borne in
mind that no had by this timo removed to
Springfield, the county seat, and entered
OIL tho practice of tho law. In tho gloom
resulting from lack CT funds and the dim
prospect for business he found time to
communicate with tho friend whose case
was constantly uppermost in his mind.
Here is ono characteristic letter:
SPRINGFIELD, May Z, 1887
FRIEND MARY-l have commenced two let
tiers to send you before this both Of which dis
pleased me before got half done, and so tore
them up. The first, thought wasn't serious
enough, and the second was on the other ex-
tremc. l snail SenQ THIS, TURN OUT as III may.
This thing of living in springfield is rather
dull business, after all. At least it is 50 to
, me- l am quito as lonesome here as D ever
was anywhere in my life | have been spoken
to by but one woman since I've been here, and
should not have been by her if she could have
avoided it. Two never been to church yet and
probably shall not be soon. ! stay away be-
cause am conscious should not know how to
behave myself. am often thinking OF what
we said of your coming to live at Springfield
am afraid you would not be satisfied. There
Is great deal of fourishng about in carriages
here, which it would be your doom to see with
out sharing in it. You would have to be poor
without the means of hiding your poverty DO
you believe you could bear that patiently?
Whatever woman may cast her lot with mine,
should cny one ever do so, it is my intention
to do all in my power to make her happy and
coatented, and there is nothing can imagine
that would make me more unhappy than to
fail in tho effort. ] know should be much
happier with you than the way am, provided
] saw no signs Of discomfort in you.
What you have said to me may have been in
Jest or / may have misunderstood it. If so,
then let it be forgotten; if otherwise much
wish you would think seriously before you de-
eide. For my part have already decided.
What have said will most positively abide by,
provided you wish it, My opinion is you had
better not do it. You have not been accuston
ed to hardship, and it may be more severe than
you imagine. know you are capable OF think