The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-02-02
Abe Was Ungallant.

Abe Was Ungallant.
One day Miss Owens and Mrs. Bow
lin Greene were making their way
slowly and tediously up the hill to
Able's house, when they were joined
by Lincoln. Mrs. Bowlin Greene was
carrying "a great big fat child, heavy
and Grossly disposed Although the
woman bent pitiably under her burden,
Lincoln offered her no assistance, but,
dropping behind with Miss Owens, be-
quilted the way according to his wishes.
When they reached the summit, Miss
Owens said TO Lincoln iaughingiy. You
would not make u good husband, Abe
They sat on the fence, and one word
brought on another till u split or
breach ensued."
Immediately after this misunder.
standing Lincoln went OF toward Ha-
vana on II surveying expedition and
was absent about three weeks. On the
first day Of his return one OF Able's
boys was sent up ito, town" for the
mail. Lincoln saw him at the tpostof-
fee and asked IL Miss Owens was at
Mr.. Able's." The boy said. Yes"
Tell her." said Lincoln, that I'll be
down to see her In few minutes"
Now, Miss Owens had determined to
spend that evening at Mlnter Ora
hams, and when the boy gave in the
report '.she thought moment and said
to herself If can draw Lincoln up
there to Graham's it will be all right"
This scheme was to operate as a test
Of Abe's love, but It shared the fate
Of some Of "the best laid schemes of
mice and men, and went 'all agley."
Lincoln. according to promise, went
down to Able's and asked Il Miss ow-
ems was In. Mrs. Able replied that she
had gone to Graham's. about one and
a half miles from Able's, due south
west. Lincoln said, "Didn't she know
was coming" Mrs. Able answered,
NO." but one Of the children said,
"Yes. ma. she did. for l heard Sam tell
her So" Lincoln sat awhile and then
went about his business. "The fat
was now In the fire. Lincoln thought,
as he was extremely poor and Miss
Owens very rich. It was fling on him
on that account. Abe was mistaken In
bis guesses, for wealth cut no figure In
Miss Owens eyes. Miss Owens re-
gretted her course. Abe would not
bend, and Miss Owens wouldn't. She
said II she had 1t to do over again she
would play the cards differently. .
She had two sons in the southern ar
my. She said that II either of them
had got into difficulties she would will
Inrly hnve gone 10 old Aha for relief ~
In Miss Owens letter OF July %.
1866. 1t will be observed that she tacIt-
" admitted to Mr.. Gaines Greene '.the
circumstances in connection with Mrs.
Greene and child" Although she here
denies the precise words alleged to have
been used by her in the little quarrel
at the top Of the hill. she does not
deny the impression his conduct left
upon her mind. but presents additional
evidence Of It by the relation of anoth-
err incident of similar character, from
which her differences were the same.
Fortunately we are not compelled to
rely upon tradition, however authentic,
for the facts concerning this interesting
episode In Mr.. Lincoln's life. Miss
Owens was still alive to tell her own
tale ut the time this narrative was
written, and we have besides his let
tiers to the lady herself. Mr.. Lincoln
wrote his account OF It us early us
1898. AS in duty bound, we shall per-
NIT the lady to speak first:
Letters From Mary Owens.
-. May l. 1866.