Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1909-02-11

rection Mr. Shields in the other
Iey were given seats on logs and left themselves
Whle seconds and peacemakers discussed the situation
IN short time serious defect in the proceedings on
the part of Shields light The challenge had
Deen sent prematurey The mistake is explained quite
clearly In the Alton traditions Lincoln had amused
hhsef and had entertained the Wings by writing funny
Ieters to Springfield paper about the Democrats and
signing his epistle Aunt Rebecca." Mary Todd who aft
eFWards became Mrs Lincoln Julia Jayne conspired
TO add to the gayey the community by getting up an
Aunt Rebecca" letter of their composition and send
ing it to the paper along with verses which they
signed "Cathleen" The letter which the girls wrote
went outside of politics contained burlesoue pro-
posai OF marriage to Auditor Shields Now the auditor
aferward United States senator from three states
ana brave general of two wars fiery young man.
While Springfield laughed Shields began an investiga
tlon. He demanded of the editor the Aunt
Rebecca.' The girls became frightened. Bunn the
banker, went to Mr. Lncoln's office and said:
We've got into awful fix"
Whats the matter?" asked Lincoln
The girls have written poetry on Shields" said
BUM. Didn't you see it in the paper? Well, Shields
says he won't stand it. What shall do about t?"
You back and when you meet Shields tell him
wrote it," said Lincoln.
Shields accepted this without verifcaon and sent the
challenge Shields saw the proceeding further
when he learned that Lincoln not the writer For
an hour or more the writing and exchanging of notes
went on. Meantime the population of stood in
dense the river bank looking across the chan
mel and having good view of all of the movements.
"Bil Souher good reporter that he was kept his eyes
the principals. told fox some time after the
landing Lincoln Shields sa. quietly on their logs
Lincoln said nothing, and SoEther thought he looked
serious. After while something happened and South
er said that when he saw it he nearly blew up" The
bundle of sabre5 had been laid log waere
Lincoln sitting Lincoln and took up one
of the weapons. He drew the blade slowly from the
scabbard Souther said ut looked long as fence
rail"
Holding the blade by the back Lincoln looked closely
at the edge and then after the of who has
been grinding scythe knife he began feel
gingerly the edge with the ball of his thumb BY this
time 'BP Souther tremendously interested. Hold
ing the sabre by the handle Lincoln stood
about him. He evidently saw what he was looking for
in willow tree several feet away Raising the mighty
weapon with his long arm, Lincoln reached clipped
one of the topmost twigs of the willow When had
thoroughly satisfied himself the efficiency the
broadsword he sat down. A few minutes later the
respondence closed terms honorable both par
ties"
AS the boat put back to Alton the spectators
bank Mortified lying prone upon the deck
figure covered with blood, while weknown Altonan
leaned over the figure plying fan vigorously Not
til the boat close in shore it that figure
a log of wood and that the bloody" covering was
red flannel shirt Wentworth dropped the FAM stood I'D
and grinned.
Lincoln story which will die is the reply the
president made the criticism Of Grants habits Lin