The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-10

~ '.RIIApS of all the Presidents no
- one had stranger love affairs
than Abraham Lincoln.
His first sweetheart was a
tavern Keepers daughter. For her he
had 90 affection that endured through
H., li..
n -'Cund romance was grotceque
E,rD, nus a sutton found himself In n
NOR. ridiculous situation than did Lin
coin IN this instance. His manpuvres
TO cNttcatc himself from his fancied
engagements furnish rare insight into
his character. Queer to relate, when
thr lad. rejected him. "a he hoped and
prayed but doubted that she would he
BEGAN to have a real tender regard for
her
His third adventure with cupid even
tuatcd IN his marriage, but not until
there had been a disagreement that
broke ,hc engagement and postponed
the Wedding nearly year. Incident
ally. Lincoln appeared on the duelling
ground for the first and last time
shortly before the marriage. He was
challenged as a result of political
satire his lady love wrote. Happily for
all concerned. the duellets patched up
their quarrel without the letting Of
blood
Ann Rutlcdge was Lncoln's first love,
hu, it is doubtful If she ever loved him
Her father James Rutledge. was one of
the founders Of settlement on the
Sangamon River called New Salem that
thrivcd for half IA dozen years or more.
had dreams If greatness and then with
cred The father kept tavern and
there Lincoln went tn board when in
1881 he left his home and became clerk
in a mill that his friend Denton Offutt
started in New Salem.
AT breakfast. dinner and supper he
sat by the side Of the tavern keepers
daughter He was 90: she was less than
20. She was sad of heart and he tried
to cheer her. She was to have married
James Mcneil. a member of a wealthy
family. hut Mcneil went East osten-
sibly On a business trip. and after writ
Ing a few letters To her she heard moth
Ing more from him. Lincoln's sympathy
ripencd into deep affection. but the girl
was faithful for more than year to
the memory Of Mcneil.
Even If the girl had been willing.
Lincoln was in no position to marry.
He was very poor. He WAS one Of the
first to volunteer in the Black Hawk
war When the war was ended he re-
turned To New Salem, ran for the Leg
stature and was defeated.
His financial condition at this time |
was such that he seriously contemplated |
becoming a blacksmith in order To make |
a living. An opportunity came to him |
to get an interest in a store without |
putting up any actual money. He was |
a wretched storekeeper and his partner |
was no better The business did not |
flourish hut his courtship did.
He and Ann Rutledge sat at night on |
the tavern steps or walked along the |
roads around the little settlement. They |
were young. and youth is the age OK
glamour Lincoln was beginning to think
Of a career as a lawyer. He believed
he would he able in "A year or two to
SUPPORT a wife. Ann could not forget
Mcneil. hut the devotion Of Lincoln
prevailed and she consented to marry |
him.
The summer of their engagement was
the happicst, perhaps, in all of Lncoln's
life. Ann Rutledge was beautiful In |
face and figure and charming in every
way. She was not tall and was rather
delicate. At times when they wandered
further from the set lemeut than they |
realized and she would become little
weary Lincoln, whose strength was I'M
usua'. delighted in taking her up in his
arms and carrying her as If she were
u child
With their engagement everything
seemed 20 brighten for Lincoln. He was
appointed postmaster. he began TO make