The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-02-11

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One of the N ~ @
Presidents Few v Y
Smiling Moods WA
~ BRAHAM LINCOLN was a lover.
Az@WN. but he unusual lover Just
WIN as he was unusual In every other
UA &M way. His first recorded affair OF
M ~ III the heart, an emotion deeper than
~ the calf love of half-grown youth,
~. came when he was twenty-five
- - years old and clerking in a store
at New Salem, Ill. Ann Rutledge, taYernkeepers
daughter, was the girl.
The second affair came when he was about
twenty-sx. 1t began as a joke after Lincoln had
become lawyer and practicing at Spring.
field, but it caused him untold worry-because
want to marry her. The third affair took"
That is. Mary Todd became Abraham Lincolns
wife, when he was thrty-three years old
When he was youth In the wilds of southern
Indiana, Lincoln had his sentimental vaporings
enc of which appealed so strongly to his sense Of
romance that he wanted to write a story about
1t. This vaporing was the kind most OF US have
along about the time the down on our upper lip
begins to tougher.
II is doubtful IL Ann Rutledge eYr loved Lin
coin. She simply appreciated his sympathy and
affection-she had been Tilted by James McNeilI.
who tired of her and went East to escape his
obligation. Her father, James Rutledge. of
the founders OF New Salem. kept a tavern, and
there Lincoln went to board when In 1881 he left
his home and became clerk in store there
AT breakfast, dinner and supper he sat by the
side of the taVernkeeper's daughter He was
twenty-five; she was less than twenty. She was
sad OF heart and he tried to cheer her. Lincoln's
sympathy ripened into deep affection, but the girl
faithful for than year to the memory
of Mcneil.
Even if the girl had been willing. Bacoln was
in no position to marry. He was very poor. He
was one OF the first to volunteer in the Black
Hawk When the was ended he re-
turned to New Salem ran for the legislature
and was defeated. His financial condition was so
muddled at this time that he seriously contem-
plated becoming blacksmith in order to make
living. An opportunity came to him to get in
terest In a store without putting up any real
money He was a wretched storekeeper and his
partner was better. The business did not
flourish, but his courtship did. He and Ann Rut-
ledge sat at night on the tavern steps or walked
along the roads around the little settlement.
They were young and youth is the age of glamour.
Lincoln beginning to think of a career 8
lawyer. He believed he would be able in year
or two to support WIFE, Ann could not forget
Mcneil, but the devotion of Lincoln prevailed
and she consented to marry him.
The summer of their engagement was the hap
piest. perhaps. in all Of Lncolns life. Ann Rut-
ledge beautiful in face and fgslre and charm
ing In every way She was not tall and was
rather delicate. At times when she would be-
come little weary, Lincoln. whose strength was
unusual. delighted in taking her up in his arms
and carrying hes as II she were child.
With their engagement everything seemed to
brighten for Lincoln. He was appointed post
master he began to make little money doing
survey work and in the fall he was elected to
the legislature.
The young couple desided to get married IN
the spring. Ann. anxious to complete her educa-
ton. decided TO go to Jacksonville to attend an
academy there during the winter. Meanwhile.
Lincoln went to Springfield to attend the session
OF the legislature continue his law studies and
prepare for his admission to the bar in the spring
He was in Springfield when he got message
that nearly broke his heart Ann Rutledge was
dead. At the academy she contracted fever
and died In few days. Lincoln was predisposed
to melancholia. The death OF the woman he loved
so much almost upset his reason He never fully
recovered from his grief.
Ann Rutledge had been dead two or three years
when Lincoln became engaged again. In Spring
field there lived Mrs Able, with whom he was
well acquainted. She had a sister. Mary Owens
of Kentucky, who visited Springfield for short
time and TO whom Lincoln had been introduced.
Mary Owens was bright. clever and buxom. She
returned 10 Kentucky and Lincoln probably forgot
her But one day Mrs. Able informed him that
she was going to Kentucky and then. In spirit
Of banter she said to Lincoln: