The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1921-11-10

q "a sculptdFlnS. Bdf Vhsn- his eyes
glowed with passion one saw not the
rough mask which the life of the
pioneer had given him. His form lost
its awkwardness; his face took on i
noble and Impressive beauty. To
quote his Own words to the boy, Josiah
Traylor. his character was Speaking
as well ID his lips Mary had the In
sight to recognize his power. She felt
the strength Of his spirit. She agreed
with her friends that-here was q man
Of great promise. She felt the need
Of him..
To n who loved beauty and re
spected women as he did, the grace.
and refinement OF this young lady had
a singular appeal coupled, as 1t was,
with the urge Of his strong, masculine
nature. 1t was "a revelation. He was
like a young poet going out into the
open and seeing for the first time the
mysterious beauty Of the mountains.
or ''the exquisite, delicate, thin curve
Of the new moon in spring" He be
gan to seek and study refinement Of
thought, ,of manner, of dress, of ex
preston. He knew that he needed.
Mary, but had the feeling that she.
was not for him. n
A woman who lived near the Ed
wards house had a small, hairy
poodle dog. One day, as Abe and Mary
we're. walking along the street, they.
net this woman, who asked If they
had seen her dog.
Il wouldn't wonder If some one down
the street had got him tied to the end
of a pole and ID using him to swab Off
his Windows said Abe Lincoln with
a good-natured laugh. "Tl try to
find him for you,
Mary enjoyed fun and this and like
sallies OF the young legislator added
a certain zest to their friendship.
Women are like children in their love
Of humor. ,t-7
The diminutivs Douglas saw in Miss
Todd IN asset Of much value and his
attentions began to be assiduous.. Mary
was Indifferent to his lofty manner
and sonorouss vocalism. Abe Lincoln
liked her better for that.
She encouraged the visits Of the lat
ter and invited his confidence. The
fact filled him with a great joy. They
went about together. In the Edwards
parlor he modestly told her of his
work and his life plan. She differed
with him on certain subjects which
we're unfortunately fundamental. He
did not love her as he had loved Ann.
But her personality pleased and fas-
cinated the young legislator. One
evening Under the spell of it he asked
her to be his wife. She consented.
Then he began to think it over.
It was like Lincoln in his, relations
with women to get the cart before the
horse, SO to speak. The points upon
which they disagreed came up for con-
%sideration. She could not think as he
did or the subject Of slavery and the
kindred one Of state rights. His man-
ners were not like hers. They grew
naturally out of ones history and Char
acter. He could be kind and gentle
in his way. But, mainly. his manners
would have to be like the rugged limbs
Of the oak. The grace and elegance
Of the water-willOw and the white
birch not for him. It saddened
him to conclude that he would have
to be for a long time Just what he was
crude, awkward, unlearned in the
graces and amenities Of cultivated
people. He rightly judged that his
crudeness would be a constant source
Of irritation to the proud Mary. As
their acquaintance progressed the
truth OF his conviction. grew more ap-
parent. This, however, did not so
much concern him as her lack of SYM
pathy with some Of his deepest mo-
tives. He decided that, after all, he
did not love her and that to marry her
would be committing a great wrong.
Some Of the unhappiest days Of his
life followed. His conscience gave
him no rest. He knew not what to do.
He wrote a letter to Miss Todd in
which he reviewed the history Of his
thinking on the subject of their
rage and frankly but tenderly stated
his conviction that 1t would imperil
her happiness to marry him. Before
sending It he submitted the letter to
his friend Speed.
The latter read it over and looked
very grave.
"What do you think Of it7'' Lincoln
asked.
II would never send a letter like
that to a lady," Speed answered. IT
you feel as you say, 80 and tell her
so, but don't put It IN a letter"
Lincoln went to see her that eve
ming and returned to his friend In q
more cheerful mood. I
ibid you tell herr' Speed asked.
Eyes, / told her."
5 "What happened.
''She burst but crying and I threw
my arms AROUND her and kissed her
and that settled It. We are going to
be married"
What an illustration Of the human
ity and chivalry Of Honest Abe was
In the proceeding!
I'm sure you'll get along III right
together" said Speed. .Your spirit
is Jealous OF any one likely TO get In
Its way. But she won't. She'll fall
In line and do what she can to help
you"