The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1921-11-11
CHAPTER xxIII-continued.

About this time Miss Mary Todd, tn
daughter OF a Kentucky banker, a
rived In Springfield to visit her siste
Mrs. Ninian w. Edwards. She was
fashionably dressed. good-looking gil
|of biue-gray eyes and dark hair.
swell, Mary, haven't you found tn
fortunate young man yetY Mr.. Ed
wards playfully asked the day Of he
coming.
You know, my husband is goin,
to be President Of the United States
and I hoped that would find him In
Springfield" Mary answered In like
ivein.
There's great fishing here" said
Mr.. Edwards. II know the very man
lyon are looking for. He has come up
from the ranks and is now the most
popular member of the legislature. He
can make stirring speech and they
say he is going to be the President of
the United States. He's wise and
witty and straight as a string, but
rough diamond-big, awkward and
homely. You're just the girl to take
him In hand and give him a little pol
iish and push HIN elong. His name is
Abraham lincoln"
Speed knew the Todds. When he
called upon Mary she asked about Mr..
Lincoln and said she would like to
meet him.
"She's just the girl for you, Abe"
Speed said to him that evening. "She
Is bright and well educated and her
family has influence. She could be a
great help to you"
This interested the member from
Sangamon county, who was indeed
eager to get along. The companionship
lof a refined young lady was the very
thing he needed.
Lets go over and pay our respects
Ito her, Speed suggested. They went,
Lincoln being carefully dressed in hib
first suit Of black clothes. Miss Todd |
was bright, vivacious girl of middle |
stature, twenty-five years old. She
was fashionably dressed and carried
her head proudly smart-looking.
witty, well spoken girl, but not espe-
cially handsome. Honest Abe was
deeply impressed by her talk and fine
manners and general comeliness. He
felt her grace and charm and spoke
of 1t with enthusiasm. But to him
and to her there seemed to be an I'M
passable gulf between them. She
her mind about that, how
ever, when she heard him speak and
felt the power of his personality and
saw his face lighted by the candle Of
his spirit. 1t was a handsome face
IN those moments OF high citation.
and malarial poison had
ined and sallowed his skin. The
shadows of loneliness and sorrow were
n Its sculpturing. But when his eyes
Flowed with passion one saw not the
rough mask which the life Of the
,ioneer had given him. His form lost
Is awkwardness his face took on a
loble and impressive beauty. To
uote his own words to the boy, Josiah
rraylor, his character was speaking
S well as his lips. Mary had the In
light TO recognize his power. She felt {
be strength Of his spirit. She agreed
nth her friends that here was a man i
( great promise. She felt the need s
him.
To she who loved beauty and re-
pected women as he did, the grace
nd refinement of this young lady had |
singular appeal. coupled, as 1t was,
18th the urge of hi strong. masculine T
AZURE. 1t was a revelation He was
Ike young poet going out into the n
ND or hn f1t-Cf |
ysterious beauty of the mountains II
: ''the exquisite, delicate, thin curve II
the new moon In spring" He be- H
In to seek and study refinement of z
ought, Of manner, of dress, Of ex- (.
'ession. He knew that he needed *
airy. but had the feeling that she
as not for him. N
A woman who lived near the Ed "
ards house had small, hairy II
odle dog. One day, as Abe and Mary
ere walking along the street. they I
ct this woman, who asked II they
d seen her dog.
II wouldn't wonder IL some one down
e street had got him tied to the end
pole and is using him to swab on -
) windows" said Abe Lincoln with !
good-natured laugh. I'm try to r
d him for you"
Mary enjoyed fun and this and Sike
lies Of the young legislator added
certain Eest % their friendship. IlW
omen are like children in their love VII
humor. WI
The diminutive Douglas cav In Miss
id an asset Of much value and his
entions began to be assiduous. Mary
S Indifferent to his lofty manner n.
d sonorous vocalism. Abe Lincoln
ed her better for that.
She encouraged the visits OF the lat tal
and invited his confidence. The ser
t filled him with great JOY. They ]
Mt about together. In the Edwards err
.lor he modestly told her OF his Su
rk and his life plan. She differed of
n him on certain subjects which ?
e unfortunately fundamental. He let
NOT live bAr bo hod loved Ann -.