Shoshone journal., 1921-11-04
CHAPTER xxIiI-continued.


rived IN Springfield to visit her sister
Mrs Ninian w Edwards. She was
fashionably dressed, good-looking cir
Of blae-gray eyes and dark hsir.
"Well, Mary. haven't you found tn,
fortunate young man yety' sir. I'd
wards playfully asked the day OF bel
coming.
you know. my husband Is going
20 be President Of The United State:
and ! hoped inat ! would find him In
Springfield Mary answered IN like
vein.
There's great fishing here said
Mr.. Edwards. Il know the very man
you 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 10 be the President Of
the United States. Hes wise and
witty and straight as a string, but
rough diamoad-bis awkward and
honcly. You're just the girl 10 take
him Ia hand and give him a little pol
ssh and push him along. His name IS
Abraham Lincoln"
Speed knew the Todds. When he
called upon Mary she asked about Mr..
Lincoln and said size would ike TO
meet him.
She's inst tie girl for you, Abe"
Speed said 10 him that evening. "She
Is bright and well educated and her
family has influence. She could be a
great help 10 YOU
THIS interested the member from
Sangamon county who was indeed
eogeF 10 get along. The companionship
Of refined young lady was the very
thing be needed.
LET'S go over and pay our respects
10 her" Speed suggested. They went.
Lincoln being carefully dressed In hii
first suit Ct black clothes. Miss Todd
was bright. yivacious girl Of middle
sioture, twenty-five years old. She
WAS fashionably dressed ard carried
her head proudly-a smart-looslng,
witty. well spoken girl. but not espe-
cialiy handsome. Honest Abe was
deeply impressed by her talk and fine
manners and general comeliness. He
felt her grace and charm and spoke
Of II with enthusiasm. But 10 him
and TO her there seemed TO be an lal- |
passable gulf between them. She
changed 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. II was a handsome face 1
In those moments OF high elation.
Hardship and malarial poison had |
lined and sallowed his skin. The
shadows Of loneliness and sorrow were
in its sculpturing. But when 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
noble and impressive beauty. To
quote his own words to the boy. Josiah
Traylor, his character was speaking
as wen as his Hips. Mary had the in
sight TO recognize his power She felt
the strength of his spirit. She agreed
with her friends that here was a man
of great promise. She felt the need
OF him.
To cle who loved beauty and re
spected women as he did the grace
and refinement of this young lady had
a singular appeal coupled. as II was.
with the urge of hA strong, masculine
nature. Ii was revelation. He WAS
like young pcet going out Into the
open and seeing for the first time the
Of farfr ~ Of ha ]
or "the exquisite. delicate. thin curve
Df the new moon in spring" He be-
yan 10 seek and study refinement of
ho0ght Of manner, OF dress. OF ex-
preston. He knew that he needed !
Mary. but had the feeling that she
vas not for him. \
A woman who lived near the Ed. 1
sards' house had small, hairy |.
,oodle dog. One day, as Abe and Mary
we're walking along the street. they
net this woman. who asked n they 4
isd seen her dog. (
Il wouldn't wonder II some one down !
he street had got him tied 10 the end
4 pole and is using him 70 ssah or
.is windows said Abe Lincoln with
J good nafured laugh. "Iu fry 10 Z
nd him f0r yup-
Nary eniogel run and This and iise
a.lies ~ fAe yougg legislator addod
cerain zesi = fheir friendship n
fousn ane ilse c9lidrfD iu fieir ioYe
Z h0pcr
1i.e flnHurgs Douglas sss in Niss
0Id aI lttri ~ murh value 900 Us