The Jasper news., 1921-12-22
cHApTER xxlll--contInusd.

About this time Miss Mary Todd. the
daughter Of a Kentucky banker, ar
rived in Springfield to Visit her sister,
Mrs. Ninian w. Edwards. She was |
fashionably dressed, eood-looking girl
Of blue-gray eyes and dark hair.
We'll Mary, haven't YOU found the
fortunate young man yetT' Mr.. Ed
wards pIayfully asked the day Of her
coming.
'Tou know. my husband is going
to be President OF the United States
and Iehoped that / would End him In
Springfield" Mary answered IN a like
vein. ta.ftb W.
There's great fishing here" said
Mr.. Edwards II 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 a 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 dlamond--big, awkward ana
homely. You're just the girl to take
him In hand and give him a little poll
ish 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 she would Ike 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
great help to you"
This interested the member from
Sangamon county. who was indeed
eager to get along. The companionship
of a refined young lady was the very
thing he needed.
Lets go over and pay our respects
to her." Speed suggested. They went,
lincoln being carefully dressed In his
first suit of black clothes. Miss Todd
was bright, vivaclous girl Of middle
stature, twenty-five years old. She
was fashionably dressed and carried
her head proudly--a smart-looklng.
witty. well spoken girl. but not espe-
clally handsome. Honest Abe was
deeply impressed by her talk and fine
manners and general comeliness. He
felt her grace and charm and spoke
OF IT with enthusiasm. But TO him
and to her there seemed to be an Inn
passabIe 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
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
gIowed with passion one saw not tbs
rough mask which the life OF tbs
pioneer had given him. His form LOS
its awkwardness: his face took on .
noble and impressive beauty. IL
quote HIS own words to the boy, JOSIAH
Traylor, his character was speaking
as well as his lips Mary had the in
sight to recognize his power. She fel
the strength Of his spirit. She agreed
with her friends that here was MAJ
of great promise. She felt the meet
Of him.
To one who loved beauty and re
spected women as he did, the grac
and refinement of this young lady ha,
q singular appeal. coupled, as II was
with the urge Of his strong, masculin
nature. 1t was revelation. He wa
like young poet going out into tn
open and seeing for the FIRST time tn
mysterious beauty OF the mountain
or "the exquisite. delicate, thin curv
OF the new moon in spring" He be
gan TO seek and study refinement Q
thought, Of manner, Of dress. Of el
preston. He knew that he needle
Mary. but had the feeling that sh
was not for him.
q A woman who lived near the EC
wards house had a small. nair
poodle dog. One day, as Abe and Mar
were walking along the street the
met this woman. who asked II the
had seen her dog.
II wouldn't wonder II some one dow
the street had got him tied to the en-
Of a pole and is using him to swab 0
his windows.r said Abe Lincoln Wit
Rood-natured laugh. "I1l Try (
fnd him for you
Mar enjoyed fun AMI this and ~
ssilles Of tae young legislatoF adqe