The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1922-05-12

~ N'~~'teL
Deeply Impressed by Her Talk and
Fine Manners.
Of 1t with enthusiasm. 8W to nm
and to her there seemed to be an i'm
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. 1t was a handsome face
In those moments Of high citation.
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 a
noble and impressive beauty. To
quote his own words to the boy, Josiah
Traylof, his character was speaking
as well a. 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 a man
Of great promise. She felt the need
Of him.
To one who loved beauty and re-
spected women az he did, the grace
and refinement Of this young lady had
a singular appeal, coupled, as it was,
with the urge Of his strong, masculine
nature. It 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 1.-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.
A woman who lived near the Ed
wards house had small, hairy
poodle dog. One day, as Abe and Mary
were walking along the street, they
met 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 pole and Is using him to swab off |
his windows" said Abe Lincoln with |
gOOd-natured laugh. I'll try to |
find him for you"
Mary enjoyed fun and this and like
sallies OF the young legislator added
certain zest to their friendship.
Women are like children in their love
of humOr.
The diminutive Douglas saw in Miss
Todd an asset Of much value and his
attentions began to be assiduous. Mary
was Indifferent to his lofty manner
and sonorous vocalisn. Abe Lincoln
liked her better for that.
She encouraged the visits of the lat
ter end invited his confidence. The
fact filed him with 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
were 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 1t over.
1t 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 on the subject Of slavery and the
kindred one of state rights. His man.
ners were not like hers. They grew
out Of ones history ana 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 were not for him. It saddened
him to conclude that he would have
to be for long time just what he was
awkward, unlearned in the
graces and amenities Of cultivated
people. He rightly judged that his
crudeness would be 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 50
much concern him as her hack 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
on the subject Of their mar
riage and frankly but tenderly stated
his conviction that 1t would imperil
her happiness to marry him. Before