Evening star., 1928-12-30
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intention to do all in my power to make
her happy and contented, and there is
nothing I can imagine that would make
it more unhappy than to fail in the
effort. I know should be much hap
pier with you than the way am, pro-
vided saw no signs of discomfort in
you. What you have said to me may
have been in jest, or I may have mis-
understood it. If so, then let 1t be for
gotten; If otherwise, I much wish you
would think seriously before you decide.
For my part have already decided.
What I have said will most positively
abide by, provided you wish it. My
opinion is that you had better not do it..
You have not been accustomed to hard
ship, and it may be more severe than
you now imagine. l know you are capa-
BILE of thinking correctly on any subject,
and If YOU deliberate maturely upon
this before you decide, then I am will
ing to abide your decision"
Lincoln and Girl Meet.
August 16 of the same year, 1887,
Lincoln had meeting with Miss Owens
in New Salem, ILL.,, but it apparently
resulted in nothing definite, for upon
his return to Springfield the same day,
he wrote asking for her to make a
The letter follows:
Last Note to Girl.
Friend Mary:
"You no doubt will think 1t rather
strange that should write you a
letter on the same day on which We
parted; and I can only account for
1t by Supposing that seeing you lately
makes me think of you more than
usual, while at our late meeting we
had but few expressions OF thoughts.
You must know that cannot see
you or think Of you with entire IN
difference; and yet 1t may be that
you are mistaken in regard to wnat
my real feelings toward you are. II
I knew you were not, should not
trouble you with this letter: Per-
haps any other man would know
enough without further information,
but I consider 1t my peculiar right
to plead ignorance and your bounden
duty to allow the plea.
"I want in all cases to do right; and
most particularly so in all cases with
women. want, at this particular time,
more than anything else, to do right
with you, and If knew 1t would be
doing right, as rather suspect 1t would,
to let YOU alone, would do 1t. And for
the purpose of making the matter as
plain as possible, I now say that you
can NOW drop the subject, dismiss your
thoughts (if you ever had any from
me more miserable, nothing more happy,
answered, without calling forth one &C
cusing murmur from me. And VIII
even 60 farther, and say that II 1t Will
add ANYTHING to your comfort or peace
of mind to do so, 1t Is my sincere wish
that you should.
do not understand by this that I
wish to cut your acquaintance. mean
no such thing. What do wish is that
our further acquaintance shall depend
upon yourself. If such further ac-
ouaintance would contribute nothing to
your happiness, am sure 1t would not
to mine. If you feel yourself in any
degree bound to me, am now willing
to release you, provided you wish 1t;
while, on the other hand, am willing
and even anxious to bind you faster
If can be convinced that 1t will in
any considerable degree add to your
question with me. Nothing would make
me more miserable. nothing more
happy, than to know you were so.
"In what have now said. think
cannot be misunderstood, and to make
myself understood is the sole object Of
this letter.
"If it suited you best to not answer
this-farewell-a long life and a merry
one attend you. But If you conclude to
write back, speak as plainly as do.
There can be neither harm nor danger
in saying to me anything you think,
lust in the manner you think it.
MY respects to your sister.
"Your friend, LINCOLN"
Lincoln, in a letter to Mrs. o. H.