Year: 1875

was anxious to pay my respects to
Mrs. Lincoln in person ; but as she has
positively refused to see any visitors,
even declining to leave her room when
they are in the grounds, | anticipated
nothing but refusal when | sent up
my card. To the doctors surprise and
my own, Mrs Lincoln sent down word
that she would be very happy to see me
in her room, and at once accompanied
the doctor thither. She occupies a suite
in the front of the house, on the second
floor. The attendant sits in the small
room, which contains single bed. The
larger room is Mrs. Lincoln's sitting
and bedroom. 1t is very plainly fur
nished, the same as it was prior to her
coming; an ordinary three ply carpet,
of pleasant colors, harmoniously blend


ed bureau, rocking chair, lounge, and
plain bedstead with fine bed, about
which she is quite particular. Mrs. Lin
coin was seated in an expectant attitude
by the table as we entered the room !;
she at once arose, shook hands with me
cordially, and begged to be seated, and
began at once to inquire after friends in
the city. She was dressed in ordinary
black, half worn, with white ruches
edged with black in theneck and sleeves,
her dark hair, fast turning to gray, was
carelessly coifed in knot at the back
with cornet braid. She looked worn
and i'll, and her hands, ringless and un-
cared for, never at rest. The


| Tender grace of day that was dead.


did not linger about her. | could plain
ly see in her lusterless eye and in the
forced composure of her manner eviden-
ces of shattered mind She was per-
fectly ladylike in her manner, but ram
bling and diffuse in her conversation.
She alluded nationally however, to the
past; spoke tenderly of Mr.. Lincoln
once as my husband" and again as
8" the President" recalled memories of
Noah Brooks, then her husbands assist
ant secretary, with whom / had an old
time acquaintance, that he had been
for ten years engaged on the New York
Tribune; asked me with much earnest
ness if the murderer of Sharon Tyndale
of Springfield had ever been discovered,
and then alluded very feelingly to her
attachment to Judge BradwelPs family.
As | arose to leave, she took a hand
some bouquet from crystal vase on her
table, and asked me to accept Of it. As
she shook hands with me at parting, |
thought could perceive in the diplo-
matte bow and smile return of the old
society manner, and my heart was full
for the woman who sat down silent and
alone in her solitary room to keep i'm
aginary company with senators and am
bassadors in the light Of that gracious,
kindly smile long since hidden beneath
the coffin lid. 1t is one of the mercies
vouchsafed her to live life over again
with her loved ones-dear little Willie
and rollicking, boyish Tad to sit at the
head of the table and hold familiar con-
verse with them all 1t has been urged
that this is development of her life
among spiritualists, but it is the result
of scenes photographed on the brain,
which only the angel of death can erase.
Mrs. Lincoln did spend several months
at ST. Charles, in this State under an as
sumed name and in company of socie-
ty of Spiritualists, but it will never be
definitely known how much their infu-
ence had to do with her eclipse of reason.
Nor does any one seem to know who the
pock-marked man was who called on
her at the hotel and held long consulta-
tions with her, but he is presumed to be
a prominent Spiritualist. No encourage
ment is held out that Mrs Lincoln will
ever become permanently we'll, but she
could not be in better place for her
complete restoration. Here she has no
responsibility of thought or action. The
noise and panorama of the streets can
not bewilder her. The injudiciousness
of friends cannot reach her; she is una
ware of the slightest restraint, and can
read. write, ride or walk at her pleasure.
She orders her meals as she would at
home, and is served in her room or at
the family table, as she prefers; her son
Robert visits his mother every week,
bringing her favorite grandchild with
him frequently. Here at least, the poor
lady can ind-if not the fading pleas
ures and brief triumph of life-its per-
feet peace-the peace that passeth un-
derstanding-the rest of nature and