Page images
PDF
EPUB

anything like it? Why, I never had so much money in my life before, put it all together." Then crossing his arms across the table, his manner sobering down, he added, "I have got five hundred dollars; if it were only seven hundred and fifty dollars, I would go directly and purchase a quarter-section of land, and settle it upon my old stepmother."

His friend said, if the deficiency was all he needed, he would loan him the amount, taking his note, to which Mr. Lincoln instantly acceded.

His friend than said: "Lincoln, I would not do just what you have indicated. Your stepmother is getting old, and will not probably live many years. I would settle that property upon her for her use during her lifetime to revert to you upon her death."

With much feeling Lincoln replied: "I shall do no such thing. It is a poor return, at the best, for all the good woman's devotion and fidelity to me, and there is not going to be any half-way business about it;" and so saying, he gathered up his money and proceeded to carry into execution his long-cherished plan.

CHAPTER VII.

LINCOLN was again elected to the Legislature in 1838, and served his term with acceptance. In 1840 he did not seek a re-election, as his business needed his close attention. His partner, Major Stuart, had been elected to Congress, and for three or four years he had attended to all the business of the firm, rendering a scrupulous account of every transaction to his partner.

In 1841 the partnership was dissolved, and he entered the office of Judge Logan as junior partner. For the first time he was associated with a man of thorough scholarship and his influence was just that of which Lincoln stood most in need. He was thus led to closer study and to take a deeper and broader view of the duties and responsibilities of his profession.

In 1840 he had acquired sufficient political celebrity to be nominated for elector on the Whig ticket, and he spent much time speaking in its interests during the campaign in various parts of the State and in Indiana. This campaign, known as the "log-cabin and hard cider" campaign was the most unique one ever carried on in the country. General Harrison had been nominated by the Whigs, which party had been disastrously defeated in the last two Presidential campaigns. After his nomination the Democratic orators made slighting allusions to his obscure origin

and his supposed taste for hard cider. These were seized upon as the rallying cry of the campaign, and log-cabins sprang up, as if by the stroke of a magician s wand, in every part of the country. Many of these cabins were mounted on wheels, and drawn from one place to another, amid demonstrations of the wildest enthusiasm, in a sort of rude triumphal procession. The by-word and reproach of the enemy became the slogan of victory, and the tide set strongly in favor of the Whigs.

The financial measures of Van Buren's administration had been of such a character, as to weaken, for a time, the confidence of the people in the Democratic policy and leaders, and Harrison was elected by a large majority, only to die within one month of his inauguration.

Lincoln shared in the prevailing enthusiasm and contributed in no small degree to the vast increase in the Whig vote in Illinois. His peculiar ability in argument and discussion was often called into play, and several times he was pitted against Douglas, who was destined to be, in the future, his opponent in the great debates that attracted the attention of the English-speaking race. The discussions were more in the character of rough-and-tumble contests than of conflicts between trained gladiators, and Lincoln generally carried off the palm. His political work was performed at the expense of his legal practice, however, and at the end of the campaign he found himself richer in political influence, but with a financial loss which he could ill afford.

It was shortly after the close of the "Log-Cabin" campaign that he met Mary Todd, who was destined

to exercise so great an influence over his after-life. She had recently come to Springfield from Kentucky, her former home, to live with her sister, the wife of Ninian W. Edwards, a prominent politician and lawyer, and who subsequently became Governor of the State.

She was descended from one of the old Kentucky families of high respectability and aristocratic connections. In appearance she was beautiful and attractive, of high culture and exceedingly bright in conversation. She joined to these agreeable attributes a high temper and a great ambition. She was once heard to say that the man she should marry would become President. Lincoln became infatuated with her wit and beauty, and began to pay his addresses to her. Douglas, his political rival, also entered the list and strove for the favor of the young stranger. Personally Lincoln could bear no comparison with Douglas, yet Miss Todd finally chose him, for what reason it would be difficult to tell, since she is said to have preferred Douglas.

Lincoln was accustomed to call upon her at the house of her sister, where he would sit for hours and listen to her brilliant conversation, as if under some magic spell. The contrast between the two could hardly have been greater, both physically and mentally. In one thing only were they in entire harmony, and that was ambition.

General Singleton, who was a young lawyer in Springfield at this time, tells the following story:

"The bevy of bright young ladies, to which Miss Todd belonged before her marriage to Mr. Lincoln, used to have a good deal of sport at this awkward young man's expense. One evening, at a little party, Mr.

Lincoln approached Miss Todd and said, in his peculiar idiom:

"Miss Todd, I should like to dance with you the worst way."

The young lady accepted the inevitable, and hobbled around the room with him. When Miss Todd had returned to her seat, one of her mischievous companions said:

"Well, Mary, did he dance with you in the worst way?"

"Yes," she answered, “the very worst."

His courtship was distinguished with the somewhat novel incident of a challenge to fight a duel. '

At this time there was living in Springfield, James Shields, a gallant, hot-headed bachelor, from Tyrone County, Ireland. Like most of his countrymen, he was an ardent Democrat, and he was also a great beau in society. Miss Todd, full of spirit, very gay and a little wild and mischievous, published in the Sangamon Journal, under the name of "Aunt Rebecca of the Lost Townships," some amusing satirical papers ridiculing the susceptible and sensitive Irishman. Indeed, Shields was so sensitive he could not bear ridicule, and would much rather die than be laughed at. On seeing the papers, he went at once to Francis, the editor, and furiously demanded the name of the author declaring that, unless the name of the writer was given, he would hold the editor personally responsible. Francis was a large, broad man, and Shields was very thin and slim, and the editor realized that, with his great bulk, it would be

'Arnold's "Life of Lincoln."

« PreviousContinue »