Abraham and Mary in Love

Abraham and Mary in Love by JG Hampton

Abraham and Mary in Love by JG Hampton 2015 Smashwords edition; please respect the time and effort of the author by paying for your e-book before downloading; e-books make great gifts, but do return to smashwords.com and purchase the e-book before sharing it with a friend. Enjoy other e-books by the author under her pseudonym, JG Hampton: Abraham Lincoln and His Sons, Confessions of a Former Fairy Godmother, Diary of a Wimpy Czarovitch, The Secret in the Garden, Thomas Edison Reinvents Himself, Charlotte and the Humongous Bat, Charlotte and the Ice cream Factory, Charlotte and the Easter Rabbit, Polygamy, Was it Worth Dying For?

Three Ornery Blind Mice and Haunted Tales, Halls and Toys

Author's Commentary:

Mary Lincoln has been voted the second to the last favorite first lady in public opinion polls, a position that this author thinks she does not deserve. Without Mary, her vision, her efforts, her love and her belief in her husband, Abraham Lincoln would never have been president. Without the genius of Abraham Lincoln, his tenacity, his insight, his temerity, and faith in God, the country would not have been salvaged. Grateful acknowledgement is due to the Library of Congress for the cover photos.

Chapter One - Some Enchanted Evening December 1839

'Tis the season to be jolly,' this was the last thought that crossed the mind of the thirty year old lawyer as he stomped the snow off his boots before entering one of the grandest houses in Springfield, Illinois. Abraham put on his best smile which lit up his thin face. He was wearing a new black bow tie, that and the smile were his two concessions indicating that he had dressed for the festive Christmas dance. His ill fitting black suit was the only one he owned and he wore it every day of the week. Removing his silk top hat and his shawl, he gave them to a thirteen year old boy hired for that purpose. Take care of it; I'd hate to lose it. It also serves as a document carrier, he said as he handed the lad his black hat; then he finger combed his coarse jet black hair before ambling down the hallway to the ballroom. The immense room was hung with boughs of holly and green pine branches with plenty of silver bells amid the red bows which glistened in the flickering candlelight of the wall sconces and the hundred candles glowing in the elaborate chandelier. He noticed the mistletoe hung at every opening and in the alcoves of the French windows, but no one kissed him.

A kaleidoscope of color flashed before his eyes as the full ball gowns in every color of the rainbow whirled around the parquet floor to the lively music. His large feet were itching to dance when he heard the bubbly Southern tune, but he headed towards the refreshment table until he could get his bearings and select a dance partner. A gaggle of bachelors hung together behind the long table that was laden with tiny sandwiches, cookies, petit fours and the all important punch bowl filled to the brim with sparkling red punch. Everything was covered in paper snowflakes frosted with silver glitter and artificial snow. Recognizing the leonine head of Stephen A. Douglas in the crowd he set off in his direction.

The music stopped just in time for him to shake the small lawyer's hand. Billy Herndon was one of the bachelor's who was coming off the dance floor with a pretty belle wearing ringlets, a gorgeous gown pinned with a large corsage and silver slippers. Lincoln gave him a wink of approval and noticed a few lovelies sitting on the other side of the room waving their fans at him. Did an open fan mean come hither? He never could follow all of the surreptitious signs involved in social coquetry. His friend, Joshua Speed who shared his bed with him for two years was surrounded by a bevy of beauties in a far off corner, his best friend waved at him. Handsome Edward Baker, another up and coming lawyer, who was two years younger than Lincoln waved his handkerchief in welcome. His acquaintances had all invited him to the dance, but they were actually surprised to see their tall awkward friend actually walk through the door knowing how uncomfortable he felt around the opposite sex.

Lincoln grabbed a plate and loaded it with a few cucumber sandwiches and some chicken salad. One of the matrons of the city, Eliza Francis, acting as chaperone approached him. He smelled ashes of roses perfume long before she clasped him to her big bosom. As usual he complimented her, but he hoped he wouldn't end up with the old biddies partnering him all evening, but his courtesy never failed and he politely asked after her spinster daughter Amanda.

Amanda's out there dancing the night away waiting for you. Then he saw her…

Not far off was a fresh young face encircled by her brown hair crowned in a mass of rose buds which could only have come from a green house at this time of year. Her green silk gown was elaborate with rows of vertical pleats falling from a low but full bust line. Her snub of a nose was perfect set in a faultless face; were there dimples trying to blossom in those cheeks? A few long ringlets fell entrancingly over her shoulder and down her back. Unfortunately for him, she was surrounded by a throng of male admirers which she appeared to be entertaining. They were all listening to her apparently enraptured by her wit.

Forget it, Lincoln, said Douglas who saw the damsel who had taken his fancy.

You do have a high opinion of yourself if you think she'll notice you. It was his snide way of laughing that bothered Abraham the most. So what if he was wealthy and the best dressed man in Springfield; he was well aware that most of the women in the room had set their caps for the up and coming politician who'd been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Douglas was rather abrasive in his opinion.

Who is she?

Her name is Mary Elizabeth Todd and she lives with Ninian and Elizabeth Edwards at their mansion. She's staying for the season. Her sister Frances has just become engaged to an up and coming doctor. Their father is the famous Robert SmithTodd, the statesman, who lives in a fine home in Lexington with his second wife and numerous children. I've danced with her and she is as intelligent as the congressional whip and much better looking. She's fits perfectly in my arms and happens to be Todd's favorite daughter. She's extremely well educated and speaks French like a native. Anything else you want to know? Had he too set his sights on the enchanting Miss Todd? The fire in his eyes answered the question for Lincoln. That made the young woman all the more alluring. Douglas, I want to dance with her in the worst way.

When a lively quadrille began, Lincoln watched the lovely Miss Todd dance lightly on her daintily slippered feet. It was like watching a music box figurine gracefully dart about the room. Dancing flawlessly was only one of her many charms. As luck would have it, the old biddy Francis could tell by Lincoln's body language that he was smitten since he couldn't take his eyes off of her. At the next lull in the music, she dragged him over and introduced the pair to each other. Lincoln had a way with the opposite sex over the age of fifty. For some reason they all wanted to take him under their wing and teach him how to fly.

Miss Mary Todd, this is my young lawyer friend, Abraham Lincoln who is from Kentucky. He's been practicing law for three years now, but I believe you know that already since one of your relations, another Todd is sharing his office with him. Mary looked him over boldly from the tip of his head to the toes of his unpolished boots. There was nothing demure in her appraisal.

Mary, dear, I think you've nothing in common with this demi-god who might be ideal for you since I've heard opposites attract. But then again I've heard both of you conjecturing about politics and feel that you just might be soul mates, said the wrinkled matchmaker. Mary laughed at this and offered her dance card for Lincoln to sign.

At five foot two inches to his six foot four inch frame, they made an odd couple. He had to bend himself in half in order to put his arm on her shoulders; he danced jerkily carefully avoiding her toes with his black boots while trying to enfold her petite hands in his well scarred giant paws. After dancing one dance, Mary managed to take his arm and pull him into an alcove where they could talk rather than risk injury. There was something about the man which drew her to him. Was it the sadness in his gray eyes or was it the fact that he could quote entire passages of Shakespeare from memory as well as complete poems by Burns, her favorite poet. When he said the very words Romeo had said to his love Juliet chills ran down her spine. Was it his rawness that compelled her to take him in hand?

Lincoln continued to receive invitations into the inner social circle of Springfield's eligible throughout the holidays and into the New Year. Often he saw Stephen Douglas escorting Mary around the streets of Springfield both talking a mile a minute about Whig and democratic frontrunners. When he had the occasion to converse with her at the next dance, he sat enthralled to hear her brilliant thoughts vocalized as he gazed at her pretty pink face and ardent hand gestures. Rarely were twenty-one year old females so well versed on every subject including Mathematics. Mary seemed to be like him in that way soaking up difficult subjects like a sponge. However, clearly she had a better education thanks to her unusual father who deemed it essential that his daughters have something in their pretty heads to discuss with the gentry at the dinner table and thrash about by the firelight cold winter nights.

After a few months, they had an understanding between them. They didn't mention this to anyone. They liked nothing better than to read poetry to each other late into the night under the moonlight or under the glow of a candlestick in her best friend Jayne's parlor; she liked debating various Whig positions with the astute lawyer. There was not a demure bone in her body. No one in Springfield was as adroit at debate as Mary Todd even though it was a most unladylike activity. However, Ninian Edwards, Mary's guardian, began to grow suspicious when Lincoln kept gracing their parlor week after week. Mary's pink face flushed pinker whenever he entered her presence. One time he actually caught Mary sitting on Lincoln's lap kissing him when he was the last guest to leave at the dance they hosted in May. Elizabeth Edwards was aghast. It had gone far enough. He's not good enough for her. Something must be done, Ninian.

That something appeared in the beautiful form of his sixteen year old cousin, Mathilda Edwards. The young beauty arrived at the mansion on the top of the hill in Springfield by train soon afterwards as another ward of the anxious Ninian Edwards. Mary welcomed her warmly since the two would be sharing a bed in one of the large upstairs bedrooms. Mary sensed trouble that first Sunday in October at the Episcopalian Church. Male eyes could not take their eyes off Mathilda when she batted her long eyelashes at them. How could anyone be blessed with so much beauty and talent wondered Mary? Singing like an angel was another of her gifts to her dismay. Apparently everyone including Abraham Lincoln who was almost twice her age had fallen under the siren's spell.

At the next dance, Mathilda and Mary wore the same color of gowns in a show of camaraderie. Mary had made matching corsages and done the girl's hair in an elegant upswept hairdo trying to get over her feelings of jealousy. Serving those we envy is a way to overcome the pangs of jealousy, said her older wiser sister who was aware of her younger sister's intense animosity towards beautiful Mathilda.

Mary had always been proud of her décolletage and her shapely shoulders, but she felt like a harpy in comparison to this fresh young girl. How long would she be remaining? Company was like fish-- after three days; in Mary's and Poor Richard's (Ben Franklin's opinion) Mathilda began to stink.

Pinching her cheeks to bring roses, she waited for Abraham to arrive at the Francis home. Mathilda sat like a princess amidst her admirers on the round settee off to the side of the ball room. Her dance card had been filled practically the moment she entered the house. Lincoln had come in dressed in his usual black attire and had escorted Mary to a dark corner of the ball room holding her hand tightly. Perhaps this would be the night when he'd say the words. Then the strains of Tchaikovsky filled the room as the strings of the violins and the cello began to play. Stephen Douglas had the first dance with Mathilda Edwards who looked like a pale blue water lily floating delicately on a pond in his arms. Out of the corner of his eyes, Lincoln stared transfixed at the vision in the middle of the dance floor not even trying to hide his hungry gawk. Mary, seeing his brazen gape stamped her foot on his large boot before running out of the room yelling loudly: Why, Mr. Lincoln, I do believe your tongue is hanging out of you mouth. It's almost as long as your ungainly arms, you big buffoon. Mathilda's welcome to you. Her friend Jayne following closely at her heels. Apparently, Jayne's beau had the next dance with the young beauty. Was nothing sacred not even commitments? Men are so treacherous! yelled Jayne leaving large turbulent waves behind in her wake. Nothing is sacred when the green eyed snake slithers into a room.

The Todd /Lincoln understanding was completely over in December. Lincoln, the cad had called on Mary and told her about his feelings for Mathilda. He was as usual nothing but honest. Would he always be so candid? Mary also learned that this was his third understanding with a woman. She no longer felt special. Did the man have eternally cold feet? Ironically, Mathilda was horrified to find out what had transpired. She had no plans on accepting the gangly scarecrow's advances let alone a husband. Beguiling as she was she hadn't set about seducing anyone. Ninian and Elizabeth purred as if they were well fed cats that night by the parlor fire as they sat roasting chestnuts. Perhaps now Lincoln would move to greener pastures.

Mary, I'm sorry it has come to this, said Lincoln making his apologies. He pulled her on his lap and kissed her good-bye one last time. Why she allowed this indecency proved that her feelings for him were ambivalent. However, she made certain that everyone in Springfield who mattered was well aware that she had