Ambitious to go to the White House—A hope long entertained—The
desire gratified—Impressed with this feeling in early
youth—Calculated the probabilities of such a success with
friends—Refused to marry a statesman—Accepts a less brilliant man
believing in his future—A Kentuckian by birth—Member of the Todd
family—Childhood and youth—Restless and not happy at home—Goes to
Springfield, Illinois—The attractions of this place—Residence
with her sister—Marriage to Abraham Lincoln—Their home at the
Globe tavern—The husband’s letter—Early married life—Mr. Lincoln
elected to Congress—His wife and children at home—State of the
country—The public life of Mr. Lincoln—His fondness for his
children—A good husband and kind man—Mrs. Lincoln a fortunate
woman—The mother of four children—Her pleasant home—The
aspirations and efforts of her husband—His character untarnished
by corruption—The place he fills—The basis of his greatness—The
time of war and anxiety—Less fortunate than any of her
predecessors—The people not gay—Social duties ignored—The
conditions under which her Washington life was passed—Preceding
events—Republican Convention of 1860—The nomination of Mr.
Lincoln—Mrs. Lincoln’s excitement—Her husband’s
thoughtfulness—His remark about her—The excitement over the
result—Springfield crowded with strangers—A great crowd at Mr.
Lincoln’s house—An elated woman—Her husband a grave man—Had none
of the airs of eminence—The same honest, simple-hearted
man—Answered his own bell—Mrs. Lincoln annoyed by visitors—Her
husband receives his guests elsewhere—Not inclined to be
friendly—Her improper estimate of her position—Very ambitious but
not conciliatory—A singular circumstance—Superstition of Mr.
Lincoln—The thrice repeated apparition—His wife’s interpretation
of it—A sign of his future honors and sudden death—Viewed in the
light of subsequent events—Its startling import—Mrs. Lincoln
starts for Washington—Her three sons with her—At Springfield—A
salute of thirty-four guns—At Cincinnati—The family of General
Harrison—The inauguration—General Scott in command of the
troops—An exciting day in Washington—Presidents Buchanan and
Lincoln—The oath of office administered—At the White House—Mrs.
Lincoln and her sisters—The first levee—The lady of the White
House—Description of her appearance—The desire of her heart
gratified—A fortunate woman—Fond of society and excitement—Not
equal to the emergency—Her conduct criticised—State dinners
abandoned—Years of hardship and trial to Mr. Lincoln—The death of
their son—Grief of both parents—Incidents of Mr. Lincoln’s love
for his children—Request to Commodore Porter—Tad’s love of
flowers—A gratification to his boy—At Fortress Monroe—Mr. Lincoln
dreams of Willie—Overcome with emotion—Reads from “King John” and
sobs aloud—A loving father—A relative’s opinion of him—Never
heard to utter an unkind word—Mrs. Lincoln in the White
House—Much alone—The state of the country preventing gayety—At
the watering-places—The Presidential Canvass of 1864—Re-election
of Mr. Lincoln—The New Year’s reception in 1865—The most
brilliant reception given—Thousands present—The war drawing to a
close—The inauguration—Anxiety concerning it—Safely
accomplished—Joy succeeds sorrow—General rejoicing at the
North—Surrender of General Lee—Peace declared—The White House
thronged—Congratulations from all directions—Anniversary of the
fall of Fort Sumter—The President and family at the theatre—The
greetings of a great audience—Those beside him—In a private
box—Looking pensive and sad—Shot—John Wilkes Booth the
assassin—Great consternation—The President removed from the
theatre—Mrs. Lincoln unnerved—At her husband’s death-bed—The
return to the White House—Grief of the nation—The afternoon
before his death—Out riding—Mrs. Lincoln’s reference to the
occasion—His remarks to his wife during the ride—They go alone at
his wish—His touching allusion to their son—“We have been very
miserable”—A miserable household—Grief of little Tad—Utterly
inconsolable—His remarks about his father—Mrs. Lincoln unnerved
by the shock—Never wholly recovers—Ill for many weeks—The funeral
cortege leaves Washington—The journey to Illinois—Mourning of the
people—Impressive scenes—The eldest son accompanies the
cortege—Returns to his mother’s side—Mrs. Lincoln’s long stay in
the White House—Embarrassed officials—President’s Johnson’s
considerate course—Final departure of Mrs. Lincoln—Death of
Tad—Subsequent life of Mrs. Lincoln—In ill-health—Travels
abroad—Petitions Congress for a pension—Restless and depressed in
spirit—The end of her ambitions, hopes and thoughts of
home-life—Life abroad—Return to America—Again at Springfield 526