saying, 'I must secure a cup of tea for a lady friend with me
who has a head-ache.' I had scarcely returned to the car,
when he entered it with a cup of tea borne by his own
aristocratic hands. I was a good deal annoyed by seeing him,
and he was so agitated that he spilled half of the cup over
my _elegantly gloved_ hands. _He_ looked very sad, and I
fancied 609 Broadway occupied his thoughts. I apologized for
the absent lady who wished the cup, by saying that 'in my
absence she had slipped out for it.' His heart was in his
eyes, notwithstanding my veiled face. Pity for me, I fear,
has something to do with all this. I never saw his manner
_so_ gentle and sad. This was nearly evening, and I did not
see him again, as he returned to the lady, who was his
sister-in-law from the East. * * * What evil spirit possessed
me to go out and get that cup of tea? When he left me,
_woman-like_ I tossed the cup of tea out of the window, and
tucked my head down and shed _bitter tears_. * * At the depot
my darling little Taddie was waiting for me, and his voice
never sounded so sweet. * * * My dear Lizzie, do visit Mr.
Brady each morning at nine o'clock, and urge them all you
can. I see by the papers Stewart has returned. To-morrow I
will send the invoice of goods, which please to not give up.
How much I miss you, tongue cannot tell. Forget my fright and
nervousness of the evening before. Of course you were as
innocent as a child in all you did. I consider you my best
living friend, and I am struggling to be enabled some day to
repay you. Write me often, as you promised.

"Always truly yours,
"M. L."

It is not necessary for me to dwell upon the public history of Mrs.
Lincoln's unfortunate venture. The question has been discussed in all
the newspapers of the land, and these discussions are so recent that it
would be useless to introduce them in these pages, even if I had an
inclination to do so. The following, from the New York _Evening
Express_, briefly tells the story:

"The attraction for ladies, and the curious and speculative of the other
sex in this city, just now, is the grand exposition of Lincoln dresses
at the office of Mr. Brady, on Broadway, a few doors south of Houston
street. The publicity given to the articles on exhibition and for sale
has excited the public curiosity, and hundreds of people, principal