the same sorrowful expression in all the pictures I
have seen of him. I think I must have felt a certain
disappointment, for I said to my mother that he would look
much nicer if he wore whiskers, and straightway gave him the
benefit of my opinion in a letter, describing the poster and
hinting, rather broadly, that his appearance might be improved
if he would let his whiskers grow. Not wishing to wound his
feelings, I added that the rail fence around his picture
looked real pretty! I also asked him if he had any little
girl, and if so, and he was too busy to write and tell me what
he thought about it, if he would not let her do so; and ended
by assuring him I meant to try my best to induce two erring
brothers of the Democratic faith to cast their votes for him.
I think the circumstance would have speedily passed from my
mind but for the fact that I confided to an elder sister that
I had written to Mr. Lincoln, and had she not expressed a
doubt as to whether I had addressed him properly. To prove
that I had, and was not as ignorant as she thought me, I
re-wrote the address for her inspection: "_Hon. Abraham
Lincoln Esquire_."

My mortification at the laughter and ridicule excited was
somewhat relieved by my mother's remarking that "there should
be no mistake as to whom the letter belonged." The reply to
my poor little letter came in due time, and the following is a
copy of the original, which is _still in my possession_.

"_Private_.
"SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, _October 19, 1860_.
"MISS GRACE BEDELL.

"_My Dear little Miss_:--Your very agreeable letter of the
15th inst. is received. I regret the necessity of saying I
have no daughter. I have three sons; one seventeen, one
nine, and one seven years of age. They, with their mother,
constitute my whole family. As to the whiskers, having never
worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of
silly affectation if I were to begin wearing them now? Your
very sincere well-wisher,

"A. LINCOLN."

Probably the frankness of the child appealed to the humorous
side of his nature, for the suggestion was acted upon.
After the election, and on his journey from Springfield to
Washington, he inquired of Hon. G.W. Patterson, who was one of
the party who accompanied him on that memorable trip, and who
was a res