ident of our town, if he knew of a family bearing the
name of Bedell. Mr. Patterson replying in the affirmative,
Mr. Lincoln said he "had received a letter from a little girl
called Grace Bedell, advising me to wear whiskers, as she
thought it would improve my looks." He said the character
of the "letter was so unique and so different from the many
self-seeking and threatening ones he was daily receiving that
it came to him as a relief and a pleasure." When the train
reached Westfield, Mr. Lincoln made a short speech from
the platform of the car, and in conclusion said he had a
correspondent there, relating the circumstance and giving my
name, and if she were present he would like to see her. I
was present, but in the crowd had neither seen nor heard the
speaker; but a gentleman helped me forward, and Mr. Lincoln
stepped down to the platform where I stood, shook my hand,
kissed me, and said: "You see I let these whiskers grow for
you, Grace." The crowd cheered, Mr. Lincoln reentered the car,
and I ran quickly home, looking at and speaking to no one,
with a much dilapidated bunch of roses in my hand, which I
had hoped might be passed up to Mr. Lincoln with some other
flowers which were to be presented, but which in my confusion
I had forgotten. Gentle and genial, simple and warm-hearted,
how full of anxiety must have been his life in the days which
followed. These words seem to fitly describe him: "A man of
sorrows and acquainted with grief." Very sincerely,

GRACE BEDELL BILLINGS.

[Footnote 1: William D. Kelley, in "Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln."
Edited by Allen Thorndike Rice, 1886.]

[Footnote 2: This incident was told by Lincoln to Mr. A.J. Conant, the
artist, who in 1860 painted his portrait in Springfield. Mr. Conant,
in order to keep Mr. Lincoln's pleasant expression, had engaged him in
conversation, and had questioned him about his early life; and it was
in the course of their conversation that this incident came out. It
is to be found in a delightful and suggestive article entitled, "My
Acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln," contributed by Mr. Conant to the
"Liber Scriptorum," and by his permission quoted here.]

[Footnote 3: With one exception the biographers of Lincoln have given
him the first place on the ticket in 1834. He really stood second
in order, Herndon gives the correct vote, although he is in