pi River opposite Alton, where, long
before the planks were set on edge or the swords drawn, mutual friends
took the case out of the hands of the seconds and declared an
adjustment. The terms of the fight as written by Mr. Lincoln show
plainly enough that in his judgment it was to be treated as a farce, and
would never proceed beyond "preliminaries." There, of course, ensued the
usual very bellicose after-discussion in the newspapers, with additional
challenges between the seconds about the proper etiquette of such
farces, all resulting only in the shedding of much ink and furnishing
Springfield with topics of lively conversation for a month. These
occurrences, naturally enough, again drew Mr. Lincoln and Miss Todd
together in friendly interviews, and Lincoln's letter to Speed detailing
the news of the duels contains this significant paragraph:

"But I began this letter not for what I have been writing, but to say
something on that subject which you know to be of such infinite
solicitude to me. The immense sufferings you endured from the first days
of September till the middle of February you never tried to conceal from
me, and I well understood. You have now been the husband of a lovely
woman nearly eight months. That you are happier now than the day you
married her I well know, for without you could not be living. But I have
your word for it too, and the returning elasticity of spirits which is
manifested in your letters. But I want to ask a close question. 'Are you
now in feeling as well as judgment glad that you are married as you
are?' From anybody but me this would be an impudent question not to be
tolerated, but I know you will pardon it in me. Please answer it
quickly, as I am impatient to know."

The answer was evidently satisfactory, for on November 4, 1842, the Rev.
Charles Dresser united Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd in the holy bonds
of matrimony.[3]

[Footnote 3: The following children were born of this marriage:

Robert Todd, August 1, 1843; Edward Baker, March 10, 1846; William
Wallace, December 21, 1850; Thomas, April 4, 1853.

Edward died in infancy; William in the White House, February 20,
1862; Thomas in Chicago, July 15, 1871; and the mother, Mary
Lincoln, in Springfield, July 16, 1882.

Robert, who filled the office of Secretary of War with distinction
under the administrations of Presidents Garfield and Arthur, as
well William as that of minister to England under the
administratio