Lincoln, the unknown

LINCOLN THE UNKNOWN• 203Lincoln wouldn't tolerate it. What? Another woman aheadof her? And on the President's arm? Never!So she had her way, and Washington society hooted.She not only refused to let the President walk with anotherwoman, but she eyed him jealously and criticized him severelyfor even talking to one.Before going to a public reception Lincoln would come tohis jealous wife, asking whom he might talk to. She wouldmention woman after woman, saying she detested this oneand hated that one."But Mother," he would remonstrate, "I must talk with somebody.I can't stand around like a simpleton and say nothing.If you will not tell me who I may talk with, please tell me whoI may not talk with."She determined to have her own way, cost what it might, and,on one occasion, she threatened to throw herself down in themud in front of every one unless Lincoln promoted a certainofficer.At another time she dashed into his office during an importantinterview, pouring out a torrent of words. Without replyingto her, Lincoln calmly arose, picked her up, carried her out ofthe room, set her down, returned, locked the door, and went onwith his business as if he had never been interrupted.She consulted a spiritualist, who told her that all of Lincoln'sCabinet were his enemies.That didn't surprise her. She had no love for any of them.She despised Seward, calling him "a hypocrite," "an abolitionsneak," saying that he couldn't be trusted, and warningLincoln to have nothing to do with him."Her hostility to Chase," says Mrs. Keckley, "was bitter."And one of the reasons was this: Chase had a daughter, Kate,who was married to a wealthy man and was one of the mostbeautiful and charming women in Washington society. Katewould attend the White House receptions; and, to Mrs. Lincoln'simmense disgust, she would draw all the men abouther and run away with the show.Mrs. Keckley says that "Mrs. Lincoln, who was jealous ofthe popularity of others, had no desire to build up the socialposition of Chase's daughter through political favor to herfather."With heat and temper, she repeatedly urged Lincoln to dismissChase from the Cabinet.