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Show i P Last hour with. Ann younger than Ann, rode to New Salem and told Lincoln of her sickness growing worse. Lincoln rode out and they let him in for what might be his last hour with her. He saw. her pale face and wasted body, the blue eyes and auburn hair. Few words were spoken, probably, and he might have gone only so far as to let his gnarled fingers lie softly on a small white hand while he tried for a few monosyllables of bright hope. A few days later, on August 25, 1835, death came to Ann Rutledge. Burial was in nearby Concord cemetery. Whether Lincoln went to her funeral, whether he wept in grief with others at the sight of her face in the burial box, no one later seemed to know. Her cousin, McGrady Rutledge, wrote much later, "Lincoln took her death verry hard. A letter of Matthew Marsh, dated September 17, had a tone as though the postmaster knew7 Lincoln was in good health and cheer. But this tells us nothing of Lincolns inner feelings. Later, when Lincoln was the center of incalculable death and agony and a friend rebuked him for telling funny stories, he cried back, Dont you see that if I didnt laugh I would have to weep? He did no doubt take Anns death "verry hard, yet he was ambulant and doing his work as shown by a timberland survey he completed and dated September 24, 1835. A legend is launched It was to come to pass that 30 years later New Salem villagers soberly spoke and wrote that Lincoln went out his woods the wandered in mind, mumbling and crazy, and had to be locked up, all of which was exaggeration and reckless expansion of his taking Anns death "verry hard. Woven with the recollections of his "insanity wrere also the testimonies of tf your babyagainst diaper Irritation! what a deep flaming of lyric love there had been between him and Ann. A legend of a shining, deathless, passion arose, spread, grew by some, inherent vital sheen of its own or the need of those who wanted it, of Ann Rutledge, as a poet wrote, "Beloved in life of Abraham LincolnWedded to him, not through union, But through separation. Mr. Fadiman: The poet of whom Sand- burg speaks was the Midwestern lawyer , Edgar Lee Masters, author of " The Spoon River Anthology, first published as long ago as 1916. In his poem he represents Ann Rutledge as speaking to us from her grave. This is a good day to read the poem again: ANN RUTLEDGE Out of me unworthy and unknown vibrations of deathless music; With malice toward none, with charity for all. Out of me the forgiveness of millions toward millions. And the beneficent face of a nation Shining with justice and truth. I am Ann Rutledge who sleep beneath these weeds. Beloved in life of Abraham Lincoln, Wedded to him, not through union, The Z. B.T. Protects like oil soothes like powder! ZB.T. See for yourself. Smooth Z. B. T. Baby Powder on palm of hand, sprinkle with water. See how it runs off without penetrating Z. B. T.s protective sheath. Theres proof that Z. B.T. Baby Powder with Olive Oil repels irritation-causin- g moisture, where ordinary baby powders absorb it. Guard your babys tender skin against urine scald, diaper rash by using Z. B. T. Baby Powder after every bath and diaper change! vder So 1 Also guards against chafing and prickly heat Used by hundreds ef hospital nurseries Im always satisfied most with a Brand But through separation. Bloom forever, O Republic, From the dust of my bosom! thats made a Name for itself! BRAND NAMES FOUNDATION "Spoon ffrver Anthology," by Edgar lea Mattery copyright 1915, The MocmlHon Compony, renewed 1942 From IMCOItPOtAY0 437 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 16, N Y These beautiful words have immortalized a romance that may never have been, but which is nonetheless part of the Lincoln enshrined in our imagination. 'z Have You road the latest DELITY FIDBf" pnosprCTus-ooiftrr- r- ; ? - m FUND is a MUTUAL FUND seeking capital growth and income by investing in a diversified and supervised portfolio of securities. FIDELITY prospectus long-ter- For your FREE Prospuctut-Bookldescribing FIDELITY FUND tund coupon NOW to your Inrustmunt Dualur or to FIDELITY FUND. Dept. TW. 35 CONGRESS ST, B0ST0NJ.J4ASS. rUTFIDlUTY TuNtTernipctus-iooU-ti in: rirai Zw HAU- EADDRESS CIT- Y- -- STATE- Abo Lincoln in Illinois": Raymond Massey as Lincoln, Mary Howard as Ann, in film 23 |