Gore Vidal and Lincoln's legacy

[Linda Anderson]

This is from Abraham Lincoln: A Life by Michael Burlingame. Knox College. Unedited manuscript. Volume 1, Chapter 6.

http://www.knox.edu/academics/distinctiv...-life.html

"On at least one occasion
Lincoln shared Speed’s taste in fancy women – in fact, the very same woman. Speed said
that around 1839 or 1840, he “was keeping a pretty woman” in Springfield, and Lincoln,
“desirous to have a little,” asked his bunkmate, “do you know where I can get some.”
Speed replied, “Yes I do, & if you will wait a moment or so I’ll send you to the place
with a note. You can[’]t get it without a note or by my appearance.” Armed with the note
from Speed, Lincoln “went to see the girl – handed her the note after a short ‘how do you
do &c.’ Lincoln told his business and the girl, after some protestations, agreed to satisfy
him. Things went on right – Lincoln and the girl stript off and went to bed. Before any
thing was done Lincoln said to the girl – ‘How much do you charge’. ‘Five dollars, Mr.
Lincoln’. Mr. Lincoln said – ‘I’ve only got $3.’ Well said the girl – ‘I’ll trust you, Mr
Lincoln, for $2. Lincoln thought a moment or so and said – ‘I do not wish to go on credit
– I’m poor & I don’t know where my next dollar will come from and I cannot afford to
cheat you.’ Lincoln after some words of encouragement from the girl got up out of bed, –
buttoned up his pants and offered the girl the $3.00, which she would not take, saying –
Mr Lincoln – ‘You are the most conscientious man I ever saw.’”353

"353 Speed, interview with Herndon, 5 January 1889, Wilson and Davis, eds., Herndon’s Informants, 719;
Herndon to Jesse W. Weik, Springfield, 5 January 1889, Herndon-Weik Papers, Library of Congress.
Herndon added, 'Lincoln went out of the house, bidding the girl good evening and went to the store of
Speed, saying nothing. Speed asked no questions and so the matter rested a day or so. Speed had occasion
to go and see the girl in a few days, and she told him just what was said and done between herself &
Lincoln; and Speed told me the story and I have no doubt of its truthfulness.'"