made
me painfully sensitive, but as my feelings and pecuniary
comforts were never regarded or even recognized in the midst
of my overwhelming bereavement--_now_ that I am pressed in a
most startling manner for means of subsistence, I do not know
why I should shrink from an opportunity of improving my
trying position.

"Being assured that all you do will be appropriately
executed, and in a manner that will not startle me very
greatly, and excite as little comment as possible, again I
shall leave all in your hands.

"I am passing through a very painful ordeal, which the
country, in remembrance of my noble and devoted husband,
should have spared me.

"I remain, with great respect, very truly,

"MRS. LINCOLN.

"P.S.--As you mention that my goods have been valued at over
$24,000, I will be willing to make a reduction of $8,000, and
relinquish them for $16,000. If this is not accomplished, I
will continue to sell and advertise largely until every
article is sold.

"I must have means to live, at least in a medium comfortable
state.

"M. L."

The letters are dated Chicago, and addressed to Mr. Brady, though every
one of them was written in New York; for when Mrs. L. left the West for
the East, she had settled upon no definite plan of action. Mr. Brady
proposed to show the letters to certain politicians, and ask for money
on a threat to publish them if his demands, as Mrs. Lincoln's agent,
were not complied with. When writing the letters I stood at Mrs.
Lincoln's elbow, and suggested that they be couched in the mildest
language possible.

"Never mind, Lizzie," she said; "anything to raise the wind. One might
as well be killed for a sheep as a lamb."

This latter expression was a favorite one of hers; she meaning by it,
that if one must be punished for an act, such as theft for instance,
that the punishment would be no more severe if a sheep were taken
instead of a lamb.

Mr. Brady exhibited the letters quite freely, but the parties to whom
they were shown refused to make any advances. Meanwhile our stay at the
Union Place Hotel excited so much curiosity, that a sudden movement was
rendered expedient to avoid discovery. We sent the large trunks to 609
Broadway, packed the smaller ones, paid our bills at the hotel, and one
morning hastily departed for the country, where we remained three days.
The movement was succes