known to each other. The well-fed looking
individual opened the conversation with the man who had read
the _World_ so attentively, and the conversation soon grew
warm and earnest. The war and its devastation engaged them.
The bluffy individual, doubtless a Republican who had
pocketed his many thousands, spoke of the widows of the land,
made so by the war. My reading man remarked to him:

"'Are you aware that Mrs. Lincoln is in indigent
circumstances, and has to sell her clothing and jewelry to
gain means to make life more endurable?'

"The well-conditioned man replied: 'I do not blame her for
selling her clothing, if she wishes it. I suppose _when sold_
she will convert the proceeds into five-twenties to enable
her to have means to be buried.'

"The _World_ man turned towards him with a searching glance,
and replied, with the haughtiest manner: 'That woman is not
dead yet.'

"The discomfited individual looked down, never spoke another
word, and in half an hour left his seat, and did not return.

"I give you word for word as the conversation occurred. May
it be found through the execution of my friends, Messrs.
Brady and Keyes, that 'that woman is not yet dead,' and being
alive, she speaketh and gaineth valuable hearers. Such is
life! Those who have been injured, how gladly the injurer
would consign them to mother earth and forgetfulness! Hoping
I should not be recognized at Fort Wayne, I thought I would
get out at dinner for a cup of tea. * * * will show you what
a creature of _fate_ I am, as miserable as it sometimes is. I
went into the dining-room alone; and was ushered up to the
table, where, at its head, sat a very elegant-looking
gentleman--at his side a middle-aged lady. My black veil was
doubled over my face. I had taken my seat next to him--he at
the head of the table, I at his left hand. I immediately
_felt_ a pair of eyes was gazing at me. I looked him full in
the face, and the glance was earnestly returned. I sipped my
water, and said: 'Mr. S., is this indeed you?' His face was
as pale as the table-cloth. We entered into conversation,
when I asked him how long since he had left Chicago. He
replied, 'Two weeks since.' He said, 'How strange you should
be on the train and I not know it!'

"As soon as I could escape from the table, I did so by