Lincoln Story Book, The

<h3>"WANTING TO DANCE THE WORST WAY."</h3> <p>A Miss Mary Todd had come to visit a sister married in the neighborhood of Springfield. Lincoln was there as a member of the legislature sitting. He had eschewed society, though he liked it, in favor of study, but now rewarded himself for achieving this fruit of application by joining the movements around him. He made the acquaintance of Miss Todd, vivacious, sprightly, keenly insighted so as to divine he would prove superior in fate to Stephen Douglas, also courting her. Although unsuited by nature and his means to shine in the ballroom, Lincoln followed his flame thither. Using the vernacular, he asked for her hand, saying earnestly:</p> <p>"Miss Todd, I should like to dance with you <i>the worst way.</i>"</p> <p>After he had led his partner to her seat, a friend asked how the clumsy partner had carried himself.</p> <p>"He kept his word. He did dance the worst way!" <br/> <br/> <br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />