Some of the unhappiest days of his life followed. His conscience gave him no rest. He knew not what to do. He told a friend that if his misery were equally distributed to the whole human race each would have a troublesome burden. He was wont to take long walks into the country with "Mr. Nimble" those days often carrying the boy on his shoulders. It is likely that the little lad was a great comfort to him. He wrote a letter to Miss Todd in which he reviewed the history of his thinking on the subject of their marriage and frankly but tenderly stated his conviction that it would imperil her happiness to marry him. Before sending it he submitted the letter to his friend Speed.
The latter read it over and looked very grave.
"What do you think of it?" Lincoln asked.
"I would never send a letter like that to a lady," Speed answered. "If you feel as you say go and tell her so, but don't put it in a letter."
Lincoln went to see her that evening and returned to his friend in a more cheerful mood.
"Did you tell her?" Speed asked.
"Yes, I told her."
"What happened?"
"She burst out crying and I threw my arms around her and kissed her and that settled it. We are going to be married."
What an illustration of the humanity and chivalry of Honest Abe was in the proceeding!