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BERNIE BABCOCK

AN APPRECIATION

, To Airs. Bernie Babcock, author of "THE SOUL OF ANN RUTLEDGE," an historical novel of which seven large editions have been sold, those milHons of Americans who revere the name of Abraham Lincoln now owe a second debt of gratitude. She has followed her former portrait of the youthful Lincoln, in his eager self -development, his dedication to justice and truth, his early romance, with a characterization of the mature Lincoln of Civil War days whose serene spirit and quiet mastery were the strength of a desperate people. The appealing charm with which Mrs. Babcock invested the rare and exquisite love story of Ann Rutledge and young Lincoln, a charm which drew praise from so distinguished an author and critic as Sir Gilbert Parker, is felt even more strongly in the new romance of a beautiful Southern girl and a Union officer, whose paths, in those dark times, lead them finally to the President himself.

Seven years of an active life, says Mrs. Babcock, have been given to lining up the material for this story, none too much time, she feels, for preparing an historical work of the importance that must attach to "THE SOUL OF ABE LINCOLN." Her labors have been only a luxury of research to a busy mother, author and earnest student of the life of the Great Emancipator.

An early marriage and five little Babcocks have inter- fered somewhat, as may be supposed, with her literary activities, but Mrs. Babcock has long been used to surmounting any obstacles in the way of authorship. Her persistence of endeavor is an inheritance for she comes of Huguenot ancestry, and her forefathers never relaxed their firm religious views. Her grandfather was a minister and Mrs. Babcock was born in an orthodox cradle and breathed only air sterilized for heterodox germs.

She embraced her profession at an early age for in the "pigtail" days, while still in school, she succeeded in writing a piw^^liis, however, the religious prejudices of her parents prompTfy relegated to oblivion.

But her ambition persisted, even after a household had brought its crowding duties. In order never to let her writing lag, Mrs. Babcock always did a "stint" every nighfj/^^ eV Tleftini llefself > "g^tC' l$3d^ithoA^/5i^ng accompli&h"^d^ sam^hifT^' ^uzSi me wor"k, nighl; after night, at the kitchen table, a book grew — a book that has helped to make the name of Bernie Babcock known to thousands.

THE LINCOLN-BERRY GROCERY

of wbich the former' was part owner

Always a strong believer in Prohibition, Mrs. Babcock championed this principle in her story, "The Daughter of a Republican." Sold as a serial for a nominal sum, it was afterwards published in book form and sold one hundred thousand copies in six months. Another volume that at this time added to Mrs. Babcock's fast growing reputation was the publication of a popular life of Francis E. Willard which was entitled "An Uncrowned Queen."

An authority on Lincolniana, her first study established Mrs. Babcock in the confidence of that rare and dwindling group of those who "knew Lincoln." One of her rarest treasures is a ring sent her by a son of the sister of Ann Rutledge, Sarah Rutledge Saunders, who recently died. This ring is a gold circlet cut with the initials of Ann Rutledge, her sister, and Mrs, Babcock herself. Mrs. Saunders, though she was too little at the time to remember it, was the baby in Mrs. Babcock's story. She has written many letters deeply appreciative of the charm and delicacy with which Mrs. Babcock has handled her sister's romance, and it was through her that the author learned of Ann's long hair.g^^the possession of Mrs. Babcock, also, are other mement'os and photographs of interest to all loversYI^KA£€M€)iDi aTT^0cmi]<3^RlLiA£plu-Berry

managed by Lmcoln i^3J-\^^?j^an.d^the Old Mill at New

OFFUT STORE

Managed by Lincoln 1831-1832

Salem where Lincoln came many times. This last is from a drawing owned by Mrs. Babcock.

Perhaps the most acctirate and authorative critic the author had to face was Henry B. Rankin, who, as office boy in the famous old Herndon and Lincoln law office, came into intimate contact with the future president in the early days presented in the story itself. His mother, too, was the confidant of Ann in her love affair and helped the girl make her wedding clothes. Mrs. Babcock, it may be imagined, opened a letter from Mr. Rankin with no little apprehension — but it contained only appreciation.

The charm and historical sincerity which won such tribute for the earlier romance are enhanced in "THE SOUL OF ABE LINCOLN." Longfamiliar withTarbell, Nicolay, Hay, Rankin, Mrs. Babcock has searched obscure books and pamphlets, worn old records of second-hand shops here and abroad, with the result that she has woven into her story much that has never before been published, especially about the political intrigues of the day. All that she did for Ann Rutledge in her previous novel, she has done for Ann Leuin Laury, fascinating daughter of the South, who, through a strange twist of fate, is brought into direct contact with the fineness and strength of Ljficoln, to realize how greatly she, as well as the entire S®Qrtib6bftS)WMtt<iii^ liin^- It is through the eyes of Ann Lft^inrfti»^fe^lof¥^jlJ3|«tlNotcliKJ3Sff(, that we see Lincoln

To Airs. Bernie Babcock, author of "THE SOUL OF ANN RUTLEDGE," an historical novel of which seven large editions have been sold, those milHons of Americans who revere the nameof Abraham Lincoln now owe a second debt of gratitude. She has followed her former portrait of the youthful Lincoln, in his eager self -development, his dedication to justice and truth, his early romance, with a characterization of the mature Lincoln of Civil War days whose serene spirit and quiet mastery were the strength of a desperate people. The appealing charm with which Mrs. Babcock invested the rare and exquisite love story of Ann Rutledge and young Lincoln, a charm which drew praise from so distinguished an author and critic as Sir Gilbert Parker, is felt even more strongly in the new romance of a beautiful Southern girl and a Union officer, whose paths, in those dark times, lead them finally to the President himself.

Seven years of an active life, says Mrs. Babcock, have been given to lining up the material for this story, none too much time, she feels, for preparing an historical work of the importance that must attach to "THE SOUL OF ABE LINCOLN." Her labors have been only a luxury of research to a busy mother, author and earnest student of the life of the Great Emancipator.

An early marriage and five little Babcocks have inter- fered somewhat, as may be supposed, with her literary activities, but Mrs. Babcock has long been used to surmounting any obstacles in the way of authorship. Her persistence of endeavor is an inheritance for she comes of Huguenot ancestry, and her forefathers never relaxed their firm religious views. Her grandfather was a minister and Mrs. Babcock was born in an orthodox cradle and breathed only air sterilized for heterodox germs.

She embraced her profession at an early age for in the "pigtail" days, while still in school, she succeeded in writing a pte^^sJThis, however, the religious prejudices of

-< > IBJIMiite'-rMp- III I j_ J , ui- -

her parents promptly relegated to oblivion.

But her ambition persisted, even after a household had brought its crowding duties. In order never to let her writing lag, Mrs. Babcock always did a "stint" every nigh^^^^^ Tleltini liefself > "gC^tC ' ^ici i^ithol^p^^ing accomplish-^d^ satn^hilT^' O-ut^OT me worlc, nighl; a^er night, at the kitchen table, a book grew — a book that has helped to make the name of Bernie Babcock known to thousands.

THE OLD MILL AT NEW SALEM

at Gettysburg, in the hospitals and even in the White House itself.

"Writing an historical novel of the importance I attach to the new book," says Mrs. Babcock, "is no child's job. It is like driving four horses tandem — I have seen it done in a circus. I had the ^Mississippi horse, the Fredericksburg horse, the Washington horse and that lively horse, the Confederate Army of Tennessee. In addition there were a bunch of frisky colts, Baltimore, Mobile, etc. Covering foiir years' time all the characters in all the places had to give an account of themselves and the story move on without historical disturbance. I shall not write another book Hke it. The next will be about Honest Abe in pre-war days with old John Brown dragged in to chase dull care away."

In addition to her hterarv^ activities, Mrs. Babcock's social ones have not been neglected and are many and varied. Among the organizations in which she i s prominent as a member may be mentioned The League of American Pen Women, Friends' Memorial for Psychical Research, etc.

THE SOUL Of ABEIIISCOLH

A J^OMANCE

iv'BLRME BABCOCK

^Auth^r of THE SOUtOF A!«N RUTIEDCE

The Soul of Abe Lincoln

By BERNIE BABCOCK

Author of "The Soul of Ann Rutledge", which has sold seven large editions and re- ceived high praise because of the new light it throws on Lincoln's early manhood.

This new romance is in many ways even more remarkable. Mrs. Babcock paints a deeply human portrait of the later Lincoln whose serene spirit was the strength of the nation. Into direct contact with the grief-worn leader a strange twist of fate brings Ann Leuin Laury, bewitching daughter of the South, and Del Norcrosse, Union officer, and upon their Hves is laid the indelible impress of his greatness. A tale of youthful charm and daring. Historically sincere, it will be cherished by all who revere the name of Lincoln. It brings to hght much that has never b^ore been pubhshed, especially about the political intrigue of the day. Frontispiece in color. Handsome cloth binding. ^2.00

FOR SALE AT ALL BOOKSTORES

J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY

LONDON PHILADELPHU MONTREAL

Printed in TJ. S. A.