Bernie Babcock : an appreciation

f J

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.