Hon D Day-Lewis
Dear sir,
I have just come from the theater, where they are showing the moving picture show about Mr. Lincoln and the War. I am a little girl only 11 years old, but want you should win an Academy Award very much, so I hope you won't think me very bold to write to such a great man as you are. Have you any little girls about as large as I am? If so, give them my love and tell her to write to me if you cannot answer this letter. I have yet got four brothers and part of them will go and see your moving picture anyway, and if you were to make your face more hideous, I will try and get the rest of them to see it as well. You would look a great deal more like Mr. Lincoln for your face is so grand and handsome. All the ladies like your face, and as sure as spring follows winter they can't abide Mr. Lincoln's physiognomy, with his high forehead over those sadly pathetic eyes, the angular lower face with the deep cut lines about the mouth. He would look better if he wore whiskers, for his face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers.
I have got a little baby sister. She is nine weeks old and is just as cunning as can be. I must not write any more. Answer this letter right off. Good bye.
Grace Bedell
Leave it to Hollywood to babe up the Great Emancipator.
D-Day Lewis (Which is a brilliant name, lets be honest) certainly seems to have the intensity down.
This is brilliant. I didn't recognize the name Grace Bedell, but a couple of seconds in and it all clicked. Perfect.
Pres Lincoln,
After a great deal of forethought on the subject I have concluded to address you, asking your aid in obtaining a situation, Do you remember before your election receiving a letter from a little girl residing at Westfield in Chautauque Co. advising the wearing of whiskers as an improvement to your face. I am that little girl grown to the size of a woman. I believe in your answer to that letter you signed yourself. "Your true friend and well-wisher." will you not show yourself my friend now. My Father during the last few years lost nearly all his property, and although we have never known want, I feel that I ought and could do something for myself. If I only knew what that "something" was. I have heard that a large number of girls are employed constantly and with good wages at Washington cutting Treasury notes and other things pertaining to that Department. Could I not obtain a situation ther? [sic] I know I could if you would exert your unbounded influences a word from you would secure me a good paying situation which would at least enable me to support myself if not to help my parents, this, at present – is my highest ambition. My parents are ignorant of this application to you for assistance. If you require proof of my family's respectability. I can name persons here whose names may not be unknown to you. We have always resided here excepting the two years we were at Westfield. I have addressed one letter to you before, pertaining to this subject, but receiving no answer I chose rather to think you had failed to recieve [sic] it, not believing that your natural kindness of heart of which I have heard so much would prompt you to pass it by unanswered. Direct to this place. Grace G. Bedell
What a sad sad ending to this adorable political anecdote that shows the cold cruelty of American economic life.
In my completely unbiased opinion, political leaders should be beautiful. I mean, look at me, my name is literally "beautiful."