Well-Chosen Words

By Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Legend has it that Abraham Lincoln scrawled the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope as he traveled to the battlefield to dedicate a cemetery. But the legend belies Lincoln’s struggle to carefully choose the right words. Words that must soothe a fractured nation, inspire change and chart the course for the nation’s future. Because his speech in Gettysburg will change history, but not necessarily in the way he hopes.

Written by a Sidewise Award winner for Best Alternate History, “Well-Chosen Words” first appeared in an anthology called Alternate Gettysburgs.

“Kristine Kathryn Rusch looks at the anxiety Lincoln had in selecting the ‘Well-Chosen Words’ he would speak at the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg, while his host, David Wills, fretted about the success of the event itself. The story is well written, with both characters coming to life...”
—Steven H. Silver, SF Site

• Language: English
• Publisher: WMG Publishing
• Release date: Nov 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301546237

Kristine Kathryn Rusch

New York Times bestselling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch writes in almost every genre. Generally, she uses her real name (Rusch) for most of her writing. She publishes bestselling science fiction and fantasy, award-winning mysteries, acclaimed mainstream fiction, controversial nonfiction, and the occasional romance. Her novels have made bestseller lists around the world and her short fiction has appeared in eighteen best of the year collections. She has won more than twenty-five awards for her fiction, including the Hugo, Le Prix Imaginales, the Asimov's Readers Choice award, and the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Readers Choice Award.   

Book preview

The Gettysburg Address has become an authoritative expression of the American spirit—as authoritative as the Declaration [of Independence] itself, and perhaps even more influential, since it determines how we read the Declaration…. By accepting the Gettysburg Address, its concepts of a single people dedicated to a proposition [that all men are created equal], we have been changed. Because of [the Address], we live in a different America.

—Gary Wills

Lincoln at Gettysburg

i

Lincoln set his lap desk on the cushioned seat across from him, as the train went over a rough patch in the rails. The desk bounced once, but held its place. Fortunately, Lincoln had capped his inkwell and placed his pen in its holder. Only the papers on top of the desk slid.

He caught them with one hand. The page on top, with Office of the Executive embossed across the parchment, was covered with his chicken scratchings.

Phrases leapt up at him in mute apology for their inadequacy. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration it has already attained…. Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away….

He grabbed the sheet and crumpled it. Around him, conversation ceased. His personal secretaries, John Hay and John Nico Nicolay, stared at him over the bronze railing, separating their seat from his. William Seward paused in the middle of one of his ribald jokes. John Usher, the newest Cabinet member, who was sitting across from Seward and Montgomery Blair, looked relieved. Apparently Usher wasn’t used to Seward’s biting sense of humor yet, and Seward knew it.

Blair’s gaze went to the crumpled paper in Lincoln’s hand. Monty Blair had been a friend for years now, as well as Postmaster General. Lincoln had wanted him on this trip not so much for his expertise as for his company, despite his volatile temper.

Troubles, Mr. President? he asked.

Lincoln forced himself to smile. I should have finished the speech before we got on the train.

John Hay made a small tsk-tsk sound and Lincoln gave him a cautionary look. Hay had warned him that the train would not be conducive to writing.

Join us for a bit of conversation, Seward said. I have some jokes I don’t believe you’ve heard yet.

This time, Lincoln’s smile