She'd written Horace Greeley on behalf of women's rights. The Democratic/ Liberal Republican candidate in 1872 and active Universalist layman had a long-standing record of support for social reform. His New York Tribune had carried his words for thirty years from New York to even Fayetteville, Tennessee. Mr. Wallace at The Observer often reprinted his articles arguing with some, agreeing with others. Especially well received by Mr. Wallace, Grand John L., Solon, Alex and Lou was Greeley's advocacy of reconciliation "across the bloody schism" of the Civil War for north and south. Greeley assured her in a return letter of his support of women's suffrage but lamented its small chance of popular support. It was an irony not lost on Lou that the opposing 1872 Republican Platform of the ill-favored but victorious GOP President U. S. Grant had mentioned more equal participation by women in the nation's life.
Her hopes were long suffering but she took heart about a new political movement coming out of the mid and near west. The Greenback Party. From what she could learn, it sprang from the agrarian and small town folk of the prairie states and Texas. Lou found the ideas of this progressive agrarian movement, with their principles concerning limiting the power of the controlling elite business interests, and the exploitation of all working people from the women in Massachusetts shoe factories to farmers everywhere, to be very appealing. Lou felt that power was about three things: personality, money and numbers. Money can be trumped by personality and numbers if there is organization and cooperation. Lou was not wealthy or poor but she knew in her bones that everyone's condition affects everyone's happiness and well being. The farm provided enough but required much effort and sense.
She was for more freedom and fairness. For her it was just right. Solon agreed. For him it was the way God's kingdom should be manifested. For Lou these ideas and efforts were a matter of politics and for her husband it was one of faith.
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A month later Lou sent a telegram to Solon, General Delivery, Montgomery; "Solon. We're going to have a baby."
Lou had gone to Dr. Stone to get his opinion about her health after Mama Bear had finally told her what was what when she threw up her third breakfast in a week.
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Dr. Stone came into the hallway outside Solon and Lou's bedroom.
"Brother Stevenson, you're the father of two boys. Twins, Sir. Tiny things, but they seem to be working like babies are suppose to," the middle-aged Vanderbilt trained general practitioner announced with a smile and the shaking of Solon's wet-palmed hand. In the bedroom Nancy Bird and Mama Bear, a baby each, went about cleaning up the messy miracles. Solon watched them with tears rolling down his cheeks and took a good look at the miracles they were burnishing. He then sat with Lou holding her hand, patting it gently. Through his teary eyes he held her tired brown ones, "Mary Louise - Mockingbird - you hatched 'em just fine. We got a good-looking matched pair." He laughed quietly through his tears.