A Turn in Affairs--The Black Hawk War--A Remarkable Military Manoeuvre--Lincoln Protects an Indian--Lincoln and Stuart--Lincoln's Military Record--Nominated for the Legislature--Lincoln a Merchant--Postmaster at New Salem--Lincoln Studies Law--Elected to the Legislature--Personal Characteristics--Lincoln's Love for Anne Rutledge--Close of Lincoln's Youth CHAPTER III Lincoln's Beginning as a Lawyer--His Early Taste for Politics--Lincoln and the Lightning-Rod Man--Not an Aristocrat--Reply to Dr. Early--A Manly Letter--Again in the Illinois Legislature--The "Long Nine"--Lincoln on His Way to the Capital--His Ambition in 1836--First Meeting with Douglas--Removal of the Illinois Capital--One of Lincoln's Early Speeches--Pro-Slavery Sentiment in Illinois--Lincoln's Opposition to Slavery--Contest with General Ewing--Lincoln Lays out a Town--The Title "Honest Abe" CHAPTER IV Lincoln's Removal to Springfield--A Lawyer without Clients or Money--Early Discouragements--Proposes to become a Carpenter--"Stuart & Lincoln, Attorneys at Law"--"Riding the Circuit"--Incidents of a Trip Round the Circuit--Pen Pictures of Lincoln--Humane Traits--Kindness to Animals--Defending Fugitive Slaves--Incidents in Lincoln's Life as a Lawyer--His Fondness for Jokes and Stories CHAPTER V Lincoln in the Legislature--Eight Consecutive Years of Service--His Influence in the House--Leader of the Whig Party in Illinois--Takes a Hand in National Politics--Presidential Election in 1840--A "Log Cabin" Reminiscence--Some Memorable Political Encounters--A Tilt with Douglas--Lincoln Facing a Mob--His Physical Courage--Lincoln as Duellist--The Affair with General Shields--An Eye-Witness' Account of the Duel--Courtship and Marriage CHAPTER VI Lincoln in National Politics--His Congressional Aspirations--Law-Partnership of Lincoln and Herndon--The Presidential Campaign of 1844--Visit to Henry Clay--Lincoln Elected to Congress--Congressional Reputation--Acquaintance with Distinguished Men--First Speech in Congress--"Getting the Hang" of the House--Lincoln's Course on the Mexican War--Notable Speech in Congress--Ridicule of General Cass--Bill for the Abolition of Slavery--Delegate to the Whig National Convention of 1848--Stumping the Country for Taylor--Advice to Young Politicians--"Old Abe"--A Political Disappointment--Lincoln's Appearance as an Officer Seeker in Washington--"A Divinity that Shapes Our Ends" CHAPTER VII