Well, this young man had but few books, but he seems to have laid by a number of ideas which should develop in time into acts which were to startle the world and overthrow existing institutions. He worked through his boyhood and early manhood with his hands, sometimes on a farm, sometimes as a clerk in a country store. Now as a boatman, now at clearing up and fencing a farm. [Illustration: LINCOLN'S EARLY HOME IN KENTUCKY.] It was while engaged in this last-mentioned employment that he earned the title afterwards given him in derision by his political opponents, "The rail splitter," but I suspect that he could have answered as did the boy who in the days of prosperity was taunted with having been a bootblack, "Didn't I do it well?" At length the way opened--or, as I think, he by his exertions forced a way to study law, and he began his practice of the profession in Springfield, Ill. I ought to have told you, however, that before his admission to the bar he served in the Black Hawk War as captain of a company of volunteers. He soon gained distinction as a lawyer, but presently became interested in politics. And from that time his history is closely identified with that of his country. To tell you of the leading incidents even of his career would be to give you in a nutshell the history of the United States for that period. His noted contest with Stephen A. Douglas, his election to the presidency, his re-election, his celebrated Emancipation Proclamation, all these matters belong to the story of the stirring events of those years of our history. Then came the sad ending of this noble life; the cruel assassination of the beloved President, and the great man of the time. [Illustration: LINCOLN'S FIRST HOUSE IN ILLINOIS.] Boys, you who have studied his character, will you tell me what made Abraham Lincoln great? FAYE HUNTINGTON. [Illustration: FLATBOAT.] - - - - - - - Be good, dear child, and let who will be clever; Do noble things, not dream them all day long; And so make life, death, and that vast forever One grand, sweet song. MY BRAINLESS ACQUAINTANCE. III.--A STRANGE HISTORY. BY PARANETE.