The words were whispered in her ear. The flush on Ann's face deepened. She cast a glance around the quilt. Several were now looking at her and saw that she was confused. Her one free hand was working rapidly, but the stitches were being set crooked. For a moment or two her hand was held in its prison. Once more he whispered, "Afraid of women am I, little Ann Rutledge?" An instant she lifted her eyes to his. He had never known they were such beautiful violet blue. They were full of appeal, and Abe Lincoln could almost see tears coming. He dropped her hand, and crawling out from behind the quilt, presented himself before Aunt Sallie and offered his services. "I can wash dishes, carry wood, rock the baby, do anything that's needed," he said. "A man like you ought to have a woman," Aunt Sallie Green observed. "I'm afraid of women," he answered, laughing with boyish merriment. Ann's face colored again slightly, but she joined the laugh with the others. "Ready to go, Ann Rutledge?" he said when the party was over. "I am waiting for mother," she answered with quiet dignity. He laughed. "Who's afraid?" he whispered as they started home. But Ann walked beside her mother. This did not prevent word going out that Abe Lincoln was shining up to Ann Rutledge. What other reason on earth could there be for a young man attending a quilting-bee and sitting by her and getting her all nervous right in the middle of her tulip-quilting. CHAPTER XVI POLITICS AND STEAMBOATS There was considerable local pride in the pioneer hamlet of New Salem, and Abe Lincoln had entered into it with enthusiasm from the beginning of his citizenship. While he was ever present at political meetings and never silent, his opinion was that local needs were more pressing than national questions. There were several needs which he continually urged. As good roads were at present out of the question he advocated river traffic. With boats plying the Sangamon River, freight could be brought to their very door, and the farmer's produce, on the sale of which depended the future of the country, could be marketed at such a saving of time and money as would make the difference between failure and success. So clearly did the young politician set forth this need that he soon had the majority of the men of the village of the same opinion. Another matter which he considered of first importance was the education of all children in free schools. This matter he also emphasized, showing in his crude but effective way that the future of Democracy depends on the education of the masses. Having impressed his opinions on the men of the town their next question was how to get these laws. The logical answer was, to elect to their law-making body a representative of these views. Then it was that the uncouth young backwoodsman, without a dollar in the world and scarce a change of clothing to his back, was asked to represent Sangamon County in the next Legislature.