when, in 1862, I met Lincoln in Washington and saw him almost daily until his tragical death. This preliminary egotism may be pardoned by way of explanation of the fact that many things relating to his early life, herein set down, were derived from his own lips, often during hours of secluded companionship. If this little book shall give new and inspiring views of Lincoln to the Englishspeaking people, I shall be grateful that I have been permitted to write it.

NOAH BROOKS.

PREFACE TO NEW EDITION.

THE character of Abraham Lincoln, as the years pass, becomes grander and more heroic; and as is usual when a commanding figure slowly rises conspicuous in the history of humanity, traditions and myths are already beginning to cluster around his illustrious personality. The simplest truth is always best; and the simpler and more direct the biographical sketch of Abraham Lincoln, the more deeply will his image be impressed upon the heart of that "common people" whom he loved so well and of which he was the noblest representative. In this book it has been the author's aim to present such a picture of Lincoln and his times as shall leave upon the mind of the reader a definite and authoritative likeness of the man whose name is now enrolled highest among the types of our National ideals.

Condition of the People at the End of the War for Independence-

Migrations of the Earlier Lincolns-A Tragedy in the Wilderness

Abraham Lincoln's Parents in Kentucky-Birth of the Future Presi-

dent-The Old Kentucky Home-Another Migration-A Great

Disaster in Indiana

PAGE

I

CHAPTER II.

The Lincoln Home in Indiana-Hard Times-The Boy of the Back-

woods-Log-Cabin Building-Abraham Lincoln's First Letter-

The Funeral in the Wilderness-The Boy's First Book

CHAPTER III.

YOUNG MANHOOD.

Thomas Lincoln's Second Marriage-Improvements in the Backwoods

Home-More Books for the Boy-His Horizon Enlarges-He

Learns to be Thorough-Down the Mississippi-A Glimpse of

Slavery-Coming out of the Wilderness

CHAPTER IV.

THE LINCOLNS IN ILLINOIS.

The Land of Full-Grown Men-Lincoln Attains His Majority-Strik-

ing out for Himself-Another River Voyage-An Odd Introduc-

tion to New Salem-Some Rough-and-Tumble Discipline-The

Backwoodsman Conquers Friends-He Vanquishes English

Grammar

ix

12

27

44

CHAPTER V.

A PLUNGE INTO POLITICS.

Young Lincoln's Growing Passion for Knowledge-Candidate for the

State Legislature-Captain in the Black Hawk War-A Gathering

of Men Since Famous-Hardships of the Volunteer Soldiers—

Stump-Speaking and Defeat-Lincoln as a Country Merchant-

Lawyer and Surveyor

PAGE

55

CHAPTER VI.

THE YOUNG POLITICIAN.

Elected to the Legislature—Stump Speaker and Political Debater—

Encounters on the Stump-The Lincoln-Stone Protest against

Slavery" The Long Nine "-Removal of the State Capital to

Springfield-Compliments to the Sangamon Chief-Lincoln a

Full-Fledged Lawyer—Riding the Illinois Circuit—Distinguished

Associates at the Bar-Lincoln as a Harrison Man

71

CHAPTER VII.

WINNING HIS WAY.

His First Love Affair—A Disappointment—Dark Days-The Lincoln-

Shields" Duel "-Good Advice on the Subject of Quarrelling-

Lincoln and Van Buren-A Roadside Symposium-Congressional

Expectations

89

CHAPTER VIII.

THE RISING POLITICIAN.

Lincoln's Admiration of Henry Clay-An Irresponsive Idol-Slavery

and the Tariff-Lincoln Elected to Congress-The Mexican War

A Queer Nickname-Rise of the Free-Soil Party-Election of

Gen. Taylor-Return to Springfield-The Boys of Lincoln-A

Shiftless Relative.

100

CHAPTER IX.

LINCOLN THE LAWYER.

An Honest Advocate and Counsellor-The Snow Boys and Old Man

Case-Famous Lawsuits about Negroes-Jack Armstrong's Son

on Trial for Murder-Lincoln's Vindication of His Old Friend

-How the Attorney Looked and Spoke

121