lawyers "riding the circuit." Some twelve weeks would be required to complete a circuit, which was repeated twice a year. It was at the capital of the State and on the circuits that Lincoln soon made a reputation that placed him among the most eminent lawyers of the State. His success may be mainly attributed to the following principles and method of business which he invariably pursued and practiced. If he was consulted in a case he carefully examined the main grounds for action; if he considered they were sufficient he at once took the case and prosecuted it with diligence to the end; if he thought his client had not a good case he always advised the applicant not to prosecute, telling him frankly that his case was not a good one, and that he was not willing to take the case, as he did not think he could succeed. Whenever he was employed, he made himself acquainted with all the points both for and against his client. Especially would he fully examine every point that could be made against his case by his opponent. He so fully made himself master of his case that his reputation for success soon became so general that the people soon regarded him as having no superior. In the first years of his professional life he was not regarded as deeply versed in the fundamental principles of law by his professional friends, still by them he was regarded as a remarkable advocate. All admitted that before a jury he had no superior. In presenting a case to a jury he always fairly presented both sides. The great struggle of his powers as an advocate was perfect clearness of statement, a fair open exhibition of both sides of the case and the power and skill to fasten on the common mind his chain of argument and logic, and conduct the same to the result of his own conclusions. He had the faculty of bringing every juror to feel that his statement of the case was an absolute aid to him in forming a correct and impartial verdict.

The fundamental principles of Lincoln's profession had required years of study and deep thought before he became well versed in the intricacies of the law; but the success he early attained was by his thorough knowledge and familiarity with his fellows-grown up with the people, and being one of the people in the common walks of life, he was qualified and could generally form a correct analysis of the capacity and thoughts of the men who composed the jury before whom his case was to be tried, and his arguments were addressed to them more in the cause of right and justice than of law, and his efforts were not so much to impress on the jury his own convictions as to lead them by his illustrations and deductions to the same conclusions that his argument indicated.

This "riding of the circuit," brought Lincoln in contact with the people that assembled at the county seats on these occasions, and his good nature, his pleasant, odd ways, and his amusing anecdotes and stories always

gathered around him a crowd of admirers. Those pleasant exhibitions of Lincoln's good feelings and familiarity with the people made him distinguished, popular and loved by all. A pleasing trait in his character was his regard and kind recollections of the old friends and companions of his earlier days. Frequently he would leave the village hotel after the day's labor in the courtroom and spend the evenings with them, and where it was possible, would stop with them during the court term. Nor did he in pros

perity forget his relations who were poor and in humble circumstances in life. Whenever he could, he visited them, and when in their presence or at their homes no evidence of his elevation and his superiority in his condition of life was ever assumed or made perceptible.

A pleasing incident, in harmony with Lincoln's character, occurred on one of those trips on his circuit from Bloomington to Springfield, giving a pleasing and delightful insight into his kindness of heart. He called to stay over night with the writer, as was usual on this route. It was observed as he alighted from his buggy on his arrival, that his pantaloons were much soiled, and the remark was made: "Lincoln," (the usual address in those days) "you have found some mud on your travels to-day?" His reply was, "I will tell you about that after supper." Seated on the porch after supper, Lincoln says: "Charles, you recollect the slough this side of Funck's Grove, with the deep holes? In passing there this afternoon I saw in the distance a flock of sheep, and on the banks of one of the water-holes was a sheep, a mother, in deep distress. On riding up and looking down in the hole I saw a little lamb in the mire. As there was more mud than water, I saw at once that it could not get out itself. I felt a strong desire to liberate the little fellow, but I was in a quandary. I had bought this new suit of clothes at Bloomington, and I looked at the lamb and then at my new suit of clothes. I saw with pain the fruitless attempts of the lamb to get out, and the frantic appeals of the mother for the relief of her offspring. I thought I could not spoil my clothes in going down in the hole, and finally I concluded to go on and leave the little fellow to his fate. After going on some distance I felt so bad that I turned about and resolved to go back and get the sufferer out; so I went back and hitched my horse to the fence and took some rails off the fence and fixed them so I got down in the bottom of the hole and got the little fellow out safely. The mother seemed as well pleased as the lamb, and they ran off together, and looking back seeming to say, we are much obliged to you. After riding some time, with feelings much relieved, the thought occurred to me, what was the motive that induced me to return-was it to relieve the sufferer or to relieve my own feelings? What do you think of it, Charles?" I replied, "The question will admit of thought, but in this case, as I presume in all similar cases, whatever the motive, the object was and will be obtained-the relief of the mind as well as the sufferer."

CHAPTER IX.

MARRIAGE, AND ELECTION TO CONGRESS.

Soon after the election of John T. Stuart to Congress, in 1840, Lincoln's partnership with him in their law business was dissolved, and he entered into business associations with Stephen J. Logan, one of the most eminent and learned lawyers in the State. He entered into this new relation intending to devote his time exclusively to the duties of his profession, but the citizens of his county again demanded his services in the councils of the State.

He was again nominated for the Legislature in 1840, and elected by a large majority.

His name had been placed on the Whig ticket as one of the Presidential electors in 1836, and again he was called to head the electorial ticket in 1840. He took an active part in that exciting canvass, and his addresses for the hero of Tippecanoe at the great Log Cabin and Hard Cider Convention at Springfield, and others held in the State, are still remembered by those who heard them. As the Democratic majority was so large in the State that it could not entirely be overcome, he had the pleasure of rejoicing in the success of his candidate and the party to which he was warmly devoted.

At the meeting of the Legislature he was again nominated by the Whig members for Speaker of the House, and received more than the strength of his party, but the Democratic party being still largely in the majority, he was defeated. This session closed Lincoln's connection with the Legislature, as a member. He was afterwards frequently solicited by the people to represent them again, but he could not, as his professional business required his whole time and attention.

During this year, 1841, an incident occurred in Lincoln's history, one which was at variance with his life, and certainly not in unison with his principles and feelings. A sarcastic poetical phillipic appeared in the Sangamore Journal, published in Springfield, edited by Simon Francis, under the signature of "Aunt Becky." The poem was intended as a caricature, and made such allusions to James Shields, a young lawyer of Springfield, and since United

States Senator, that there could be no mistake in its application. Nature had been favorable to Shields in granting to him, at his youthful age, self-esteem, ostentation and a self-estimation of power and influence over the fair sex, which said in deeds as well as in words, that he could lead the hearts of the ladies captive at his will. This arrogant presumption, "Aunt Becky," treated not lightly. The poem in Springfield, where Shields was so well known, was a subject of much mirth and comment, and certainly held the person alluded to, in much ridicule and unpleasant gossip. There was not anything in the publication reflecting upon or derogatory to Shields' character, still, to one of high chivalric pretentions and self-importance and pride of self and person, it deeply wounded sensitive feelings.

Shields was haughty and impulsive, and, instead of treating the affair with silence and contempt, he at once proceeded to the office of the editor and demanded the author's name. Francis, who in proportions reminded one of "Falstaff," and he possessed in an eminent degree the combative principles of that noted personage, requested time to consult with the writer, and one day was given. Francis was now in a dilemma; the matter seemed to him to be assuming a serious phase; he could not for a moment think of assuming the responsibility, and to give the lady's name would be unpleasant. He thought of Lincoln and called on him for counsel.

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‘Oh,” said Lincoln, "if Shields calls again for the writer's name tell him that I assume the responsibility." The writer of the poem was one of his intimate friends, and probably at this time a more tender relation existed, and without doubt Lincoln had seen the offensive article before it was published. He hardly expected that Shields, on so frivolous a matter, would press it to a duel. He had reason to believe that he would possibly receive a challenge, and he also intended to accept the same, if presented.

On the following day Shields called on Francis and was informed that A. Lincoln held himself responsible for the publication of the poem. The result was that Lincoln at once received a challenge from Shields, through his friend Col. R., and was at once referred to Lincoln's friend, Col. B. It may be stated that there were outside influences that had a bearing in this matter. Shields was a prominent member of the Democratic party. Lincoln was a rapidly rising leader in the Whig party. An exciting canvass had just closed in which Lincoln was successful, and the article being published in a Whig paper, and Shields believing that Lincoln was acquainted with the contents of the article before its publication, his sensitive feeling could only be healed by resort to the code of honor, as held by men of like character. The rules of the code gave Lincoln choice of weapons, and he selected broadswords for the encounter, and he proceeded to take lessons in the art of self-defence, under the instructions of E. H. M., a teacher in that branch of the military art.

The place of meeting selected was on an island in the Mississippi river opposite Alton, neutral ground between Illinois and Missouri. The meeting took place according to arrangement, the principals being accompanied by their seconds-Lincoln by Col. B. and Shields by Col. R. and Surgeon, Dr. E. H. M. Other parties, friends of the principals, made their appearance on the ground, determined that on no such frivolous grounds should a duel take place; the challenge had been sent without any conditions-no opportunity given whereby Lincoln could explain or give satisfaction to Shields' wounded honor. Lincoln now stated that if the challenge was withdrawn for the time being he would make his statement or explanations to their mutual friends, but that he could not and would not until the challenge was withdrawn. To this Shields' friends could not well object, and the challenge was withdrawn, and then Lincoln made his explanations as to the objects designed in the offensive publication, to the friends of both parties, which were considered satisfactory and honorable to both, and thus the difficulty was amicably adjusted. An` incident occurred at the place of meeting which showed Lincoln's peculiarity and how little of dignity and decorum he exhibited on the occasion. While the friends of the parties were visibly engaged in arranging the preliminaries of the duel and endeavoring to bring it to a peaceful solution, Shields was standing with arms folded, a countenance stern, firm and majestic, awaiting the result of the deliberations, while Lincoln, with his broadsword, was engaged in cutting down the weeds and grass that obstructed a free movement of person about the ground selected for the encounter. The contrast in the bearing and demeanor of the principals caused a smile on the countenances of the friends of the parties which, taken with the surroundings, indicated a scene of the ludicrous and comical. The affair being amicably arranged the parties with their friends returned to Springfield. This incident, which has been frequently mentioned and alluded to by the press in all sections of the Union, was regarded in the community in which Lincoln lived as a silly, foolish affair, excusable on his part as he had championed the cause of a lady, and therefore, in the excitements of Lincoln's political life it was so regarded. That Lincoln held in his heart no antipathy against Shields was in later years made evident when Shields was appointed by Lincoln to a high command in the armies of the Republic.

At this period, 1842, Lincoln and E. D. Baker, of Springfield, and J. J. Hardin, of Jacksonville, were candidates before the Whig Convention for nomination for Congress. Referring to this Convention, Lincoln wrote to a friend: "We had a meeting of the Whigs of the county here on Monday last to appoint delegates to a District Convention, and Baker beat me and got the delegation instructed to go for him. The meeting, in spite of my attempts