and
cipher to the Rule of Three, but that was all. I have not been to
school since. The little advance I now have upon this store of
education, I have picked up from time to time under the pressure of
necessity.

I was raised to farm work, which I continued till I was twenty-two.
At twenty-one I came to Illinois, and passed the first year in
Macon County. Then I got to New Salem, at that time in Sangamon,
now in Menard County, where I remained a year as a sort of clerk in
a store. Then came the Black Hawk War, and I was elected a Captain
of Volunteers--a success which gave me more pleasure than any I
have had since. I went through the campaign, was elated, ran for
the Legislature the same year (1832), and was beaten--the only time
I have ever been beaten by the people. The next, and three
succeeding biennial elections, I was elected to the Legislature. I
was not a candidate afterwards. During this legislative period I
had studied law, and removed to Springfield to practice it. In
1846 I was once elected to the Lower House of Congress, but was not
a candidate for re-election. From 1849 to 1854, both inclusive,
practiced law more assiduously than ever before. Always a Whig in
politics, and generally on the Whig electoral tickets, making
active canvasses. I was losing interest in politics, when the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise aroused me again. What I have
done since then is pretty well known.

If any personal description of me is thought desirable, it may be
said, I am in height, six feet, four inches, nearly; lean in flesh,
weighing, on an average, one hundred and eighty pounds; dark
complexion, with coarse black hair, and gray eyes. No other marks
or brands recollected.

Yours very truly,
A. LINCOLN.

CHAPTER II

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.

The spring of 1832 brought a new turn in Lincoln's career. The year had
been one of great advancement in many respects. He had made new and
valuable acq