asily demonstrate all the
propositions contained in the six books.

Mr. Lincoln detested office work. He left all that to his partner. He
disliked to draw up legal papers or to write letters. The firm of which
he was a member kept no books. When either Lincoln or Herndon received
a fee they divided the money then and there. If his partner were not in
the office at the time Mr. Lincoln would wrap up half of the fee in a
sheet of paper, on which he would write, "Herndon's half," giving the
name of the case, and place it in his partner's desk.

But in court, arguing a case, pleading to the jury and laying down the
law, Lincoln was in his element. Even when he had a weak case he was a
strong antagonist, and when he had right and justice on his side, as he
nearly always had, no one could beat him.

He liked an outdoor life, hence he was fond of riding the circuit. He
enjoyed the company of other men, liked discussion and argument, loved
to tell stories and to hear them, laughing as heartily at his own
stories as he did at those that were told to him.

TELLING STORIES ON THE CIRCUIT.

The court circuit in those days was the scene of many a story-telling
joust, in which Lincoln was always the chief. Frequently he would sit up
until after midnight reeling off story after story, each one followed
by roars of laughter that could be heard all over the country tavern,
in which the story-telling group was gathered. Every type of character
would be represented in these groups, from the learned judge on the
bench down to the village loafer.

Lincoln's favorite attitude was to sit with his long legs propped up on
the rail of the stove, or with his feet against the wall, and thus he
would sit for hours entertaining a crowd, or being entertained.

One circuit judge was so fond of Lincoln's stories that he often would
sit up until midnight listening to them, and then declare that he had
laughed so much he believed his ribs were shaken loose.

The great success of Abraham Lincoln as a trial lawyer was due to a
number of facts. He would not take a case if he believed that the law
and justice were on the other side. When he addressed a jury he made
them feel that he only wanted fair play and justice. He did not talk
over their heads, but got right down to a friendly tone such as we use
in ordinary conversation, and talked at them, appealing to their honesty
and common sense.

And making his argument plain by telling a story o