ny
Indians, except peaceable ones.

In June his company was mustered out, and he returned home to New Salem.

He was then twenty-three years old.

* * * * *

IX.--IN THE LEGISLATURE.

When Abraham Lincoln came back to New Salem it was nearly time for the
state election. The people of the town and neighborhood wanted to send
him to the legislature, and he agreed to be a candidate.

It was at Pappsville, twelve miles from Springfield, that he made his
first campaign speech.

He said: "Gentlemen and fellow-citizens--

"I presume you all know who I am.

"I am humble Abraham Lincoln. I have been solicited by my friends to
become a candidate for the legislature.

"My politics are short and sweet.

"I am in favor of a national bank; am in favor of the internal
improvement system, and a high protective tariff.

"These are my sentiments and political principles. If elected, I shall
be thankful; if not, it will be all the same."

He was a tall, gawky, rough-looking fellow. He was dressed in a coarse
suit of homespun, much the worse for wear.

A few days after that, he made a longer and better speech at
Springfield.

But he was not elected.

About this time a worthless fellow, whose name was Berry, persuaded Mr.
Lincoln to help him buy a store in New Salem. Mr. Lincoln had no money,
but he gave his notes for the value of half the goods.

The venture was not a profitable one. In a few months the store was
sold; but Abraham did not receive a dollar for it. It was six years
before he was able to pay off the notes which he had given.

During all this time Mr. Lincoln did not give up the idea of being a
lawyer. He bought a second-hand copy of _Blackstone's Commentaries_ at
auction. He studied it so diligently that in a few weeks he had mastered
the whole of it.

He bought an old form-book, and began to draw up contracts, deeds, and
all kinds of legal papers.

He would often walk to Springfield, fourteen miles away, to borrow a
book; and he would master thirty or forty pages of it while returning
home.

Soon he began to practice in a small way before justices of the peace
and country juries. He was appointed postmaster at New Salem, but so
little mail came to the place that the office was soon discontinued.

He was nearly twenty-five years old. But, with all his industry, he
could hardly earn money enough to pay for his board and clothing.

He had learned a little about sur