s best he might. Borrowing books from some law
office, he studied them at night and returned them in the morning. His
honesty and true merit were soon recognized by the rest of the
community where he lived, and he was elected to represent the people in
the legislature.

Lincoln became a lawyer of more than ordinary ability, and although his
appearance remained somewhat ungainly, he easily won his lawsuits by
the clear and logical conclusions which he advanced over those of his
opponents. He had thus secured a splendid law-practice and had settled
in Springfield, Illinois, when he became the republican candidate for
president of the United States in 1860, and was elected the same year.

The country at this time was agitated over two great questions: the
question of slavery and that of secession. The South was ready to
separate from the North, and the entire country was in a most critical
condition. Such was the state of affairs when Abraham Lincoln took the
oath of office as president of the United States. Lincoln was scarcely
three weeks in office when the great war of the Rebellion between the
North and the South broke out; a war of which there is no parallel in
history. Brother fought against brother, and father against son. Here
it was that Lincoln showed his heroic courage, and by his indomitable
will kept the reins of government firmly in his hands, thus saving the
country from utter anarchy. The war continued with unrelenting vigor
for two years, and its horrible consequences were sorely felt
throughout the land. In September, 1862, Lincoln issued his famous
Emancipation Proclamation, by which slavery was forever banished from
this country. Still the warring did not cease. In 1864 Lincoln was
elected for a second term in office. The people knew his noble
character and they had full confidence in him.

At last peace seemed to be in sight. The North had sacrificed the
blood of thousands of its men as well as the wealth of its treasuries.
The South, in the same manner, had not only lost tens of thousands of
its bravest men, but it was utterly ruined, on account of the terrible
punishment the war had inflicted upon that sunny land.

Richmond, the stronghold of the rebellion, had fallen, and victory was
on the side of the Union. Amidst universal rejoicings, there came the
saddest news. On the 14th day of April, 1865, Abraham Lincoln was
assassinated.

The whole nation was thrown into deepest mourni