was ever required of a teacher beyond ‘readin’, writin’ and cipherin’’ to the Rule of Three.  If a straggler, supposed to understand Latin, happened to sojourn in the neighborhood, he was looked upon as a wizard.  There was absolutely nothing to excite ambition for education.  Of course when I came of age I did not know much.  Still, somehow, I could read, write, 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.