was as eloquent as I ever heard; and such the power and earnestness with which he spoke to that jury that all sat as if entranced, and when he was through found relief in a gush of tears." Even one of the prosecutors said, "He took the jury by storm. There were tears in Mr. Lincoln's eyes while he spoke, but they were genuine. His sympathies were fully enlisted for the young man, and his terrible sincerity could not help but arouse the same passion in the jury. I have said a hundred times that it was Lincoln's speech that saved Armstrong from the gallows."

By this time old Mrs. Armstrong must have realized the full, deep significance of the Divine promise, "Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days."

In his circuit practice Lincoln devoted himself to self-improvement, by taking books with him-readingbooks, his grammar, arithmetic, and Shakespeare. He read and studied much when riding. The finest passages of Shakespeare were committed in these travels; and he would sometimes stop by the way, and recite them to strangers whom he met. Out of court, during his absence on circuit business, he found considerable time to pore over his books, so that little of his time was lost.

Soon after he began the practice of law he commenced to remit money to his poor parents. There was a mortgage of two hundred dollars on his father's little farm, and he paid it. His foster-brother, John Johnston, was poor and needy, and he assisted him also. John was shiftless and lazy, and Lincoln once wrote to him, "I now promise you that, for every dollar you will, between this and the first of next May, get for your own labour, either in money or as your

own indebtedness, I will then give you one other dollar. By this, if you hire yourself at ten dollars a month, from me you will get ten more, making twenty dollars a month for your work." He visited his parents, also, as often as was consistent ness and many cares.

with his growing busi

In his early law practice he received five hundred dollars for conducting a criminal case successfully. A legal friend called upon him the next morning, and found him counting his money.

"Look here, judge," he said; "more money out of this case than I ever had in my life. If I had two hundred and fifty dollars more, I would go directly and purchase a quarter-section of land, and settle it upon my old stepmother."

"I will loan you the required amount," answered the judge.

"Agreed," rejoined Mr. Lincoln, and proceeded to write a note at once.

"I would not use the the money just as you have indicated," then added the judge. "Why not?"

"Your stepmother is getting old, and will not live many years. I would settle the property upon her for her use during her lifetime, to revert to you upon her death."

"I shall do no such thing," answered Lincoln, decidedly. "It is a poor return, at the best, for the good woman's devotion and fidelity to me, and there is not going to be any half-way business about it."

As soon as he could he purchased the quarter-section, and settled it upon his stepmother.

On hearing of his father's serious illness in January 1851, at a time when pressing business and the sickness of his own wife rendered it impossible for him to

leave her, he wrote a very touching filial letter, addressing it to Johnston. The letter has the following paragraph:

"You already know I desire that neither father nor mother shall be in want of any comfort, either in health or sickness, while they live; and I feel sure that you have not failed to use my name, if necessary, to procure a doctor or anything else for father in his present sickness. I sincerely hope father may yet recover his health; but, at all events, tell him to remember and call upon and confide in our great and good and merciful Maker, who will not turn away from him in any extremity. He notes the fall of a sparrow, and numbers the hairs of our heads; and He will not forget the dying man who puts his trust in Him. Say to him that, if we could meet now, it is doubtful whether it would not be more painful than pleasant; but that, if it be his lot to go now, he will soon have a joyous meeting with loved ones gone before, and where the rest of us, through the help of God, hope ere long to join them."

That the reader may know we have not spoken with partiality of Mr. Lincoln as a lawyer, the following tribute of two of the most distinguished jurists of his day, spoken after his tragic death, will prove.

Judge David Davis said: "In all the elements that constitute the great lawyer he had few equals. The framework of his mental and moral being was honesty. He never took from a client, even when the cause was gained, more than he thought the service was worth and the client could reasonably afford to pay. He was loved by his brethren of the bar."

Judge Drummond said: "With a probity of character known to all, with an intuitive insight into the human heart, with a clearness of statement which was in itself

an argument, with uncommon power and felicity of illustration, often, it is true, of a plain and homely kind, and with that sincerity and earnestness of manner which carried conviction, he was one of the most successful lawyers in the State."

MR

XXII.

THE RISING STATESMAN.

R. LINCOLN was elected to Congress in 1846. He was brought forward in a meeting to nominate delegates to a Congressional Convention in 1844, but Colonel Baker received the endorsement of the convention. Mr. Lincoln, however, was chosen one of the delegates to the district convention, whereupon he wrote to his old friend Speed, in a vein of humour, "The meeting appointed me one of the delegates, so that in getting Baker the nomination I shall be 'fixed' a good deal like the fellow who is made groomsman to the man who has cut him out,' and is marrying his own dear gal."

Henry Clay, his favourite statesman, was the Whig candidate for President that year; and Mr. Lincoln entered into the canvass with all his heart, making numerous speeches, and winning golden opinions. He was chosen a presidential elector, a merited honour.

One day he was coming down the steps of the State House, when he met an old client, whose note for services he held.

"Hallo, Cogdal!" Lincoln exclaimed, heartily extending his hand: "you have been very unfortunate, I hear." Cogdal had been blown up by an accidental discharge of powder, and lost one hand by the calamity.

Yes, rather unfortunate; but it might have been worse," answered Cogdal.