to attend all manner of neighborhood gatherings--"raisings" of
new cabins, horseraces, shooting-matches, auctions--anything that
served to call the settlers together; and it was social
popularity, quite as much as ability to discuss political
questions, that carried weight with such assemblies. Lincoln, it
is needless to say, was in his element. He might be called upon
to act as judge in a horse-race, or to make a speech upon the
Constitution! He could do both. As a laughing peacemaker between
two quarrelsome patriots he had no equal; and as contestant in an
impromptu match at quoit-throwing, or lifting heavy weights, his
native tact and strong arm served him equally well. Candidates
also visited farms and outlying settlements, where they were
sometimes unexpectedly called upon to show their mettle and
muscle in more useful labor. One farmer has recorded how Lincoln
"came to my house near Island Grove during harvest. There were
some thirty men in the field. He got his dinner, and went out in
the field where the men were at work. I gave him an introduction,
and the boys said that they could not vote for a man unless he
could make a hand. 'Well, boys,' said he, "if that is all, I am
sure of your votes.' He took hold of the cradle and led the way
all the round with perfect ease. The boys were satisfied, and I
don't think he lost a vote in the crowd."

Sometimes two or more candidates would meet at such places, and
short speeches would be called for and given, the harvesters
throwing down their scythes meanwhile to listen, and enlivening
the occasion with keen criticisms of the method and logic of the
rival orators. Altogether the campaign was more spirited than
that of two years before. Again there were thirteen candidates
for the four places; but this time, when the election was over,