that he was beginning to think of a great life and a great destiny.  Lincoln said to him on one occasion that all his family seemed to have good sense but somehow none had ever become distinguished.  He thought perhaps he might become so.  He had talked, he said, with men who had the reputation of being great men, but he could not see that they differed much from others.  During this year he was also much engaged with debating clubs, often walking six or seven miles to attend them.  One of these clubs held its meetings at an old store-house in New Salem, and the first speech young Lincoln ever made was made there.  He used to call the exercising “practicing polemics.”  As these clubs were composed principally of men of no education whatever, some of their “polemics” are remembered as the most laughable of farces.  Lincoln’s favorite newspaper at this time was the “Louisville Journal.”  He received it regularly by mail, and paid for it during a number of years when he had not money enough to dress decently.  He liked its politics, and was particularly delighted with its wit and humor, of which he had the keenest appreciation.

At this era Lincoln was as famous for his skill in athletic sports as he was for his love of books.  Mr. Offutt, who had a strong regard for him, according to Mr. Arnold, “often declared that his clerk, or salesman, knew more than any man in the United States, and that he could out-run, whip, or throw any man in the county.  These boasts came to the ears of the ‘Clary Grove Boys,’ a set of rude, roystering, good-natured fellows, who lived in and around Clary’s Grove, a settlement near New Salem.  Their leader was Jack Armstrong, a great square-built fellow, strong as an ox, who was believed by his followers to be able to whip any man on the Sangamon river.  The issue was thus made between Lincoln and Armstrong as to which was the better man, and although Lincoln tried to avoid such contests, nothing but an actual trial of strength would satisfy their partisans.  They met and wrestled for some time without any decided advantage on either side.  Finally Armstrong resorted to some foul play, which roused Lincoln’s indignation.  Putting forth his whole strength, he seized the great bully by the neck and holding him at arm’s length shook him like a boy.  The Clary Grove Boys were ready to pitch in on behalf of their champion; and as they were the greater part of the lookers-on, a general onslaught upon Lincoln seemed imminent.  Lincoln backed up against Offutt’s store and calmly awaited the attack; but his coolness and courage made such an impression upon Armstrong that he stepped forward, grasped Lincoln’s hand and shook it heartily, saying:  ’Boys, Abe Lincoln is the best fellow that ever broke into this settlement.  He shall be one of us.’  From that day forth Armstrong was Lincoln’s friend and most willing servitor.  His hand, his table, his purse, his vote, and that of the Clary Grove Boys as well, belonged to Lincoln.  The latter’s popularity among them was unbounded.  They saw that he would play fair.  He could stop a fight and quell a disturbance among these rude neighbors when all others failed.”