Mr.Arnold states that Lincoln made a practice of reading in his walks between Springfield and New Salem; and so intense was his application and so absorbed was he in his study that he would pass his best friends without observing them, and some people said that Lincoln was going crazy with hard study.
He soon began to make a practical application of his legal knowledge.

He bought an old form-book and began to draw up contracts, deeds, leases, mortgages, and all sorts of legal instruments for his neighbors.

He also began to exercise his forensic ability in trying small cases before justices of the peace and juries, and soon acquired a local reputation as a speaker, which gave him considerable practice.

But he was able in this way to earn scarcely money enough for his maintenance.

To add to his means, he took up the study of surveying, and soon became, like Washington, a skilful and accurate surveyor.