Page:Lives of the presidents in words of one syllable (1903).djvu/86

 He then took up law, at Ports-mouth. In 1827 he was at the Bar and went to work at the law in his home town. At first he did not do so well as he thought he should. But he did not give up. He said he felt quite sure that he could hold his own in the court house in a way that would please both him and his friends. This came true. He was known as a man of brains. While quite young he had high posts in his state and held them some years.

In 1833 Mr. Pierce went to Con-gress In 1842 he gave up his seat in the Senate with the thought that he would keep to his law work and have his own folks with him at Con-cord, N. H. Hosts of posts were held out to him but to all he said "No," and that naught could take him from home save a war. Though shut up in his own town, still, he did not lose touch with what went on in the land. When the talk came of Tex-as and if it were best or not to add that part to our states, he said it was his strong wish to join Tex-as with us, free if she would be, but slave if she would have it so. Pierce led his side with great skill at all times and held his own.

War came in Mex-i-co in 1846, and Pierce joined the troops. Then it was drill, drill and read up on that sort of work. At first he took a low post, but he soon went up till he was the head of the 9th. Pres-i-dent Polk made him a Gen-er-al the next year. Then he set sail from New-port, in the bark Kep-ler with his troops, and in a month's time was in Ver-a Cruz. At last they took up the march to join Gen. Scott who was at Pu-eb-la. There were hard times down there and hard fights. Pierce's horse fell with him and died, while the ri-der was hurt, but with pluck kept at his work till the foe gave up. Pierce was brave and