Our American Holidays: Lincolns Birthday | Page 7

amounting in value by the reckoning, to two dollars six
and a quarter cents. He received the money, and the woman went away.
On adding the items of the bill again, to make sure of its correctness, he
found that he had taken six and a quarter cents too much. It was night,
and, closing and locking the store, he started out on foot, a distance of
two or three miles, for the house of his defrauded customer, and,
delivering over to her the sum whose possession had so much troubled
him, went home satisfied.
On another occasion, just as he was closing the store for the night, a
woman entered, and asked for a half pound of tea. The tea was weighed
out and paid for, and the store was left for the night. The next morning,
Lincoln entered to begin the duties of the day, when he discovered a
four-ounce weight on the scales. He saw at once that he had made a
mistake, and, shutting the store, he took a long walk before breakfast to
deliver the remainder of the tea. These are very humble incidents, but
they illustrate the man's perfect conscientiousness--his sensitive
honesty--better perhaps than they would if they were of greater
moment.
THE BOY THAT HUNGERED FOR KNOWLEDGE
From "Anecdotes of Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln's Stories."
In his eagerness to acquire knowledge, young Lincoln had borrowed of
Mr. Crawford, a neighboring farmer, a copy of Weems' Life of
Washington--the only one known to be in existence in that section of
country. Before he had finished reading the book, it had been left, by a
not unnatural oversight, in a window. Meantime, a rain storm came on,
and the book was so thoroughly wet as to make it nearly worthless.
This mishap caused him much pain; but he went, in all honesty, to Mr.

Crawford with the ruined book, explained the calamity that had
happened through his neglect, and offered, not having sufficient money,
to "work out" the value of the book.
"Well, Abe," said Mr. Crawford, after due deliberation, "as it's you, I
won't be hard on you. Just come over and pull fodder for me for two
days, and we will call our accounts even."
The offer was readily accepted, and the engagement literally fulfilled.
As a boy, no less than since, Abraham Lincoln had an honorable
conscientiousness, integrity, industry, and an ardent love of knowledge.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN[2]
BY FLORENCE EVELYN PRATT
Lincoln, the woodsman, in the clearing stood, Hemmed by the solemn
forest stretching round; Stalwart, ungainly, honest-eyed and rude, The
genius of that solitude profound. He clove the way that future millions
trod, He passed, unmoved by worldly fear or pelf; In all his lusty toil he
found not God, Though in the wilderness he found himself.
Lincoln, the President, in bitter strife, Best-loved, worst-hated of all
living men, Oft single-handed, for the nation's life Fought on, nor
rested ere he fought again. With one unerring purpose armed, he clove
Through selfish sin; then overwhelmed with care, His great heart sank
beneath its load of love; Crushed to his knees, he found his God in
prayer.
[2] From The Youth's Companion.
YOUNG LINCOLN'S KINDNESS OF HEART
From "Anecdotes of Abraham Lincoln."
An instance of young Lincoln's practical humanity at an early period of
his life is recorded, as follows: One evening, while returning from a
"raising" in his wide neighborhood, with a number of companions, he

discovered a straying horse, with saddle and bridle upon him. The
horse was recognized as belonging to a man who was accustomed to
excess in drink, and it was suspected at once that the owner was not far
off. A short search only was necessary to confirm the suspicions of the
young men.
The poor drunkard was found in a perfectly helpless condition, upon
the chilly ground. Abraham's companions urged the cowardly policy of
leaving him to his fate, but young Lincoln would not hear to the
proposition. At his request, the miserable sot was lifted to his shoulders,
and he actually carried him eighty rods to the nearest house. Sending
word to his father that he should not be back that night, with the reason
for his absence, he attended and nursed the man until the morning, and
had the pleasure of believing that he had saved his life.
A VOICE FROM THE WILDERNESS
BY CHARLES SUMNER
Abraham Lincoln was born, and, until he became President, always
lived in a part of the country which, at the period of the Declaration of
Independence, was a savage wilderness. Strange but happy Providence,
that a voice from that savage wilderness, now fertile in men, was
inspired to uphold the pledges and promises of the Declaration! The
unity of the republic on the indestructible foundation of liberty and
equality