Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-24
a.s.
! LITERATURE AND LIFE.
+ A. j. N. ..


{ :: ;: \. !
/. 1.
LINCOLN.
"a blend of mirth and sadness, smiles
and tears;
A quaint knight-errant of the pio-
neers;
A homely hero born of star and sod;
A Peasant .-ince; masterpiece OF
God"
The annual commemmoration of the
lives of Washington and Lincoln has
again come around. A fresh reminder
of the possibilities of human attain
ment. AS these two most commanding
figures in American history recede In
time, each successive anniversary but
serves to bring them into closer and
more PERSONAL relation with the po-
litical ideals and life of today.
1t was a happy stroke of the Gods
In ordaining the birth of these twin
heroes so near together on the Same
month. While in certain SUPERFICIAL
phases of character and life they
present a marked contrast. yet, In all
the essential qualities which are neces.
sary for great emergencies, and con-
tribute to greatness Of character they
show remarkable similarity. The two
great mountain peaks of American po-
litical achievements, standing as IL
were as the beginning and completion
of our national life and uniory- thier
life and work do in sense supple
ment and complete each other.
At this particular season, remini-
SCIENCES from their lives will be re-
peated anew from platform, press and
pulpit, and all will serve to convey to
the rising generation some wholesome
lesson In the process OF character
building.
Better still than these "reminiscences.
the present is a good time to read one
or more of the numerous biographies
now before the public. There are
many of the Lincoln biographies, and
all are we'll worth reading. AS some
one has said, no poor book could well
be woven around such a theme as Abb
raham Lincoln. Were there boy In
whom desired to instill all the virtues
which go to make UP the highest man
hood and success I know of no better
way than to put into his hands one or
all the many biographies of Lincoln
now before the public. The biograph-
ical and character sketches of such
men are certainly of priceless value
to our growing youth. No stories ca..
be more fascinating than these true
stories with their real heroes and real
incidents; or none better calculated to
appeal to the youthful mind
If romance and heroism are wanted
to fire the imagination and kindle into
steady flame the glowing ideals of the
young. where can they be found more
abundant than in the lives of these
real historic heroes?
Lincoln Is q conspicuous example of
what biography may do in moulding
the life and character of youth and
giving to 1t direction and aim. We
have his own testimony for the indel-
lible Impressions and wholesome in
fiuence which 'Weem's Life of Wash
ington" exerted on his youthful fancy.
He knew what it was to feel the pangs
of an empty stomach but such hunger
was nothing compared with his soul
for books. Our boys of today,
surfeited with the pile of elegantly
bound and illustrated books from
which they may choose at pleasure,
can have no conception of the deep
heart hunger of little Abe-a void that
sent him securing the country In ev-
cry misunderstanding often. after
the days toll was over, for many miles
in search of the few books to be found
in that neighborhood.
The three books which formed the
sole stock of his fathers library were
the bible, Aesops Fables and Pill
grim's Progress. These works. which
formed early the lads literary taste,
We're not read carelessly and tossed
aside to be forgotten in an hour, as
read by the youth of today, but read
and greedily absorbed until he could
repeat them, almost word for wore,
from memory.
Later his mother managed to add to
his treasures the life and speeches of
Henry Clay This, together with
Weem's Washington" which he OBJ
tanned from settler, nodded the lads |
character, and later. the young mans
political ideals and principles. Meaget
as was his library. destitute as was his
life and surroundings of all those ele-
iueiitS WHICH give JOY stuu CoiuiOEt 10
life, the heart hungry, lonely lad
found in these two volumes, "Clay's
Life" and Weems Washington
never failing source of strength and
The circumstances under which Lin
coin came into possession of Wsem's |
Washington. may not be without in
terest for those who have not read the
Going for it after the days !
toll was over, he returned with it late,
reading until the "tallow Dip had burn |
ed out, then tucked it away in a chink |
of log wall and went to sleep. A storm
came up in the night and ruined the
book, and the honest lad returned il /
with a heavy heart to it's owner, offer |
ing to do whatever the owner thought |
Just ana square. Finally the settlement
was made-young Abe agreeing TO pull |
corn stalks for three days. And here
in addition to this lesson of honesty, the |
lad displayed his worldly shrewdness
curing:
Does my work pay for the book it
SELF or only for the damage done?' and
the lender agreed to let him keep the |
book, the first book he ever earned |
himself.
The boy laid to heart the lessons of |
that precious volume, and years after
ON the way to his inauguration at
he stood on the battlefield |