Mower County transcript., 1903-10-14
CHAPTER /.


his stomach, his head supported by his
hands, facing the cooper's fireplace. A
blaze Of shavings and blocks lighted
cobwebby beams overhead, clean
slaves and hoop-poles standing around
the wall, the cooper's workbench and
tools, the lank, aguish face Of man
who sat on keg beside the hearth,
holding a book from which the young
student recited. The shop had part of
log left out in the side, filled,
like all New Salem windows, with
oiled paper instead Of glass. Outer
darkness made this blurred oblOng
framed by logs.
People knew that the cooper let
young Lincoln turn his shop into q
study every evening, and no one be-
fore this night had come picking at the
latch.
"The strings pulled in Minter," said
Lincoln, turning his head, as sup
pressed laughter and a shuttle of feet
on the log step disturbed his recitation.
"Never mind the boys; they'll go way
pretty soon."
Maybe the Grove fellows have come
to town." said the aguish young man
on the keg, listening anxiously.
They'd as lief break in the cooper's
paper as not.''
Il reckon we'd better hurry, any,
way" urged the student, and he con-
tinued repeating as rapidly as he could
the remainder of the lesson.
Presently with a click the door
turned back on it's wooden hinges and
bumped the wall.
~ know you, Sticky" declared the
Interrupted scholar without looking.
"Come in. Folks wouldn't give you the
name of Sticky Green if you hadn't
way of getting what you want" He
scooped double handful of blocks
and shavings on the blaze, and, warned
by some unusual restraint at the door,
hastily drew up his length before the
fire. 1t showed him slim giant in
blue homespun trousers, which did not
quite cover his ankles, and an open
roundabout hanging loosely from the,
his vest was buttoned crooked. See
ing a stranger on the threshold with.
the boy he called Sticky, Lincoln ran
his hand through his dark hair, leaving
it tossed in every direction.
How did you know I was home
from college, Abe? Dick and I rode
il from the farm on purpose to see
you. This is Dick Yates, one Of our
boys from the Jacksonville school.
Dick, this is Abe Lincoln"
"How do you do, Dick?" said Abe,
offering his hand.
How do you do, Abe?" said Dick,
seizing it,
And here's our schoolmaster,
Minter Grayham,' continued Sticky,
presenting the pale occupant Of the keg
Minter rose with the dignity of man
who often pronounced words of five
syllables. The mounting freight
found rejecting threads in Dick Yates
bright auburn hair. The schoolmaster
thought him a beautiful young fellow,
with modest manners. His features,
perfectly modelled and rosy as a girls,
were manly, from full forehead to out
standing chin. Though of robust, we'll
knit figure for a lad of 18, his head
barely reached Lincoln's shoulder as
the two stood looking at each other.
i've been telling Dick so much
about you, Abe, that he wanted to see
you," said Sticky.
Abe blushed and Dick blushed, with
eager friendliness and recognition of
power
Are you studying Blackstone?"
inquired Dick, indicating the huge
book which Minter Grayham held
closed.
Eyes. It's mighty interesting read
ing to me-"
I'm going to study law, too. But it
scares me to death to begin debate;
and Sticky says you make a fine
speech"
IF ever met you as an opponent,
I'd want some advantage. S'pose we
make compact to work together on
our first case?"
"Done!" said Yates. "It's as good
as won."
William Green!" spoke girls voice
from the humid spring darkness out
side; ''have you forgot how bad the
wolves are in the timber we have to
ride through?"
"Come in, girls!" exclaimed the pro-
prietor of the rough study. His tutor
echoed the invitation. 'It's Abe's re-,
cess. Come in, Nancy and Ann Rut-
ledge, and the rest of you"
Half dozen figures emerged from
the night of the village street, bearing
Nancy Green company, laughing and
half reluctant; and let themselves be
coaxed into sharing long bench which
the boys drew up before the fire. 1t
was like an invasion of swallows. Abe
raked up all the shavings and blocks
and brought them to the hearth. A
festive spirit filled the place. Nearly
all the girls were bareheaded, in linsey
dresses. They had stepped out Of
their homes along the winding road
for the mere pleasure of being abroad
and free from the tasks at the end of
the day; with the exception Of Nancy
Green, and Martha Bell Clary, who had
4 come from Clarv's Grove RI Hcto1,f =, II