Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-07-09
cspyrlsas. 1879. er Heroers $. stone : c..
CHAPTER /.

Abraham Lincoln lay stretched on
lslis stomach, his head supported by his
hands, facing the cooper's fireplace. A
fblaze of shavings and blocks lighted
scobwebby beams overhead, clean
,Htaves and hoop-poles standing around
the wall, the cooper's workbench and
tools, the lank, aguish face Of a. man
who sat on key beside the hearth.
holding book from which the young
student recited The shop had part Of
"a 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 le-
young Lincoln turn his shop into
study every evening" and no one be-
fore this night had come picking at the
latch
'gne strings pulled in Minter." said
lincoln, turning his head, as sup
pressed laughter and shuttle of feet
on the log step disturbed his recitation.
Never mind the boys; they'll so way
pretty soon.
Maybe the Grove fellows have come
20 town said the aguish young man
ON the key. 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-
finued repeating as rapidly as he could
the remainder of the lesson.
Presently with a click the door
xurned back on its wooden hinges and
bumped the wall
Il 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
shoulders. and betraying the fact that
his vest was buttoned crooked. See
ing a stranger on the threshold with
vhe boy be called Sticky, Lincoln ran
mis- hand through his dark hair, leaving
1t tossed in every direction.
"How did you know was home
from college. Abe? Dick and I rode
liz 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.
Sseizing it.
"And here's our schoolmaster,
MIinter Grayham." continued Sticky,
presenting the pale occupant ofth key.
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 sehoolmaster
Thought him a beautiful young fellow,
with modest manners. His features.
perfectly modelled and rosy as a girls,
we're manly, from full forehead to out
standing chin. Though of a robust, we'll
knit figure for lad of IS, his head
barely reached Lincoln's shoulder as
the two stood looking al each other.
1--WE been telling Dick so much
about you, Abe that he wanted 10 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
ang TO me"
I'm going to study law, too. But IL
;scares me to death TO begin debate;
and Sticky says you make fine
speech"
IF | ever met you as an opponent,
l'd want some advantage S'pose we
make a. compact TO work together on
sonr first case?"
Done" said Yates. IT'S as good
sas 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-
Jedge and the rest of you"
Halt a dozen figures emerged from
the night OF the village street, bearing
Nancy Green company, laughing and
half reluctant; and let themselves be
scoaxed into sharing long bench which
vthe boys drew UP before the fire. II
was like an Invasion of swallows. Abe
Eaked np ali the shayings and blocks
and brought them TO the hearth. A
festive spirit filled the place. Nearly
ssli the girls were bareheaded, in linsey
dresses. They had stepped out OF
aheir homes along the winding road
flor the mere pleasure of being abroad