The sun., 1909-01-31
LINCOLN,S FIYE hooks.
tho First He Owned and which He
Knew AImest by Heart.

Knew Almost BY Heart.
Tho boy Abraham Lincoln had very
few books. His earliest possessions con-
sisted Of less than half dozen volumes
IA pioneers library.
First. Of course was the Bible. whole
library In itself II properly understood
and containing every sort Of literature
stories, poems. dramas, addresses, ora
tons, histories. some simple enough for
the youngest child. others taxing the
wisdom Of the learned.
Second was Pilgrims Progress, with
its quaint characters and vivid ecenes
related In simple. vigorous Enghsh.
-Esop's Fables was a third and intro
duced the log cabin boy TO a wonderful
range OF characters-the gods Of myth
ology. the different ranks and classes OF
mankind and every animal. -.
Fourth was a history Of the United
States. in which there was the charm OF
truth and more modern tone, and from
which were learned the lessons OF patn-
otism that Lncoln's manhood put into
action. Last came Weems's Life OF
Washington a queer. stilted book. but
one full OF detail that made Washington
seem a living example.
These five books were the beginning
Of Lincoln's education. says 81. Niehotds:
From the Bible. pilgrim 8 Progress and
Esop the boy Lincoln learned the power
and beauty OF plain English words ana
saw that the grandest thoughts and most
poetic imaginings needed only the strong
little words Of every day. When therefore
In later life he wished TO be sure he under
stood any matter 1t became his custom
TO translate il into words such as child
can understand. Read again the Gettys-
burg address and the second inaugural
address and learn how Lincoln. the
Presid ent, could make the homespun
words OF common use move the hearts
Of his fellow men.
In Nicolay and Hays Life Of Lincoln
il is recorded that -he read these fiye books
over and over till he knew thern almost by
heart. He would sit in the twilight and
ssd ss Ss long as ns SGSS
Of Indiana as boys in our day do The
Three Guardsmen.'
-He could not AFFORD 10 waste paper
upon his original compositions. Hewould
SIT by the fire at night and cover the
wooden shovel with essays and arith-
metical exercises. which be would shave
OF, and then begin again. II 10 touching
to think Of this great spirited child,
battling year after year against his evil
star. wasting his ingenuity upon devices
and makeshifts, his high intelligence
starving for want OF the simple appliances
Of education that are now offered gratis
to the poorest and most indifferent.
The few books he was able to get made
the keen witted country boy anxious
to find people who could answer bis ques-
tons for him. In those days many men.
clergymen, Judges and lawyers. rode
on circuit. stopping overnight at any
farmhouse they might happen upon.
When such a man would ride up TO the
Lincoln clearing he was usually met
at him before he could dismount from
his horse.
The visitor would be amused, but Tom
Lincoln thought that a poor sort OF hos
pitality. He would come running out
OF the horse and say stop that. Abe.
What's happened TO your manner ers?
Then he would turn to the traveller.
and come in to supper
Then Abe would go away whistling
to show that he didn't care. When he
found his cousin Dennis Hanks he said,
Pa says it's not polite to ask questions,
but guess I wasn't meant to be polite:
lHtft suCn u fOt VI uliiss W ohfo
how am I going To know them IL ] don't
ask questions?' He simply stored them
away until p later time. and when supper
was over he usually found his chance
TO make use OF the visitor.
He said TO his cousin Dennis one day:
Denny. the things want to know are in
books. My best friend is the man who
will get me one"
Dennis was very fond OF his younger
cousin and as soon as he could save up
the money he went 10 town and bought
a copy Of the Arabian Nights He
gave this to Abe. and the latter at once
started to read II aloud by the wood fire
in the evenings. His mother, his sister
Sally and Dennis were his audience.
His father thought the reading only
waste Of time and said: ABE. your mother
can't work with you Fostering her like
that But Mrs. Lincoln said the stories
helped her. and so the reading went On.
When he came to the story OF how Sirh1-
bad the Sailor went too close TO the magic
rock and lost all the nails out Of the bot
tom Of his boat Abe laughed until he
cried. Dennis. however couldn't see
the humor.
.why. Abe said he. that yarns just
a lie
'Praps So" answered the small boy. |
but IL il is it's a mighty good lie