"How's that?

For the life of me I can't see any particular good that comes of studyin' grammar.

That is because you do not know even the definition "Grammar is the art of

of it," replied Abraham.

speaking and writing the English language with propriety. And that shows what good it does."

"Perhaps it does."

"Of course it does, whether you can see it or not; and I am willing to study for it by day and night."

"I should think it was about enough to study by day, and let the nights go," said Alley, demurely.

It

"There is where we don't think alike again. would take me a long time to master this grammar if I should study only by leisure moments in the daytime. I have used up from two to three hours over it every night."

"Just like you, Abe."

"Just like every poor fellow like me, who must do so, or know little or nothing. Dr. Franklin carried a book in his pocket, to study when he could, and he kept one by his side in the printing-office to read every minute he had to spare."

"How do you know that? Was you there?" and Alley's roguishness appeared in his expressive eye. "Probably," answered Abraham, in the same vein of remark.

"But did you ever read the Life of Dr. Franklin?" Certainly, several years ago; and if he had not done just what you think is quite foolish he would have made candles all his life."

"And that would be sheddin' light on the world, I'm sure," said Alley, with an attempt at punning. "Lucky that somebody was willing to make candles."

But no bantering or pleas for sport could separate Abraham from his grammar. Kirkham was his boon

companion in a more important sense than Green, Duncan, Alley, Carman, Herndon, and all the rest of the New Salem associates.

It became customary for the citizens to take their visitors over to Offutt's store to introduce them to Abraham, of whom the whole village were proud. Richard Yates came to town to visit friends, and they took him over to the store to make Abraham's acquaintance. This was the Richard Yates who, subsequently, became famous as a public man. He became Governor of Illinois when Abraham became President of the United States, and did noble service for the country in conquering the "Southern Rebellion." Abraham was soon engaged in close conversation upon various subjects, and while they were talking Alley and Yates' friend left.

The dinner-time arrived before they were aware that nearly an hour had passed since they were introduced to each other. Abraham invited his new acquaintance to dine with him, and they proceeded to the house where he boarded-a low, rough log-house.

"Aunt Lizzie," said Abraham, "I have brought some company home to dinner.”

"I'm glad of it, Abe, if you'll take me as you find me," replied the old lady, addressing her remark partly to Abraham and partly to the visitor.

"No apologies are necessary," said Yates.

"No, none at all," added Abraham.

one.

The dinner was on the table, and it was a very plain There was plenty of bread, and milk enough for the company, and the addition of another bowl and spoon provided a dinner for visitor and all.

There was quite a number of members of the family, boarders and children, and the aged matron waited at the table, pouring the milk, and passing a brimming

bowl to each. When Abraham was waited upon, by some mishap his bowl slipped and rolled over upon the floor, dashing it to pieces, and covering the floor with its contents.

"Oh dear me!" exclaimed the old lady, in great trouble; "that was all my fault."

"Perhaps not," said Abraham.

"It surely was," she answered. "I am so careless." "Well, Aunt Lizzie, we'll not discuss whose fault it is," continued Abraham; "only if it don't trouble you, it don't trouble me."

"That's you, Abe, sure," replied Aunt Lizzie. "You're ready to comfort a body."

"A very good trait," said Yates, who was both amused and enlightened by the accident.

'Never mind, Aunt Lizzie," continued Abraham, "you have the worst of it; but I am really sorry that your bowl is broken. I don't care so much for the milk, as there is plenty more where that came from. Much worse things happen sometimes."

By this time Aunt Lizzie had another bowl filled for Abraham, and the company proceeded to eat their dinner, while the old lady gathered up the fragments of the broken bowl, and wiped up the floor.

Here Abraham exhibited a trait of character for which he was distinguished from boyhood. He disliked to make trouble for any one, and wanted to see all persons at ease. Hence he was accommodating, never disposed to find fault, inclined to overlook the mistakes and foibles of others. Also, his readiness to assist the needy, and comfort the distressed and unfortunate, proceeded in part from this quality. It was made up of gentlemanly bearing, affability, generosity, and a true regard for the welfare and happiness of others, A rare character is this, though

it is always needed, and is popular wherever it is appreciated.

We were absorbed in the discussion of Abraham and Alley about the grammar, and were were interrupted by the arrival of Yates, in consequence of which the conversation was broken off. We will only add that Abraham became a very good grammarian by dint of perseverance. He did not cast aside the old grammar until he had mastered it, and it was all accomplished while he was the most faithful clerk that the store at New Salem ever had. He found time enough at odd moments during the day, and took enough out of his sleeping hours at night, within the space of a few months, to acquire all the knowledge of grammar that he ever possessed.

We should say, however, that his companion, William Green, rendered him assistance in this study. William had some knowledge of grammar, and he cheerfully aided Abraham all that he could. The latter always said that William taught him grammar, although William still affirms "that he seemed to master it, as it were, by intuition."

It is probable that Kirkham's Grammar laid the foundation, in part, of Abraham's future character. It taught him the rudiments of his native language, and thus opened the golden gate of knowledge. There is much in his experience at this point to remind us of that of Alexander Murray, the world-renowned linguist. His father was too poor to send him to school, or to provide him with books. The Bible, and a catechism containing the alphabet, were all the volumes in the family, and the latter Alexander was not allowed to see except on the Sabbath. During the week his father would draw the letters on the back of an old wool-card "with the black end of an extinguished heather-stem

or root, snatched from the fire." In this way he learned the alphabet, and became a reader. At twelve years of age a friend presented him with a copy of Salmon's Grammar, which he mastered in an incredibly short period; and here commenced his progress in earnest. He borrowed a Latin grammar and mastered it. Then a French grammar was studied with success. Then the Greek was taken in hand, and thus on till all the Oriental and Northern languages were familiar to him. And the study of Salmon's Grammar laid the foundation for all this. That was the key to the vast treasures of knowledge that were opened before him. By making himself master of that, he unlocked the temple of wisdom.

And so the grammar that Abraham studied exerted a great influence upon his character and destiny.