n the loss of
his mother wore off, Abe gradually associated with evil companions,
fell into their habits, until he became a wild and wicked young man.
He never sank into those low habits of which some are guilty, who
neglect the appearance and cleanliness of their own person, and go
about on Sundays and weekdays unwashed and in their working attire.
Abe had more respect for himself, and was always looked upon among his
friends as a dandy. I have heard old people say he was a proud young
man, and withal of a very sprightly appearance.

Abe took great pride in his personal appearance, and when not in his
working clothes he usually wore a blue coat in the old dress style,
such as "Father Taylor" would call "a gaf-topsail jacket." There were
the usual and attractive brass buttons to the coat, drab knee-breeches,
blue stockings, low tied shoes with buckles; and really everyone who
knew Abe thought he was a proud young man. Perhaps he was, but it is
not always an indication of pride when young people bestow more care
upon their appearance than do their fellows; it may arise from a desire
to appear respectable and be respected. No one will think I am trying
to extenuate the foolish and extravagant love of dress which some
people show, who adorn themselves in silks or broadcloth, for which
they have to go into debt without the means of paying. Some are most
unsparing in the way they lavish money on their own persons, but only
ask them to bestow something on a charitable institution, or on the
cause of God, and how poor they are; how careful not to be guilty of
the sin of _extravagance_; how anxious not to be _generous before being
just_.

There is a propriety which ought to be observed with regard to dress as
well as other things, and it will commend itself to the judgment as
well as to the eye. Some young people are the very opposite to Abe;
they bestow scanty attentions on their appearance,--how can they think
that any one else will pay them any regard? Their appearance is like
the index to a book; you see in a minute what the work contains, and so
you may generally form a correct idea of the character of an individual
by his habitual personal appearance. "Character shows through," is a
good saying, and would make a profitable study for most of us; it shows
through the skin, the dress, the manners, the speech, through
everything; people ought to remember this, and it would have a good
influence on their conduct.