the three older men should have done.

Abe's father was kinder in many ways to his stepchildren than he was to
his own son. This may have been due to the fact that he did not wish to
be thought "partial" to his own child. No doubt Abe was "forward." He
liked to take part in any discussion, and sometimes he broke into the
conversation when his opinion had not been asked. Besides, he got into
arguments with his fellow-laborers, and wasted the time belonging to his
employer.

One day, according to Dennis, they were all working together in the
field, when a man rode up on horseback and asked a question. Abe was the
first to mount the fence to answer the stranger and engage him in
conversation. To teach his son better "manners" in the presence of his
"superiors," Thomas Lincoln struck Abe a heavy blow which knocked him
backward off the fence, and silenced him for a time.

Of course, every one present laughed at Abe's discomfiture, and the
neighbors approved of Thomas Lincoln's rude act as a matter of
discipline. In their opinion Abe Lincoln was getting altogether too
smart. While they enjoyed his homely wit and good nature, they did not
like to admit that he was in any way their superior. A visitor to
Springfield, Ill., will even now find some of Lincoln's old neighbors
eager to say "there were a dozen smarter men in this city than Lincoln"
when he "happened to get nominated for the presidency!"

SPORTS AND PASTIMES

Abe was "hail fellow, well met" everywhere. The women comprehended his
true greatness before the men did so. There was a rough gallantry about
him, which, though lacking in "polish," was true, "heart-of-oak"
politeness. He wished every one well. His whole life passed with "malice
toward none, with charity for all."

When he "went out evenings" Abe Lincoln took the greatest pains to make
everybody comfortable and happy. He was sure to bring in the biggest
backlog and make the brightest fire. He read "the funniest fortunes" for
the young people from the sparks as they flew up the chimney. He was the
best helper in paring the apples, shelling the corn and cracking the
nuts for the evening's refreshments.

When he went to spelling school, after the first few times, he was not
allowed to take part in the spelling match because everybody knew that
the side that "chose first" would get Abe Lincoln and he always "spelled
down." But he went just the same and had a good time himself if he could
add to the enjoy