D be made to offset them. The South therefore had been anxious to hav

[Murdy Weast]

 the pride of Clary's Grove in his arms like a child, and holding him
high in the air, almost choked the life out of him. It seemed for a
moment as though a general fight must follow; but even while Lincoln's
fierce rage compelled their respect, his quickly returning self-control
won their admiration, and the crisis was safely passed. Instead of
becoming enemies and leaders in a neighborhood feud, as might have been
expected, the two grew to be warm friends, the affection thus strangely
begun lasting through life. They proved useful to each other in various
ways, and years afterward Lincoln made ample amends for his rough
treatment of the other's throat by saving the neck of Jack Armstrong's
son from the halter in a memorable trial for murder. The Clary's Grove
"boys" voted Lincoln "the cleverest fellow that had ever broke into the
settlement," and thereafter took as much pride in his peaceableness and
book-learning as they did in the rougher and more questionable
accomplishments of their discomfited leader. Lincoln himself was not so
easily satisfied. His mind as well as his muscles hungered for work, and
he confided to Mentor Graham, possibly with some diffidence, his "notion
to study English grammar." Instead of laughing at him, Graham heartily
encouraged the idea, saying it was the very best thing he could do. With
quickened zeal Lincoln announced that if he had a grammar he would begin
at once at this the schoolmaster was obliged to confess that he knew of
no such book in New Salem. He thought, however, that there might be one
at Vaner's, six miles away. Promptly after breakfast the next morning
Lincoln set out in search of it. He brought the precious volume home in
triumph, and with Graham's occasional help found no difficulty in
mastering its contents. Indeed, it is very likely that he was
astonished, and even a bit disappointed, to find so little mystery in
it. He is reported to have said that if this was a "science," he thought
he would like to begin on another one. In the eyes of the townspeople,
however, it was no small achievement, and added greatly to his
reputation as a scholar. There is no record of any other study commenced
at this time, but it is certain that he profited much by helpful talks
with Mentor Graham, and that he borrowed every book the schoolmaster's
scanty library was able to furnish. Though outw