Excerpt from The Centenary of the Birth of Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1909: Program of Exercises in Commemoration of That Event

The early life of lincoln gives no suggestion of his subsequent prominence. His parents were among the poorest of the settlers of a sterile section of the State of Kentucky; it was necessary for them to work hard and live cheaply; their children had to do the same.

During his boyhood abraham lincoln was very popular among the simple hard working pioneers. He had a kind heart and could sympa thize with any person in trouble, even with beasts and birds. He was intolerant of any injustice and was a true Knight, although he wore blue jean trousers. This sympathy for others grew. Once he heard some birds uttering plaintive sounds, and discovered that a birdling had fallen from its nest; although in great haste, he took time to climb the tree and replace the bird. Similar incidents of his gentle nature are numer ous and show why he was so popular as a boy, and in later years became a most popular man. Robert Burns was a popular boy. Why? Read his Lines to a meadow mouse which he had accidentally ploughed out of the ground. Henry Havelock was a popular boy. Why? Because he was chivalrous. He led boys at school in the same high spirit as he afterward led the English army in India.

Lincoln, although powerful in mind and body, attended school less than one year during his entire life. He had not time. He had to add the pittance earned by his strong young arms to family living, which was poor enough even then. Yet with this slight education as a beginning, he continued to grow in strength and wisdom. He studied at night, having no other time, figuring on the backs of wooden shovels, slabs and boards, with charcoal, having no other light than that of a flickering fire in the old fashioned fireplace. Perhaps it was the memory of his own neglected childhood that in later years made him so kind and considerate of those about him. Even the lowest of animals called forth his tender sympathy. Through myriad trials and disappointments, onward and upward from lowliest childhood to leadership of a great and powerful Nation, his entire life says courage, courage, to every boy and girl.

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