Page:Life and Works of Abraham Lincoln, v1.djvu/74

44 one, or his charcoal sketches, if he had none. If he could not obtain manual possession of a book by borrowing, he would repair to the place where it was and thus use it. Among other books which he read in that way was the "Statutes of Indiana," which one Turnham, a constable, possessed, ex officio. This gave him an inclination toward the profession of law.

Abraham exhibited a proclivity for public speaking at an early age; anywhere that he could gather a crowd he was ready with a speech. His addresses were generally germane to the surrounding conditions, and "sometimes turned out a song, and sometimes turned out a sermon." Not infrequently, of a Sabbath when the old folks were at "meetin'," the youthful orator would edify the young folks at home by an improvised sermon. Upon such occasions, he would adopt the usual order of religious exercises, the prayer alone being omitted. A hymn would be selected and sung by the juvenile audience. His preaching frequently drew tears from his sympathetic auditory, in which, occasionally, he would join.

In the cornfield, his oratorical powers frequently were in demand. Often when a resting spell came, Abe would mount half-way of the fence, and steadying himself on the remainder, would thrill or amuse his hearers by a speech, sometimes political, sometimes polemical, sometimes jocular. He never failed to create an interest; in fact, his oratory was a great nuisance to employers who were interested that the work should be speedily performed. Another quality which adhered to him during his entire life was his good humor, leading to a personal popularity with those with whom he came in close contact.