ABRAHAM LINCOLN -- CHAPTER 7

KIRKHAM'S ENGLISH GRAMMAR      By late July in 1831, when Abraham came back, New Salem was enjoying what proved to be a shortlived boom. It was because of the rumor that the Sangamon River would soon be open for navigation. Some of the people welcomed him when they knew that he was the clever youth who had sailed the boat over Rutledge's milldam a few monthes before.      At last Offutt's merchandise arrived. Abraham at once unpacked the goods and arranged them in the store. There were groceries, dry goods,hardware, cups and saucers, plates, knives and butter, gunpowder, tobacco, whiskey, ect.       The new goods drew customers, and the new clerk attracted attention. Abraham did things so well that he was admired and trusted by Offutt. Minter Graham, the schoolmaster, became a very good friend of his. He was in the store one day, when Abraham said to him : " I want to study English grammar. The trouble is that there is no book on English grammar about here."  " I know where there is one," Graham said. " Where?" " Six miles    from here, at Vaner's. He has acopy of Kirkham's Grammar."Abraham walked six miles and borrowed the book. He found it very interesting and had a new impulse after knowledge.      He became a good grammarian by dint of perseverance. By making himself master of grammar, he learned to express himself correctly and clearly. It exerted a great influence upon his character and destiny.      Soon the villagers began to take their visitors over to Offutt's store to introduce them to Abraham. The villagers were proud of him. Richard Yates came to town to see his friends, and they took him over to the store to make Abraham's acquaintance. He became Governor of Illinois when Abraham became President of the United States.