But no bantering or pleas for sport could separate Abraham from his grammar. Kirkham was his boon companion in a more important sense than Green, Duncan, Alley, Carman, Herndon, and all the rest of the New Salem associates.

It became customary for the citizens to take their visitors over to Offutt’s store to introduce them to Abraham, of whom the whole village were proud. Richard Yates came to town to visit friends, and they took him over to the store to make Abraham’s acquaintance. This was the Richard Yates who, subsequently, became famous as a public man. He became Governor of Illinois when Abraham became President of the United States, and did noble service for the country in conquering the “Southern Rebellion.” Abraham was soon engaged in close conversation upon various subjects, and while they were talking Alley and Yates’ friend left.

The dinner-time arrived before they were aware that nearly an hour had passed since they were introduced to each other. Abraham invited his new acquaintance to dine with him, and they proceeded to the house where he boarded—a low, rough log-house.

“Aunt Lizzie,” said Abraham, “I have brought some company home to dinner.”

“I’m glad of it, Abe, if you’ll take me as you find me,” replied the old lady, addressing her remark partly to Abraham and partly to the visitor.

“No apologies are necessary,” said Yates.

“No, none at all,” added Abraham.

The dinner was on the table, and it was a very plain one. There was plenty of bread, and milk enough for the company, and the addition of another bowl and spoon provided a dinner for visitor and all.

There was quite a number of members of the family, boarders and children, and the aged matron waited at the table, pouring the milk, and passing a brimming bowl to each. When Abraham was waited upon, by some mishap his bowl slipped and rolled over upon the floor, dashing it to pieces, and covering the floor with its contents.

“Oh dear me!” exclaimed the old lady, in great trouble; “that was all my fault.”

“Perhaps not,” said Abraham.

“It surely was,” she answered. “I am so careless.”

“Well, Aunt Lizzie, we’ll not discuss whose fault it is,” continued Abraham; “only if it don’t trouble you, it don’t trouble me.”

“That’s you, Abe, sure,” replied Aunt Lizzie. “You’re ready to comfort a body.”

“A very good trait,” said Yates, who was both amused and enlightened by the accident.

“Never mind, Aunt Lizzie,” continued Abraham, “you have the worst of it; but I am really sorry that your bowl is broken. I don’t care so much for the milk, as there is plenty more where that came from. Much worse things happen sometimes.”

By this time Aunt Lizzie had another bowl filled for Abraham, and the company proceeded to eat their dinner, while the old lady gathered up the fragments of the broken bowl, and wiped up the floor.

Here Abraham exhibited a trait of character for which he was distinguished from boyhood. He disliked to make trouble for any one, and wanted to see all persons at ease. Hence he was accommodating, never disposed to find fault, inclined to overlook the mistakes and foibles of others. Also, his readiness to