corner with a book in his hand. He afterwards said of himself: "In those
boyish days there were two things that I dearly loved--reading and
playing."

He could never tell how or when he had learned to read. Perhaps his
mother had taught him when he was but a mere babe.

He was very young when he was first sent to school. The school-house was
two or three miles away, but he did not mind the long walk through the
woods and over the hills.

It was not a great while until he had learned all that his teacher was
able to teach him; for he had a quick understanding, and he remembered
everything that he read.

The people of the neighborhood never tired of talking about "Webster's
boy," as they called him. All agreed that he was a wonderful child.

Some said that so wonderful a child was sure to die young. Others said
that if he lived he would certainly become a very great man.

When the farmers, on their way to market, drove past Judge Webster's
house, they were always glad if they could see the delicate boy, with
his great dark eyes.

If it was near the hour of noon, they would stop their teams under the
shady elms and ask him to come out and read to them. Then, while their
horses rested and ate, they would sit round the boy and listen to his
wonderful tones as he read page after page from the Bible.