Mr. Offut, Abraham's employer was very proud of his strength and was wont to boast of it very often. There was a settlement near New Salem called Clary's Grove. A large number of young men who lived in that vicinity ran together and were known as the Clary's Grove boys. They were large and strong young men, and very much given to fun and sport. They were rude and rough and would wrestle, fight and do a great many tricks. Abraham, being a stranger bragged on by his employer they thought it was necessary to "take the starch out of him," so they put up their best man, Jack Armstrong to wrestle against Abraham. Jack Armstrong was a square built fellow and strong as an ox. Abraham did not like this sort of thing, but it was hard to avoid it. So they met on a certain day for the wrestling match. The crowd came to witness the contest. For a long time they struggled without either gaining a victory, and both keeping on their feet. Finally Armstrong made a foul and this made Abraham furious, so he caught Jack by the throat, held him out at arm's length and shook him as though he was only a child. Armstrong's friends rushed to his aid, but Abraham backed up to the building and stood ready. His friends came to his support, and when all knew about Armstrong's trick and also recognized Abraham's wonderful strength, they became admirers of him, and ever after the Clary's Grove boys were staunch friends of Mr. Lincoln. He used the influence thus acquired to teach them that the mind is the measure of the man, and not physical strength and by his example taught them that to cultivate the mind by reading and study was the more important thing and he did them a great deal of good. CHAPTER IV. While Abraham clerked in Mr. Offut's store he studied hard. Some one told him he ought to study grammar. In all the neighborhood there was but one grammar. He heard where it was, and started off at once, and got Kirkham's grammar. He applied himself to learning it, and would recite to his friend, Green, and then would consult the school teacher, Mr. Graham about points. In a few weeks he had learned it, and then took up other studies. The men thereabouts, seeing him study so much, got the idea that he was going to be a great man. One morning in April, 1832, a messenger from the governor came into New Salem, scattering circulars asking for volunteers for the Black Hawk war. Black Hawk was one of the Indian chiefs who had caused the government a great deal of trouble.