the clerk manager of the whole business.

This was not enough. Offutt sounded the praises of the new clerk to all
comers. He claimed that Abraham Lincoln "knew more than any man in the
United States." As Mr. Offutt had never shown that he knew enough
himself to prove this statement, the neighbors began to resent such rash
claims. In addition, Offutt boasted that Abe could "beat the county"
running, jumping and wrestling. Here was something the new clerk could
prove, if true, so his employer's statement was promptly challenged.

When a strange man came to the village to live, even though no one
boasted of his prowess, he was likely to suffer at the hands of the
rougher element of the place. It was a sort of rude initiation into
their society. These ceremonies were conducted with a savage sense of
humor by a gang of rowdies known as the "Clary's Grove Boys," of whom
the "best fighter" was Jack Armstrong.

Sometimes "the Boys" nailed up a stranger in a hogshead and it was
rolled down hill. Sometimes he was ingeniously insulted, or made to
fight in self-defense, and beaten black and blue by the whole gang. They
seemed not to be hampered by delicate notions of fair play in their
actions toward a stranger. They "picked on him," as chickens, dogs and
wolves do upon a newcomer among them.

So when young Lincoln heard his employer bragging about his brain and
brawn he was sufficiently acquainted with backwoods nature to know that
it boded no good to him. Even then "he knew how to bide his time," and
turned it to good account, for he had a good chance, shortly to show the
metal that was in him.

"The Boys" called and began to banter with the long-legged clerk in the
new store. This led to a challenge and comparison of strength and
prowess between young Lincoln and Jack Armstrong. Abe accepted the
gauntlet with an alacrity that pleased the crowd, especially the chief
of the bully "Boys," who expected an easy victory. But Jack was
surprised to find that the stranger was his match--yes, more than his
match. Others of "the Boys" saw this, also, and began to interfere by
tripping Abe and trying to help their champion by unfair means.

This made young Lincoln angry. Putting forth all his strength, he seized
Armstrong by the throat and "nearly choked the exuberant life out of
him." When "the Boys" saw the stranger shaking their "best fighter" as
if he were a mere child, their enmity gave place to admiration; and when
Abe had thro