In The Boyhood of Lincoln: A Tale of the Tunker Schoolmaster and the Times of Black Hawk

"In The Boyhood of Lincoln" by Hezekiah Butterworth is a historical fiction work written in the late 19th century. The narrative focuses on the formative years of Abraham Lincoln, highlighting the character-building experiences and the influential figures in his early life, particularly a traveling schoolmaster named Jasper, who shapes the ideals of young Lincoln. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Jasper the Parable, a Tunker schoolmaster traveling through rural Indiana. As he makes his way to a school, he encounters various locals, including a young boy who informs him about the infamous schoolmaster Crawford, known for his strict discipline. Jasper arrives at the school just in time to witness a lively spelling class riddled with both humor and chaos, where we meet the tall, serious figure of Abraham Lincoln, a student there. The opening sets the tone for the intertwining of historical reality and fictional narrative that explores the themes of education, moral integrity, and the cultivation of character that will ultimately shape Lincoln into a pivotal figure in American history.