You have heard about Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, haven't you? He came from a poor family, but rose to become one of the most fondly remembered presidents in his country's history. There are many stories about him. Here is one of them.

The following words may be new to you:

                efficient <a> 效率高的

                   accuracy <n> 精确

                   alter <v> 改变

                   dismiss <vt> 忘掉；不予考虑

                   overcharge <n> 多收的钱

Script for the recording:

        When Abraham Lincoln was young he worked in a store. As a clerk he proved honest and efficient. One day a woman came into the store and bought some articles. They added up to two dollars and six and a quarter cents, or the young clerk thought they did. The bill was paid, and the woman was entirely satisfied. But the young store-keeper, not feeling quite sure as to the accuracy of his calculation, added up the items once more. To his dismay he found that the sum total should have been only two dollars. "I've made her pay six and a quarter cents too much," said Abe, disturbed. It was a very small sum, and many clerks would have dismissed it as such. But Abe was too conscientious to forget about the overcharge.

"The money must be paid back," he decided. This would have been easy enough had the woman lived just around the corner, but, as the young man knew, she lived two or three miles away. This, however, did not alter the matter. It was night, but he closed and locked the store, and walked to the home of his customer. Having arrived there, he explained the matter, paid over the six and a quarter cents, and returned satisfied. This anecdote won him a new name: Honest Abe.

1. The young store-keeper added up the items once more, because he was not feeling quite sure as to the accuracy of his calculation.

2. It was found out that he overcharge his customer six and quarter cents.

3. Having walked to the lady’s home and paid over the overcharge, Abe returned and felt satisfied.

4. From the anecdote we can see young Abe valued honesty above all else.