The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-11-29
Where there's a will there's q way.

Henry Burget was not quite twelve years
of age when his father died and fast as lis
tears fell when he knew that his kind papa
would be with him no more, he wept, If
possible, more violently, when his mother
told him they must leave the pretty cottage,
the only home they had ever known, and
that hereafter he was to live with farmer
Howard
1--WE are poor, Henry" said she, "yery
poor, and young as you are, my boy, you
must now earn your own support. But
keep stout heart, you can do it. Fie on
those tears J" and she turned hastily that he
might not perceive the grief that was pierc-
ing her own soul.
Farmer Howard was hard master, and
sorry time had poor Harry during the long
summer days that succeeded this interview
with his mother. 1t was work, with no re-
Taxation, from the earliest dawn until the
twilight had quite faded. Often did his cou-
rage fail, and dependency and Incidence
urgs him to stop, but stern necessity was
on. ...ll, he must do or starye and hence he
Ike q II, wearily enough to be sure, until
the j. 81 apple was in the cellar, the last car
of corn in the crib, and and all things Sc
cured against the winter, with the most
pains-taking thoroughncss.
The winter, tardy as its approach appear
ed to Henry, came at last, and with its
three months privilege of school, and its
glorious long evenings, that he might spend
as he chose, with no spectres of huge heaps
of corn to husk, or vast fields OF potatoes to
dig, looming up in the distance.
How well those hours for study were i'm
proved, or how highly priced, the bright
light which the blazing pine splinter shed
II window lor,, mast the
hour of twelve, might tell. a pine splin-
ter, because the mistress was careful soul,
and saved the candle ends to light Harry to
bcd.) He advanced with surprisng rapidity
in his studies, and what wonder? Ardent,
perseyering effort was never unsuccessful
" hen the spring came, he was quite master
Of the Latin gramrner, and was beginning to
read in this language with some degree Of
ease. The summer, with its wearisome
round Of duties, could not damp Lis desire
FOX knowledge. Every spare moment was
cheerfuly seized, and seduous,y employed
in his fayor:tc study.
The inter came again, and with clceful
heart, Henry bounded away to the village
school. On the way clasSmate overlook
him; one who had often jeercd him for his
bashfulness, and plain, homcspun attire.
and who, with every advantage, had unln-
terruptedly pursued his studies.
"Ia, ha, la, how are you, Hal:" SAID
he Don't you wish you could read all
that trjUmphantlv holding up a Latin
Reader, and spreading his palm completely
over the open page. Henry kept his own
counsel and togethcr they proceeded to-
wards the school house.
Soon after the opening Of the morning
exercises. the class IN Latin was called TO
the recitation bench.
"Henry," said the master, al think you
will not be able 70 20 on with the class you
were in last winter, you Innst fall back with
the beginners"
a should Ike to enter the Virgil class,
Sir"
Virgil class. Nonsence, boy, you could
not read one word. Just !ct me sec now
opening the book and placing it in his hand.
How far shall read:'
''As far as you can" replied the master
with sharp twinkle Of his gray eyes, and
and an involuntary sarcastic smile.
Henry commenced unhesitstingly TO read,
and h.d ,..rn@d the first, second and third
leaves before the master iI=a r,z@sirivr,iy -
covered from surprise to arrest him.
Stop, sir. where did you learn all
this:
Henry told him where. Taking him by
the arm, the master led him to the centre Of
the room, and placing his hand upon his
head, said
Attention, boys; here is a greater con-
gueror than WAS Caesar or Napoleon. Give
him round; three times three, now"
Cheerily, heartily, rang out that applause,
penetrating the farshest recesses of that
time-worn building. making the windows
fairly shake again. What proud day was
tha. for Henry How his heart leaped and
almost bounded out of his bosom-how the
boys shook hands and euvied him how the
girls nodded and blinked their pretty eyes at
him; he was not yet forgotten, and al
though at the present time the laurels Of a
countrys regard are clustering thick about
his brow, he often says That was the victo-
~ of my life. Il was at the farner How
ards | learned to labor udhinchingly for a
given end.
Children, this is no fancy sketch. Such a
'ad as have described really existed, and
.- n his example may we not learn TO plant
6 ourselves elevated standards, and never
I've over until we have mastered every OBJ
=iacie snd reached our aim:
1t is not always lessons to be learned or
wood piles to be demolished or rebuilt
There are bad hearts to be governed, vicious
inclinations to restrain, selfish dispositions
to be overcome; many wrongs to be right
ed. There is room for life long labor in
our hearts. Up then, my young friends,
with strong purpose Of life. Shrink not
at the sight of difficulty. Remember that
where there's will there's a way" and
that perseverance is sure guarantee Of sue
cess.-N !. Independent.