Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-05-13
The Perseyering Boy.

The Perseyering Boy.
The month of December in the year 1907
was unusually cold and clustering. In some
instances, cattle and swine, poorly sheltered,
were found badly frozen; winter came on so
suddenly that many were unprepared for it
while the effect Of such severity in the wealth
er so early in the season was disheartening to
young and old.
There was one exception, however, and this
was u youth of fifteen summers, tall and gaunt,
who sat one stormy evening in the old-fash-
ioned chimney corner Of his fathers humble
dwelling, rejecting upon his own situation,
and planning what he would do to improve it.
There was one fixed purpose in his mind, and
this was, to get an education. How to ac-
complish it he could not yet imagine, for
though his will was az inhexible as iron, his
power of conception was not yet developed.
/ lie had been to a school in the neighborhood
the previous winter, but this avenue to learn
| ing was now closed to him. As he sat on the
old-iashioned stool amid the noise and ooniu-
sion of the family around him, and the hoarse
signing of the tempest without his thoughts
were something of this nature winter has
commenced, | long to be at my studies. The
best part of the year, and the only time can
call my own, is passing away; what shall |
do ?"
As if in answer to this question, there was
knock at the door, and presently neighbor
walked in covered with snow. He had been
to village beyond, and was returning to his
home when the bright light of the pine knots
attracted his attention.
Our youth in the corner nodded good ev-
enine to the guest but his mind was too
deeply absorbed to listen to the chit-chat which
, followed. The great question, What next?''
was still undecided, and his brow knit more
and more, as he reflected on the difficulties in
his path, which, however, not for one moment
deferred him from pursuing it.
Presently he was reused by a voice;
"Jo, did you hear, Jo? There is a school
in Plainfeld. Neighbor G. says it is a good
one, taught by Master Maynard"
10 rose slowly from his seat, look of cool
resolve stamped on every feature. II shall
, 90 to Plainfeld in the morning." he said qui-
city.
} " But how can you get there? Itll be aw-
fully drifted, the snow is a foot deep now, and
the wind blows a gale.
"I'll get there somehow, reckon"
" But" demonstrated his father, 9" don't
, see the way for you to 90 to Plainield. |
can't pay for your board nor schooling, much
} as I'd like to do it,"
al know that, father, but | am determin-
, ed to have an education"
, Bidding the family goodnight, he mounted
? to his humble chamber in the loft, saying
I l." Yes, that is the next step. I'll go to Plain
{ field, and III 20 tomorrow What's a few
+ drifts of snow to me, when I'm determined to
get where | can be at my books Perhaps
this Master Maynard will help me to contriye
way to get an education"
7 The next morning the thermometer was
, down to zero, the banks in front of the house
1 covered the stone walls but not one whit
daunted, our friend started off as soon as il
5 was light, small package Of clothes and
0 books slung over his shoulder with stick,
: in search of +" larnin," as his father called it.
7 On entering the school-room in season to
see that the fires were sufficient for the severi-
Q ty of the day, Master Maynard observed sit.
ting on a bench, and warming himself by the
0 blazing logs youth whom he had never seen
$ before. There was an expression on his
e brown face which fixed the attention of the
e teacher, and the following conversation took
place:
Have you come to join the school p
e "Yes, sir, have walked seven miles thi,
q morning to do it,"
e Are you acquainted with any one il
1 Plainfeld3"
y No, sir, but | mean TO get an education
e | heard last night that you were teaching /
c school here and l came to get you to helI
C me contrive plan"
d Can not your parents assist you2"
y No, SIR"
I "Have you no friends to lend you help
h ing hand ~
y "No,n
a How do you expect then to get along y
a 81 don't know, thought I'd come and se'
}, you about it-I'm determined TO get learnin.
n before I'm much older"
e There was something in the cool, resolut
4 manner in which the youth undertook to con
y quer difficulties, that interested the teacher
a He told the stranger to remain during th'
i day; and he would see what could be done
e Before night he had made arrangements il
| the family where he was boarding, that thu
= young man should remain, paying his expen
i ses by labor out of school hours.
a Our friend now gave himself diligently L
n study, and soon convinced his teacher that
d though not possessed of brilliant talents, hi
a will to acquire knowledge was indomitable
g Through the winter he made good but no
:. rapid progress, and so much interested hi
81 teacher by his perseverance,, that at the clos
It of the term, that gentleman made arrange
&c ments with clergyman who resided tou
Il miles'from his fathers house, to hear his rec
" itations.
= AT last he was prepared for college and tn
theological school, being one Of the earlies
members Of the Seminary in Andover fron
which place he went to Greece as a missiona
If ry of the American Board Of Commissioner
10 for Foreign Missions.
u scarcely need say that have given tn
g. early history of DIR. Jonas King, whose in
Is domitablc perseverance, amidst discourage
l ments and prosecutions, has done so much TO
l the redemption and Christianization of Greece
Ii and has excited the admiration Of the who'll
c. Christian world.