The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1869-05-21

1ulSnOucst IL IL KuVc w HUI EousSs"R
more than really existed. These were
|boyhood whims and notions.
They were strengthened by the innu-
lcnce which was derived from my first
teacher in mathematics. hnd no fond
ness for this study. Yet became pro-
Acient in its elementary branches, IN my
school days, under the teaching Of w. p.
Is. Fitzgerald, which in full is, William
Pitt Nelson Fitzgerald. When Prof Da-
vics, of West Point, served by hostlcr's
boy, and in putting some questions to
him he proved so sharp at figures, that
lthc professor took him along as 4 scrv-
ant. He was waiter and boy Of all work.
But he developed such gifts and graccs,
that nc was put to his books, and became
a cadet, and stood second to none. until
an unfortunate Christmas spree delivered
him from tho thral of West Point and
sent him to finish his career in the great
academy Of the world. found him, in
1867, teaching mathematics at Mount
Pleasant Classical Institute, In Amherst
Mass. He taught me toconquer in stud
wing. There is a very hour In which al
Young nature. tugging, discouraged, and
weary will, books, rises with the con-
sciousncss Of victorious power into mas
tcrhood. Forever after. he knows that
he can learn anything if he pleases. ItI
is distinct intellectual conversion"
first went to the blackboard, uncer-
tain, soft. full OF whimperiMg. 'eIhat
lesson must be learned" lie said in avery
quiet tone. butt with a terrible intensity,
nnd with the certainty Of Fate. All cx-
plantations and excuses he trod under
foot with utter scornfuness. II want
that problem. don't want any reasons
why ] don't get it." ,4
"I did study it two hours"
'That's nothing to me; want the les
lson. You need not study 1t at all, or
/. you may study it ten hours just to suit
'lvOurscli. | want the lesson. Under
W ood. 20 10 the blackboard !"
"Oh. yes. but Underwood got somc-
body 10 show his lesson -t
"What do care how you get it!
That's your business. But you must
have it."
Ii was tough for n green boy; but II
seasoned him. In less than month
jhad the most intense sense Of intcllectu-
lal independence and courage to defend
Imy rccitations. .i,,,.,t-
In the midst of lesson. his cold ant
: calm voice would fall upon me In tht
midst Of demonstration -"Now
hcsitated, stopped, and then went bacl
Ito the beginning; and, on reaching tbi
same spot again -"Nol" uttered Will
tho tone Of perfect conviction, barrct
|my progress. "Tllc nextl" and So
.-ldown iii red confusion. lie too wa
'r!stoppcd with "No" but went right on
ls!fnished, and, rs he sat down, was re
plwarded with, Every we'll" ,...e.
'e "Why." whimpcred J., Il rccitcd 1t jus
7. as he did, and you said MOL"
"Why didn't you say Yes? and sticl
Ito It? 1t is not enough 10 know you
lesson. Yon must know that you know
4 lit. You have learned nothing Till 70,
i |arc sure. If all the world says No, you
a business is to say Yes. and to prove it |!
!. The inward confidence inspired b,
n such drill, Joined to the chivalric no
!. ltions Of independent manhood alread,
!. lexisting, tended to fix and fasten tn
!. feeling that man is what he is in him
,fI self, and that the love of doing and tn
n power to do, arc all the honors that h
needs; that no man deserves title VIII,
!. has not the power to make his own sim
= pic name title, and that then he need
i Ino other; and that a mans own life /
JlIc tTuc tss0t chouiNt SOuiV
y |honors upon him! These were the i'm
{, pulses Of youth. had not quite go
- - over them when doctorate was proflcr
: ed to me, and in n moment of haste
= was declined, although the good will 0
10 my Alma Mater gave me genuine pleas
Ia urc.
y "But- would you take one now? Lik
=. Ia prodigal beauty who has for forty year
II refused suitors, have you not come to
of time Of life when round, plump, com
a panionnble Doctor would be All agreca
i ble prefix or appendagc to your name !?
- Far be it from mo to deprcciatc th
~ value of titles on other mon. Wiser nel
!, than l am, or ever shall be, wear then
n. and play with them, as old-fashione'
~ gentlemen do with bunch of seals 1
- their watch. The chronometcr perform
\ mo better for the rattling seals am
4, charms. vet men lik0 to fuss with them
:, Why not, II they like itS Every man L
!. his own taste, in trifles! hn lislil
mi am older, but not old. My mothe
:. had name waiting Tor me when wa
:. Z born. Two brothers, very dear 10 hei
:. had died carly. She joined their name
~ Henry and Ward giving to me
e. name that to her was sacred mcmOriu
.n ,n of love. mean to die with II, just a
!. she gave il 10 me, neither tarnished no
~ encountered. II you ask me again, Nj
:. Bonner, why do not take little, / re
ic ply, that have oisc which my niothc