Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1872-11-20
wa. knocking at tho door of his

was kuOcktuS ~ tuc uOor O1 MS
uncle's chamber. ...s-
"What is this7" showing him a
paper full Of figures, lines, and dia-
grams. Don't read it to me. Only
tell me what sort of a puzzle It is"
The Lieutenant raised himself on
his elbow, smothering a yawn. sit
seems to me mathematical puzzle,
Paul-the description Of some lecali-
ty, think. won't interpret to you.
1t wotild need good Typographical
engineer to do that. Where did you
pick it up: z"
Paul mu:terd out something and
disappeared.
A week after the Lieutenant re-
turned to his regiment. He noticed
Paul busy every night with his ma
thcmatics' and his slate and pencil.
The dream-book was laid OF the shelf,
Several months after, Mrs. Forbes,
writing to her brother, said:
81 have something to tell you of
Paul which know will please you.
Much to my surprise Ire took the first
prize in mathematics At the school
last term. Finding prise-takinga agree
able, he has devoted himself 20 his
studies With renewed assiduity. Eut
mathematics appear to be passion
with the boy. lie told me that he
designed studying Typographical ell
gineering, the very profession would
have chosen for him. l cannot tell
how thankful l am for his sudden
change"
The Lieutenant laughed, but made
no other sign.
lie heard from lis sister, but at
long intervals, as he was stationed at
the frontier; hut every letter brought
accounts of Paurs incessant steady
labor i'll the one direction:
Whether the hope of treasure still
urged him on or whether he found
that mathematics were his proper
work and that for which his talents
and real taste best fitted him, he can
not say. But it is certain that at the
end Of three years he was ready to
enter the highest class in practical
surveying of the Polytechnic College.
A year later Lieut.. Calderwood
was seated in the door of his tent,
when two or three strangers dashed
up, and a stout, bearded, bright-eycd
young fellow jumped off his horse,
caught him by the shoulders, shook
him, laughed, and ended by kissing
him like girl.
"Paul Forbes! Bless you, boy
How did you come here?"
Paul jumped to his feet. turned red,
and then burst into shout Of laugh
ter.
"You were the serccs? 1 know
you wcreH
The Lieutenant nodded. "Do you
begrudge the dollar for his pro-
phccy2" he said. "As look back
now, 1 don't quite approve of my
manner of teaching You your lessons,
but you have shown yourself a better
scholar than l feared"
"Bcen appointed assistant surveyor
Of the Territory, sir. Attached ia
the exploration party undsr General
Hay. can't tell you all now, only
that have the position for ten years,
at fine salary, and mother and Clara
are snug and happy as they were be.
fore. What do you think Of that,
Uncle Jcm ~
Uncle Jem wrung his hand.
"Think ? Why that you must have
worked hard to achieve SO much.
Paul"
eyes, yes, it took hard work ~
nodding. alt is queer, too, what
trifes will drive q fellow OH a road,
ell ?''
Several months after. the Lieute-
naitt came upon Paul one day, who
was looking at a bit of yellow paper,
covered with figures and lines.
"Do you know" said he, looking
up, "there's puzzle that took me
years to make out? Ibid it just be-
fore l left home, and l found the
answer to it-nothing."
The Lieutenant smiled. "Hard,
healthful study, good profession,
and good income will not serve for
a pot of gold, then, Paul?" he said,
with shrcwd twinkle in his eyes,
[Rebccca Hardman Davis.