Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-07-24
Getting Ahead.
BY MARY Il. LEE,

Iaul Roberts stood by tho window in
the small, dingy room where he had lain
for many weeks. lie was all alone in the
world, as lonely and iriendlcss rs can be
imag ined.
lilo had worked in the factory since he
was nine years old, till he was injured by
an accident in the engine-room. AT four.
teen, ono leg was gone, cut off below tho
knee, and III. general health much i'm.
paired by the shock Of the accident, and
tho suffering which followed.
1t was thought ut one time that Paul
could not survivc.-and as he leaned
against the frame Of the window, he won.
dercd why he was spared, and if it would
not have been better if he were ut rest
with his mother in the churchyard.
Then something whispered, "You have
work TO do, or your life would not have
been given to you. Be brave and patient"
Tears gathered in Pauls eyes and roll.
ed down his checks, Us he thought of the
future. 1t is SO hard to be lnainlcd. Still,
the remembrance of the kindness shown
IN his illness comtorted him. Especially
did he recnil the look Of pity in Constance
Mur:ay's blue eyes, us she sat by her
mother and watched him, whilo he Law
balt:unconscious from pain and wcakness.
"laul Roberts, how ;tro you this after
noon !" Paul turned from tho window.
and holding chair came over !. little.
Constance stood inside the door, holding Il
basket Of fruit. She was only !. child of
eleven, small and delicate. locking. but
with depth and carnestness j" ner eyes.
wish you could come out III, air is So
pleasant" she said softly" Mother
:ouldn't leave baby this afternoon, and
father is writing his sermon for Sunday, 80
came alone to bring you this fruit |,
grew III our own garden, ON our own
trees. You know Johnnie and have each
il little garden. and We do os we please
with everything We raise. Cau'l yon
come d.wn?'
"Not a!ono, and have boon SO much
trouble that can't bear to tax them be.
SIDES couldn't walk, and what would be
the use?'
"llasn't your crutcl, Gomez"
No, not yet"
"You must not feel 80 badly about CIV
ing trouble. Every one likes to help You "
" But what am to do? Do You SUP
poso anyone would give me work 2"
eyes, l do; would, if had factory
rather says you can study to be i tcacher."
81 like to sludy-but-tu while am
studyingW
"Ncver mind; father will fix it some.
how. must 60 now, you need not fret
Goodbye till to morrow"
Paul Roberts was employed again ut the
factory. His work was Of the lighter
kind, which could be done without much
moving about. Mr.. Murray advised Paul
10 study and fit himself for IL tc;.cl'cr or
book-kcepcr. Nciyhbors were kind to
the lad, and helped hin, bv sympathy ami
thong htful acts. lie spent many evenings
in tho rectory, where Mrs Murray and
Constance taught him arithmetic and
geography. 1t WAS uphill work. lie
was generally weary from his labor and
walking with Il crutcl,, and it required !.
brave spirit to fight against poverty and
dependence
When Paul was seventeen the school
master employed him to tcacl, the younger
pupils. From this time he WAS moro sails
lied. The Necessity Tor patience with the lit
tie ones who locked up to him, tau;s Int him
self control. lie grew fond OF his work,
and really enj 'ycd the hours spent III the
school-rcom. lie just barrel earned
enough to support himself. By.and-byc
he earned Il little more and sometime
alter he had commenced teaching, he
found himself in charge Of tho school.
Paul had studied diligently, and passed
u creditable examination.
lie tried to realize his position, us he
sat by bis dcsk alter his pupils had left
him. A few years bclu he WIS !. f;.c
t"ry-m'y, with little OF no prospect of
f,oing anything more tuan Il workman in
tho factory. lie iclt that much was now
entrusted to l,,.n. Thc children OF the
nc't;hborlrod wcro under bis care the
greater part of the day, and the parents
respected BIN and had perfect confidence
in him.
Paul hat used crutcll all these years,
bat us soon us he had the mean, he had IA
cork Leg made, which prevented him from
feeling his misfortune SO kcenly.
Paul Roberts did Mt remain IL country
lie continued to study, and
ittod himself to takca place in the col
ego. As professor Roberts. he bee lmo !
lutte noted as Il fine TOUGHER lie often
ellis his wife that her sympathy gave him
ho patience to hear the hard trial of his
youth. a;d energetic work up to scmc
hing better than labor in :. factory.
E.'rrlHor-"still onward'-tl,c motto OF
New York State, should be tho wntcIworl
y every girl and boy in our country.
',llient labor will euro almost all things,
nd EGtny obstacles will vanisl, if wo will
tack them bravcly.