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

| Paul Roberts stood by tho window in
the small, dingy room where he had lain
for many weeks. lie was all alone in the
world, Us lonely and iriendless as can be
imagined. :.
r. He had worked in the factory since he
was nine years old, till he was injured by
Ian accident in the engine-room. At four.
teen, ono leg was gone, cut of below tho
knee, and his 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 survive.-and as he leaned
against the frame of the window, he won
dercd why he was spared, and ii it would
not have been better if he were at 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 aud patient"
! Tears gathered in P;.ups eyes and roll.
ed down his cheeks, as he thought Of the
future. 1t is SO hard to be manned. Still,
the remembrance of tho kindness shown
in his illness oomforted him. Especially
did he recall the look Of pity in Constance
Mur:ay's blue eyes,. as she sat by her
mother and watched him, whilo he lay
balt:unconscious from pain and ca kness.
Paul Roberts, how IRE you this after
noon?" Paul turned from the window,
and holding chair came over Il little.
Constance stood inside the door, holding
basket OF fruit. She was only child of
! eleven, small and delicate. looking, but
| with depth and earnestness in her eyes.
! wish you could come out. Tbs air is 50
pleasant" she said softly" Mother
couldn't leave baby this afternoon, and
father is writing his sermon for Sunday, 20
l came alone to bring you this fruit. 1t
grew IN our own garden, on our own
trees. You know Johnnie and l have each
a; little garden, and we do ss we please
with everything VIC raise. Can't yon
come DOWN."
SHOT a!ono, and have boon 80 much
trouble that cunt bear to Tux them be-.
! sides couldn't walk, and what would be
the use?'
"IIasn'. your crutch comes"
emo, not yet"
"You must not feel SO badly about Civ
ing trouble. Every one likes to help you "
But what am | to do? Do You sup
pore anyone would give me work 2"
Yes, do; would, il had factory
falher says You can study to be i teacher"
81 like to study-but-but-while I'm
studyingW
"Never mind; father will fix it some-
how. must 60 now, you need not fret
Good bye till TO- morrow"
Paul Rol erts was employed again ut the
factory. His work was Of the lighter
kind, which could be done without much
moving about. MIR. Murray advised Paul
TO study and fit himself for 4 teacher or
book-keepcr. Neighbors were kind to
tho :ad, and helped him by sympathy and
thoughtful acts. lie spent many evenings
in tho rectory, where Mes. Murray and
Constance taught him arithmetic and
geography: 1t WAS uphill work. lie
was generally weary from his labor and
walking with q crutcf, and it required Il
brave spirit to fight against poverty and
dependence
When Paul was seventeen the school.
master employed him to teach the younger
pupils. From this time he was moro salts
fed. The necessity for patience with the lit
tie ones who looked up to him, taught him
self control. lie grow fond of his work,
and really enj eyed the hours spent in the
school.room. lie just barely earned
enough to support himself. By.and-bye
he earned a little more; and sometime
after ho had commenced teaching, lie
found himself in charge Of tho school.
Paul had studied diligently, and passed
creditable examination.
lie tried to realize his position, us he
sat by his deck after his pupils llud left
him. A few year, bcfo he WITS Il fac.
t0ry boy, with little or no prospect of
being anything more tnan q workman in
tho factory. lie felt that much was now
entrusted to HIM. The children Of the
ncighborh1ud were under bis care the
greater part Of the day, and the parents
respected BIN and had perfect confidence
in him.
Paul had used a crutcll I'LL these years,
but rs soon as he had the means he had u
cork leg made, which prevented him from
feeling his misfortune 80 kcenly.
Paul Roberts did net remain IL country
schoolmastcr lie continued to study, and
fitted himself to take Il place in the col
lege. As professor Roberts. he bee lmo
quite noted as u fine teacher. lie otten
tells his wife that her sympathy gave him
tho patience to hear tho hard trial of lis
youth. and energy to work up to some
thing hcttcr than labor in Il factory.
Ercelstor-"still onward"-,hc motto OF
New York State, should BE- tho watcI,word
Of every girl and boy in our country.
Patient labor will cure almost all things,
and many obstacles will vanish if wo will
attack them br;.vcly.