Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-05-09


ny could not comprehend how to get tn,
dividend. One afternoon, toward the clost
of the term, wonderful light came int
Johnny FIaN mans face. he had conquer
ed long division Mt last. Until he was
twelve years old he was always at the foo
of the class in spelling; after that any on
who got Johnny place at the head Of the
class had to work very hard for it
The fact is, johnny was Il plant of slow
growth. The morning glory creops to the
gable and roof of the homestead in one
short summer. hanging all the way along
its delicate blossoms. 1t is very easy t.
coax willow sprout to take root; little
sun and II little rain fulfil the conditions o.
its growth; in two or three years it gives
in return for little care yards of slvery
spray-lIke boughs. But it takes an acorn
many summers and many winters to be-
come in oak.
When Johnny was about eigteen years
old. Il trustee from district on the hill
came down TO the valley school to hire Il
teacher.
Our district is II rough and II tough
place" said Mr.. Eyre, las to wind and
weather, Imcan. The snow-drlfts cover
the taps Of our fences; the winds seem
never to tire of blowing up our way; but
we have wood enough and food enough.
and good horses and seigts; and we want
a young man that Can really give US lift.
Our big boys can't be spared to 90 to
school in the summer but they are very
anxious to learn all they can in the winter
IT, continued Mr.. Eyre, eve could get a
young man who knows all about algebra
and arithmetic, and who can give us II lift
in our Debating Society and prayer meet
lngs, we shall esteem it u favor and will
pay liberal wages. But our teacher must
board around, us it is the desire of the
boys on the Hill to have him for company
and, us our living costs us nothing, we
can't pay money for his board"
Unanimously the verdict of the teacher
and school was: Johnny FIaXman is the
one to 90"
When some one asked Mr. Eyre, in the
spring, how they liked johnny up in his
district. he replied: "A more faithful
young man never drew the breath of life
The learning tha the big boys of the Hill
school acquired under the teaching OF
johnny FlaXman was something like a
miracle. You ought to see the neat
writing, TO hear the correct spelling, the
par~ing, nd especially t. see the way tile
boys dii those puzzling problems in Pan
tnl Paymenls."
Johnny, how did you like teaching?
inquired his mother
:" | think it did me more good than to
90 to school i year"
"JoInny Fiaxman is off to college,
said the minister to pretty, young Miss
Betty Tntlie
"Why. JOHNNY was always the dullest
boy in school. How did it happen?"
"He prepared his Greek and Latin will
me; he does seem rather slow, but when
his mind grisps any science it is with the
precision of IL master"
The career of JohDny Flaxman in col
lege was similar to that in the district
school. The brilliant young men LAUGHED
at his sownoss. They sp'nt the time in
boating and boxing that Johnny spent ovel
the classics when examination came they
found many things learned so easily had
slipped out of memory, but Johnny Flax
man stood like rock. He passed through
his studies with honor and took the high
est prize in mathematics On the day thai
he graduated, the President had II letter
from the trustees Of young college ou
west They wrote; 1--WE want young
man that you can recommend to us, fol
Professor of Mathematics. OR school is
in its infancy, has its reputation to make
and we want the very best instructors"
Mr.. FlaXman us we now must call him
went to them, and did--as all his life
he had done admirably.
This narrative is given particularly for
the encouragement of boys who think they
are dull and slow. Patient determination
will remove every obstacle from the patti
ut last.
One Sunday, not long since, was in the
city where the Rev. Mr. FIpXmAn preach.
rs, and went to hear him. The sermon
reminded me of a green oasis in the Dcs-
ert of Sahara. He was us much in earnest
when he told the story of Christ, the Di-
vine Master, us he had been all his life in
his various undertakings. There were nc
heresies in his heart; he was orthodox as
the Bible itself. The gray of Time was
gathering in little flakes on his hai there
was'a small bald spot on the top Of his
head; he looked like strong oak tree
and my mental comment on him was: "
wish that through the length and breadth
Of this land, scores of boys would grow
up to be such men as Mr.. Flaxman. ."-Ob-
server.