Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-02-15
KEEPING ON.

KEEPING on.
Two boys sat together one Tuesday
evening in large meeting of children.
Their names were Thomas and Philip.
They both listened attentiyely to a
gentleman who was speaking to them.
This gentleman explained that all
who liked to do so were invited to
make toys or models, or any other
articles, for an exhibition y hich would
soon be held.
"Of course said the gentleman,
''the best articles will receive the
best prizes ; but all that are we'll made
will be exhibited. And even if you
are unsuccessful in your endeavors to
gain prizes your labor will not be in
vain. All who please may have their
articles sold ; and it is a pleasant thing
for boys and girls to receive money
which they have themselves honestly
earned. And though you should re.
ceive neither money nor prizes, you
will yourselves be the better for the
efforts which you have made. So l
advise you all to do your best for the
forthcoming exhibition, Even the
youngest may do something, and it
only needs patience and perseverance
on your part to make the whole thing
good and delightful
Shall you do anything, Philip
l., think l shall try
"You think you will try!'' said
Thomas. swell, that is cool after
what has been said. I shall do lots of
things and carry off some of the best
prizes.'
SHOW do you know that!'' inquired
Philip.
''Oh, am sure I shall. I have
thought Of dozen things which l can
do. l shall make model of our
school.room in cardboard. I shall
make a velocipede with boy on it,,
and a wooden apple painted like ma
ture. And l shall draw some maps
and send sOrGe specimens Of handwrit.
ing. shall also make a collection of
postage stamps; and l shall make
some chairs and tables which can be
sold for toys, and they will fetch a
good price. for l shall polish them up
beautifully
IF you do all that, Tom, you will
indeed do WE'LL"
Il shall do it all. There is no fear
but that shall do my part for the ex.
hlbition. Now what will you dog
II really do not know. l must think
about it first and decide what can do
best.''
Chow many things do you think you
will do?''
"Perhaps only one. Certainly not
more than two.''
''Y0u are not like me.'
Ono; am sure should not have
time to do half the things you have
mentioned"
II shall begin at once.'
So he did. That very night, after
he got home, he sat up in his bedroom
in the cold and by the light of can
die cut several sticks with his pen
knife.
The next day he was up quite early
in the morning working away at chess.
men, and he begged his mother to let
him stay away from school that he
might begin his card. board model.
He had spoiled one sheet of card.
board and commenced upon another
he had also Uttered a number of chair.
legs and table.tOps on the floor and COL
lected three postage.stamps. when he
decided to see how 'slow-going Philip"
as he delighted to call him, was get.
ting on.
':Well Phil, what are you going to
make!"
liam going to make model COACH"
ooh then you have made up your
mind at last :
"Yes, I have decided to do that,
though know it will take some time
to do it. Indeed, shall have to stick
to it we'll to get it done in time.''
''Have you begun it yet!"
mo. lam not going to begin it un.
til next week. I want to get forward
with my lessons first, for of course it
will not do to neglect the old work for
the new"
~ have begun nearly all my things
slave you! Now, should not be.
gin second thing until the first was
quite finished"
"Wouldn:t you! But then you are
so different, enjoy variety"
"Well, my way is to do one thing
first.''
"And the other is mine. We shall
see which answers best. l think have
begun WE'LL"
And 40 he had. But tits not so much
the beginning as the Feeping on which
succeeds in the end.
Thomas worked as diligently as
Phillip all the first part of the time.
Indeed, think that of the two boys
he did the more for he got up early
and set up late and thought of very
little else.
And then he grew tired.
One day he did nothing to any of his |
The next day he looked at them.
"lt is very discouraging," he said to
Those wheels will not turn
round properly, and l shall have to
take them all to pieces and try again.
But will not trouble about it to-day.
will set to work at the
velocipede."
On the next day he found it was still
more difficult.
'Never mind,' said he to himself.
Il will lay it on one side and do some.
hing else."
Thn aomo %hino occ,,rrod with aovora1 !