The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-09-26
JOhnnie's Grafton.

"Got your speech ready for Friday,
Johnnie2" asked schoolpoy.
NO. said John.
"Well, have, you'd better hurry up"
"Pshaw what's the use2'' asked John.
";You see, a speech for Friday isn't Just
like lessons that a fellow: ought to learn.
Ever so many things may happen so that
I sha'n't have to speak at all. Visitors
may come in. or some other boy may
recite something real long, so that there
won't be time for me. I shs'n't bother.
Maybe I'll go out in the country that
day, and then if learned anything it
would be of no use. I'll wait till the
time comes"
John waited, but he did not go to the
country. The other boys chose short
declamations, and Friday morning was
so cloudy that there was NJ prospect of
company. At noon John was in state OF
desperation. He flew here and there
about the house in search of something
that would answer his purpose. Uncle
Jack gave hm book of old dialogues
and orations, but before he could learn
more than line or two it was school
ne.
The Others spoke, but John listened
without hearing much, and when his own
name was called, he walked across the
floor with very bewildering feeling,
staring at the ceiling, leaning against a
post in the center of the room. Mr.
Grey would not accept excuses; John
knew that perfectly. He put his hands
in his pockets and looked at the boys,
pulled them out again and looked at the
clock; then he began confusedly:
"'My name is Norval. On the Gram
plan Hills-my name Norval. On the
Grampian Hills my father feeds his-his
name is Norval-'"
Runs in the family that name does,"
slyly whispered boy near him.
The others began to laugh, for they all
knew how grandly John had talked of
not taking any trouble. Mr. Grey be-
gan to look curiously over his glasses,
and John knew that something must be
done; so he suddenly said:
II don't know much about Norval, but
l know something about industry; so I'll
talk about that"
Industry is good thing to have; it's
better than luck it may not turn out as
he expects, and then he gets into troub-
le. If boy is real industrious, and gets
ready for things, why he's ready. If the
man that invented telegraphing bad wait
ed for luck to turn up l don't suppose
thered have been any messages sent yet.
Boys, be industrious; get ready for things
beforehand, and don't wait till the time
comes"
John bowed and sat down, and the
boys applauded heartily. Mr.. Grey, who
did MT understand the matter so well,
hesitated = moment, but finally said
''TEis address seems to be original, and
I suppose we must Judge it leniently on
that account, though it is very imperfect
~ prepared. There are some valuable
truths in it, however, which the speaker
himself may profit by. Whatever is
worth doing at all is worth doing we'll.
Or, rather" he aided, more seriously,
''There is better motto still that Ishould
like to give ye: Whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto
men, That will prevent all shams and
careless work."
The boys thought John had escaped
wonderfully we'll: but he was certain OF
one thing-that if he had not learned
anything to recite, he had learned some.
thing else that day.-Kate W. Hamilton,
IN s. s. Visitor