Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-05-19
The Top OF the Ladder.

Nine o'clock The schoo-bell rang, bu,
Arthur, deep in the Life of Wellington, and
his fingers in both ears, did not hear it,
Wellington was his hero, and he read and
re-read every detail of his brilliant life. II
was life worth living, Arthur Thoughtful
excitement and glory. He meant to be a
Wellington himself some day. He finished
the book in about half an hour, and then
hurried to school, thinking contemptuously
of its routine, and of the boys who seemed
so contented with their simple lives. How
he should surprise them some day. he
thoughts later-these boys who laughed
when the master called him to account for
his hardness, and wouldn't take his excuse
OF not hearing the bell. He had to comfort
himself in some way, for he was forced to
pay for his half hours reading by two hours
study after school, under the masters eye.
He met Robert Blackburn on his way
home. He had been studying in the sum-
mer house ever since school was out and
was as glad as Arthur to stretch himself.
"What makes you study when you don't
have to p Arthur asked, impatiently.
al do have to-" was the quiet reply al
want 10 be somebody some day."
"A teacher, suppose" Arthur said, with
something in his tone If not his words, that
made Robert color.
But he only said in his simple, decided
way, Yes, teacher but not perhaps of
books-1 am studying for soldiers life."
"You !" Arthur's surprise was so genuine
that Robert had to laugh.
But you are so quiet and care so much
for books and all that" Arthur said after a
moments pause to collect himself. "Now,
with me it is SO different. l must have life
and excitement. seem more fitted for that.
This school business is too irksome."
Robert smiled. ave cannot rule till we
learn to obey, you know, and how can we
learn better than by submitting without a
question to school rules and discipline ? |
really enjoy doing this, now that intend to
be soldier Every day is clear gain. /
know | am fitting myself for it,
A strange and decidedly new feeling of
respect for this quiet boy, with his firm res
oution and self-control, came over Arthur.
"But the books" he said, "what use can
all those stupid Latin rules aud geography
and history be to general? ?"
"Why, general will want all kinds of
knowledge il he is to be good for anything.
The more knowledge the more power he
will have. What would he do in new
country if he had no knowledge of geog-
raphy or engineering 2"
Arthur felt ashamed and discouraged by
this time, and was humbled sufficiently to
admit little of it to Robert, and confess
that his ambition, too, was to be soldier,
and soldier like Wellington.
First ratel" said Robert, heartily
Then we will work together, and see who
gets to the top of the ladder first" Quite
inspired by Roberts determination to pre-
pare himself for the future he wanted, Arthur
started in the same sensible way He was
soon surprised at the actual pleasure he took
in school. Those irksome rules seemed quite
different things, now that he looked at him
self as soldier under orders, learning to
obey. Sometimes he would feel like giving
up some vexing problem, but hint from
Robert one day that Wellington never
called difficulties impossibilities," proved the
best spur he could have. If he wanted to be
great man he must make himself one.
That was clear to him now. He knew, too,
that no man ever rose TO emnence without
long, patient effort and self-denial. Step by
step he would mount the ladder, as Robert
was already doing. God helping him, he,
too, would be firm and resolute and keep
the master over himself. He was deter
mined to change for the BETTER so he did.
One day in reading he came across an in
cident that did more than anything else to
impress Roberts words and example. and to
keep him hopeful and in earnest from that
time on. 1t was this When the Duke of
Wellington revisited the school where he
prepared for college, he was cheered loudly
by the boys for his great military successes.
His reply was, Boys, Waterloo was won at
Eton. '"-Pdrish Visitor.