The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-05-05
Ghildren's Column.
The Top of the Ladder.

Nine o'clock The school bell rang
but Arthur, deep in the Life of Yelling
ton, and with his fingers in both ears,
did not hear it. Wellington was his
hero, and he read and reread every de-
tail of his brilliant life. 1t was life
worth living Arthur thought, all excite
ment and glory. He meant to be Well
ington himself some day. He finished
the book in about half an hour, and then
hurried to school, thinking contemptu-
ously of its routine and of the boys who
seemed so contented with their simple
lives. How he should surprise them all
some day, he thought, 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
summer-house ever since school was out
and was as glad as Arthur to stretch
himself.
What makes you study when you
don't have TOP" Arthur asked impa-
tiently.
L do have to, was the quiet reply.
[ want to be somebody some day"
"A teacher, 1 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 am studying for soldiers life y
You ! Arthur's surprise was so gen
uine that Robert had to laugh
But you are so quiet, and care so
much for books and all that" Arthur
said, after moments pause to collect
himself. "Now with me it is so differ
ent. must have life and excitement.
seem more fitted for that. This school
business is too irksome."
Robert smiled. eve cannot rule till
we learn to obey, you know and how can
we learn better than by submitting with
out question to school rules and disci-
pine? [ really enjoy doing this now
that Intend to be soldier. Every day
is clear gain. 1 know am fitting my
self for It."
A strange and decidedly new feeling
of respect for this quiet boy, with his
firm resolution and self-control, came
over Arthur.
" But the books" he said "what use
can all those stupid Latin rules and geo
graphy and history be to a general? p
Why, a general will want all kinds
Of knowledge if he is to be good for any
thing. The more knowledge the more
power he will have What would he dc
IN new country if he had no knowledge
3
Arthur felt ashamed and discouraged
by this time, and was humbled sufficient
ly to admit little of it to Robert, and
confess that his ambition too was to be a
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. g
Quite inspired by Roberts determination
to prepare himself for the future. he
wanted, Arthur started in the same sen
sible 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 himself as
a 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 want
ed to be great man he must make him
self one. That was clear to him now.
He knew too, that no man ever rose to
eminence 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 mastery over
himself. He was determined to change
for the better, and so he did
One day in reading he came across an
incident that did more than anything
else to impress Roberts words and ex-
ample, 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 success.
His reply was, Boys, Waterloo was
won at Eton.' Par Visitor