The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1882-12-21
JACK D0ANE.

- JACK D0ANE.
Jack Doane had always been consid.
cred 4 dull boy by his teachers, by the
neighbors, and even by his father. He
was seventeen, and James a younger
brother, was fifteen, and remarkably
bright boy His father destined him
for the law, but Jack was to settle down
on the farm. He was only fit for 4
farmer. The farm was situated half q
mile out from Clean, where the boys
attended school. They had completed
their studies in the public schools aud
were now ready for the academy.
Jack was dull; every one said so-that
is every one except his mother. She
seemed to understand Jack and have
confidence in him. She knew he was
slow, but she had learned that he could
be depended upon. Farmer Doane had
determined that Jack should 20 to work
on the farm. But Jack possessed q
logged determination. He had decided
to 20 through the academy and he on.
listed his mother to his side, and be-
tween them they prevailed, and the
opening of oul story sees both boys be-
:, ginning three years. course-James at
the head Of the class, and great favor
lite, Jack ut the foot and regarded q
very dull, to say the least.
Jack excelled in one thing-mathe-
80 mates. He was slow, to be sure, but he
mastered every principle as he went
1ieulty in school. He could not explain
the principles Auently and clearly. But
he coyld work out the most intricate
; problems give him time. He never gave
up. Once he worked two weeks on a
, test problem given to the class and he re-
~ solved it but he never make it known. He
never got tbs. credit he deserved. Often
he would come home with the teachers
- harsh words ringing in his ears and his
bchoolmates' sneers ranking in his
. heart, and found consolation in mothers
- hopeful words.
''s Never mind, Jack" said she: "you
always to the swift nor the battle to the
= strong. You have perseverance and de-
termination. You are steady, sober
and earnest, and these qualities will
bring you through. Remember the "a
- bic of the hare and the tortoise"
And then she wowld tell him of emil
nent ounces, such as Sir Isaac. Newton.
: SHERIDAN, Goldsmith, Scott, Dean Swift,
Gibbon. DRYDEN, Shakespeare, Milton
and Daniei Webster; These we're all
dull boys in school. They could not be
.crammed with knowledge, they had to
reason end think out their conclusions.
=, And Jack would be comforted and 90
out from his mothers presence with
lifted head and brave heart, resolved
that he would not disappoint her in any
particular: And so he plodded on
through the three years, studying hard
and faithfully, and never leaving q
lesson until he fairly understood it, and
r this, more than anything else, caused
him to fall behind lis class, 80 that at
the end of the course he failed to pass.
1t was observed in the final examine
lion that he was perfect up 10 the last,
not missing a question, but beyond this
he stood low. His brother James grad
uated with great eclat, however; and
went into the office of Briggs & Morton
to- study law. Jack staid one year at the
academy, and then graduated, and then
came to the trials of his life.
The Nay after his graduation he re-
Quceted his father to send him to tie
-scientiic institute. Mr.. Doane wa
astoaished.
II won't do it," he exclaimed, In anger.
+ "You are only ft to be a farmer, and you
s- have education enough for that. I've
spent all the money intend to for your
education, and you might as well settle
down on the farm and 20 to work. III
gve you good chance" /.
But this was not Jacks plan. He had
determined his course, nothing could d.
vert him from it. He acquainted the
mother with his Intentions, quietly
rs packed his clothes that night and the
next morning left his home before any
0f tho family woro Of: rri HE 1;eo~.
Pearance caused a nine-days' talk, and
:, then the matter dropped. Mr.. Doane
made no effort to find him, saying, Hell
: be glad enough to come back of his own
accord" His mother kept her own coun.
Sci, and JACK thought of her with lump
in his throat, for he knew that the $50
he had in his pocket represented the &C.
cumulated savings ottwenty years of he,
life.
Five years had passed away, and not
word had been heard from Jack.
,,u: James had been admitted TO the bar, had
'''' settled down to small pra. tice in Oiean,
was jolly good fellow, a tavorite with
the Indies and society generally but the
,stedier citizens began 10 whisper that he
was getting too fond of the glass. It was
only whisper and most Of the people
resented the insinuation. He was still
the most brilliant, fascinating member
OF the bar, and the pride of Farmer
= Doaae in particular. ~ = ) -
The railroad boom had reached Clean.
80 and citizens plunged recklessly into spec
S udlaation: Farmer Doane had taken $lO,-
OO0 worth Of stock in the new.road which
=. was TO make Clean large city and all
~ It's citizens millonaires. But the bubble
90 burst before it had been fairly blown
and the farm was advertised to be sold by
49, the sheriff. The process by which this
was affected was long one, occupying
/ sssome months, and they were rad ONES
to Farmer Doane and his wife. James
upbraided him for his folly and declared
that he deserved to lose The farm.
IL Jack were only here" said Mn.
Doane, "he would be such q comfort
something to lean upon"
Jack Is worthless dog" said Farmer
Doane in reply, land I'll warrant is
begging his daily bread or working for
s nie board at best! He would be a poor
stick to- lean on" u :.
.aat5 The day OF sale came and iaroe crowd
Was attracted to the farm, Tor it was the
1 ~ farm in the country. and worth
SzVuO, but these close times and At a
ss5sInbllc yale, would not bring much more
tn1n half that amount. = ||5.71,-'.-4T
~; ls sa oldoing was slow. A stranger In
the crowd with his overcoat buttoned up
al9Snd his ears and his cap pulled down
vel ovsr his eyes, watched the bidding