The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1882-12-21
JACK DOANE.

jazz DUANE.
Jack Doane had always been consid-
cred dull boy by his teachers, by the
neighbors, and even by his father. He
was seventeen, and James younger
brother, was fifteen, and q remarkably
bright boy. His father destined him
for the law, but Jack was to settle down
on the farm. He was only fit for a
farmer. The farm was situated half a
mile out from Clean, where the boys
attended school. They had completed
their studies in the public schools and
were now ready for the academy.
Jack was dull; every one said so-that
ls every one except his mother She
seemed to understand Jack and have
Eontidence in him. She knew he was
slow, but she had learned that he could
be depended upon. Farmer Doane had
determined that Jack should 60 to work
on the farm. But Jack possessed a
logged determination He had decided
to go through the academy and he en-
listed his mother to his side, and be-
tween them they prevailed, and the
opening 0. III. story sees both hoys be-
ginning three ye.:-a "0u-s2 james at
the head Of the GLASS; and great favor
lite, Jack at the foot and regarded as
very dull, to say the least.
Jack exceled in one thing-mathe-
matics. He was slow, to be sure, but he
mastered every principle as he went
along. He labored under one great diff
ficulty in school He could not explain
the principles auently and clearly. But
he covld 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 the credit he deserved Often
he would come home with the teachers
harsh words ringing in his ears and his
schoolmates' sneers ranking in his
heart, land found consolation in a mothers
hopeful words.
Never mind, Jack" sail she; "you
will come outall right. The race is II OF
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 viii!
bring you through. Remember the IA
BILE of the hare and the tortoise"
And then she woHld tell him of emf
nent ounces, such as Sir Isaac Newton,
Sheridan, Goldsmith, Scott, Dean Swift,
Gibbon, DRYDEN, Shakespeare, Milton
and Daniel Webster These were all
dull boys in school. They could not be
<rAmmed with knowledge, they had to
reason and think out their conclusions
And Jack would be comforted and 6
out from his mothers presence with
lifted mead and brave i:aart, 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 a
lesson until he fairly understood it, and
this, more than anything else, caused
him to fall behind his class, so that at
the end of the course he failed to pass
1t was observed in the final examina-
ton that he was perfect up TO the last,
not missing question, but beyond this
be stood low. His brother James grad
Eated with great er|at, however, and
went into the Office of Briggs & Morton
to study law. Jack staid one year at the
academy, and then graduated, and ther
came to the trials Of his life.
The day after his graduation he re-
quested his father to send him to the
-.scientifc institute. Mr.. Doane was
astonished.
81 won't doit!" he exclaimed, in anger
You are only fit to be farmer, and you
have education enough for that I've
spent all the money intend to for your
education, and you might as we'll settle
down on the farm and go to work. I'll
give you good chance"
But this was not Jacks plan. He had
determined his course, nothing could di.
vert him from it. He acquainted the
mother with his intentions, quietly
packed his clothes that night and the
next morning left his home before any
of the family were stirring. His disap
pearance caused a nine-days' talk, and
then the matter dropped. Mr.. Doane
made no effort to find him, saying, "He'l
be glad enough to come back Of his own
accord" His mother kept her own coun
sci, and Jack thought of her with lump
an his throat, for he knew that the $3.50
he had in his pocket represented the &C
cumulated savings oftwenty years of he1
1ife
Five years had passed away, and not
a word had been heard from Jack.
James had been admitted to the bar, hat
settled down to small practice in Clean
was jolly good fellow, favorite will
the ladies and society generally but the
stedier citizens began to whisper that he
only whisper and most of the people
resented the insinuation. He was Still
the most brilliant, fascinating membe1
of the bar, and the pride of Farmer
DOane IN particular.
The railroad boom had reached Clean
and citizens plunged recklessly into spec
ulation. Farmer Doane had taken $40,
600 worth of stock in the new..road, which
was to make Clean large city and al
its citizens millonaires. But the bubble
burst before it had been fairly blown
nnd the farm was advertised to be sold by
the sheriff. The process by which thi.
was affected was long one, occupyin!
some months, and they were sad ONES
to Farmer Doane and his wife. james
upbraided him for his folly and declared
that he deserved to lose The farm.
If Jack were only here" said Mrs
Doane, che would be such comfort
-sOmething to lean upon."
Jack is q worthless dog" said Farmer
Doane in reply, land I'll warrant j:
begging his daily bread or working fol-
his board at best! He would be poor
stick to lean on
The day OF sale came and large crowG
was attracted to the farm, for it was the
best farm in the country, and wortl
900, but these close times and at :
public sale, would not bring much more
t. than half that amount.
The bidding was slow. a stranger il
the crowd with his overcoat buttoned III
around his ears and his cap pulled dowr
well over hi6 0ves. WataAad tho h;ddine