The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-11-05
miscellaneous.
WHAT TONY DID.
Youths Companion.

y
(Which ?"
"There is but one you could see."
"Humpty Dumpty? Oh, he pervades the
place The trees in the campus shrank into
bushes when he came into it"
The students who were going up TO chapel
in groups were calling to each other Joking,
as usual But there was but one subject to-
day for their jokes "Have you seen the
Babe ?" tom Thumb" "Bulgy"-they had
dozen nicknames for this unfortunate
Freshman, who had arrived the previous
night, and had been seen at the hotel by some
of them.
He was not at chapel, however, so that the
majority of us were disappointed.
had an errand to Prof. Tyndall's room
that morning, and found there very meek,
anxious little woman, who had brought her
son up to college.
She was speaking as | entered.
You understand, professor he is my only
child. ] am widow. He is all have"
Il do understand, madam" said the good
old professor, gently, land all that | Can do
to make him a useful man shall be DONE rest
assured. But in the end, it depends on the
lad himself"
"Oh, Tony's willing! He does his best
But we're very poor. 1t has been hard work
for years to raise the money for him to come
here, and now | want him to learn every
thing right away. Greek and Latin and
mathematics and arithmetic and history
and"-
as your son good arithmetician? Or
has he talent for languages, or bellies lett,eS,
OF what has he an inclination for?"
ooh, nothing ut all, sir, unless it is his
meals. He's very fond of dinner especially
when there's pot-pie. But as for books he
doesn't banker for any of them. That's the
reason brought him here"
81 should like to see the boy" said the
worried professor.
Hes Just outside. But you'll be gentle
with him ?" she said, anxiously, pausing at
the door, the knob in her hand. "He's n
mere boy, n perfect child. Come in, Tony,
DEAR
The professor looked away to hide smile
as the tiny little woman came up, leading an
immensely overgrown youth as she would a
baby.
"rhis is Tony, sir That is his pet name,
but Anthony Briggs Brashier is his full
name"
"Take seat, Mr.. Brashier," said the pro-
fessor, placing chair for the lady "a few
questions, perhaps, will give me an idea of
the best course for you to choose. Many of
our studies are elective. How tar have you
gone in Latin?"
"Tony's red face was perfectly round, and
not older in its lines than that of boy of
six. But there was great anxiety in his
eyes, as he said, in husky whisper, 81 never
could get beyond the grammar, sir"
And in Greek?"
Tony shook his head. The examination
on every subject brought the same results.
The professor frowned. "You are fit only
for the Preparatory School, fear. AS to
mathematics"
Tony's face lightened. 81 don't think l
am quite such Ounce in mathematics as in
other things. like the study. Ihavc gone
through the geometry and algebra twice"
"Well, well" said the professor, 1--WE shall
see. You will undergo regular examina-
ton. II you must enter tie Preparatory
School, il will make your course year
longer"
ooh dear, Tony, do try!" almost sobbed
his mother. You know all that depends on
your getting through soon. l want him to
be a minister, sir. His father was q minis
ter. He'd earn our living that way. and
serve God, too. | want him to live for the
glory of God and the good of the world"
The professor attended her respectfully as
she went out. Tony fingered, catching sight
of me.
"Are you one of the students ?" he said.
Yes" had an odd bewderment as to
whether it was a child or grave, eager man
who was talking to me.
II suppose it's hard work here"
"Pretty hard even for a bright fellow"
replied.
"Well, can't do it. I'm not bright; I'm
regular Ounce. I've made up my mind to
that. Except" his queer, dark eyes bright
ening, "in one or two little things, but they
wouldn't COunt-lere"
There was little doubt that Tony's estimate
of himself was correct. In spite of his knowl-
edge of mathematics, he was so deficient in
his other studies that he was put into the
Preparatory School, with lads of twelve.
There he remained for two long years.
His mothers resolve that he should be a
minister was inexorable, and it never occur
red to the gentle, good-natured lad to oppose
it. Hence the energies of his teachers were
spent in trying to drive Greek and Latin
into his dull brain, which utterly refused to
harbor them.
He was fond of good eating, of fishing,
Jokes, fun of all kinds. His unwieldy body
prevented his taking part in athletic sports,
but his applause was hearty. No student,
even among the digniied Seniors, would
play against any other college in baseball or
cricket unless Tony could go to back him.
His enthusiastic shouts and yells were con-
/
tagious.
Ofcourse, he was butt for the whole col
lege. He was Babe" Infant" "Humpty
Dumpty" still, but every man, from the pro-
fessors to the newest Freshman, liked Tony.
He was so good-humored, SO sincere, and
above all, in such deadly earnest with his
work He began with fresh zeal every
morning to score fresh failure before night.
By dint of pushing, he was taken into the
Freshman class.
81 doubt ii he ever goes farther" said Prof
Tyndall to me Il was now tutor in the
lower schooD, There's not mean or vul.
gar trait in that great body. Under his
good-humor, there is fine, noble nature
But minister he will never be. Even if he
could ever speak in public, he never can take
the training"
The half-yearly examinations were at
hand. Tony broke down again in Latin and
Greek. went to his room that evening,
and found him sitting a-straddle of his chair
his chin on the back, staring steadfastly in
the fire. Tony's round face was as boyish as
ever, but there was an infinite depth of long
ing and pain in his dark eyes.
Hard luck, Brashier," l said.
| "You don't know the worst. Here is a
letter from my mother, counting the time
until shall be minister; doing something
for the glory of Gods gospel and the good Of
the world. How can tell her am thrown
| hack another wear? ought TO be at work