Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-11-14
A HIGH MARK.

wv nat are you OOlnS, elk!
''Pm cutting my name up here,
grandfather"
Pretty hard work, isn't it?"
''Oh, not so very" Felix pulled a
little as he spoke and turned very red
face towards his grandfather.
He was carving his name on the
bark of large elm He had been anx-
ious to place it high up, and in order to
do SO was clasping his legs around the
lowest branch of the tree and hanging
down to do his cutting. 1t is very
likely that if he had been set to it as a
task he would have thought it hard
one and himself very ill-used boy.
..I'm most DONE" he added, as he
rounded period and then, holding by
his hands and letting go with his feet.
jumped to the ground. You see,
grandfather. wanted to cut it away up
there and I couldn't reach any other
way without step-ladder, and it was
SO far to bring it,
II see," said grandfather.
Its my name and the date to-day.
I cut it because it's my birthday and
because you gave me this new pocket
knife"
Are you always going to make a
high mark as you go a.ong?"
Well" said Felix, not quite under
standing the question; Il don't expect
to cut my name on many trees. In the
city they won't let US boys do it
mo, l suppose not; but wherever
you go, my boy, you are sure to leave a
mark of some kind. All through your
school life you will leave it It will be
on the books that a boy of your name
was there and left his record either
nigh or low. But you will write a far
clearer record on the hearts of all those
who may be about you. Your compan-
ions will all feel your influence either
for good or evil. And this influence
will last far longer than the name and
date in the bark of tree. You can not
pass through life without making marks
which must last through all eternity. %
will this last very long?" asked
Felix, looking up at his letters and fig
ures.
Come here" said grandfather.
Felix followed as he walked around
to the other side of the tree. He
looked closely at some MARKS on the
bark to which his grandfather pointed.
Why" he said. 'that's your name,
grandfather, and eighteen hundred and
thirty-six That's more than fifty years
ago"
Yes" said grandfather, Il cut those
when / was not much older than you
are to-day"
Fifty yearsp' Felix looked in awe
at these letters which had been cut
such a very. very long time ago. as it
seemed to him. '.And will my name
stay here for fifty years?"
II suppose SO. unless the tree is cut
down. Every time you come back to
the old place you will come here and
see your name on the tree. If you live
for fifty years you will still find it here.
Your hair will be gray then"-grand-
father caresssingly laid his hand on the
curly brown head-..and shall be ly-
ing over there on the hillside" he
pointed to some white stones in the dis
lance.
but I shan't want to come here
then. grandfather" said Felix. with
tears very near his eyes.
20 yes, you will You will have
other things to interest you then. as it
is right you should have And am
trusting, Felix. that you will have been
making such high marks all along that
it will be a pleasure for you to come
here and see the letters you cut SO long
ago and to be able to think within
yourself:
'sIf grandfather could see me to-day
he would see that / have remembered
what hessaid to me on my birthday so
long ago"
Grandfather walked slowly across the
meadows towards the house. Felix
looked after him for a few moments,
and then turned again to his lettering
on the elm.
Il know exactly what he means. he
said to himself. The means that must
do my very best all the time Now,
while I'm boy. too, I've often heard
him say that it takes good boy to
make good mauL xes. yes, - I