The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-11-19
The Boy Who Did His Best.

father.
The Boy Who Did His Best.
He Is doing his best, that boy Of six
teen, stretched out before bright fire in
the old tanning shed. Reclining upon
an old sheepskin with book in hand. be
is acquiring knowledge as truly as any
student at his desk in some favored insti-
tuition, with all the conveniences and
facility for learning. He Is doing his
best, too-this same boy, Claude-as be
helps his master prepare the sheep and
lambs skins for dyeing, so that they can
be made into leather. He is doing his
best by obedience and by respectful con
duct to bis master, IN deavoring TO do his
work well, although he often makes mis-
takes. as his work Is not 50 well suited to
his tastes IS the study Of Geek and Latin
See there, young rapscallion" !" calls
Gaspard Beaurais, the tanner See
how you're mixing up the Wools,7 For
Claude's wits were wool gathering" sure
enough but he was not sorting the wool
Alright
@Aye, aye, SIR replied the apprentice,
but | will tx them all right" And he
quickly sets TO work to repair his mistake.
Hell never make a tanner" said Gas
pard to bis good wife, "snd much I fear
he'll never be able TO earn his bread"
sure enough, repl5ed his wife "and
vet he's good ana obedient, and never
gives back word. to all your scolding.'
And in after years when the age couple
received handsome presents from this
distinguished man who had been their
apprentice, they thought OF these words.
One evening there came q stormy,
boisterous wind and the little stream IN
which the tanner was wont 70 wash bis
wool upon the skins vas swollen 10
torrent. To attempt to cross il by ford al
such time would render one liable to
be carried down the stream and to be
dashed TO pieces on ghe rocks
ave must get all the skins under COW
er," said Gzspard TO his apprentice, "a
storm Is at hand
The task was finished and the tanner
was about to return to his cot and Claude
to bis shed, when the boy exclaimed:
surely heard cry Some one is Try
ing to cross the ford
And in al instant be darted toward
river, followed by his master eArrying the
lantern Some villagers were already
there, and strong rope was tied around
the waist Of the bssre boy who was about
TO plunge into he stream, Tor man
upon horseback wss seen coming down
the river. both rider and horse much ex-
hausted. Clarde succeeded in grasping
the rein, and the strong hands Of the
master that held the rope drew him 10
shore, and al Wsre saved. Soon after
the stranger sat by the tanner cheerful
fire, having quite won the hearts Of the
good man and his wife by his kind and
courteous manners
What can do for your brave boy .
ne asked.
Hes none Of ours, and not much
credit win he be to any one, We fear.
He wastes too much time over useless
books was the bluff reply Of the honest
tanner, who could not see what possible
use Cizude's studies would be'to him.
@May I see the books 81 asked the
stranger.
Claude, being called, brought the books
of the Greek and Latin classics and stood
with downc2st face, expecting 10 be re-
buked. But instead he received words
Of eonmendation from the gentleman,
who after some talk and questions, was
astonished at the knowledge the boy had
acquired
A few months later, instead Of the old
tanning shed as study, Claude might
be seen with his books in a handsome
mansion at Paris, the house Of VI De Val
lis, whose life he had saved, and who
had become his friend and benefactor.
The boy felt that he had done his duty
and that be was receiving much n re-
turn, and be determined TO make every
effort to meet the expectations Of his
patron.
lie succeeded. Claude CappeIonier,
the boy who did his best became the
most distinguished Greek and Latin
scholar Of his time. At the age Of twen-
ty-five he filed the chair Of Greek Pro
fessor il The Royal College Of Paris.
More than this he became man Who
feared Cod and was much beloved for
his goodness and amiable qualities. lie
never forgot his former master and wife.
Their old sge was cheered by many
tokens Of remembrance in the form Of
substantial gifts from the man y ho, when
a boy, studied 50 diligently by the fire
Of their old shed. but who would never
make a tanner"