The Mankato free press., 1902-05-30
PROF. vAMBERY'S YOUTH.
His Passage Through Early Trials to
Honorable Maturity.

In an interview with Prof. YAM |
berry on the occasion 81 mis- seventieth |
the great Hungarian traveller
gave some account of his early strug-
gles He. said: 81 was born of very
poor parents. My father died few
months before was born, leaving my
mother so poor that she was glad to
marry again, with the hope that she
would be able thereby to give Us a
betuer bringing up. But in that she
was sadly mistaken, poor thing, for
our stepfather was quite unable TO
earn a living AS child I used to
play with my comrades on the village
green, but being lame, l was always
beaten by them in the races | tried to
run with them. This occasioned me
much modification, and with tears in
my eyes, I would go to my mother,
who always consoled me with the
assurance that ore day would beat
all the rest. In my studies at school
I was soon able to do this, but / want
ed to be ahead of them in physical ex-
ercises as we'll. I determined TO lay
aside my crutches as soon as possible,
and one day after visiting my fathers
grave, 1 broke them up and made my
way home, bathed in perspiration as
best I could.
SAT 10 years of age l had to shift
for myself, we were all SO poor. AL
though l had done exceedingly we'll at
school, in the hope of fitting myself
for a physician or a lawyer, poverty
compelled me to something very differ
ent. I was apprenticed to ladies'
dressmaker l felt was destined for
something better, and soon gave up
stitching pieces of muslin together
to become private teacher to the
only son of the village innkeeper.
But that, too, turned out to be very
meniaI position. 1 was expected to
clean the family's boots on Saturday
nights and even occasionally to serve
the customers with drinks. And my
young pupil was SO much older than
myself-he was 10 and was 13-that
instead of my thrashing him. as he
deserved, he uhrashed me. But I put
up with all until I had earned eight
forms, and with that sum in my
pocket made for the nearest town of
ST. George, where determined to en-
ter the gymnasium as a pupil. The
education was free But the eight
forms bought the books that requir-
ed for study.
81 was supported by several kind
families. One family gave me meal
a day and another family another,
and I wore the cast-off clothing of
the better off boys. I passed my ex-
aminations with ease, and then de-
cided to push on to Pressburg, where
there were schools of higher grade.
But I.s.did not get so far. At the age
of IA found myself in the ancient
city of Coronation, where I spent
three years of incredible hardships
pursuing my studies, and supporting
myself by all kinds of menial service
and the teaching of my fellow
servants. lived on bread and water.
Yes, from youth up I had been used
to the direst poverty, and the hard
ships really strengthened me, besides
fitting me for the hardships of travel
in which 1 was to spend some years
of my life. In a small way l had
commenced travelling already. During
the vacations 1 had managed to visit
Vienna, Prague, and the chief cities
of Austria, always on foot. for I had
not penny in my pocket, and I limp
ed, of course, although I had thrown
away my crutches. At night would
put up at the houses of the clergy,
and being able to converse with them
in Latin, they were always kind to
me and even gave me few kreutzers
before leaving. A cheerful disposition
and polite manners will carry you a
long way anywhere. " = London
Church Family Newspaper.