The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-01


and was regarded by people who weE0
of honor and keen appreciation OF tn
nobler attributes Of humanity. In fact,
he was a man Of acute sensibilities. but
lacked the broad grasp Of affairs which
comes from thorough study and training.
One day as Herold stood in the waiting
room at. railroad station he heard
gentleman say, How do you do, Mr..
Densmore?" Quick as FASH he turned
his gaze in that direction, listened for Q
response to the greeting and seemed b
recognize the voice of his old friend and
schoolmate. In a few minutes he aD-
preached the gentleman addressed and
asked, Are you Ralph Densmore?''
That is my name, !" answered 5he man.
II thought l could not be mistaken In
the expression of those honest eyes as be-
longing to the boy who served many =
good turn to Herold Green
The recognition was mutual-they
clasped hands and each felt that they were
boys again. The train being thirty min
utes late, they took a seat and related
their experiences since last they met.
Mr.. Densmore said, care you still lfv.
ing in the same old town."
yes" answered Mr.. Green. mo other
place would seem like home to me. It 10
endeared to me by so many associations;
it is my native place. am familiar with
every nook and corner Of the town, al
though it is much larger than when We
were schoolboys. Do you remember how
we knew every variety Of bird that fire.
quented the parks and every plant? How
we knew where the pretty nests were
built and recognized the song Of the birds
and then how we used to seek for the
first flowers Of spring."
81 remember those halcyon days WE'LL"
answered Mr.. Densmore, "but somehow
birds and flowers do not seem as charm
ing, now that am older and feel the
weight and responsibility of business
cares
mo, possibly not. I understand you are
very methodical and serious in your at
tention to business said Mr.. Green, but
to me they furnish such a relief from the
general routine that, without them, I
think we would lose much of life"
Undoubtedly we would remarked MI.
Densmere. II want to say, Herold, I have
many times been made to feel the griev-
GUS blunder I made when / gave UP my
chances for higher education. Do you
remember the morning We met on the way
to school in our. old town? Do you recall
our conversation? -
I remember how you surprised me BY
saying you were going to withdraw from
the contest for the prize, and still more
when you said you were going to leave
school. All admired your ability about
that time, and I have always regretted
that you did not take that prize"
1T is nice of you to say that, HerolA
and I, too, have much to regret because
of that unhappy time in my life For
twenty years have been cropping my way.
meeting many problems which seemed DIFF
fcult of solution because Of my limited
education. have happy little home and
1 feel that I have the confidence and
respect of my neighbors. / am trying to
make the most Of my time and oppor tuni-
ties, but, Herold, how much more !
might have enjoyed and what could havS
been my success had / followed your adj
vice. By the way, Herold, L have kept
track Of you and know of your business
success and your rank as man of affaira
am proud Of you, my good friend. Just
like you to forge ahead and make your
mark, remember you possessed those
same traits when boy N
''Well, Ralph, assure you that any
thing I have achieved in the way OF
success has cost me a price-viz.. sacri-
fee and hard work. was obliged to
struggle with poverty and temptations in
various forms. There is no secret about
it. I simply said, I will, and worked 4
out. Ny ambition was to go through
school, 1 was obliged to fight my way
through, and for this 1 am glad I learned
what sacrifice means. I have not been in
school for years, but I still class myself
with the student element Of our town. We
have fine literary club FOR which we are
ambitious and determined on higher
career-in education. 1 wish you might
visit the old town.
''You need not tell me more, Ralph.
know the secret Of the material wealth and
prosperity of your town as well as tho
educational and religious growth. 1t is
because you have put yourself into the life
of the town in broad sense. 1t Is your
career, my old friend, that has inspired
me to do all I can in my feeble way to
encourage the boys Of my own family and
town to remain in school. I have missed
a great deal that I might have enjoyed. I
am telling the boys about it,
well, my good friend, yours is a noble :.
work for you, and you are performing Il
nobly."
Just then the train pulled in, SO they
c1asped hands and bade each other
hearty godspeed, each feeling the joyous
thrill over. renewed acquaintance, and
happy recollections of schoolboy days.
TEMPERATURE OF WE'LL.
At the bottom of a 100-foot well the