Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-09-08

head.
81 wonder II you would give me a
drink o: water before I go?" he asked.
"sartin! Sartin!" cried the old cap
tain, jumping up and leading the way
out Of the barn to the well in front
of the house.
That's fine water" observed Ma
than, gratefully, after quenching his
thirst.
The captains face Enlightened. "It's
the best water in town by all odds!"
he asserted, vigorously. II dug that
we'll myself Just fifty-two years ago
this fall, and it's never run dry from
that day to this. How deep do you
suppose 1t is? Well, can tell you.
It's Just twenty-one feet deep.
"But here is something that don't
know, nor anybody else" he contin
ued, pointing to the elm under which
they were standing, "and that Is the
height OF this tree.
But I'd give good deal to know.
] set out that tree sixty-two years
ago, when Twas a youngster. 1t was
just my height then-five foot two.
We've both grown since that day. ]
know. how much have; I'm Just six
feet when stand up straight. But
how much has the tree grown? That's
the question that wish somebody
could answer. I'm too old to climb
the tree myself. did get JEFF start.
ed up one day. He had clothes.
line tied to his waist and pole in
his hand, and he was going to climb
as far as he could and measure with
the pole the rest OF the way. But he
met with mishap and came near
breaking his neck. and he never dared
to try again. guess shall die with.
out ever knowing how tall that tree
is." he concluded, mournfully.
II think that could measure It
for you, Captain Daggett," said Ma
than, with a twinkle in his eye.
.You could?" said the captain,
doubtfully well, you do look like
Witty little chap. II you want
to try. III get you the clothes-ltne
and the pole. and I'll give you some
thing handsome If you do it."
"All l want is that two-foot rule"
said Nathan, glancing at the pocket
in the old mans overalls. "Oh, yes.
and another single. I'll get that
from the barn."
Now, captain" he began, briskly,
lust take your hat OF. please, and
stand stock.still out here in the sun
shine"
This order the old gentleman obey
ed without a word. but with look
of mystification on his face that
deepened as Nathan. beginning at the
captains feet, measured off short
distance on the ground.
THAT will do for you said Ma.
than, as he ran to the base OF the
tree and began to measure again.
This time his course with the rule
took him across the level front yard
and even into the field beyond the
road
What on earth is the boy up tor"
asked Mr.. Jefferson Daggett, who,
suspecting that something OF interest
was going on, had come out Of the
barn.
81 don't Know what he is doing.
but maybe he Does" replied his faith
err. 'tHe's figuring now he added,
nodding toward Nathan. who had seat
ed himself upon the ground, and was
busily engaged with pencil and Shin
gle.
i've got I'll" exclaimed the boy.
presently. Here it is, all worked out
in simple proportion. Twenty-Five and
a half feet, that's the length of your
shadow, is to two hundred and eighty
five feet, length of the trees shadow,
as six feet, your height is to the height
OF the tree. Multiply the second and
third terms together and divide by
the first and you get the answer
seventy-six feet. That is the height
of your tree, captain"
Well, snum!" cred the old man,
as he seized the single on which
were Nathan's figures and brought It
to focus under his spectacles. u
believe you've done it! And here is
Jeff Daggett, rising forty years old
and setting up for learned man, and
drawing pay from the town for being
supervisor of schools, and never once
thought of doing it that way.
THAT eR is a sensibler sum- he
roared, turning on his son in wrath.
'than you ever gave out in all your
jaw-oracking examinations! And you
wouldn't give the young teller GER
tificate! You give him a certificate,
or TN" he paused for an adequate
threat-'I'H tell this round all over
town."
Whether the threat had anything
to do with 1t or not, 1t is certain
that the supervisor did reconsider his
decision
Come to think it all over" he
said, ~ rather guess that, by study.
ing up, you can keep ahead OF the
scholars in that district. You're
pretty good in arithmetic. anyway,
and if you get stuck any time. you
can come to me and I'll help you
out"
Thus our young friend was able
to return to Mr.. Millett bearing a
document that went to show that
Nathan Thorpe, being person of
good character. and of a temper and
disposition suited to the instruction