The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1914-01-21
Essay Contest.

the two submitted by the Tionesta High
school;
ARNOLD HENRY.
The usefulness of an education may be
plainly seen in the common routine OF
ones daily life. Do we accomplish our
undertakings with our hands, or by the
aid Of that ruler of our bodies and of the
world, our mind? Do We go on and on
in life with that blind sense of existence
one may expect in the animal kingdom,
which is governed entirely by the Drawn
and muscle of its body2 Will we live
out this life. given 10 us for improve
ment, in making no attempt to elevate
that great factor in every persons life,
educstionf Yet do we heed this call,
this summons, this beckonine?
The percentage of illiterate human be-
ings ia alarming. Their stupidity is
alarming even to a child. who, though
just embarking upon the sea Of knowl-
edge, is conscious of its superiority to
this uneducsted member of its surround
iugs. Despite the progress of the edu-
Gated mind there is and always will be
certain amount of drudgery. To whom
does this drudgery fall? Ulon whom are
the pains, the accidents, the deaths, the
SORROWS OF these accomplishment con-
ferred? Is 1t the educated member OF
this vast thrOng OF people, or is 1t the
stupid, uneducsted and generally pow
erty-stricken person. who, when the op-
portunity' for wealth, for comfort, for
happiness in conveyed to his very dwell
ing place, spurns 1t as something for
those who are lacking in physical power,
or who are oversupplied with feminine
traitsS May the man, woman or child be
pitied whose perceptiblity of their duty
toward the Creator has been so impaired
as to permit this sbomlnsbe opinion con-
cerning education to enter the mind!
When the high school course is com
pleted, always with sorrow, as you will
agree, the next course is the university or
college. 1t is here that we learn what
happiness really consists Of and the
hours spent in sur,nounting the obstacles
here encountered produce the desired eff.
feet which education has on the modern
mind. Not alone is one taught the hap
piness of today or yesterday. or the diff
culties overcome long ago, but also upon
your very soul is forced the duty which
cannot be escaped. even by the unedu-
Gated. And as l look forward into the
near future 1 am hoping for the training
the university can afford me; training
that will tender TO me a broader and
more radical outlook on life, one that
means not only enjoyment for myself
but one which will fit me for the service
which is so plainly due my fellow beings.
MARGARET BOWMAN.
Thinking of the subject that has come
to me, trying to arrange in my mind the
almost numberless reasons why l should
like to enter a university and to place
them in logical order and sequence, be-
came wesried and seem to have fallen
into a deep and pleasant sleep. As l
sleep l dream that l sm travelling and
come to and view a strange land. Near
at hand is a rugged mountain rising alb
ruptly from au extensive plain which
stretches far beyond the scope of my
natural vision. A wonderful river winds
over the plain in the foreground; its
waters are clear, blue and deep. Upon
its bosom floats the mighty fleets of
great commerce. Stretching beyond rs
far as human eye can carry are fertile
fields. laden with bounteous crops ripen-
ing in the warm rays of the brilliant sun
of midsummer. Bordering the fields and
along the banks of this placid stream
stand magnificent forests, green, shady,
and inviting. Populous villages, towns
and cities appear to rest like crowns upon
the brow of nature. Peaceful homes cast
their shadows beyond them. Fat, sleek,
lazy cattle Craze in green fields. pop
ulous happy people inhabit the farms and
villages; peace and plenty abound; the
busy wheels of industry cesselessly turn
in towns and cities; factories everywhere
are in full blast. Happy children play
dOOub tuo sCuOOl uOuS6 VI lu6
rural district and long lines of eager
young people gather in the halls of edu-
cation in town and city. Out from the
midst the towering buildings of busy
city rushes long, heavy freight train;
crosses the plain, passes over the river by
great bridge, and buries itself with a
roar OF defiance in the base OF the great
mountain, but to appear presently on its
opposite side. Vast fleets of timber and
coal drift down the current of the river;
the smoke Of hundred mills gathers in
the clouds on the horizon. The lofty
spires of innumerabe churches rise
proudly into the blue heavens, Offering
peace and consolation to a busy people.
l examine more closely the rugged side
of the mountain, and note, while it is
steep and high, yet winding up along it's
side, at an easy grade. is pathway which
| decide to ascend. AS press upward
gaze about me from time to time. Ny
eyes behold new scenes at each step of the
way. Farther and further extends my
view at every upward step, revealing
new and more beautiful scenery, con-
stsntly opening to my vision vast repro
ductions Of what was visible from the
foot Of the mountain. see yet mightier
rivers. greater cities, higher mountains,
more extensive plains. even to the great
ocean with It's mighty winds and waves.
I muse and IL dawns upon me that life
itselfhas been drsmstIzed before me. 1
awaken with a start and seek to interpret
my dream. It must be that my fond
hopes and desires, my cogitstions and