The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1915-05-03
NOT QUITE A FAILURE
MANS LIFE NOT AS PLANNED.
BUT DUTY WELL DONE.
Quality Of Sclf-Sacrifice Counted For
Much When Ambition Was Put
Away at the Call of FlIiaI
Affection.

Affection.
II always like to see ambition in a
boy" said the doctor. "The best men
are those who as boys had little op-
portunity, but who made the most OF
what they had. AS rule the boys
who have worked their way through
college are about the best fellows !
know"
Il agree with you,' answered the
schoolmaster but sometimes think
that there are boys who never 60 to
college who have done even better.
Did ever tell you about John Smith?
1T was years ago, and was prin.
cipal of the school in little country
town 1t was the only high school in
the county, and the boys and girls
from all round attended. Many of
them could not get away from the
farms until late in the season and so
dropped in at any time during the
term. Well, along about Thanksgiving
John Smith arrived. He told me he
lived six miles back in the country,
and had walked in. He was a big,
well-set-up boy, with bright, intelli-
gent face, and l soon found that he
had come to study. One day ! was
struck with the amount of mud on his
shoes. You must have a muddy walk
to school,, remarked.
Eyes, SIR he answered, the roads
are pretty bad And then found out
that he walked the six miles in every
morning and out again at night! II
boy took that trouble to get an educa-
ton, was interested, and / had a
quiet talk with him. He had wild
owed mother and little sister, and
they owned a small farm. For the past
two years John had done all the work
himself, and he still had to do it. That
was the reason he had to live at home
instead of boarding in town. He told
me that he wanted to go to college
and become doctor His father had
been an unsuccessful lawyer, who had
given up his practice and bought the
farm John told me his plans. He
was sure he could get another boy in
the neighborhood to look after his
place while he was at college, and his
mother was as anxious for him to go
as he was.
Naturally gave him all the help !
could. and although he had to leave
early in the spring, lent him books
and gave him little personal aid in
his work from time to time.
well, three years more passed in
the same way. John kept well up
with his studies by hard work, and at
last he was ready to enter college. He
was accepted for entrance on the
school certificate, and it was pleas !
lre to see the glad look on His face !
when l showed him the registrars |
etter saying that he was admitted. He
had saved little money from various
odd Jobs that he had done, and he told
ne that he was all ready financially |
or the first year, and that he had no
loubt that he could manage the 9th
RS.
II left the school that year, but just
,efore 1t was time for college to open,
wrote John letter of counsel and
Encouragement. I got this brief note
n reply. I am sorry to say that l am .
lot going to college
II made it point to go down to see
vhat had prevented him from carrying
ut his ambition. / found him hoeing
orn. He was very glad to see me-
nd told me what the trouble was. His
1other had had stroke of paralysis
Without murmur he had given up
Is cherished plan. When asked him
'hether he could not get someone to 7
AXE care of her, while he went on
18th his course, he told me that that
as impossible, since his mother de-
ended so entirely upon him. | shall
ever forget the tragedy and love to. r
ether in the boys face as he talked
, me of his vanished hopes and n
atched his helpless mother"
81 suppose he got so college some
ow," remarked the doctor. "and is
ow famous surgeon" Ii
NO" replied the schoolmaster,
hat was ten years ago, but | heard g
ON him only yesterday His mother
still alive and still helpless. He is RI
Ill running the farm, making small
ring and caring for her. The little n,
ster he has just sent to the normal
hool, but he will be small farmer
the end of his days. And believe 'e
was just the man to have made :
lendid doctor. Yet l hardly think
3 life has been failure"
II should think not" said the doc
r.-Youths COMPANION.