The Delta independent., 1924-08-08

rescue squads for weaker boys at col |
lege who were wavering before strong
but evil leadership. Against the boy
who sought to lead astray the weaker,
he set his face like steel.
Like every born leader, he had his
many warm friends. but IL Rufus Fear
| ing ever had bitter enemy, | have
yet to hear of him. His kindness, sin
cerity and good humor disarmed hat
red. | never saw him angry. In twenty
/ years he never gave me just cause for
serious reprOaches.
"He was absolutely natural in any
environment great or humble. He
was extremely ambitious. He was eN
tremely proud Upon occasion, years
ago, when | mistakenly reproached
him, he patiently explained my error
and then premptorily demanded and
received an apology from me.
Characteristics Of a Thoroughbred
81 have noticed that one OF the char
acteristics OF the thoroughbred is the
refusal to accept or recognize a handi-
cap, which he always regards as a self
confession OF inferiority. The man who
accepts handicap is beaten before
the race commences.
"In any matter to which Rufus Fear
ing set himself seriously he saw no
possible measure OF his full abilities
or efforts except in the leading con
testant He recognized no victory in
a second or third prize. 1t was not
altogether modesty which kept him so
silent about his achievements but be
cause a high average OF proficiency
which left the field so far behind
only brought him into closer self-com-
parison with the few winners. The
natural leader In life. while he keeps
his head, keeps his eyes only on the
runners in front and not on the multi
tude behind That is why the truly
great are so often humble
His mother and never knew, until
we read It in the Year Book Of
Rufus's athletic success at Lawrence
Vile, or that he was captain Of the
fencing team at Princetown, or that
he had this or that distinction He
never talked about his achievements
in any line of work. study or recrea-
tion, for the reason that he himself
never regarded them as important or
worth while But with almost reck.
less intrepidity he sought in his friend
ly conflicts contact with any except
ional individual he could find In the
fact that contact means comparison,
he saw only the opportunity for taking
his own full measurement, even
though II might prove disappointing
or bitter defeat
But under these continuing and
often disappointing contests moral.
physical and mental, there worked
out, under the inexorable laws Of
human nature, splendid and com
plete young Christian gentleman. And
he lesson OF this complete life Is that
this can be done by young man with
out being a prig: without his falling
to be n good fellow. without his bend
ing to debasing environment,
MANS Real Career In His Character"
MY boy lived long enough to win
out Whatever the years would have
added would be only material. In a
mans character is his real career.
"GIe died suddenly in the midst OF
happiness. He died with his ideals
uncovered. He died with all the
noble Illusions of high-minded youth,
undisturbed and undlspelled. He died
without having lost ambition, with his
eyes fixed on the high mountains OF
life where. beyond any question, had
he lived, he would have climbed.
But, dear young friends Of my boy,
he had already climbed the high and
rough ways which lead up the steep
mountains of character. He stood
there firmly at the top, Mistake not.