SHOWING THEIR COLORS.
It is impossible to follow Ray and Edward in all the details of their
academic life. All that can here be done is to give a few incidents
that will illustrate their mental and spiritual growth; and if in these
Ray seems to have undue prominence, let it be remembered it is his
story that is given on these pages.
Ray sought an early opportunity to confer with Mr. Phillips, the
principal of the academy.
"I presume you know my circumstances," he said. "If I succeed in
graduating from the academy, I must have work. Do you know of anything
I can get to do?"
Mr. Phillips smiled at the lad's straightforward way in coming to the
point, and asked:
"What are you willing to do?"
"Anything that is honest," answered Ray, promptly.
"We have usually given the bell ringing and the sweeping of the
recitation rooms in Prince Hall to some student, allowing him tuition
and room rent free for the work. It happens that the student who has
had the position for nearly four years wishes to give it up. As your
tuition and room rent are already provided for by your scholarship,
I presume the trustees would be willing to let that work offset your
board bill. It is an exacting position, however, for the first bell
rings at six in the morning, the last at nine in the evening. Are you
willing to undertake it?"
"Yes, sir. When shall I begin?" inquired Ray.
Mr. Phillips smiled again. The promptness of this lad was amusing.
"To-morrow morning," he then answered. "Greene, in number 42, on
the second floor of your own dormitory, will give you all needful
instructions."
Ray now rose to go; but Mr. Phillips detained him a moment to add:
"Some of the boys also find work to do on Saturdays down in the city.
In the spring, work can be found to some extent among the neighboring
farmers. You are at liberty to undertake anything that does not
interfere with your school duties. I wish you success, and will help
you all I can."
The office of bell ringer obliged Ray to rise very early. The office
of sweeper compelled him to be on the alert at an early hour also. But
this was no especial trial to Ray. He had all his life been accustomed
to early rising. Promptness, if not one of his inborn qualities, was
one he had acquired at a very early age. His mill life had drilled him
to it. His farm life had simply supplemented it. It was all the same to
him whether he arose at four or five o'clock in the morning, or whether
he rang the bell once or twenty times a day. He adapted himself to
circumstances with perfect ease. Instead of bending to circumstances,
circumstances bent to him. He made a good bell ringer and sweeper
simply because he tried to perform even those tasks as he tried to do
everything else--in the best possible way.
His position brought him into disfavor with some of his associates. In
a large school like that there were some students who came from wealthy
and aristocratic families, and they seemed to think that manual toil
was a disgrace. Instead of honoring Ray for securing an education in
this manly, independent way, they appeared to regard his coming among
them as an insult to themselves. But I am glad to say there were but a
few of this class; and even they, before a great while, were forced to
respect Ray. They found he was as good a scholar as he was bell ringer
and sweeper. They found he could row a boat, or bat a ball, as well as
he could recite. They found him manly and gentlemanly at all times.
It suddenly dawned upon their minds that any necessary and useful
employment is respectable. It was Ray who taught them that truth. He
dignified the most menial work he was called to perform. He did it by
putting Christian principle into his work.
It was soon apparent to all, moreover, that Ray and Edward Lawton
were inseparable. Some unusual tie evidently bound them together. Nor
was it long before the reason for this was discovered. Ray had saved
Edward's life at the risk of his own. Here was heroism, and they could
honor heroism wherever it was found. Ray at once became an important
personage in their eyes. And this, together with his manly, courteous
attitude toward all, soon made him a general favorite.
But Ray was not contented with the work he had already found to do.
There were incidental expenses that must be met, and clothing that must
be provided. His little store of money would soon be exhausted. He must
contrive some way to carry himself through to the long summer vacation,
and pay all bills. "I must keep myself just as far as possible from
trespassing upon the generosity of my friends," he said. On Saturdays,
therefore, he went among the farmers of the neighborhood, seeking work.
He cut wood, and hauled it to the market. He helped to harvest the ice
crop. He even shoveled paths when they were made necessary by a heavy
fall of snow. One day he came up from the city, where he had been on an
errand, rubbing his hands in great glee. "Ned," he cried, bursting into
the room where his chum was sitting, "I have found two grand jobs for
us."
"That's good news," answered Edward, who had manfully done all he could
find to do, that he might lighten his mother's burdens. "What are they?"
"One is in a shoe store," replied Ray. "They want an extra clerk on
Saturday and Saturday evenings; will pay a dollar and a half each time.
I've booked you for the place. How's that?"
"Let me hear about the other first," said his chum, with a smile.
"The other is in a grocery store; but it is heavier work, and there is
more exposure. So I kept that for myself," remarked Ray.
"And what is the pay?" asked Ned; for he knew Ray well enough to
suspect there was an additional reason for his choice.
"Why, they will give but a dollar each time," Ray admitted, after some
hesitation; "but that is all right."
"No, it isn't," answered Edward, decidedly. "I have allowed you to take
the heaviest part in many of our jobs, because I knew you were more
capable and more used to toil; but I won't take more pay. I'll go to
that shoe store if you will take the extra half dollar; or else I'll
throw up the job."
Ray tried to argue the unreasonableness of this; but Edward would not
yield. And the matter was finally settled by putting all the money they
both earned into a common fund, from which each was to draw as he had
need. This custom continued between these two friends not only through
their academic, but also through their college course.
There were over five thousand volumes in the library belonging to the
school. From this treasury of knowledge Ray drew largely. It was the
first time in his life he had been favored with such a privilege, and
every moment of his spare time was occupied with books therefrom.
History, poetry, the best works of fiction, were alike devoured by
him. His tenacious memory held much that he read. He began here, too,
a habit of systematic reading, which he maintained all through his
student life, and found of immense value.
"What are you doing with those books, Ray; copying them?" asked Edward,
one day.
"No, though I am making their contents mine as much as possible," Ray
replied. "As I read, I try to note down the main thought, and the line
of argument of the writer. When I have finished the book, I review and
re-write the notes I have made on the chapters, bringing them into a
consecutive whole. Thus, when I am through, I have the substance of
that book fixed in mind; know the important topics on which it treats;
and can file away the notes for reference, if I so desire, hereafter.
I mean to follow this custom with every book I read, and make myself
familiar with its contents."
"No one can doubt the wisdom of the plan; but how about the patience
necessary to carry it out?" added his chum.
"I think in the long run I shall get over more ground than I should
with the usual method of reading, and with this advantage, I shall
know and can utilize what I have read. Then, hereafter, when I speak
or write upon a given subject, I shall be able to turn at once to the
best source for the necessary material," answered Ray.
"Your powder and shot will be right at hand; all you will have to do
will be to load and fire," suggested Ned. "Well, that is a good idea,
and if there is no patent on your arrangement, I will adopt it too."
"It is public property; has been used long before my time, and will be
used long after. I got the idea myself from a book I was reading not
long ago. I do not see how there can be more than one opinion as to the
usefulness of the plan," replied Ray, resuming his work.
This circumstance shows how systematically Ray entered into all his
studies. His teachers soon began to look upon him as a pupil of no
ordinary ability. He showed plainly that he meant to fully understand
every topic under discussion. His motto to do everything thoroughly was
again and again illustrated. Long before his first year was completed
he was regarded as the most promising scholar in the school.
An incident occurred in the spring term, moreover, that well
illustrated Ray's love of fair play, and his quiet, unassuming way of
helping others. He came out on the playground one day to find a number
of the students putting one of the town boys who had ventured on the
field under the pump. The day was raw and chilly, and the lad was
already well drenched, when Ray discovered him. With a quick bound he
was at the boy's side, and throwing his tormentors to the right and
left with his strong arms, he caught the child--for he was scarcely
more than that--in his arms, and carried him to his home.
Calling the next day to inquire after the boy, he found him dangerously
sick from the drenching he had received. The mother, a widow with
several smaller children, was almost beside herself with anxiety and
despair. The boy, young as he was, had been her main stay, and by doing
chores for a neighbor had earned a small pittance, upon which at this
season the family was almost wholly dependent. Ray at once found time
amid his own excessive duties to perform the boy's work, and each week
handed over to the widow the small pay allowed, until the lad had fully
recovered. The generous, noble act would probably have gone unnoticed
had not the widow herself told of it. In some way it reached the ears
of the principal of the academy, and one morning at the close of the
chapel services he detained the students and told the whole story. He
contrasted Ray's manly act with the cowardly and senseless one of the
lad's persecutors, and ended by ordering the guilty students to defray
all the expenses of the lad's sickness or they would be immediately
expelled.
But perhaps Ray's consistent Christian life was the most noticeable
thing about him. It was soon known that he and Edward were Christians.
The rules they had framed and placed so conspicuously above their
study table were freely discussed by their associates. Some, of course,
scoffed at the lads, but others honored them for at once showing their
colors; while those among the students who were Christians found they
had earnest helpers in the new-comers.
They at once took an active part in the weekly prayer meeting held by
the students. Ray threw himself with his whole-souled vigor into these
services. His exhortations and appeals were examples of earnestness and
eloquence, to which students and teachers listened in rapt attention.
No student of so much power in religious meetings had ever before
been connected with the school. The prayer meeting took on new life.
Many dropped in who had not been accustomed to attend. A Young Men's
Christian Association was formed. Personal work was inaugurated;
special prayer was offered; and the Spirit came in quickening and
convicting power. A goodly number of the students decided for Jesus;
the religious tone of the academy was elevated; and better and more
conscientious work was done in the class rooms, and in the study hours.
"Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it," became the watchword of many
of those young men not only for their student days, but for life.
"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Two or three followers
of Jesus with their own souls on fire will kindle into flame the
smouldering embers in the hearts of their lukewarm brethren. This
was the work Ray and Edward did. Their bold stand and their manifest
consecration to Jesus bore their legitimate fruit.
The esteem in which both lads were held may be readily seen from
a letter sent by Mr. Phillips to Mr. Carleton at the close of the
academic year.
EASTON, June 15, 18--
DEAR BROTHER CARLETON:
In answer to your letter of recent date, asking after the mental
and spiritual welfare of _your_ two boys, Ray and Edward, I most
heartily pen the following:
From the day they first came to us they have commanded not only our
approval, but our respect and love. As scholars, they have held
exceedingly high rank. Ray easily leads his class, with Edward, to
use a popular phrase, a good second; and this, too, when both have
done much manual labor to help themselves along.
Of their Christian character I can speak in equally high terms.
From the day of their coming they have quietly but persistently
shown their colors. Much of the deep religious interest obtaining
among us during the winter and spring months has been due to their
faithful labors for the Master.
With no intentional disparagement of Edward's abilities, permit
me to say of Ray: His Christian purpose is one of the remarkable
things about him. His talents, work, everything, appears to be
subject to this Christian aim. He most strikingly illustrates in
his daily life Paul's words: "God, whose I am and whom I serve." I
feel that he, if spared, will make a power in the world.
In conclusion I can only add: If there are more boys in the Afton
Graded School like the two you have sent us, we shall be more than
glad to welcome them at Clinton Academy at any time.
Most cordially yours,
S. D. PHILLIPS.
Mr. Carleton handed this letter to Mr. Greenough the next time he met
him. That worthy gentleman adjusted his glasses and read it through.
"Well, pastor," he remarked as he finished, "I'm glad to hear this
of those boys. I expected it. You see, too, Phillips' opinion about
Ray coincides with mine. His is a remarkable case. As I had occasion
to remark once before, I never in all my life saw so marvelous an
illustration of the Scripture, 'Even for this same purpose have I
raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name
might be declared throughout all the earth.' I am no prophet, but I
believe the Lord has some signal work for that lad to do in our own or
in foreign lands."
And he was right.