CHAPTER XIX.
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 ofyourtwo 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.
Easton, June 15, 18—
Dear Brother Carleton:
In answer to your letter of recent date, asking after the mental and spiritual welfare ofyourtwo 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.