Bound to Rise. Chapter 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
CHAPTER XIII.
THE NIGHT SCHOLARS.
Immediately after Thanksgiving Day, the winter schools commenced. That in the center district was kept by a student of Dartmouth College, who had leave of absence from the college authorities for twelve weeks, in order by teaching to earn something to help defray his college expenses. Leonard Morgan, now a junior, was a tall, strongly made young man of twenty-two, whose stalwart frame had not been reduced by his diligent study.
He had scarcely commenced his school when a happy idea struck him. There were several shoe- shops in the village, each employing from one to three boys, varying in age from fifteen to nineteen. Why could he not form a private class, to meet in the evenings, say for an hour and a half or two hours, to be instructed in advanced arithmetic, or, if desired, in Latin and Greek. He broached the idea to Stephen Bates, the prudential committeeman.
“I don’t know,” said Mr. Bates, “what our boys will think of it. I’ve got a boy that I’ll send, but whether you’ll get enough to make it pay I don’t know.”
“I suppose I can have the schoolhouse, Mr. Bates?”
“Yes, there won’t be no objection to that.”
“I’ll begin if I can get eight names,” said the young man.
“Then you’d better draw up a notice and put it up in the store and the tavern,” suggested the committeeman.
In accordance with this advice, the young teacher posted up in the two places the following notice: “EVENING SCHOOL.
“I propose to start an evening school for those who are occupied during the day, and unable to attend the district school. Instruction will be given in such English branches as may be desired, and also in Latin and Greek, if any are desirous of pursuing a classical course. The school will commence next Monday evening at the school house, beginning at seven o’clock. Terms: Seventy cents a week, or five dollars for the term of ten weeks. “LEONARD MORGAN.”
Among those who read this notice with interest was Harry Walton. He had not forgotten his motto, “Live and learn,” and here seemed to be a good opportunity of putting it into practice.
“Are you going to join the class, Walton?” asked Frank Heath.
“Yes,” said Harry, promptly.
“Where’ll you get the money?” asked Luke Harrison, in a jeering tone.
“I shan’t have to go far for it. I don’t know enough yet, and never expect to,” said Harry.
“Do you mean to go to school when you’re a gray- headed old veteran?” asked Frank, jocosely.
“I may not go to school then, but I shan’t give up learning then,” said Harry, smiling. “One can learn without going to school. But while I’m young, I mean to go to school as much as I can.”
When Monday evening arrived ten pupils presented themselves, of whom six were boys, or young men, and four were girls. Leonard Morgan felt encouraged. A class of ten, though paying but five dollars each, would give him fifty dollars, which, added to the pay he received for his services during the day, would be quite an acceptable addition to his scanty means.
“I am glad to see so many,” he said. “I think our evening class will be a success. I will go among you, take your names, and ascertain what studies you wish to pursue.”
When he came to Harry he asked, “What do you propose to study?”
“I should like to take up algebra and Latin, if you are willing,” answered our hero.
“Have you studied either at all?” inquired the young teacher.
“No, sir; I have not had an opportunity.”
“How far have you been in arithmetic?”
“Through the square and cube root.”
“Do you think you understand those?”
“I believe so. If you will give me an example I will try.”
“If you have been so far, you will have no difficulty with algebra. As to Latin, one of the girls wishes to take up that, and I will put you in the class with her. Have you any book?”
“No, sir. Where can I get one?”