From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 32
"What do you call it, George, and what do you ever expect to do with it?" inquired a school-mate.
"You can call it what you please," replied George. "I expect that it will be of great service to me when I
become a man."
"That is looking a long way ahead, it seems to me," rejoined his companion. "I prefer to know what will be of
service to me now. You can scarcely tell what will be best for you when you become a man."
"I know that what I am copying into that book will be of use to me in manhood, because men use these forms.
I call it a 'Book of Forms' for the want of a better name." And George's words denoted entire confidence in his
original idea of the use of forms.
"Well, the book looks well anyway," continued his school-mate holding the copy-book up to view. "As to
that, I should like to see any work of yours that does not look well. But what are these forms, anyhow?"
"They are receipts, bills of exchange, notes of hand, deeds, wills, land-warrants, bonds and useful forms of
that kind," answered George. "If I have them here in this book together, they will be convenient for use ten or
twenty years hence."
"Yes, I see; you can run a lawyer's office on that book," suggested his friend.
"A farmer's office, you mean. A farmer may find use for every form there is in that book; and if he does not, it
will be no disadvantage to him to understand them."
"You are right, George, as you are usually. I shall know where to go for a form when I want to make my will,"
remarked his companion in a complimentary way.
"And I shall be glad to serve you without charge provided you remember me," responded George. "I predict
that many men will live who will be glad to consult this book to help them out of difficulties."
Perhaps the forethought and sagacity of George were foreshadowed more clearly by this copy-book than by
any other. Its reference to the necessities of manhood was so plain and direct as to prove that he kept
preparation for that period of life constantly in view. This book has been carefully preserved, and may be seen
to-day at Mount Vernon.
Another manuscript volume of his which has been preserved is a book of arithmetical problems. It was
customary, when George attended school, to write the solution of problems in arithmetic in a blank-book--not
the result merely, but the whole process of solution. Sometimes the rules were copied, also, into the book. It
was a very good practice for a studious, persevering, conscientious boy like George; but the method was a
wretched one for certain indolent pupils to whom study was penance; for this class often relied upon these
manuscript volumes to furnish problems solved, instead of resorting to hard study. They were passed around
among the idle scholars clandestinely, to help them over hard places without study. Mr. Williams forbade the
deceitful practice, and punished pupils who were discovered in the cheat; nevertheless, poor scholars
continued to risk punishment rather than buckle down to persistent study. There is no doubt that George's
book of problems, copied in his clear, round hand, did considerable secret service in this way. But the
preparation of it was an excellent discipline for George. Neatness, application, perseverance, thoroughness,
with several other qualities, were indispensable in the preparation of so fair a book.
In another copy-book George displayed a talent for sketching and drawing, which elicited Mr. Williams'
commendation.
"That portrait is well executed," he said. "You have a talent in that direction, evidently; the likeness is good."