From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library
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<strong>Farm</strong> <strong>House</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>White</strong> <strong>House</strong>, by William M. Thayer 33<br />
It was <strong>the</strong> face of one of <strong>the</strong> scholars, drawn with his pen.<br />
"Have you practised much in this art?" continued Mr. Williams.<br />
"No, sir; only a little, for amusement."<br />
"Just <strong>to</strong> see what you could do?" added Mr. Williams, inquiringly.<br />
"Yes, that is all."<br />
"Well, I advise you <strong>to</strong> cultivate your talent for drawing. These animals are well done, <strong>to</strong>o. Practise will give<br />
you an ability in this line, which may prove of real service <strong>to</strong> you in future years."<br />
George had drawn animals, also, in <strong>the</strong> book, and he had given wings <strong>to</strong> some birds with a flourish of his pen,<br />
showing both taste and tact in <strong>the</strong> use of <strong>the</strong> pen. George was not a boy who believed in flourishes, except<br />
those executed in ink. His interest in <strong>the</strong> art of penmanship drew his attention <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>se as ornamental and<br />
ingenious.<br />
"A facile use of <strong>the</strong> pen will always be serviceable <strong>to</strong> you," he said <strong>to</strong> George. "No one can become <strong>to</strong>o skilful<br />
in wielding it. But it requires much careful practise."<br />
"I have discovered that," answered George. "I do not expect <strong>to</strong> excel in <strong>the</strong> art of penmanship."<br />
"You may, with your application and perseverance," responded his teacher. "'Perseverance conquers all<br />
things,' it is said, and I believe it."<br />
"But I have not time for everything," remarked George. "Odd moments are all <strong>the</strong> time I can devote <strong>to</strong> such<br />
things."<br />
"And odd moments have done much for some boys," added his teacher. "Fragments of time well improved<br />
have made some men illustrious."<br />
"It will take larger fragments of time than I have <strong>to</strong> make me illustrious," suggested George, dryly.<br />
"Perhaps not; you are not authorized <strong>to</strong> come <strong>to</strong> such a conclusion. There are <strong>to</strong>o many facts known <strong>to</strong> warrant<br />
it. Your industry and resolution are equal <strong>to</strong> it."<br />
George accepted <strong>the</strong> compliment in silence with his usual modesty, considerably encouraged by his teacher's<br />
words <strong>to</strong> persevere in doing things well.<br />
This copy-book, containing sketches of his companions and pen-pictures of birds and beasts, has been<br />
carefully preserved with o<strong>the</strong>rs. It is a valuable relic, <strong>to</strong>o, as showing that George was not always <strong>the</strong> sedate,<br />
serious boy he has generally been represented <strong>to</strong> be; for some of <strong>the</strong>se sketches border upon <strong>the</strong> comical, and<br />
evidently were intended <strong>to</strong> bring a smile over <strong>the</strong> faces of his school-mates. Mixed with his usually grave and<br />
practical way of doing things, <strong>the</strong>y show more of <strong>the</strong> cheerful, roguish boy than is accorded <strong>to</strong> George by<br />
writers in general.<br />
Ano<strong>the</strong>r copy-book contains many extracts, in prose and poetry, which particularly interested George at <strong>the</strong><br />
time. He was in <strong>the</strong> habit of preserving in this way choice bits of prose and poetry for future use. They were<br />
copied in his clear, fair handwriting, with every i dotted and every t crossed, and every comma and period<br />
nicely made and placed.