Four Great Americans: Washington, Franklin, Webster, Lincoln - A Book for Young Americans by James Baldwin
page 99 of 176 (56%)
page 99 of 176 (56%)
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"If you will study hard," said his father--"if you will do your best, and learn all that you can; you will not have to endure such hardships as I have endured. And then you will be able to do so much more good in the world." The boy's heart was touched by the manner in which his father spoke these words. He dropped his rake; he threw his arms around his father's neck, and cried for thankfulness and joy. It was not until the next spring that Judge Webster felt himself able to carry out his plans to send Daniel to school. One evening he said, "Daniel, you must be up early in the morning, I am going with you to Exeter." "To Exeter?" said the boy. "Yes, to Exeter. I am going to put you in the academy there." The academy at Exeter was then, as it still is, a famous place for preparing boys for college. But Daniel's father did not say anything about making him ready for college. The judge knew that the expenses would be heavy, and he was not sure that he would ever be able to give him a finished education. It was nearly fifty miles to Exeter, and Daniel and his father were to ride there on horseback. That was almost the only way of traveling in those days. |
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