HOW TOIL CONQUERED PRIDE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7956, 21 January 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

HOW TOIL CONQUERED PRIDE.

John Adora., the second President of the United Slates, used to relate the following incident :— " When I was a boy I used to study Latin grammar ; but it waa dull pnd I hated it. My father was anxious to sond me to college, and th.ero.ore I studied the grammar till I could stand it no longer, and, going to my father, I told him L did not like study, nnd asked for some other employment. It was opposing his wishes, and he was quick in his anawer. ' Well, John, if Latin grammar doe_ nnt Buit you, try ditching — perhaps that will My meadow yonder needs a ditc!\ mid you may put by Latin and try that." Thi. seemed a delightful change, and lo tho meadow I went. But soon I found ditching harder than L.tin, and tho first forenoon was the longest I over experienced. That day I ate tho broader - labor, and was glad when night ciune on. That night I made some comparison botween Latiu grammar and di'ehiug, but said not a word about it. Dusj next forenoon, and wauted to retunvt. Latin at dinner ; but it was humiliaffng and I could not do it. At night toll couquored pride, and though iu»w^s ono of the severest trials I ever had in my life, I told my father that if he chose I would go back to Latin grammar. He was glad of it ; and if I have ever since gained any distinction, it has been owing tothe two days' labor in that ditch."