hat a man
who has done nothing will at once accomplish a brilliant success by one
spasmodic effort, but such cases are extremely rare.
"Slow and sure wins the race," is an old proverb that has a great deal
of truth in it.
Paul worked industriously.
The kind sexton and his wife, who noticed his assiduity, strove to
dissuade him from working so steadily.
"You are working too hard, Paul," they said.
"Do I look pale?" asked Paul, pointing with a smile to his red cheeks.
"No, but you will before long."
"When I am, I will study less. But you know, Uncle Hugh," so the sexton
instructed him to call him, "I want to make the most of my present
advantages. Besides, there's a particular boy who thinks I am stupid. I
want to convince him that he is mistaken."
"You are a little ambitious, then, Paul?"
"Yes, but it isn't that alone. I know the value of knowledge, and I want
to secure as much as I can."
"That is an excellent motive, Paul."
"Then you won't make me study less?"
"Not unless I see you are getting sick."
Paul took good care of this. He knew how to play as well as to study,
and his laugh on the playground was as merry as any. His cheerful,
obliging disposition made him a favorite with his companions. Only
George Dawkins held out; he had, for some reason, imbibed a dislike for
Paul.
Paul's industry was not without effect. He gradually gained position in
his class.
"Take care, Dawkins," said one of his companions--the same one who had
before spoken to Paul--"Paul Prescott will be disputing your place with
you. He has come up seventeen places in a month."
"Much good it'll do him," said Dawkins, contemptuously.
"For all that, you will have to be careful; I can tell you that."
"I'm not in the least afraid. I'm a little too firm in my position to be
ousted by Young Stupid."
"Just wait and see."
Dawkins really entertained no apprehension. He had unbounded confidence
in himself, and felt a sense of power in the rapidity with which he
could master a lesson. He therefore did not study much, and though he
could not but see that Paul was rapidly advancing, he rejected with
scorn the idea that Young Stupid could displace him.
This, however, was the object at which Paul was aiming. He had not
forgotten the nickname which Dawkins had given him, and this was the
revenge which he sought,--a strictly honorable one.
At length the day of his triumph came. At the end of the month the
master rea
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