Chapter XVII. The Night Scholars

by Horatio Alger

　　Immediately after Thanksgiving Day, the winter schools commenced.That in the center district was kept by a student of Dartmouthcollege, who had leave of absence from the college authorities fortwelve weeks, in order by teaching to earn something to help defrayhis college expenses. Leonard Morgan, now a junior, was a tall,strongly made young man of twenty-two, whose stalwart frame had notbeen reduced by his diligent study. There were several shoe shopsin the village, each employing from one to three boys, varying inage from fifteen to nineteen. Why could he not form a private class,to meet in the evening, to be instructed in advanced arithmetic,or, if desired, in Latin and Greek? He broached the idea to StephenBates, the prudential committeeman."I don't know," said Mr. Bates, "what our boys will think of it.I've got a boy that I'll send, but whether you'll get enough tomake it pay I don't know.""I suppose I can have the schoolhouse, Mr. Bates?""Yes, there won't be no objection. Won't it be too much for youafter teachin' in the daytime?""It would take a good deal to break me down.""Then you'd better draw up a notice and put it up in the store andtavern," suggested the committeeman.In accordance with this advice, the young teacher posted up in thetwo places the following notice:"EVENING SCHOOL"I propose to start an evening school for those who are occupiedduring the day, and unable to attend the district school. Instructionwill be given in such English branches as may be desired, and alsoin Latin and Greek, if any are desirous of pursuing a classical course.The school will commence next Monday evening at the schoolhouse,beginning at seven o'clock. Terms: Seventy cents a week, or fivedollars for the term of ten weeks."LEONARD MORGAN.""Are you going to join the class, Walton?" asked Frank Heath."Yes," said Harry, promptly."Where'll you get the money?" asked Luke Harrison, in a jeeringtone."I shan't have to go far for it.""I don't see how you can spend so much money.""I am willing to spend money when I can get my money's worth," saidour hero. "Are you going?""To school? No, I guess not. I've got through my schooling.""You don't know enough to hurt you, do you, Luke?" inquired FrankHeath, slyly."Nor I don't want to. I know enough to get along.""I don't and never expect to," said Harry."Do you mean to go to school when you're a gray-headed old veteran?"asked Frank, jocosely."I may not go to school then but I shan't give up learning then,"said Harry, smiling. "One can learn without going to school. Butwhile I'm young, I mean to go to school as much as I can.""I guess you're right," said Frank; "I'd go myself, only I'm toolazy. It's hard on a feller to worry his brain with study afterhe's been at work all day. I don't believe I was cut out for agreat scholar.""I don't believe you were, Frank," said Joe Bates."You always used to stand pretty well down toward the foot of theclass when you went to school.""A feller can't be smart as well as handsome. As long as I'mgood-looking, I won't complain because I wasn't born with the geniusof a Bates.""Thank you for the compliment, Frank, though I suppose it meansthat I am homely. I haven't got any genius or education to spare."When Monday evening arrived ten pupils presented themselves, of whomsix were boys, or young men, and four were girls. Leonard Morganfelt encouraged. A class of ten, though paying but five dollars each,would give him fifty dollars, which would be quite an acceptableaddition to his scanty means."I am glad to see so many," he said. "I think our evening classwill be a success. I will take your names and ascertain what studiesyou wish to pursue."When he came to Harry; he asked, "What do you propose to study?""I should like to take up algebra and Latin, if you are willing,"answered our hero."Have you studied either at all?""No, sir; I have not had an opportunity.""How far have you been in arithmetic?""Through the square and cube root?""If you have been so far, you will have no difficulty with algebra.As to Latin, one of the girls wishes to take up that and I willput you in the class with her."It will be seen that Harry was growing ambitious. He didn't expectto go to college, though nothing would have pleased him better; buthe felt that some knowledge of a foreign language could do him noharm. Franklin, whom he had taken as his great exemplar, didn'tgo to college; yet he made himself one of the foremost scientificmen of the age and acquired enduring reputation, not only as astatesman and a patriot, but chiefly as a philosopher.A little later, Leonard Morgan came round to the desk at whichHarry was sitting."I brought a Latin grammar with me," he said, "thinking it probablesome one might like to begin that language. You can use it untilyours comes.""Thank you," said Harry; and he eagerly took the book, and askedto have a lesson set, which was done."I can get more than that," he said."How much more?""Twice as much."Still later he recited the double lesson, and so correctly thatthe teacher's attention was drawn to him."That's a smart boy," he said. "I mean to take pains with him. Whata pity he can't go to college!"