Iamanxiouslyawaitingtheresults。Iamhopingthattheboysandgirlswhocomeoutincase-lotsfromthesehugeschoolplantswillnotberowsoflithographedcansontheshelvesoflife。Iamhopingtheywillnotbeshornoftheirindividuality，butwillhaveitstimulatedandunfettered。Iamanxiousthattheybenotveneeredbutinspired，notdenaturedbutdiscovered。
　　Allthisschoolmachineryisonlymachinery。Backofitmustbemen——greatmen。Iamanxiousthatthemodernschoolhavethemodernequipmentdemandedtoservethepresentage。ButIammoreanxiousthateachstudentcomeinvitaltouchwithgreatmen。Wegetlifefromlife，notfromlaboratories，andwehavelifemoreabundantlyasourlivestouchgreaterlives。
　　Aschoolisvastlymorethanmachinery，methods，microscopesandmillions。
　　Manyasmallschoolstrugglingtolivethinksthatallitneedsisendowment，whenthefactisthatitsstruggleforexistenceandthespiritofitsteachersareitsgreatestendowment。Andsometimeswhenthemoneyendowmentcomesthespiritualendowmentgoesinfattydegeneration。Someschoolsseemtohavebeenvisitedbycalamitiesinthefinancialprosperitythathasengulfedthem。
　　Canwekeepmenbeforemillions，andkeepouridealsuntaintedbyfoundations？Thatisthequestiontheageisasking。
　　YouandIareverymuchinterestedintheanswer。
　　ChapterVII
　　TheSalvationofa"Sucker"
　　TheFiddleandtheTuningHOWlongittakestolearnthings！IthinkIwasthirty-fouryearslearningonesentence，"Youcan’tgetsomethingfornothing。"I
　　havenotyetlearnedit。EveryfewdaysIstumbleoveritsomewhere。
　　Forthatsentenceuttersoneofthefundamentalsoflifethatunderlieseveryfieldofactivity。
　　Whatisknowing？
　　Onedayamanufacturertookmethruhisfactorywherehemakesfiddles。Notviolins——fiddles。
　　Aviolinisonlyafiddlewithacollegeeducation。
　　IhavehadthefeelingeversincethatyouandIcomeintothisworldlikethefiddlecomesfromthefactory。Wehaveabodyandaneck。Thatisaboutallthereiseithertousortothefiddle。Weareempty。Wehavenostrings。Wehavenobow——yet！
　　Whenthehumanfiddlesareaboutsixyearsoldtheygointotheprimaryschoolsandupthruthegrammargrades，andgetthefirststring——thelittleEstring。Thetroubleissomanyofthesehumanfiddlesthinktheyareanorchestrarightaway。Theywanttoquitschoolandgofiddlingthrulifeonthisonestring！
　　Wemustshowtheselittlefiddlestheymustgobackintoschoolandgoupthruallthedepartmentsandinstitutionsnecessarytogivethemthefullcomplementofstringsfortheirlifesymphonies。
　　Afterallthistherecomesthecommencement，andtheviolincomesforthwiththeE，A，DandGstringsallinplace。Educatednow？
　　Whyisaviolin？Towearstrings？Gussiegotthatfarandgavealotofdiscord。Theviolinistogivemusic。
　　Sothereismuchyettodoaftergettingthestrings。Allthebookandcollegecandoistogivethestrings——thetools。Afterthattheviolinmustgointothegreattuningschooloflife。Herethepegsareturnedandthestringsareputintune。Themusicistheknowing。Learningistuning。
　　Youdonotknowwhatyouhavememorized，youknowwhatyouhavevitalized，whatyouhavewritteninthebookofexperience。
　　Gussiesays，"Ihavereaditinabook。"BillWhackemsays，"I
　　know！"
　　ReadingandKnowingAllofusareChristopherColumbuses，discoveringthesamenew-oldcontinentsofTruth。Thatisthetruehappinessoflife——discoveringTruth。Wereadthingsinabookandhaveahazyideaofthem。Wehearthepreacheruttertruthsandwesaywithlittlefeeling，"Yes，thatisso。"Wehearthegreattruthsoflifeoverandoverandwearenotexcited。Truthneverexcites——itisfalsehoodthatexcites——untilwediscoveritinourlives。Untilweseeitwithourowneyes。Thenthereisathrill。Thentheoldtruthbecomesanewblessing。Thentheoldest，driestplatitudecrystallizesintoaflashingjeweltodelightandenrichourconsciousness。Thisjoyofdiscoveryisthejoyofliving。
　　Thereissuchadifferencebetweenreadingathingandknowingathing。Wecouldreadathousanddescriptionsofthesunandnotknowthesunasinoneglimpseofitwithourowneyes。
　　Iusedtostandintherowofblessedlittlerascalsinthe"deestrick"schoolandreadfromMcGuffey’scelebratedliterature，"If——I-p-p-play——with——the——f-f-f-i-i-i-i-r-r-e——I——will——g-e-e-et——my-y-y-y-y——f-f-f-f——ingers——bur-r-r-rned——period！"
　　Ididnotlearnit。IwishIhadlearnedbyreadingitthatifI
　　playwiththefireIwillgetmyfingersburned。Ihadtoslapmyhandsuponhotstovesandcoffee-pots，andhadtogetmanykindsofblistersinordertolearnit。
　　ThenIhadtogoaroundshowingtheblisters，boringmyfriendsandtakingupacollectionofsympathy。"Lookatmybadluck！"Fool！
　　Thisisnotalecture。Itisaconfession！ItseemstomeifyouintheaudienceknewhowlittleIknow，youwouldn’tstay。
　　"YouCan’tGetSomethingforNothing"
　　Yes，Iwasthirty-fouryearslearningthatonesentence。"Youcan’tgetsomethingfornothing。"Thatis，gettingitinpartialtune。IttookmesolongbecauseIwasnaturallybright。Ittakesthatkindlongerthanahumanbeing。Theyaresosmartyoucannotteachthemwithafewbumps。Theyhavetobepulverized。
　　ThatsentencetakesmebacktothedayswhenIwasa"hiredman"onthefarm。YoumightnotthinkIhadeverbeena"hiredman"onthefarmattendollarsamonthand"washed，mendedandfound。"Youseemehereonthisplatforminmygracefulandculturedmanner，andyoumightnotbelievethatIhadevertrainedanorphancalftodrinkfromacopperkettle。ButIhavefedhimthefingersofthishandmanyatime。YoumightnotthinkthatIhadeverdrivenayokeofoxenandhadsaidthewords。ButIhave！
　　IrememberthefirstcountyfairIeverattended。Fellowsufferers，youmayrememberthatatthecountyfairallthepeoplesortouttotheirowndepartments。Somepeoplegotothecannedfruitdepartment。Somegotothefancyworkdepartment。Somegototheswinedepartment。Everybodygoestohisowndepartment。Eventhe"suckers"！Didyouevernoticewheretheygo？ThatiswhereI
　　went——tothe"trimmingdepartment。"
　　Iwasinthe"trimmingdepartment"infiveminutes。Nobodytoldmewhereitwas。Ididn’tneedtobetold。Igravitatedthere。Thebarrelalwaysshakesallofonesizetooneplace。Younoticethat——inacityallofonesizegettogether。
　　Rightattheentrancetothe"localMidway"Imetagentleman。I
　　knowhewasagentlemanbecausehesaidhewasagentleman。Hehadalittlelighttablehecouldmovequickly。Whenevertheclimatebecametoosultryhewouldmovetogreenerpastures。Onthattablewerethreelittleshellsinarow，andtherewasalittlepeaunderthemiddleshell。Isawitthere，beingnaturallybright。Iwastheonlynaturallybrightpersonaroundthetable，hencetheonlyonewhoknewunderwhichshellthelittleroundpeawashidden。
　　Eventhegentlemanrunningthegamewasfooled。Hethoughtitwasundertheendshellandbetmemoneyitwasundertheendshell。
　　Yousee，thiswasnotgambling，thiswasasurething。（Itwas！）
　　Ihadsavedupmymoneyforweekstoattendthefair。Ibetitallonthatmiddleshell。Ifeltbad。Itseemedlikerobbingfather。
　　Andheseemedlikearealniceoldgentleman，andmaybehehadafamilytokeep。ButIwouldteachhimalessonnotto"monkey"withpeoplelikeme，naturallybright。
　　ButIneedn’thavefeltbad。Ididnotrobfather。FathercleanedmeoutofallIhadinaboutfiveseconds。
　　Iwentovertotheothersideofthefairgroundsandsatdown。ThatwasallIhadtodonow——justgo，sitdown。Icouldn’tseethemermaidnoworgetintothegrandstand。
　　SadlyIthoughtitallover，butIdidnotgettherightanswer。
　　Isaidthethingeveryfooldoessaywhenhegetsbumpedandfailstolearnthelessonfromthebump。Isaid，"NexttimeIshallbemorecareful。"
　　Whenanybodysaysthatheisdueforareturndate。
　　IBoughttheSoapLearn？No！WithinamonthIwasonthestreetaSaturdaynightwhenanothergentlemandroveintotown。Hestoppedonthepublicsquareandstoodupinhisbuggy。"Lettheprominentcitizensgatheraroundme，forIamgoingtogiveawaydollars。"
　　Immediatelyalltheprominent"suckers"crowdedaroundthebuggy。
　　"Gentlemen，Iamintroducingthisnewmedicinalsoapthatcuresalldiseaseshumanityisheirto。Nowjusttointroduceandadvertise，IamputtingthesecakesofWonderSoapinmyhat。YouseeIamwrappingaten-dollarbillaroundonecakeandthrowingitintothehat。Nowwhowillgivemefivedollarsfortheprivilegeoftakingacakeofthiswonderfulsoapfrommyhat——anycakeyouwant，gentlemen！"
　　Andrightontopofthepilewasthecakewiththetenwrappedaroundit！Ijumpedovertheresttoshovemyfive（twoweeks’farmwork）inhishandsandgrabthatbillcake。Butthebilldisappeared。Ineverknewwhereitwent。Themanwhippeduphishorseandalsodisappeared。Ineverknewwherehewent。
　　My"FoolDrawer"
　　IgrewolderandpeoplebegantonoticethatIwasnaturallybrightandthereforegoodpicking。Theybegantoletmeinonthegroundfloor。Didanybodyeverletyouinonthegroundfloor？Inevercouldstick。WheneveranybodyletmeinonthegroundflooritseemedlikeIwouldalwaysslideonthruandlandinthecellar。
　　IusedtohaveadrawerinmydeskIcalledmy"fooldrawer。"I
　　keptmyinvestmentsinit。Imean，theinvestmentsIdidnothavetolockup。Yougetthepathosofthat——theinvestmentsnobodywantedtosteal。AndwheneverIwouldgetundulyinflatedIwouldopenthatdrawerand"viewtheremains。"
　　IhadinthatdrawerthedeedtomyOklahomacorner-lots。Thoselotsweregoingtodoublenextweek。ButtheydidnotdoubleI
　　doubled。TheystillexistontheblueprintandtheOklahomametropolisonpaperisyetawideplaceintheroad。
　　Ihadinthatdrawermydeedtomyrubberplantation。DidyoueverhearofarubberplantationinCentralAmerica？Thatwasmine。
　　Ihadtheremyoilpropositions。Whatadifference，Ihavelearned，betweenanoilpropositionandanoilwell！Thelearninghasbeenveryexpensive。
　　IusedtowonderhowIevercouldspendmyincome。Idonotwondernow。
　　IwonderhowIwillmakeit。
　　Ihadinthatdrawermy"Everglade"farm。Didyoueverhearofthe"Everglades"？Ihaveanalligatorranchthere。Itisbelowthefrost-line，alsobelowthewater-line。Iwillsellitbythegallon。
　　Ihadalsoabaleofminingstock。Ihadstockingoldminesandsilvermines。NobodyknowshowmuchminingstockIhaveowned。
　　NobodycouldknowwhileIkeptthatdrawershut。AsIlookedovermygoldandsilverminestock，Ioftennoticedthatitwasprintedingreen。Iusedtowonderwhytheyprinteditingreen——wonderiftheywantedittoharmonizewithme！AndIwouldrealizeIhadsomuchtolivefor——thedividends。IhavebeensonearthedividendsIcouldsmellthem。Onlyonemoreassessment，thenwewillcutthemelon！Ihaveheardthatallmylifeandnevergotapieceoftherind。
　　Getting"Selected"
　　Whygofarther？Iamnothalfdoneconfessing。Eachbumponlyincreasedmyfaiththatthenextshipwouldbemine。Good，honest，retiredministerswouldcomeperiodicallyandsellmestockinsomenewenterprisethathadmillionsinit——initsprospectus。IwouldbuybecauseIknewtheministerwashonestandbelievedinit。Hewassellingitonhisreputation。Favoritedodgeofthepromotertogettheministerstosellhisshares。
　　IwasalsogreatlyinterestedincompanieswhereIputinonedollarandgotbackadollarortwoofbondsandadollarortwoofstock。Thatwasdoublingandtreblingmymoneyovernight。Anoldbankeroncesaidtome，"Whydon’tyouinvestinsomethingthatwillpayyoufiveorsixpercent。andgetit？"
　　Ipitiedhislackofvision。Bankersweresuch"tightwads。"Theyhadnoimagination！Nothinginterestedmethatdidnotofferfiftyorahundredpercent。——then。Givemethefivepercent。now！
　　BythetimeIwasthirty-fourIwasarichmaninworthlesspaper。
　　ItwouldhavebeenbetterformeifIhadthrownaboutallmysavingsintothebottomofthesea。
　　ThenIgotaconfidentialletterfromafriendofourfamilyIhadnevermet。HisnamewasThomasA。Cleage，andhewasintheRialtoBuilding，St。Louis，Missouri。Hewrotemeinextremeconfidence，"Youhavebeenselected。"
　　Wereyoueverselected？Ifyouwere，thenyouknowthethrillthatrentmymanlybosomasIreadthatletterfromthismanwhosaidhewasafriendofourfamily。"Youhavebeenselectedbecauseyouareaprominentcitizenandhavealargeinfluenceinyourcommunity。
　　Youareanaturalleaderandeverybodylooksuptoyou。"
　　Heknewme！Hewastheonlymanwhodidknowme。SoItookthecorkclearunder。
　　"Becauseofyourtremendousinfluenceyouhavebeenselectedtogoinwithusintheinnercircleandgetathousandpercent。
　　dividends。"
　　Didyougetthat？Ihopeyoudid。Ididnot！ButItookanighttrainforSt。Louis。IwasafraidsomebodymightbeatmethereifIwaitedtillnextday。IsatupallnightinadaycoachtosavemoneyforTom，thefriendofourfamily。ButIseenowIneednothavehurriedso。Theywouldhavewaitedamonthwiththesheep-shearsready。Lambie，lambie，lambie，cometoSt。Louis！
　　Idon’tgetanysympathyfromthiscrowd。Youlaughatme。Yourespectnotmyfeelings。IamnotgoingtotellyouathingthathappenedinSt。Louis。Itisnoneofyourbusiness！
　　O，IamsogladIwenttoSt。Louis。Beingnaturallybright，I
　　couldnotlearnitathome，backinOhio。IhadtogocleardowntoSt。LouistoTomCleage’sbucket-shopandpayhimelevenhundreddollarstocornerthewheatmarketoftheworld。ThatisallIpaidhim。Icouldnotborrowanymore。Ijoinedwhathecalleda"pool。"
　　Ithinkitmusthavebeenapool，forIknowIfellinandgotsoaked！
　　Thatbumpsetmetothinking。Myfeverbegantoreduce。Igotthethirty-thirddegreeinfinancialsuckerdomforonlyelevenhundreddollars。
　　IhavealwaysregardedTomasoneofmygreatschoolteachers。I
　　havealwaysregardedtheelevenhundredasthefinestinvestmentI
　　hadmadeuptothattime，forIgotthemostoutofit。Idonotfeelhardtowardgoldbrickmenand"bluesky"venders。Isometimesfeelthatweshouldendowthem。Howelsecanwesaveasucker？Youcannottellhimanything，becauseheisnaturallybrightandknowsbetter。Yousimplyhavetotrimhimtillhebleeds。
　　IAmCuredItisworthelevenhundreddollarseverydaytoknowthatonesentence，Youcannotgetsomethingfornothing。Lifejustbeginstogetjuicywhenyouknowit。TodaywhenIopenanewspaperandseeabigad，"GraspaFortuneNow！"Iwillnotdoit！Istopmysubscriptiontothatpaper。Isimplywillnottakeapaperwiththatadinit，forIhavegraduatedfromthatclass。
　　Iwillnotgraspafortunenow。Tryme，Idareyou！Bringafortunerightuponthisplatformandputitdownthereonthefloor。Iwillnotgraspit。Comeaway，itisacoffee-pot！
　　TodaywhensomebodyoffersmemuchmorethanthelegalrateofinterestIknowheisnofriendofourfamily。
　　Ifheoffersmeahundredpercent。Icallforthepolice！
　　TodaywhenIgetaconfidentialletterthatstartsout，"Youhavebeenselected——"Ineverreadfartherthantheword"selected。"
　　Meetingisadjourned。Iselectthewaste-basket。Here，getintherejustasquickasyoucan。Iwasselected！
　　O，Absalom，Absalom，myson，myson！Learnitearlyinlife。Thelawofcompensationisneversuspended。Youonlyownwhatyouearn。
　　Youcan’tgetsomethingfornothing。Ifyoudonotlearnit，youwillhavetobe"selected。"Thereisnootherwayforyou，becauseyouarenaturallybright。Whenyougetaletter，"Youhavebeenselectedtoreceiveathousandpercent。dividends，"itmeansyouhavebeenselectedtoreceivethisbunchofblistersbecauseyoulooklikethebiggestsuckeronthelocallandscape。
　　Theothernightinalittletownofperhapsathousand，abankertookmeupintohisofficeafterthelectureinwhichIhadrelatedsomeoftheaboveexperiences。"Theaudiencelaughedwithyouandthoughtitveryfunny，"saidhe。"Icouldn’tlaugh。Itwastoopathetic。Itwasapictureofwhatisgoingoninourownlittlecommunityyearafteryear。IwishyoucouldseewhatIhavetosee。
　　Iwishyoucouldseethethousandsofhard-earneddollarsthatgooutofourcommunityeveryyearintojustsuchwildcatenterprisesasyoudescribed。Thesaddestpartofitisthatthemoneynearlyalwaysgoesoutofthepocketsofthepeoplewhocanleastaffordtoloseit。"
　　Absalom，wakeup！Thisisbargainnightforyou。Ipaidelevenhundreddollarstotellyouthisonething，andyougetitforadollarortwo。Thisisnocheaplecture。Itcostblood。
　　Learnthatthegamblerneverownshiswinnings。Themanwhoaccumulatesbysharppracticesorbyundueprofitsneverownsit。
　　Eventheyoungpersonwhohaslargefortunegivenhimdoesnotownit。Weonlyownwhatwehaverendereddefiniteservicetobound。
　　Theowningisintheunderstandingofvalues。
　　Thisistruephysically，mentally，morally。Youonlyownwhatyouhaveearnedandstoredinyourlife，notmerelyinyourpocket，stomachormind。
　　Ioftenthinkifittakesmethirty-fouryearstobegintolearnonesentence，Iseetheneedofaneternity。
　　Tomethatisoneofthegreatargumentsforeternallife——howslowlyIlearn，andhowmuchthereistolearn。Itwilltakeaneternity！
　　ThoseCommencementOrationsTheyoungpersonsays，"BynextJuneIshallhavefinishedmyeducation。"
　　Blessthemall！Theywillhaveputanotherstringontheirfiddle。
　　Afterthey"finish"theyhaveacommencement，notanend-ment，astheythink。Thisisnottosneer，buttocheer。Isn’titgloriousthatlifeisoneinfinitesuccessionofcommencementsandpromotions！
　　Ilovetoattendcommencements。Thestageissobeautifullydecoratedandthejoyofyouthiseverywhere。Thereisarowofgeraniumsalongthefrontofthestageandabigoleanderontheside。Thereisalong-whiskeredruginthemiddle。Thegraduatessitinasemicircleuponthestageintheirnewpatentleather。I
　　knowhowithurts。Itisthefirsttimetheyhavewornit。
　　Thentheymaketheirorations。EverytimeIheartheirorationsI
　　likethembetter，becauseeveryyearIamgettingyounger。DamselNumberOnecomesforthandbegins：
　　"BeyondtheAlps（sweeparmsforwardtotheleft，leftarmleading）
　　liethItaly！"（Bringarmsdown，lettingfingersfollowthewrist。
　　Howembarrassingatacommencementforthefingersnottofollowthewrist！Itisalwaysashocktotheaudiencewhenthewristsweepsdownwardandthefingersremainupintheair。Sobyallmeans，letthefingersfollowthewrist，justastheelocutionteachermarkedonpage69。）
　　Applause，especiallyfromrelatives。
　　SweetGirlGraduateNumber2，generallycomessecond。S。G。G。No。
　　2standsatthesameleadpencilmarkonthefloor，resplendentinafilmycreationcaughtwithsomethingorother。
　　"We（handsathalf-mastandseparating）arerowing（businessofpropellingaerialboatwithtwofingersofeachhand，headinclined）。Wearenotdrifting（handsslidedownward）。"
　　Children，wearenotlaughingatyou。Wearelaughingatourselves。
　　Wearelaughingthehappylaughathowwehavelearnedthesegreattruthsthatyouhavememorized，butnotvitalized。
　　YougetthemostbeautifulandsublimetruthsfromEmerson’sessays。（HowdidtheyeverhavecommencementsbeforeEmerson？）Butthatisnotknowingthem。Youcannotknowthemuntilyouhavelivedthem。Itisagrandthingtosay，"BeyondtheAlpsliethItaly，"
　　butyoucanneverreallysaythatuntilyouknowitbystrugglingupoverAlpsofdifficultyandseeingtheItalyofpromiseandvictorybeyond。Itisfinetosay，"Wearerowingandnotdrifting，"
　　butyoucannotreallysaythatuntilyouhavepulledontheoar。
　　O，Gussie，getanoar！
　　MyMaidenSermonDidyoueverhearayoungpreacher，justcaptured，justoutofafactory？
　　Didyoueverhearhimpreachhis"maidensermon"？Iwishyouhadheardmine。Ihadacall。Atleast，IthoughtIhadacall。IthinknowI
　　was"short-circuited。"The"brethren"waiteduponmeandtoldmeIhadbeen"selected"：Maybethiswasalocalcall，notlongdistance。
　　Theygavemesixweeksinwhichtoloadthegospelgunandgetreadyformytry-out。Icertainlyloadedittothemuzzle。
　　ButImadethemistakeIamtryingtowarnyouagainst。InsteadofgoingtotheonebookwhereImighthavegottenasermon——thebookofmyexperience，Iwenttothebooksinmyfather’slibrary。"AsthepoetShakespearehassobeautifullysaid，"andthenItookachunkofShakespeareandnaileditonpagefiveofmysermon。"ListtothepoetTennyson。"Comehere，LordAlfred。SoIsolderedthesefragmentsfromthebookstogetherwithmyownnativegenius。I
　　workedthatsermonupintothemostbeautifulsplurgesandspasms。
　　Ibedeckeditwithmetaphorsandsemaphores。Ifilleditwithclimaxes，bothwetanddry。Ihadafinewetclimaxonpagefourteen，whereIhadmadealittlemarkinthemarginwhichmeant"cryhere。"Thiswasthespilling-pointofthewetclimax。Iwastocryonthelefthandsideofthepage。
　　Icommitteditalltomemory，andthenwenttoaladywhotaughtexpression，togetitexpressed。Youhavetogetitexpressed。
　　Igotthemostbeautifulgesturesnailedintoalmosteverypage。
　　Youknowaboutgestures——thesethingsyoumakewithyourarmsintheairasyouspeak。Youcannoticeitonmeyet。
　　Iamnotsneeringatexpression。Expressionisanobleart。Alllifeisexpression。Butyouhavetogetsomethingtoexpress。HereImademymistake。Igotalotoffinegestures。Igotanexpress-wagonandgotnoloadforit。Soitrattled。Igotanecktie，butfailedtogetanymantohangitupon。Igotupbeforeamirrorforsixweeks，daybyday，andsaidthesermontotheglass。Itgotsoitwouldrunitself。Icouldhavegonetosleepandthatsermonwouldnothavehesitated。
　　Thencamethegrandday。Theboywonderstoodforthandbeforehislargeandenthusiasticconcoursedeliveredthatmaidensermonmoregrandlythanevertoamirror。Everygesturewentoffthebataccordingtotheblueprint。Icriedonpagefourteen！Ineverknewitwasinme。ButIcertainlygotitalloutthatday！
　　ThenIdidanotherfinething，Isatdown。IwishnowIhaddonethatearlier。IwishnowIhadsatdownbeforeIgotup。Iwasthelastmanoutofthechurch——andIhurried。Buttheybeatmeout——allnineofthem。WhenIwentoutthedoor，theoldsextonsaidashejiggledthekeyinthedoortohurryme，"Don’tfeelbad，bub，I’veheerdworsethanthat。You’reallright，bub，butyoudon’tknownothin’yet。"
　　Icriedallthewaytotown。Ifhehadplungedadaggerintomehewouldnothavehurtmesomuch。Ithastakensomeyearstolearnthattheoldmanwasright。Ihadwonderfultruthinthatsermon。
　　Nosermoneverhadgreatertruth，butIhadnotlivedit。TheoldmanmeantIdidnotknowmyownsermon。
　　So，children，whenyouprepareyourcommencementoration，writeaboutwhatyouknowbest，whatyouhavelived。Ifyouknowmoreaboutpeelingpotatoesthanaboutanythingelse，writeabout"PeelingPotatoes，"andyouaremostlikelytoheartheapplausepealfromthatpartofyouraudienceunrelatedtoyou。
　　Outofeverythousandbookspublished，perhapsninehundredofthemdonotsellenoughtopaythecostofprintingthem。Asyoustudythebooksthatdolive，younotethattheyarethebooksthathavebeenlived。Perhapsthebooksthatfailhavejustasmuchoftruthinthemandtheymayevenbebetterwritten，yettheylackthevitalimpulse。Theycomeoutoftheauthor’shead。Thebooksthatlivemustcomeoutofhisheart。Theyarehisownlife。Theycomesurgingandpulsatingfromthebookofhisexperience。
　　Thebestpartofourschoolingcomesnotfromthebooks，butfromthemenbehindthebooks。
　　Westudyagriculturefrombooks。Thatdoesnotmakeusanagriculturist。Wemusttakeahoeandgooutandagricult。Thatistheknowinginthedoing。
　　YouMustLiveYourSong"Therewasneverapicturepainted，Therewasneverapoemsung，Butthesouloftheartistfainted，Andthepoet’sheartwaswrung。"
　　Somanyyoungpeoplethinkbecausetheyhaveagoodvoiceandtheyhavecultivatedit，theyaresingers。Allthiscultivationandirritationandirrigationandgarglingofthethroataremerelysymptomsofasinger——merelyneckties。Singerslookbetterwithneckties。
　　Theythinkthesongcomesfromthediaphragm。Butitcomesfromtheheart，chaperonedbythediaphragm。Youcannotsingasongyouhavenotlived。
　　Jessiewassingingtheotherdayatachautauqua。Shehasabeautifulvoice，andshehasbeenawayto"Ber-leen"tohaveitattendedto。Shesangthatafternooninthetent，"TheLastRoseofSummer。"Shesangitwitheverynotesowellplaced，withthesweetestlittletrillsandtendrils，withthesmileexactlylikeherteacherhadtaughther。Jessieexhibitedallthemachineryandtrimmingsforthesong，butshehadnosteam，nosong。Shesangthenotes。Shemightaswellhavesung，"Pop，GoestheWeasel。"
　　TheaudiencepolitelyenduredJessie。Thatnightawomansanginthesametent"TheLastRoseofSummer。"ShehadneverbeentoBerlin，butshehadlivedthatsong。Shedidn’tdressthenoteshalfsobeautifullyasJessiedid，butshesangitwiththetremendousfeelingitdemands。Theaudiencewentwild。ItwasacaseofGussieandBillWhackem。
　　AllthiswasgallandwormwoodtoJessie。"Child，"Isaidtoher，"thisisthebestsinginglessonyouhaveeverhad。Yourstudyisallrightandyouhaveabettervoicethanthatwoman，butyoucannotsing"TheLastRoseofSummer"yet，foryoudonotknowverymuchaboutthefirstroseofsummer。Andreally，Ihopeyou’llneverknowtheacheanddisappointmentyoumustknowbeforeyoucansingthatsong，foritisthesobofabroken-heartedwoman。Learntosingthesongsyouhavelived。"
　　Whydosingerstrytoexecutesongsbeyondthehorizonoftheirlives？Thatiswhythey"execute"them。
　　TheSuccessofaSong-WriterTheguestofhonoratadinnerinaChicagoclubwasawomanwhoisoneofthewidelyknownsong-writersofthisland。AsIhadthegoodfortunetobesittingattablewithherIwantedtoaskher，"Howdidyougetyoursongsknown？Howdidyouknowwhatkindofsongsthepeoplewanttosing？"
　　ButinthehourshetalkedwithherfriendsaroundthetableI
　　foundtheanswertoeveryquestion。"Isn’titgoodtobehere？
　　Isn’titgreattohavefriendsandafinehomeandmoney？"shesaid。"Ihavehadsuchastruggleinmylife。Ihavelivedononemealadayanddidn’tknowwherethenextmealwascomingfrom。I
　　knowwhatitistobeleftaloneintheworlduponmyownresources。Ihavehadyearsofstruggle。Ihavebeensickanddiscouragedanddownandout。Itwasinmylittleback-room，theonlyhomeIhad，thatIbegantowritesongs。Iwrotethemformyownrelief。Iwaswritingmyownlife，justwhatwasinmyownheartandwhatthestruggleswereteachingme。Nooneismoresurprisedandgratefulthattheworldseemstolovemysongsandasksformoreofthem。"
　　ThewomanwasCarrieJacobs-Bond，whowrote"ThePerfectDay，"
　　"JustaWearyin’forYou，""HisLullaby"andmanymoreofthosesimplelittlesongssofullofthepathosandphilosophyoflifethattheytugatyourheartandmoistenyoureyes。
　　Anybodycouldwritethosesongs——justafewsimplewordsandnotes。
　　No。Booksoftheoryandharmonyandexpressiononlyteachushowtowritethewordsandwheretoplacethenotes。Thesearenotthesong，butonlytheskeletonintowhichourownlifemustbreathethelifeofthesong。
　　Thewomanwhosattherecladinblack，withhersweet，expressivefacecrownedwithsilveryhair，hadlearnedtowritehersongsintheUniversityofHardKnocks。Sheherebecamethesongphilosophersheistoday。Herdefeatswerehervictories。IfCarrieJacobs-Bondhadneverstruggledwithdiscouragement，sickness，povertyandloneliness，sheneverwouldhavebeenabletowritethesongsthatappealtothemultitudeswhohavethesamebattles。
　　Thepopularsongisthesongthatbestvoiceswhatisinthepopularheart。Andwhilewehaveacontinualinundationofpopularsongsthataretrashyandvoicethetawdriesthumanimpulses，yetitisatributetothegoodelementsinhumanitythatthewholesome，upliftingsentimentsinCarrieJacobs-Bond’ssongscontinuetoholdtheirpopularity。
　　TheoryandPracticeMyfriends，IamnotarguingthatyouandImustdrinkthedregsofdefeat，orthatourlivesmustfillupwithpovertyorsorrow，orbecomewrecks。ButIaminsistinguponwhatIseewrittenallaroundmeintheaffairsofeverydaylife，thatnoneofuswilleverknowrealsuccessinanylineofhumanendeavoruntilthatsuccessflowsfromthefullnessofourexperiencejustasthesongscamefromthelifeofCarrieJacobs-Bond。
　　Theworldisfulloftheorists，dreamers，uplifters，reformers，whohaveworthyvisionsbutarenotabletotranslatethemintopracticalrealities。Theygoaroundwiththeirheadsintheclouds，lookingupward，andhalfthetimetheirfeetareintheflower-bedsortramplingupontheirfellowmentheydreamofhelping。Theirideasmustbeforgedintousefulnessavailableforthisdayupontheanvilofexperience。
　　Manyofthemostbrillianttheoristshavebeenthegreatestfailuresinpractice。
　　Thereareathousandwhocantellyouwhatisthematterwiththingstoonepersonwhocangiveyouapracticalwaytofixthem。
　　Iusedtohaverespectamountingtoreverenceforgreatreadersandbookmen。Iusedtoknowamanwhocouldtellinwhatbookalmostanythingyoucouldthinkofwasdiscussed，andperhapsthepage。Hewasawalkinglibraryindex。Ithoughthimamostwonderfulman。
　　Indeed，inmychildhoodIthoughthewasthegreatestmanintheworld。
　　Hewasaremarkableman——agreatreaderandwithamemorythatretaineditall。Thatmancouldrecitechaptersandvolumes。
　　Hecouldgiveyoualmostanydate。Hecouldfinishalmostanyquotation。
　　Hisconversationwaslargelymadeupofclassicalquotations。
　　ButhewasoneofthemosthelplessmenIhaveeverseeninpracticallife。Heseemedtobeunabletothinkandreasonforhimself。HecouldquoteapageofJohnLocke，butsomehowthepagedidn’tsupplytheonesentenceneededfortheoccasion。Themanwasamisfitonearth。Hewasliabletoputthegravyinhiscoffeeandthegasolineinthefire。Heseemednevertohavedigestedanyofthethingsinhismemory。SinceIhavegrownupIalwaysthinkofthatmanasanintellectualcoldstorageplant。
　　ThegreatestbookisthetextbookoftheUniversityofHardKnocks，theBookofHumanExperiencethe"sermonsinstones"andthe"booksinrunningbrooks。"Mostfortunateishewhohaslearnedtoreadunderstandinglyfromit。
　　Notethesweeping，positivestatementsoftheyoungperson。
　　Notethecautious，specificstatementsofthepersonwhohaslivedlonginthisworld。
　　Oureducationisourprogressfromthesweeping，positive，wholesalestatementswehavenotproved，tothecautious，specificstatementswehaveproved。
　　TuningtheStringsofLifeManyaudiencesaregatheredintothisoneaudience。Eachpersonhereisadifferentaudience，readingadifferentpageintheBookofHumanExperience。Eachhasadifferentfighttomakeandadifferentburdentocarry。Eachoneofushasmoretroublethananybodyelse！
　　Iknowtherearechaptersofheroisminthelivesofyouolderones。Youhavecriedyourselvestosleep，someofyou，andwalkedthefloorwhenyoucouldnotsleep。Youhavelearnedthat"beyondtheAlpsliethItaly。"
　　Agoodmanyofyouwerebumpedtodayoryesterday，ormaybeyearsago，andthewoundhasnothealed。Youthinkitneverwillheal。
　　Youcameherethinkingthatperhapsyouwouldforgetyourtroubleforalittlewhile。Iknowtherearepeopleinthisaudienceinpain。
　　Neverdothismanygatherbutwhattherearesomewithachinghearts。
　　AndyouyoungpeopleherewithliveslikeJunemornings，arenotmuchinterestedinthislecture。Youarepoliteandattentivebecausethisisapoliteandattentiveneighborhood。Butdowninyourheartsyouareasking，"Whatisthisallabout？Whatisthatmantalkingabout？Ihaven’thadthesethingsandI’mnotgoingtohavethem，either！"
　　Maybesomeofyouarenaturallybright！
　　Youaregoingtobebumped。Youaregoingtocryyourselvestosleep。Youaregoingtowalkthefloorwhenyoucannotsleep。Someofyouaregoingtoknowthekeensorrowofhavingtheoneyoutrustmostbetrayyou。Maybe，betrayyouwithakiss。YouwillgothroughyourGethsemane。Youwillseeyourdearestplanswrecked。
　　Youwillseeallthatseemstomakelifelivablelostoutofyourhorizon。Youwillsay，"God，letmedie。Ihavenothingmoretolivefor。"
　　Forallliveshaveaboutthesameelements。Yourlifeisgoingtobeaboutlikeotherlives。
　　Andyouaregoingtolearnthewonderfullessonthrutheyears，thebumpsandthetears，thatallthesethingssomehowarenecessarytopromoteoureducation。
　　Thesebumpsandhardknocksdonotbreakthefiddle——theyturnthepegs。
　　ThesebumpsandtragediesandWaterloosdrawthestringsofthesoultighterandtighter，nearerandnearertoGod’sgreatconcertpitch，wherethediscordsfadefromourlivesandwherethemusicdivineandharmoniescelestialcomefromthesameoldstringsthathadbeensendingforththenoiseanddiscord。
　　Thusweknowthatoureducationisprogressing，astheevilandunworthygooutofourlivesandaspeace，harmony，happiness，loveandunderstandingcomeintoourlives。
　　Thatisgettingintune。
　　Thatisgrowingup。
　　ChapterVIII
　　LookingBackwardMemoriesofthePriceWePayWHATapricewepayforwhatweknow！IlaughasIlookbackward——andweepandrejoice。
　　Iwasnotbornwithasilverspooninmymouth，althoitisquiteevidentthatIcouldhavehandledaprettygood-sizedspoon。Butfatherbeingacountrypreacher，wehadtinspoons。Weneverhadtotiearedstringaroundourspoonswhenweloanedthemfortheladies’aidsocietyoystersupper。Wealwaysgotourspoonsback。
　　Nobodyevertradedwithusbymistake。
　　Doyourememberthefirstmoneyyoueverearned？Ido。Iwalkedseveralmilesintothecountrythoseoldreaperdaysandgatheredsheaves。ThatnightIwasproudwhenthatfarmerpattedmeontheheadandsaid，"Youarethebestboytowork，Ieversaw。"Thenthecheerfuloldmiserputanickelinmyblisteredhand。ThatnickellookedbiggerthananymoneyIhavesincehandled。
　　That"LastDayofSchool"
　　YetIwasyearslearningitismucheasiertomakemoneythantohandleit，hencethetalethatfollows。
　　Iwassixteenyearsoldandaschoolteacher。Sweetsixteen——whichmeansgreensixteen。Butrememberagain，onlygreenthingsgrow。
　　Thereishopeforgreenthings。Iwassotallandawkwardthen——I
　　haven’tchangedmuchsince。Ikeptstillaboutmyage。Iwasseveraldollarsthelowestbidder。Theysaidoutthatway，"Anybodycanteachkids。"ThatiswhyIwasateacher。
　　Ihadneverstudiedpedagogy，butIhadwhittledoutthreerulesthatIthoughtwouldmakeitgo。Myfirstrulewas，Make’emstudy。
　　Mysecond，Make，emrecite。Thatis，fill’emupandthenempty’em。
　　Mythirdandmostimportantrulewas，Getyourmoney！
　　Iwalkedthirteenmilesaday，sixandahalfmileseachway，mostofthetime，tosavemoney。IthinkIhadallteachingmethodsinuse。
　　WiththesmallfryIusedasmallpaddletowintheirconfidenceandarousetheirenthusiasmforaneducation。WiththepupilslargerandmoremuscularthantheirteacherIusedloveandmoralsuasion。
　　Weendedtheschoolwithan"exhibition。"Didyoueverattendtheoldback-country"lastdayofschoolexhibition"？Thepeoplethatdaycamefromalloverthetownship。Theyweresogladourschoolwasclosingtheyallturnedouttomakeitasuccess。Theybroughtgreatbasketsofprovenderandwehadafeast。Wecoveredtheschooldeskswithboards，andthencoveredtheboardswithpilesoffriedchicken，doughnutsandfortykindsofpie。
　　Thenwehada"doings。"Everybodydidastunt。Weexecutedalotofliteraturethatday。ExecuteisthewordthattellswhathappenedtoliteratureinDistrictNo。1，JacksonTownship，thatday。Icanshutmyeyesandseeityet。Icanseemypupilscomingforwardtospeaktheir"pieces。"Ihardlyknewthemandtheyhardlyknewme，forwewere"dressedup。"Manyaheadshowedfatherhadmoweditwiththesheepshears。Motherhadbeenbusywiththewash-rag——clearbackoftheears！Andintothem！Somanyofthemworecollarsthatstuckoutallstiffliketheyhadpushedtheirheadsonthrutheirbigstrawhats。
　　Icanseethemspeakingtheir"pieces。"Icansee"TheSoldieroftheLegionlaydyinginAlgiers。"Wehadhimdieagainthatday，andhehadalingeringendasweexecutedhim。Icansee"Theboystoodontheburningdeck，whenceallbuthehadfled。"Icansee"Mary’slittlelamb"comeslippingoverthestage。Iseethetow-headedpatriotin"Givemelibertyorgivemedeath。"IfeelnowthatifPatrickHenryhadbeenpresent，hewouldhavesaid，"Givemedeath。"
　　Therecameabreathlesshushas"teacher"cameforwardasthelastactonthebilltosayfarewell。Itwascustomarytocry。Iwantedtoyell。TomorrowIwouldgetmymoney！IhadaspeechIhadbeensayingoverandoveruntilitwouldsayitself。ButsomehowwhenI
　　gotupbeforethat"lastdayofschool"audienceandopenedmymouth，itwasagreatopening，butnothingcameout。Itcameoutofmyeyes。TearsrolleddownmycheeksuntilIcouldhearthemspatteronmysix-dollarsuit。
　　Andmypupilsweptastheirdearteachersaidfarewell。Parentswept。Itwasatearytime。Ionlysaid，"Weepnotforme，dearfriends。Iamgoingaway，butIamcomingback。"Ithoughttocheerthemup，buttheyweptthemore。
　　NextdayIdrewmymoney。Ihaditallinonejoyouswad——$240。I
　　wasgoinghomewithheadhighandaircastlesevenhigher。ButI
　　nevergothomewiththemoney。Talkaboutthefoolandhismoneyandyougetverypersonal。
　　ForonthewayhomeImetDeaconK，andheborroweditall。DeaconK
　　was"suchagoodman"anda"pillarofthechurch。"Iusedtowonder，tho，whyhedidn’ttakeapillowtochurch。Itookhisnotefor$240，"dueatcorncutting，"aswetermedthatannualfall-timepayingupseason。Ireallythoughtanotewasnotnecessary，suchwasmyconfidenceinthedeacon。
　　ForyearsIkeptafaded，tear-spattered，yellownotefor$240，"dueatcorncutting，"asasouvenirofmyfirstschoolteaching。
　　DeaconKhasgonefromearth。Hehasgonetohiseternalreward。I
　　scarcelyknowwhethertolookupordownasIsaythat。Heneverleftanyforwardingaddress。
　　Iwaspaidthousandsinexperienceforthatfirstschoolteaching，butIpaidallthemoneyIgotfromit——twohundredandfortythirteen-mile-a-daydollarstolearnonethingIcouldnotlearnfromthebooks，thatittakeslesswisdomtomakemoney，thanitdoestointelligentlyhandleitafterwards。IncidentallyIlearneditmaybesafertodobusinesswithafirst-classsinnerthanwithasecond-classsaint。
　　Whichisnoslapatthechurch，butatitsworstenemies，thefoesofitsownhousehold。
　　CallingtheClass-RollAlyceumbureauoncesentmebacktomyhometowntolecture。I
　　imaginemostlecturershaveahardtimelecturinginthehometown。
　　Theirschoolmatesandplaymatesareapttobedownthereinthefrontrowswiththeirfamilies，andmaybealltheoldscoreshavenotyetbeensettled。Theboyhefoughtwithmaybedownthere。
　　Perhapsthegirlwhogavehimthe"mitten"isthere。
　　Andhehasgottenhislectureoutofthathometown。Theheroesandvillainslivetherewithinstrikingdistance。Perhapstheyhavecometohearhim。"Isnotthisthecarpenter’sson？"Perhapsthisiswhysomelecturersandauthorsarenotsopopularinthehometownuntilseveralgenerationspass。
　　Iwentbacktothesamehalltospeak，andstooduponthesameplatformwheretwenty-oneyearsbeforeIhadstoodtodelivermygraduatingoration，wheninimpassionedandwellmodulatedtonesIhadexclaimed，"GreeceisgoneandRomeisnomore，butfe-e-e-e-earnot，forIwillsa-a-a-a-aveyou！"orwordstothateffect。
　　ThenIwentbacktothelittlehotelandsatupaloneinmyroomhalfthenightlivingitover。TimewaswhenIthoughtanybodywhocouldliveinthathotelwasasuperiororderofbeing。ButthetimehadcomewhenIknewthepersonwhocouldgoonlivinginanyhotelhasasuperiororderofvitality。
　　Iheldthanksgivingservicesthatnight。Icouldseebetter。Ihadapictureoftheschoolinthattownthathadbeentakentwenty-oneyearsbefore，justbeforecommencement。Ihadnotseenthepicturethesetwenty-oneyears，forIcouldnotthenaffordtobuyone。Thepricewasaquarter。
　　Igotatruerperspectiveoflifethatnight。Didyoueversitalonewithapictureofyourclassmatestakentwenty-oneyearsbefore？Itisamemorableexperience。
　　Aclassofbrilliantandgiftedyoungpeoplewentouttotakechargeoftheworld。Theyweresogladtheworldhadwaitedsolongonthem。Theyweresowillingtotakechargeoftheworld。Theyweregoingtobepresidentsandsenatorsandauthorsandauthoressesandscientistsandscientist-essesandgeniusesandgenius-essesandthingslikethat。
　　Therewasoneboyintheclasswhowasnotnaturallybright。Itwasnottheoneyoumaybethinkingof！No，itwasJimLambert。Hehadnobrilliantcareerinview。Hewasdullandseemedtolackintellect。Hewas"conditioned"intotheseniorclass。WeallfeltalittlesorryforJim。
　　Ascommencementdayapproached，thecommitteeoftheclassappointedforthatpurposetookJimbackoftheschoolhouseandbrokethenewstohimthattheyweregoingtolethimgraduate，buttheywerenotgoingtolethimspeak，becausehecouldn’tmakeaspeechthatwoulddocredittosuchabrilliantclass。TheyhidJimonthestagebackoftheoleandercommencementnight。
　　Shakethebarrel！
　　Thegirlwhowastobecometheauthoressbecamethehelloessinthehometelephoneexchange，andhadbecomeabsolutelyindispensabletothecommunity。Thegirlwhowastobecomethepoetessbecamethegoddessatthegeneraldeliverywindowandsuperintendentofthestamp-lickingdepartmentofthehomepostoffice。TheboywhowasgoingtoConfesswasraisingthebestcorninthecounty，andhiswifewasspeakerofthehouse。
　　MostofthemweredoingverywellevenJimLambert。JimhadbecometheheadofoneofthebigmanufacturingplantsoftheSouth，withalotofmenworkingforhim。Thecommitteethattookhimoutbehindtheschoolhousetoinformhimhecouldnotspeakatcommencement，wouldnowhavetowaitinlinebeforeafrosteddoormarked，"Mr。Lambert，Private。"Theywouldhavetosenduptheircards，andthewatchdogwhoguardsthedoorwouldtellthem，"Cutitshort，he’sbusy！"beforetheycouldbreakanynewstohimtoday。
　　TheyhungapictureofMr。Lambertinthehighschoolatthelastalumnimeeting。Theyhungitonthewallnearwheretheoleanderstoodthatnight。
　　Dullboyorgirl——youwithyoureyestear-dimmedsometimesbecauseyoudonotseemtolearnlikesomeinyourclassescanyounotgetabitofcheerfromthestoryofJim？
　　Hourspass，andstillasIsatinthathotelroomIwaslostinthatschoolpictureandthetwenty-oneyears。Therewerefifty-fouryoungpeopleinthatpicture。Theyhadbeenshakentheseyearsinthebarrel，andnowasIcalledtherollonthem，mostofthemthatIexpectedtogouphadshakendownandsomethatIexpectedtostaydownhadshakenup。
　　Outofthatfifty-four，onehadgonetoapulpit，onehadgonetoCongressandonehadgonetothepenitentiary。Somehadgonetobrilliantsuccessandsomehadgonedowntosadfailure。Somehadfoundhappinessandsomehadfoundunhappiness。Itseemedasthoalmosteverynoteonthekeyboardofhumanpossibilityhadbeenstruckbytheoneschooloffifty-four。
　　Whenthatpicturewastakentheoldestwasnotmorethaneighteen，yetmostofthemseemedalreadytohavedecidedtheirdestinies。
　　Thetwenty-oneyearsthatfollowedhadnotchangedtheircourses。
　　TheonlychangeshadcomewhereGodhadcomeintoalifetoupliftit，orwhereMammonhadenteredtopullitdown。AndIsawbetterthatthefoolishdreamsofsuccessfadedbeforethenaturalunfoldingoftalents，whichistherealsuccess。Isawbetterthat"theboyisfathertotheman。"
　　Theboywhoskimmedoverhisworkinschoolwasskimmingoverhisworkasaman。Theboywhowenttothebottomofthingsinschoolwasgoingtothebottomofthingsinmanhood。Whichhadhelpedhimtogotothetopofthings！
　　JimLamberthadmerelyfollowedthecalloftalentsunseeninhimtwenty-oneyearsbefore。
　　Thelazyboybecamea"tired"man。Theindustriousboybecameanindustriousman。Thesportyboybecameasportyman。Thedomineeringegotistboybecamethedomineeringegotistman。
　　Theboywhotradedkniveswithmeandbeatme——howIusedtoenvyhim！Whywasithecouldalwaysgetthebetterofme？Well，hewentontradingknivesandgettingthebetterofpeople。Now，twenty-oneyearsafterwards，hewasdoingtimeinthestatepenitentiaryforforgery。Hewasnowcalledabadman，whentwenty-oneyearsagowhenhedidthesamethingsonasmallerscaletheycalledhimsmartandbright。
　　The"perfectlylovely"boywhodidn’tmixwiththeotherboys，whodidn’twhisper，whonevergotintotrouble，whoalwayshadhishaircombed，andsaid，"Ifyouplease，"usedtohurtme。Hewastheteacher’smodelboy。Allthemothersofthecommunityusedtosaytotheirownreprobateoffspring，"Whycan’tyoubelikeHarry？
　　He’llbePresidentoftheUnitedStatessomeday，andyou’llbeinjail。"ButModelHarrysataroundallhislifebeingamodel。I
　　believeMr。Websterdefinesamodelasasmallimitationoftherealthing。Harrycertainlywasasuccessfulmodel。Hebecameaseedy，sleepy，helplessrelicatforty。Hewas"perfectlylovely"
　　becausehehadn’ttheenergytobeanythingelse。Itwastheboyswhohadthehustleandtheenergy，whooccasionallyneededbumping——andwhogotit——whoreallygrew。
　　Ihavesaidlittleaboutthegirlsoftheschool。Factwas，atthatageIdidn’tpaymuchattentiontothem。Iregardedthemasintheway。ButInaturallythoughtofClarice，oursocialpetoftheclass——ourrealprettygirlwhowonthevaseinthehomepaperbeautycontest。Claricewentrightonremaininginthesocialspotlight，primpingandflirting。Sheoutshonealltherest。Butitseemedlikeshewasallout-shineandnoin-shine。Shemistookpopularityforsuccess。Theboysvotedforher，butdidnotmarryher。Mostofthegirlswhoshonewithlesssociallusterbecamethehappyhomemakersofthecommunity。
　　ButasIlookedintothefaceofJimLambertinthepicture，myheartwarmedatthesightofanothergreatsuccess——asweet-facedirishlasswhobecamean"oldmaid。"Shehadworkeddaybydayalltheseyearstosupportahomeandcareforherfamily。Shehadkepthergraceandsweetnessthruitall，andtheinfluenceofherwhite，lovingliferadiatedfar。
　　TheBoyIHadEnviedFrankwastheboyIhadenvied。Hehadeverything——afinehome，alovingfather，plentyofmoney，opportunityandagreatcareerawaitinghim。Andhewasbrightandlovableandtalented。
　　EverybodysaidFrankwouldmakehismarkintheworldandmakethetownproudofhim。
　　Iwasthejanitoroftheschoolhouse。Someofmyclassmateswillneverknowhowtheirthoughtlessjeersandjokeswoundedthesensitive，shabbyboywhosweptthefloors，builtthefiresandcarriedinthecoal。AftercommencementmycareerseemedtoendandthecareersofFrankandtherestofthemseemedtobegin。Theyweregoingofftocollegeandgoingtodosomanywonderfulthings。
　　ButtheweekaftercommencementIhadtogointoaprintingoffice，rollupmysleevesandgotoworkinthe"devil’scorner"toearnmydailybread。Seemedlikeittooksomuchbread！
　　ManyatimeasIpluggedatthe"case"IwouldthinkofFrankandwonderwhysomepeoplehadallthegoodthingsandIhadallthehardthings。
　　Howeasyitistoseeasyoulookbackward。Buthowharditistoseewhenyoulookforward。
　　Twenty-oneyearsafterwardasIgotoffthetraininthehometown，Iasked，"Whereishe？"Wewentouttothecemetery，whereIstoodatagraveandreadontheheadstone，"Frank。"
　　Ihadthestoryofatragedy——thetragedyofmodernunpreparedness。
　　Itwasthestoryoftheboywhohadeveryopportunity，butwhohadallthestruggletakenoutofhislife。Heneverfollowedhiscareer，neverdevelopedanystrength。Hedisappointedhopes，spentafortune，brokehisfather’sheart，shockedthecommunity，andfinallyendedhiswastedlifewithabulletfiredbyhisownhand。
　　WhyBenHurWonItrevivedthememoryofthestoryofBenHur。
　　Doyourememberit？TheJewishboyistornfromhishomeindisgrace。Heishaledintocourtandtriedforacrimehenevercommitted。BenHurdidnotgetafairtrial。Nobodycangetafairtrialatthehandsofthisworld。ThatiswhythegreatJudgehassaid，judgenot，foryouhavenotthefullevidenceinthecase。I
　　alonehavethat。
　　Thentheycondemnhim。Theyleadhimawaytothegalleys。Theychainhimtothebenchandtotheoar。Therefollowthedaysandlongyearswhenhepullsontheoarunderthelash。Dayafterdayhepullsontheoar。Dayafterdayhewrithesunderthestingofthelash。Yearsofthecruelinjusticepass。BenHuristhehelplessvictimofamockingfate。
　　Thatseemstobeyourlifeandmylife。Inthekitchenortheoffice，orwhereverweworkweseemsooftenlikeslavesboundtotheoarandpullingunderthestingofthelashofnecessity。Lifeseemsonefuturelessroundofdrudgery。Wewonderwhy。Weoftenlookacrossthestreetandseesomebodywholivesahappierlife。
　　Thatoneischainedtonooar。Seewhatafinetimetheyallhave。
　　Whymustwepullontheoar？
　　Howblindweare！Wecanonlyseeourownoar。Wecannotseethatthey，too，pullontheoarandfeelthelash。Mostlikelytheyarelookingbackatusandenvyingus。Forwhileweenvyothers，othersareenvyingus。
　　ButlookatthechariotraceinAntioch。Seethethousandsinthecircus。SeeMessala，thehaughtyRoman，andsee！BenHurfromthegalleysintheotherchariotpittedagainsthim。Downthecoursedashthesetwinthunderbolts。Thethousandsholdtheirbreath。"Whowillwin？""Themanwiththestrongerforearms，"theywhisper。
　　Therecomesthecrucialmomentintherace。Seethemanwiththestrongerforearms。TheyarebandsofsteelthatswellintheforearmsofBenHur。TheyswingthoseflyingArabiansintotheinnerring。BenHurwinstherace！WheregottheJewthosehugeforearms？Fromthegalleys！
　　HadBenHurneverpulledontheoar，henevercouldhavewonthechariotrace。
　　SoonerorlateryouandIaretolearnthatProvidencemakesnomistakesinthebookkeeping。Aswepullontheoar，sooftenlashedbygrimnecessity，everyhonesteffortislaidupatcompoundinterestinthebankaccountofstrength。Soonerorlaterthetimecomeswhenweneedeveryounce。Soonerorlaterourchariotraceison——whenwewinthevictory，strikethedecidingblow，standwhilethosearoundusfall——anditiswonwiththeforearmsearnedinthegalleysoflifebypullingontheoar。
　　ThatiswhyIthankedGodasIstoodatthegraveofmyclassmate。
　　IthankedGodforparentswhobelievedinthegospelofstruggle，andforthecircumstancesthatcompelledit。
　　Iamnotanexampleofsuccess。
　　ButIamaverygratefulpupilinthefirstreaderclassofTheUniversityofHardKnocks。
　　ChapterIX
　　GoOnSouth！
　　TheBookintheRunningBrookTHEREisalittlesilverysheetofwaterinMinnesotacalledLakeItasca。
　　Thereisaplacewherealittlestreamleapsoutfromthelake。
　　"Ole！"youwillexclaim，"thelakeisleaking。Whatisthenameofthislittlecreek？"
　　"Creek！Itbanenocreek。ItbaneMississippiriver。"
　　SoeventheFatherofWatershastobeginasacreek。Weareatthecradlewherethebabyriverleapsforth。Weallstartaboutalike。
　　ItwabblesaroundthruthewoodsofMinnesota。Itdoesn’tknowwhereitisgoing，butitis"ontheway。"
　　Itkeepswabblingaround，nevergivingupandquitting，anditgetstotheplacewhereallofusgetsoonerorlater。TheplacewherePaulcameontheroadtoDamascus。Theplaceofthe"heavenlyvision。"
　　Itistheplacewheregravitysays，"LittleMississippi，doyouwanttogrow？Thenyouwillhavetogosouth。"
　　ThelittleMississippistartssouth。Hesaystothepeople，"Goodbye，folks，Iamgoingsouth。"ThefolksatItascavillesay，"Why，Mississippi，youarefoolish。Youhain’tgotwaterenoughtogetoutofthecounty。"Thatisafact，butheisnottryingtogetoutofthecounty。TheMississippiisonlytryingtogosouth。
　　TheMississippiknowsnothingabouttheGulfofMexico。Hedoesnotknowthathehastogohundredsofmilessouth。Heisonlytryingtogosouth。Hehasnotmuchwater，buthedoesnotwaitforarelativetodieandbequeathhimsomewater。Thatisabeautifulthought！Hehaswaterenoughtostartsouth，andhedoesthat。
　　Hegoesafootsouth，thenanotherfootsouth。Hegoesamilesouth。Hepicksupalittlestreamandhehassomemorewater。Hegoesonsouth。Hepicksupanotherstreamandgrowssomemore。Daybydayhepicksupstreamlets，brooklets，rivulets。Businessispickingup！Hegrowsasheflows。Poetry！
　　Myfriends，hereisoneofthebestpicturesIcanfindinnatureofwhatitseemstomeourlivesshouldbe。Ihearagreatmanyorations，especiallyinhighschoolcommencements，entitled，"TheValueofaGoalinLife。"Butthedirectionisvastlymoreimportantthanthegoal。Findthewayyourlifeshouldgo，andthengoandkeepongoingandyou’llreachathousandgoals。
　　Wedonothavetofigureouthowfarwehavetogo，norhowmanysupplieswewillneedalongtheway。Allwehavetodoistostartandwewillfindtheresourcesallalongtheway。Wewillgrowasweflow。Allofuscanstart！Andthengoonsouth！
　　Successisnottomorrowornextyear。Successisnow。Successisnotattheendofthejourney，forthereisnoend。Successiseverydayinflowingandgrowing。TheMississippiisasuccessinMinnesotaaswellasonsouth。
　　YouandIsoonerorlaterhearthecall，"Goonsouth。"Ifwehaven’theardit，letuskeepoureartothereceiverandliveamorenaturallife，sothatwecanhearthecall。Weareallcalled。
　　Itisadivinecall——thecallofourunfoldingtalentstobeused。
　　Remember，theMississippigoessouth。Ifhehadgoneanyotherdirectionhewouldneverhavebeenheardof。
　　ThreewonderfulthingsdevelopastheMississippigoesonsouth。