CHAPTER XVIII.

LAST DAY OF THE VISIT.

The group around the fire—No tidings 294 from Jerry—What Whistler had learned—The three hardest words—Candid confession of a great general—Confessing errors requires bravery—Another fact learned—The boys’ petition for shorter lessons—Whistler’s refusal to sign it—His motives impugned—Boyish intolerance—Effects of the petition on the teacher—Its disrespectful tone—Character of the signers—Public reading of their names—A secret honorably kept—Clinton’s opinion of the city—Opportunities—Too much assistance—How strong characters are produced—The learned blacksmith—The learned shoemaker—What can be done in one hour a day—The extract—A higher aim than success—Character—How it is formed—Compared to a cable—Conclusion,

Illustrations.

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THE FOREST PICNIC, FRONTISPIECE VIGNETTE, TITLE PAGE THE STEAMER, 19 THE FARM-HOUSE, 30 MAP OF BROOKDALE, 40 THE GUNNER, 68 CLINTON THRESHING, 90 THE FOREST ROAD, 124 UNCLE TIM AND THE BEAR, 154 SALUTING THE TRAIN, 177 THE DOG CART, 207 THE IMAGE VENDER, 208 THE FOUNTAIN, 213 WRONG STANDING POSITION, 245 RIGHT STANDING POSITION, 245 WRONG SITTING POSITION, 246 RIGHT SITTING POSITION, 247 STEAMSHIP, 279 HOW THE CABLE IS MADE, 307

WHISTLER.

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