A TRUE STORY.
This is a very old proverb, and a very true one. Sometimes we forget it, though, and say "I can't," before we have really tried at all. Now I should like to tell you the true story of two little Irish sweeps who had the will to learn to read, and found the way, although it was a very difficult one.
Some years ago a few kind people made up their minds to try to get hold of all the chimney-sweeps in Dublin and give them an education.
One day a little fellow came who was asked if he knew his letters.
"Oh, yes," he answered.
"Can you spell?"
"Oh, yes."
"Can you read?"
"Oh, yes."
"What books did you learn from?"
"Please, sir, I never had a book."
"Then who was your schoolmaster?"
"I never went to school at all."
The gentleman stared, for it seemed very strange that a boy should be able to read and spell, and yet never had a master.
"Then however did you learn?" he asked.
The little boy smiled, and linked his arm in that of a sweep somewhat older than himself.
"Please, sir, Jim taught me the letters over the shop doors, as we went to our work, but now I know all the words by heart, and if you'd kindly let us have some books to read and teach us to do sums and writing, we'd be very thankful."
Can't you fancy what good pupils those two boys became, and how they delighted in reading in books instead of making their necks ache by peering up at the shops?
E. M. W.