Think of our parsing
Milton as an aid to mastering the English language!
I remember I stood fairly high in composition--only one boy in the
school ahead of me, and that was Herman Coons, to whom I became much
attached, and who became a Methodist minister. He went home with me
during the holiday vacation. After leaving school we corresponded
for several years, and then lost track of each other. I do not know
that there is one of my school-mates of that time now living. I
know of none that became eminent in any field. One of the boys was
fatally injured that winter while coasting. I remember sitting up
with him many nights and ministering to him. He died in a few weeks.
It was an event when Father and Mother came to visit me for a few
hours, and Mother brought me some mince pies. What feasts two or
three other boys and I had in my room over those home-made pies!
Toward spring we had a public debate in the chapel, and I was chosen
as one of the disputants. We debated the question of the Crimean
War, which was on then. I was on the side of England and France
against Russia. Our side won. I think I spoke very well. I
remember that I got much of my ammunition from a paper in "Harper's
Magazine," probably by Dr. Osgood. It seems my fellow on the
affirmative had got much of his ammunition from the same source,
and, as I spoke first, there was not much powder left for him, and
he was greatly embarrassed.
Pages:
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111