LESSON 12
WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY

1. Henry Bond was about ten years old when his father died. His mother found it difficult to provide for the support of a large family, thus left entirely in her care. By good management, however, she contrived to do so, and also to send Henry, the oldest, to school, and to supply him, for the most part, with such books as he needed.

2. At one time, however, Henry wanted a grammar, in order to join a class in that study, and his mother could not furnish him with the money to buy it. He was very much troubled about it, and went to bed with a heavy heart, thinking what could be done.

3. On waking in the morning, he found that a deep snow had fallen, and the cold wind was blowing furiously. “Ah, ” said he, “it is an ill wind that blows nobody good.”

4. He rose, ran to the house of a neighbor, and offered his service to clear a path around his premises. The offer was accepted. Having completed this work, and received his pay, he went to another place for the same purpose, and then to another, until he had earned enough to buy a grammar.

5. When school commenced, Henry was in his seat, the happiest boy there, ready to begin the lesson in his new book.

6. From that time, Henry was always the first in all his classes. He knew no such word as fail, but always succeeded in all he attempted. Having the will, he always found the way.

STUDY GUIDE

A. Word Definition

support:In this case,“support”means money,food and other items necessary for living.

management:manner of directing things.

contrived:planned.

grammar:a grammar text book.

furnish:supply.

heavy heart:sad;worried.

furiously:violently.

ill:unkind.

service:physical work.

premises:area around a house.

commenced:started.

attempted:tried.

will:desire.

B. Comprehension Questions

1. What do you think Henry means when he says the wind “blows nobody good? ”

2. Why was Henry the happiest boy in the Grammar class?

3. If you needed to earn money to buy a book, what kind of work could you do?

C. Circle the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. Lee's mother put the cookies on the top shelf but Lee (contrived/succeeded) a way to get one.

2. The house was such a mess that Jane thought she would need the (attempt/service) of a housekeeper to clean it.

3. The athletes had a great (will/importance) to win the race.

4. In some stores where alcohol is sold, children are not allowed inside or on the (building/premises).