TRAINING VS. INCLINATION 



11 



M\ 



erinary surgeon, and he so imbued me with the 

 spirit of his calling that I then and there decided 

 that I had found my vocation. Prospectuses 

 from various colleges, were applied for at once, 

 and the tobacco business lost what little interest it 

 yet held for me. But, now to break the news to 

 the "governor." 



This always seemed an easy matter when I was 

 in one end of the town and he in another, but as 

 soon as he stood before 

 me I lost all courage and 

 several months passed 

 before I could even 

 bring myself to think of 

 the matter in his pres- 

 ence. 



I had not been losing 

 ground during this time. 

 My mother was fully in- 

 formed of my intentions, 

 and with her help I final- 

 ly faced the issue. Never 

 will I forget my father's 

 anger on this occasion. 

 He allowed me to finish my plea and then the 

 storm broke. When it was over I was packing a 

 satchel and my brain was having a storm of its 

 own. I had been ordered to leave the house. The 

 "governor " was done with me. 



But I did not leave the house that day. I knew 

 my mother full well and I took a long time pack- 

 ing that satchel, and just as I was putting in the 

 last pair of socks my mother came up and said 



"Cowboy Charlie" 



