16 The Acorn Christmas Eve the building stood entirely completed. It had been reshingled, and re-painted outside and in. All that evening he walked around the station, then inside, then out again. He was so happy that he could not remain quiet. Then thinking that it might please the superintendent to know that the building was ready so soon, he telegraphed the news. Back came the answer, "You have done well." Christmas morning, John was up at day-break looking over his work again to be sure there were no defects. He seemed at least ten years younger, and passengers going there could not help noticing how happy the old gentleman looked and how cheerful was his "Merry Christmas" to the brakemen who jumped off to get orders. That night he went to bed tired, but perchance the happiest man in all the world. The next morning two gentlemen arrived on No. 10. John recognized one as the superintendent. "He has come to see how well I have done my work," thought John, as he greeted him with a pleasant smile, and pointed with a great deal of pride to the new station. "It is very well done as has been all your work," said the superintendent, "now as you are getting old, we are going to retire you with a pension. Allow me to introduce to you the new Why! what's the matter, Wilson?" The old man had tottered as if struck by something, but catching himself he muttered that this was only an attack of an old weakness. "So this is the result of my long weary months of labor: to have to give up my station; yes, my home in my old age and just when I thought my happiness complete," thought John. The superintendent said John was to go to the city where he could live cheaply and could be under the eyes of the company. He had made a practice of always being obedient to his superiors, so that very night with a sinking heart, John left his home to go to the large city, comforted in the one thought that he had spent one enjoyable Christmas. Three months later a hearse and three carriages slowly made their way to the railroad companies cemetery where John Wilson was laid to rest. The doctors said he died of old age, but who can say that it really was not of a broken heart? Clarence Wright '08. The Acorn 17 Opportunity What do we mean by opportunity? It is a convenience or fitness of time and place for the doing of things. The best man is not he who waits for chances, but he who takes them: weak men wait for opportunities, strong men make them. "Oh, how I wish I were rich," exclaimed a bright industrious drayman in Philadelphia. "Well, why don't you get rich?" asked Stephen Girard, who overheard the remark. "I don't know how without money," replied the drayman, "and if you will tell me how I won't let the grass grow before trying." "A ship load of tea is to be sold at auction to-morrow. Go down and buy it and come to me." "But how can I buy a ship load of tea without money?" "You don't need any money," said Girard, "go down and bid on the whole cargo." The next day the Auctioneer said that purchasers had the privilege of taking one case or the whole shipload. A retail grocer started bidding, and the drayman at once said, "I'll take the whole shipload." The Auctioneer looked surprised, but when he learned that it was Girard's drayman, he said it was alright. The news spread that Girard was buying tea in large quantities and the price advanced several cents per pound. By putting the price a trifle below market rate, the drayman had no difficulty in selling the whole cargo. In a few hours he was worth fifty thousand dollars. Although it is very seldom that aid of this kind will be given, opportunities are often presented, which will be of use to us, if we will only act. Don't wait for opportunities make them, as all leaders of men do, and as we must if we wish to accomplish any great thing. FRANCIS GODDARD '08