There were strong men, men who could read the future, controlling the legislation of some of the new States.
The studies mentioned, and geography were the duties now in hand, and there was indifference or hopefulness or rivalry among those of the little group as there is now in every school, from some new place in Oklahoma to old Oxford, over seas.

In all scholarship, it chanced that this same boy, Grant Harlson, was easily in the lead.

His mother, an ex-teacher in another and older State, loving, regardful, tactful, had taught him how to read and comprehend, and he had something of a taste that way and a retentive memory.

So, inside the rugged schoolroom, he had a certain prestige.

Outside, he took his chances..