erfere with his duty. The lesson his
mother had taught him was put to the test and was not forgotten.

FOOTNOTE:

[A] _Missouri Historical Review._

CHAPTER III

BOYHOOD AND STUDENT DAYS

IN the family were three boys and three girls (of the nine children)
that lived to manhood and womanhood. Ward, the general's younger
brother, an officer in the Spanish-American war, is dead. Lieutenant
Paddock married the General's sister, Grace. He died in China during the
Boxer uprising. Two other sisters now reside in Lincoln and a brother is
in business in Chicago.

[Illustration: General Pershing as a Boy]

The writer quoted above also says, "John was always settled as a boy.
There was nothing sensational or spectacular about him. He had the
confidence of everybody." Another of his boyhood chums writes: "John
Pershing was a clean, straight, well behaved young fellow. He never was
permitted to loaf around on the streets. Nobody jumped on him and he
didn't jump on anybody. He attended strictly to his own business. He
had his lessons when he went to class. He was not a big talker. He said
a lot in a few words, and didn't try to cut any swell. He was a hard
student. He was not brilliant, but firm, solid and would hang on to the
very last. We used to study our lessons together evenings. About
nine-thirty or ten o'clock, I'd say:

"'John, how are you coming?'

"'Pretty stubborn.'

"'Better go to bed, hadn't we?'

"'No, Charley, I'm going to work this out.'"

One, who distinctly recalls him as a boy, describes him: "His hair was
light and curly. He had large black eyes; was square-jawed and was
iron-willed. His shoulders were square, and he was straight as an arrow.
He had a firm, set mouth and a high forehead, and even as a boy was a
dignified chap. And yet he was thoroughly democratic in his manner and
belief."

Another, who was a playmate, has the following tribute: "As a boy
Pershing was not unlike thousands of other boys of his age, enjoying the
same pleasures and games as his other boyhood companions. He knew the
best places to shoot squirrels or quail, knew where to find the hazel or
hickory nuts. He knew, too, where the coolest and deepest swimming pools
in the Locust, Muddy or Turkey creeks were. Many a time we went swimming
together in Pratt's pond. At school John was studious and better able
than the most of us to grasp the principles outlined in the text books.
As a rule he led his classes, particul