Page:Vidyasagar, the Great Indian Educationist and Philanthropist.djvu/31

 mates including himself taking their turn in doing the meals. He also helped many with money. He had to live from hand to mouth, yet he was never unduly alive to his own interests. While he was thus severely pressed for money, the teachership of Grammar fell vacant. The salary attached to it was Rs 90. Dr Mouat in concert with Mr Marshal offered it to him. He declined, commending Pundit Taranath Tarkavachaspati whom he had given his word to provide. Taranath was then keeping a tole at Kalna, some fifty miles from Calcutta. It was a Saturday afternoon, and his application must reach the office by next Monday, if it was to be entertained at all. There was no system of railways nor telegraphs in the pre-Dalhousie period; and the dilatory, irregular postal service of the day would serve no useful purpose in this case. Returning from office Vidyasagar began to rack his brain till an idea came. He started afoot that very night and got back on the Monday morning