The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-10-25
AN NJNCIDENT IN SCHOOL LIFE.

Years ago, when was a boy. 1t was Gus
tomary, and probably is now TO some ex ent
among district schools in the country, 10 nave
,pelng schools during the winter term
These gatherings were anticipated with great
interest by the scholars. as az those times was
decided who was the best speller. Occasion-
all one school would visit another for test
of scholarship in this respect. An! how the
little hearts would throb and the big ones
thump in their anxiety to beat the whole.
Once on time a neighboring school sen,
word to ours that on certain day in the after
noon they would meet in our school house for
one Of these contests. As the time was short,
mos, Of the other studies were suspended.
and at school and at home in the evenings,
al hands were studying to master the mono
syllables dis sylabes. poiysy llsbles. abbrevia-
tons. DC. &c, which the spelling books con
tanned
AT length the day arrived. and as our visi
tors were considered rather our superiors. our
cares and anxieties propor,ionably great
TIE scholars were ranged in standing posi-
tion on opposite sides of the house, and the
words pronounced TO each side alternately.
and the scholar that missed was to sit
down. His game was up.
1t did not take long to thin the ranks on
both sides. In a short time our school had
but eight on the floor, and theirs but six -
After few rounds, the contest turned in
their favor, as they had four standing TO our
two For long time ID seemed as though
these six had the book .by heart At length
the number was reduced TO one on each side.
Our visitors were represented by an accom-
plished young lady, whose parents had recent
y arrived in town, and ours by myself, rag
ged little boy of ten summers, who had set
up night after night while my mother, with no
other light than that produced by pine knots,
pronounced nv lessons to me. The interest
Of the spectators was excited to the highest
pitch. as word after word was spelled by each.
At length the young lady missed, and | stood
alone. Her teacher said she did not under
stand the word. She declared she did: that
the honor was mine, and that l richly deserv-
ed it. That was proud moment for me-
had spelled down both schools and was de-
cared victor. Nv cheeks burned, and my
brain was dizzy with excitement.
Soon as the school was dismissed. nv com
petisress came and sat down by my side and
congratulated me on my success. enquired my
name and age, also fatteringly predicted my
future success in life.
Unaccustomed 10 such attentions doubt
less acted as most little boys would under such
circumstances injudiciously. At this juno
iare, Master g.. the son of the rich man of
cur neighborhood. tauntingly saie' 10 me in
TIE presence of my fair friend and number
q boys from the other school-"O. you need
NJ feel 50 bis-your folks are poor, and Your
iaiher is a drunkard''
was happy no more--I was a drunkard's
son-and how could look my new friends
N he face. Ny heart seemed to rise in my
throat and almost sudoca;ed me. The ua,
tears sca!ded my eyes-but KEEP: them back.
ana as soon as possible, quietly slipped away
rom my companions. procured nv dinner
basket. and unobserved let, the scene OF my
triumph and disgrace. with q heavy heart Tor
ny home. But what a home. NV folks
We're poor and nv father was a drunkard -
Ieould not prevent my fathers drinkinr s-l
assisted aud encouraged bv my mother, mad
done all | could to keep nv place in nv c;,S>
at school. and 10 assist her ia her worse than
~idowhood
boy as was. | inwsrdly resolved never
70 taste OF liquor. aud s44t would show M,s
sE U. that Il | was drunkari' 5 son | Would
YET stand as high rs he did. Blu; all nav re-
so'es could not aiay the gnawing grief sud
'e1auon produced BY his naughty words aud
sanang manner. In this frame of mind my
seAu ahd heart aching. my eyes red and swoi-
4en-l reached my home. NV mother saw
= once that l was in trouble and enauirei
a'e cause. l buried my face in her lap AID
Darst into tears. Mother seeing nv rrief.
"a"eo unit was more composed. when
sAa nsr what had happened. and added pas
aonaseiy, II wish father wculdn't De a d.nsk-
I'a. SO We could be respected as other folks
a. mrs, mother seemed almost overwhelmed.
out quickly rSllying said: -.
NY son, feel very sorry for you. and re.
sses that your feelings have been injured. q
;, ,ss '~ittei you abou: things you cannot help.
has never 2'nd my son. Be ALWAYS hon.ss-
never taste drop of intoxicating Equo.: stu
oy and improve your mind DEFEND on vou-
own energies. trusting in God. and you win.