Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-09-11

down the number of times each scholar stood
at the head in the first class in spelling, and
promised Il reward to that scholar who should
have the greatest number of marks at the end
OF the school. But it could not be expected
that Herman Warrcr, as little as he attended
school, would obtain the reward, for it was a
thing impossible. lie came briskly along, but
instead Of joining the group before mentioned,
he went directly into the school house, and took
his accustomed seat. lie had not sat there
great while before the teacher called him to her
and told him Of the Intended spelling school,
and advised him to spend all the time he could
get upon his spelling lessons = and if you are
diligent, said she, g who knows but what you
may spell both schools down, and if you could,
Just think what u name you would get by it
: Herman Warren spell two schools down who
would have thought it people will say, and
every body will speak in your praise" Her
mans eyes sparked at the thought, and he in
wardly vowed that if there was any such thing,
he would be winner in the coming contest. tie
had SO many chores to do that he could never
get into school before recess, and for that reason
he had not before heard Of the plan arranged
by the teacher. The boys were now called in,
and II frown passed over the countenance OF
Henry Allard as his eyes rested upon the little
hero of our story who was now applying him
self with all his zeal to his spelling book, for
with all his confidence in his own ability, he
actually dreaded the " little ragamnlin' as he
termed him, more than he did all the scholars
of the other school
$ Herman went home that night with lighter
heart than he had for many " day, for he
thought that if he could only have what time
! he wished to study in be should be able to bear
off the palm. But in this as in many other
i things, fortune seemed to be against him. Mr..
Brent had that day taken job Of work to do,
!. and Herman was informed when he got home
d that night, that he might /" hang up his fiddle
about going to school any more at present, for
y he should require his attention to another
10 branch of business for several weeks to come
r Poor Hermans heart sunk within him at this,
e and many and bitter tears did he shed that
e night when he saw his hopes dashed to the
h ground. His master was as good as his word,
IT for he kept Herman almost constantly by his
II side. and if was ever away it was only upon
N some errand He might have studied some
" evenings could that boon have been granted
,e him. but Mr. Brent required him to go TO bed
j at Just such an hour, and he must obey b.
10 sides, Mr. Brent would have thought it the ex
treme height of folly to have allowed him to 81
on up and burn oil for the sake Of poring over ;
. 7 dirty old book 1t has been that poverty i
rd the mother OF invention and SO it proved II
ht this case. As Herman lay in bed one night
Id brooding over his i'll luck. bright thought him
Cautiously rising from bed he put on his clothc
,,o as quickly as he was able but without maxi
= nnv noise. and when dressed went down stairs
Il, scarcely daring to breathe for fear OF wakn
Mr.. Brent or his wife, and scizng his spen
~ book gained the open air without making ar
-, disturbance. lie Immediately opened his boo
and bent his eyes thereon, and what was i
iov when he found that by the bright light
., the moon he could plainly see to study. Thil
Wv of that, oh ye who are bred in the lap OF lux
ry. who never have known what it was to wa
~. 49, for anything upon which you had set 20
, hearts, who have attended school term af
term ever since you were old enough to lisp
"a names of your letters. and who have there sp(
IN MIA nf
With '"e s0''e" '''''' 49,. ,:,
have been deemed II treasure by that lit
". iiendless boy who was even rejoiced that it v
10 permitted him to study by the light OF the me
LONG after all others had retired to rest from
!. tolls and cares Of the busy day. You are
~, rounded by all the comlo,ts and luxuries VIII
this world can bestow you have kind pare
'~.1 and friends who daily watch over you and
!, :, vide for all your wants, and who endeavof
bring you up to be good and useful in alter
r. who give you ample opportunity to drink W
you will at the fount of knowledge, that
may grow in wisdom as you grow in years
.,~ - yon sufficiently prize these golden oppor'unl
rc r.. and improve them with that diligence wi
" you ought Think how many there al
' your own age who are destitute OF the r.
w.. "' legcs YOU have, who would regard one
- l.. each day of the time you spend in idle spor
a priceless treasure For three long hours
- Herman strain his eyes over the pages oil
old worn-out book, and when at last he yie
r.u, to the demands Of tired nature, and re
once more to the solitude of his chamb'
- was only to wait impaticntly for the comi'
!, the next night. He was now quite sure TIN
" -. -, should become complete master Of the spc
w book. for he knew that the moon would
D''' brightly for several nights if the weather 81
~ hold clear, and his sleep was refreshed by b
~ visions Of the coming contest when he sfou
declared victorious over all. Day and l
,'"', " sleeping or waking, this was the one th'
'''Ne which occupied his mind, and If he shou
deronted oh what bitter unavailing
would rush forth, and how lis heart '
earn it w"a'' Se' H. .ho,,h, of ,ho =,
!. ~. ruin of his bright hopes and how the pr
s6ardently coveted might be snatched fro
grasp. One thought troubled him more
d come al 'he iee'' "nN ,.,,,l. a.
H.; not be able to be at ,hool at all upon tn
when i, would be decided which Of tn
leaped Sonoo,s 0''u''N ~ =, ne ,sa, ,,anld not
bis few, 'ha' MI i'''n' - ~. TIT.
end of py '''a' ''''o' CIV 80 ~ -
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