The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-01-29

There was brief pause, AMI a thrill as though
an electric current from the clouds had descended
upon him. was felt by the student every extremity
of his frame. The president proceeded :
This prize essay is emitted: 'N4lure Her Per-
fections and their Analysis and writtenb by William
Wordsworth Lyle"
His n,me---another's production. The young
man comprehcnded on the instant The names Of
the authors had not appeared in the manuscripts, |
but accompanied them separately; in the hands OF
the committee, Raymond's and his own had acci-
dehtally been exchanged one for the other-aud
hence the mistake.
Every one may have experienced whirlwind OF
thought when questions, answers suggestions and
possibilities rush together throuyl the mind in a
single seconds space. Thus it happened with
Wordsworth Lyle The clasp Of his mothers
hand upon his was tigh 'ened he felt the fingers
trembling with the hearts su llen gush Of thanks
giving. Raising his eyes, there appeared directly
before him household which ordinarily we should
term his "frends," because, being relatives. they
ought to be such. It's head was his fathers broth
er, the rich Esquire Lyle. The gentleman sat now
in his shining broadcloth velvet trimmed, with the
heavy black satin buttoned over his coporal magn-
tude and his hands in their perfect kids viewing the
graduate as complacently as though he had notin
her trial, withheld from his widowed sister-in-aw
everything beyond his lordly advice to "put the
boy Oh farm" and grown absolutely terrific when,
instead Of its being followed, "the simpleton Was
INDUCED in his ridiculous notion Of going to col
lega"
"My nephew was the proud communication
i
| Wordsworth traced in the motion Of his unce's
| lips, turned toward stranger who was present in
his company, sitting at his left hand On the right
of her father was Miss Mlria Lizzy, who had so
often tossed her shell combs and wondered if her
pauper cousin thought TO make himself great At
this moment she smiled upon him, as though think
ing him sweeter and dearer than the boquet in her
hand, Besides these, there were real friends whose
eyes were eloquent with their congratulations and
many whom he had never M before were perusing
his face with eagerness and admiration, because o
the high distinction he had gain.d. Was he called
upen to disappoint true friends, AMI humble him
self before the false Why might he not in sill,
enGa retain tn. laurel crowl since he who should
have worn it cou i never feel its grateful touch
One breath he hesitatcd after hearing his summons
accompanies resolution to do right, assembled til
steps and stood before his supcrior--hs fine face
glowing forth the worls he was Immediately 10
utter At no lime that day hal his voice soun,ed
frner, clearer, than when he said :
"Hoaorel strand" to the aHdience-'my friends,
fad some mistake in this. have not the honor
to be the au hor Of the essay which has Just been
announced in connection with my name. The prize,
however much may have desired it, is not mine to
receive. Honor aai award belong to my lament.
ed classmate. E gar RLymonl.'
II. bJy,l, all wls hl-rying from the gz, OF
r the multitude, when the president stopped him
{ with some question p1. ina low tona, A mo.
meht. anl h. vas lei forward again. Tie presi-
= deaf spoke:
"The:2 is :liael 4 mistake in the announce
nent just mld.--not, however, in the name of th,
auihor bat in tn. title of tn, manuscript. The
successful essay is THE BIRT3RIGHr OF MrSD :
d., the writer is still WILLIAM WORDSWORTH LYLE
r He said this with enthusiasm of voice ani
, look which instantly Communicated itself to tn,
:. throng OF spectators; and when he added tina,
=, what they had witnessed was but an Example o
the noble uprightness which had characteriz,d tha
young man in his entire collegiate course, remcm
, brance OF the departed aloue subdued genera
outburst of applause
Lyle received the prize AMI retired with gratifi
" cation at hi. success almost overpowered by con
j. fusion at hearing himself thus publicly lauied
" The next morning as he was abou, leaving witt
. his happy parent for their home purse was sen
F" him containing four tnss the amount OF the priz4
u and on slip Of paper attached was written :
J. Tan REWARD OF lNTEGRrTY FEv
u FRIENDS NEW AND Old"
VI