The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-09-21

| W. "iii nv uNuoh 1OuI
terest in your improvement, even if she
should be less solictous about this par.
ticular honor" Mrs Morris replied
You know all the ambition have in the
world, centers in my children. | would
see them active, energetic, foremost, if
possible, in the pursuit of every honora.
able attainment And yet there is q more
excellent way, which | would have them
follow; AN attainment higher even than
mental wealth-wthout which, though
possessing all knowledge they are moth.
ing"
Charley's glowing ambition had some.
what cooled, during his mothers calm,
but earnest conversation He was listen.
ing attentively as he sat in his favorite
place at her feet, though his eyes were
downcast, and sense of shame stole over
him.
You remember the passage in which
this way is described p asked his moth.
| er.
Charley took down the little well.worn
Bible, in which he always loved to read
aloud to his mother. Turning to the 18th
of Corinthians he slowly read fret six
verses.
"Do you think, mother" he asked,
that this forbids seeking any honor for
ones self" It says "seeketh not her
own.'"
d" 1t is not necessary for us to settle the
bearings Of this on the question of prizes
in school. But one question comes nearer
to the case in and. Do you think that
in strict honesty the star would be YOUR
own, if you gained it not BY superior
scholarship, but by your more prosperous
circumstances, and Henr2's hindrance
through his mothers necesslties7 The only
value of the sign is IN the thing signifed
To me this badge would mean not that
my boy was better scholar than Henry
but only that his father was richer than
Hsnry'H mother
Mother, don't want the star at ali
said Charley with resolute effort, that
is, If Henry can get it. am going arouud
now, IF you are willing, to show him
about arithmetic, and to ask his mother
to arrange if possible, so that he can
attend school constantly, the next six
weeks"
Mrs, Colton's consent to the latter ar
rangement wa. easily gained, especially
when Charley had begged permission o
assist in doing the errands after school
hours. The obstacles in arithmetic were
cleared away, so that the two rivals started
on their friendly race with a fair field
and no favor to either Henry had been
at the head Of the class Just the same
length Of time that Charley had been,
before him, when, three weeks before ex-
animation, be was taken sick 1T would
be difficult to say which of the two class
mates, were most disappointed at this de.
ransement Of the plans Charley watched
the progress of the fever almost as anx.
iously as Mrs. Cotton, and daily beset the
doctor, to learn the prospect of speedy
recovery.
The third week had arrived before
Henry was able to be dressed, and breathe
the outer air fer few minutes of the
day. Examination day came, and by
Charleys earnest entreaties the invalid
was permitted to be present on the i'm.
portant occasion. BE sat next his friend
and leaned upon him, when too weary
with the effort and excitement.-After
many less interesting exercises. the Presi.
dent at length arose, and with some words
of explanation, proceeded to confer, as
he said. the highest mark of honor ever
received in the institution. star was
awarded " to Charles Morris for punctu.
ality of attendance, propriety of depOrt.
ment, and success in scholarship"
There was a moment of almost breath.
less attention through the crowded audi
ence, as Charley walked to the foot of the
plutform, and was seen to address a few
words to the President Those who were
nearest could hear him say:
The star, sir, does not rightly belong
to me. Henry Cotton had worked har.
der than I, to obtain it. He is better
scholar and but for sickness, would have
been at the head of all his classes"
After moments consultation with the
gentlemen on the platform, the President
replied:
The FacultG, Morris, prefer that you
should retain the star a. you have III
orally fulfilled all of tie conditions pre-
scribed."
1t would not be right. sir" said