The Van Buren press., 1859-09-07
SalQ(iatellangg.
A More Excellent WaY.

"Mother, Mother" exclaimed Charley
Morris, as he rushed into the house after
school in great excitement, ''what do you
think We are going to do in school 90
"Study, hope" said his mother quiet
ly, while the little fellow stopped to take
breath
eve shall have to, that's fact,' said
Charley, ''but that was not what l wanted
to tell you, mother. You know that there
are just six weeks before examination, and
they are going to give certificates then only
to the very best scholars, who have sustain
ed themselves perfectly through the term.
''And you mean of course, to rank among
the very best, if You cam" said Mrs Nor
ris.
'.Of course do, mother, but there is one
thing more. The boy who has been at the
head of his classes for the longest time is to
have, besides his diploma, golden star to
wear upon his breast. He will be called
the star scholar, and will rank highest in
the school 90
$50 you arc aiming at this bright partic-
ular STAR
eyes, mother, and will have it too, YOU
will see DIR. II. says it is more honora-
BILE distinction than the Legion of Honor.
Won't you be proud. mother, to see me
wearing it at the evening exhibition. The
teachers will tell you that your boy is the
best scholar in the school," Mrs. Morris
smiled. "Wont you be glad, mother ?''-
repeated Charley, eagerly.
''Glad certainly shall be of the scholar
that has won the honor, if i: is fairly earn
ed, replied the mother "But what are
your grounds of expectation 90
''Why, mother, l am at the head of all
my classes but one, and in that there is not
one above me but Henry Cotton. 1 don't
suppose there would be any hope of going
beyond him if he was always there, but he
is sometimes absent at the hour we recite,
and so he wont have as good a chance OF
keeping his place in the Glass;
''What is the cause of his absence 90
"He has to do errands for his mother
She takes in sewing, and they are too poor
to have any servant, SO Henry carries the
bundles home"
'.Mrs. Cotton has made great fors to
keep her boy at school. He is good schol-
ar, is he not 90
eyes, mother / don't know a oy that
studies harder than Henry Colton.''
''NOt even Charley Norris
t'No, mother, but then am no obliged
to study SO much, because / have been to
school more regularly than he has, and then
l have more time to myself at home. Why,
Henry is up and studying before any one
else is stirring in the morning, and always
sleeps with his book under his pillow at
night"
''Then if he fails to obtain the highest
rank in the school, it will not be for want Of
diligence, or even of scholarship, but from
the mere accident of his outward circum-
stances. But he will doubtless make a
greater effort to be punctual these six weeks
to come"
s'He will, if he knows Of the plan," said
Charley moodIly. 'ome, does he
"He learns his lessons AT ..~- ~h
not. SO as to keep Ut with his class, thous..
he should be absent for single day 90
Eyes, mother, but to-day we had spe-
cial explanation in arithmetic, that know
he cannot work out by himself"
sIs my boy quite conscious of the spirit
he is indulying 90 asked the mother gently.
docs he really wish to gain this prize for
himself at the expense of one who deserves
it full as much, and deserves it perhaps
even more 2"
.sThen YOU don't want me to get the star,
after all, mother" said Charley after mo-
ment's silence.
..You will not doubt your mothers inter
est in your Improvement, even If she should
be less soliejtous about this particular hon
or" Mrs. Morris replied. '.You know all
the ambition I have in the world, is center
ed in my children. l would see them ae-
tive, energetic, foremost, if possible, in the
pursuit of every honorable attainment
And vet there is "a more excellent way
which would have them follow an attain
mcnt higher even than mental wealth
without which,, though possessing al
knowledge they are nothing"
Charley's growing ambition had some
what cooled, during his mothers calm, bu
earnest conversation. He was listening at
tentively as he sat in his favorite place a
her feet, though his eyes We're downcast
and sense of shame stole over hini