The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-09-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
A More Excellent wev.

AoNhSi' hotuciy cAOidiucu OudTley
Morris, as he rushed into the house af.
ter school in great excitement, what
do you think we nre going to do in
school?
Study, hope," said his mother qui.
etly while the little boy stopped to take
breath.
1--WE shall have TO, that's certain" said
Charley, " but that was not what I wanted
to tell you, mother. You know there are
just six weeks before examination, and
they are going to give certificates then
only to the very best scholars, who have
sustained themselves perfectly through
the term.
"And you mean Of course, to rank
among the very best. if you can," said
Mrs. Morris.
"Of course I DO, mother but there is
one thing more. The boy who has been
at the head Of his classes for the longest
time ID to have, beside his diploma, a
golden star to wear upon his breast. He
will be called tho star scholar. and will
rank highest in the school,"
So you are aiming at this bright par.
ticuar star 7"
Yes, mother, and will have it, too, you
will see DR.. 81. says it is a more hon.
orable distinction than Legion Of Honor.
Won't you be proud, mother, to zee me
wearing it at the evening exhibition. The
teachers will come and tell you that your
boy is the best scholar in school" Mrs.
Morris smiled. Won't you be glad,
mother ?" repeated Charley, eagerly,
"Glad I shall certainly be of the schol.
arship that had won the honor if it is
fairly earned" replied the mother. "But
what are the grounds Of your expecta.
ticn 2"
"Why, mother, am at the head OF all
my classes but one. and in that there is no
one above me but Henry Cotton. I don't
suppose there would be any hope of going
beyond him il he was always there, but
he is sometimes absent at the hour we re.
cite, and so he wont have as GOOD chance
of keeping his place in the class"
What is the cause of his absence 7"
"He has to do errands for his mother.
She takes in sewing, aud they are too
poor to have any servant, so Henry carries
the bundles home"
Mrs. Cotton has made great effort to
keep her boy at school. He is a good
scholar. is he not ?"
Yes, mother don't know q boy
that studies harder than Henry Cotton.
Not even Charley Morris 2"
No mother, but then am not oblgt
to study so much because l have been to
school more regularly than he has, and
then ] have more time to myself at home.
Why Henry is up and studying before
any one ese is stirring in the morning.
and always sleeps with his boot: under his
pillow at night"
Then if be fails to obtain the highest
rank in school, it will not be for want Of
diligence or even scholarship, but from
the mere accident Of his outward crcum.
stances. But be will doubtless make a
greater effort to be punctual these six
weeks to come"
He will if he knows Of the plan,' said
Charley, mcodily.
de learns his leasons at home. does
he not, so as to keep up with the Glass,
though he should be absent for single
dayr'
Yes, mother, but to-day we had a
special explanation of something in
arithmetic, that | know be cannot work
by himself"
Is my boy quite conscious of the spirit
be is indulging p asked the mother gently,
docs he really wish I, gain this prise
for himself at the expense of one who
deserves it full as much and perhsps even
more"