Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-07-01
MORNING LEADER.
AMORE EXCELLENT WAY.

gong 70 DO m school ~
"Study, l hope" said his mother, quietly,
while the little fellow stopped to take breath
"We shall have TO, that's fact" said Char
ley, "but that was not what l wanted to tell
you, mother. You know that there are lust
six weeks before examination, and they are 90
ing 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.
"0f course do mother, but there is one
thing more The boy who has been at tho
head of his classes for the longest time is to
have, besides his diploma, golden star to wear
upon his breast He viii be called the star
scholar and will rank highest in the school"
$50 you are aiming at this bright particular
star"
ayes, mother, and will have It too, YOU will
see DR.. II. says it is more honorable dis
tinction than the Legion OF Honor. Won't you
he 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. "WOn't you be glad, mo-
therl J" repeated Charley, eagerly.
"Glad shall certainly be of the scholar that
has won the honor, if it is fairly earned" re.
piled the mother. "But what are your grounds
Of expectation ?"
"Why, mother, am st the head Of all NV
classes but one, and II that there is no one
above me but Henry Cotton. / don't suppose
there would be any hope of going beyond him
If be was always there, but he is sometimes
absent at the hour we recite and so he won't
have as good a chsnce of keeping his place in
| the class"
"What is the cause of his absencel"
"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 efforts to keen
her boy at school. He is good scholar is he
not2"
Eyes, mother; don't know a boy that stud
les harder than Henry Cotton"
"Not even Charley Morris"
"No mother, but then l am not 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 dill
gence, or even ofscholarship, but from the mere
accident of his outward circumstances. But ne
will doubtless make greater effort to be pune.
tual these six weeks to cOme.n
"He will, if he knows Of the plan, " said Char
ley moodily.
He learns his lesson at home, does he not.
80 as to keep up with his class, though he should
oe absent for a single day!'
eyes, mother, but to day we had a special ex
PLANTATION ofsomething in arithmetic that know
he cannot work out by himself"
''Is my boy quite conscious of the spirit he is
indulging!" asked the mother, gently 'Does
he really wish to gain this prize for himself at
the expense of one who deserves it lul as much,
and deserves it perhaps even morel''
"Ihen you don't want me to get the star after
all, mother, said Charley, after few moments
silence,
"You will not doubt your mothers interest
in your improvement, even if she should be
! less sOlicitous about this particular honor"
Mrs Morris replied. 'tYou know all the am
bilon l have in the world, is centured in nv
children l would see them active energetic,
| foremost, if possible, in the pursuit of every
honorable attainment And yet there is "a
more excellent way which 1 would have
them follow; an attainment higher even than
mental wealth,-without which, though nos
sessiug 'all knowledge they are moth
ing"
Charley's growing ambition had somewhat
cooled, during his mothers calm, but earnest
conversation. He was listening attentively as
he sat in his favOrite place at her feet, though
his eyes were dOwnaast. and q sense of shame
stole over him.
"You remember the passage in which this
| way is described" asked his mother.
Charley took down the little we'll worn Bible
nLwhich he always loved to read aloud to
his mother Turning to the 18th of Corintbi-
ans, he slowly read the first six verses.
"Do you think, mother" he asked. 'sthat
this forhids seeking any other say for ones self
| 1t says 'seeketh not her own"
at is not necessary for us to settle the bear.
ing OF this on tho question of prizes in school
| But one question cCmes nearer to the case in
hand. Do you think that in strict honesty the
star would be your own, if you gained it, not
by superior scholarship, but by your own pros
porous circumstances, and Henrys hindranee
through his mothers nscessitiesl The only
value of the sign is the thing signifed To
me this badge would mean, not that nv boy
was better scholar than Henry, but only
that his father was richer than Henrys moth
er"
| "Mother, l don't want the star at ALL" said
Charley with resolute effort, THAT is, if Henry
can get it. am going around now, ifyou are
willing, to show him about the arithmetic, and
to ask his mother to arrange if possible, so that
he can attend school constantly, the next six
weeks"
/ IA
ment was easily gained especially when Charley
had begged permission to assist in doing the err
rands 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 end otthe class Just the same enath of
time that Charley had been before him, when
three weeks before examination, he was taken
sick. 1t wOu Id be difficult to say which OF the
two class mates was most disappointed at this
arrangement { their plans. Charley watched
the progress Of the fever almost as anxiously as
Mrs. Cotton, and daily beset the Doctor to lear1
the prospect Of a speedy recovery.
The third week had arrived before Henry was
able to be dressed, and breathe the outer air for
a few minutes of the day Examin ltion dav
came, and by Charley's earnest entreaties IT,
invalid was permitted to be present on the inn.
portant occasion. He sat next his friend and
leaned. upon him when too weary with the effort
and excitement After many less interesting
exercises, the President arose, and with soms
words Of explanation proceeded to confer. as
he said, the highest mark Of honor ever received
in the institution. The star was awarded $50
Charles Morris, for punctuality of attendance
propriety Of department, and success in scholar
| ship"
There was moment Of almost breathless al
tentlon through the crowded audience, as Char.
ley walked to the foot of the platform. and was
seen 20 address few words to the President
Those who were present could hear him say.
The star. cir, docs not rightfullV belong to
me. Henry Cotton has worked harder Than 7
to obtain il, He is better scholar. and but for
SICKNESS, would have been at the head of all his
classes"
After moments consultation with the gem