Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1860-01-05
family Giirtle.
a More Excellent WAY.

otudg, HoI1S- sdlu MS HlOtuGT Y uleI-
ly. while the little boy stopped to take
breath.
I'VE shall have to, thaEs a fact" said
Charley, "but that was not what | want
ed to tall 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 thro'
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, is to have, beside his diploma. a
golden star to wear upon his breast. He
will be called the star scholar, and rank
highest in the school.
so you are aiming at this bright par
ticular star?'
yes, mother, and will have it too. you
will see DR.. FL. says it is more hon
CRADLE distinction than the Legion of
Honor. Won't you be proud mother, to
see me wearing it at the Evening Exhi
bition. The teachers will come and tell
you that your boy is the best scholar in
the school," Mrs. Morris smiled. Wont
you be glad, mother?' repeated Charley,
eagerly.
Glad I shall certainly be of the schol
arship that has won the honor. if it is
fairly earned" replied his mother
"But what are your grounds of expecta
tion?"
"Why, mother, am at the head of all
my classes but one, and in that there is
no one above me but Harry Cotton. |
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 won't have as
good chance Of keeping his place in the
class"
What is the cause of his absence 2"
He has to do errands for his mother.
She takes in sewing, and they are too
poor to have a servant, SO Henry carries
the bundles home"
Mrs. Cotton has made great efforts to
keep her boy at school. He is good
scholar. is he not?"
Yes, mother; don't know boy who
studies harder than Henry Cotton.
Not even Charley Morris?"
mo mother, but then am not obliged
to study so much because | 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 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 Tor
want of diligence, or even Of scholarship,
but from the mere accident Of his out
ward circumstances. But he will doubt
less make greater effort to be punctua
these six weeks to come"
He will, if he knows Of the plan, said
Charley modify.
He learns his lessons at home, does he
not, so as to keep up with the class,
though he should be absent for single
day"
Yes, mother, but to day we had a
special explanation Of something in Arith-
metic, that l know he cannot work out
by himself"
''Is my boy quite conscious of the spir
it he is indulging?" asked the mother
gently. Docs he really wish to gain
this prize for himself, at the expense of
one who deserves it fully as much, and
deserves it perhaps even more?"
Then you don't want me to get the
star after all, mother" said Charley af
ter few moments silence.
You will not doubt your mothers in
terest in your improvement even if she
should be less solcltous about this par
ticular honor. You know all the ambi
ton l have in the world, centres in my
children. | would have them active, en-
ergetic, foremost, if possible, in pursuit Of
every honorable attainment. And yet
there is MORE EXCELLENT WAY which
would have them follow; an attainment
higher than even mental wealth-wlth
out which, though possessing all knowl-
edge, they are nothing"
Charley's glowing ambition had some
what cooled during his mothers calm,
but earnest conversation. He was list
ening as he sat in his favorite place at
her feet, though his eyes were downcast,
and a sense of shame stole over him.
You remember the passage in which
this way is described?' asked his mother.
Charley took down the little well worn
Bible in which he always loved to read
aloud to his mother. Turning to the 18th
chapter of Corinthians, he slowly read
the first six verses.
Do you think. mother" he asked
chat this forbids seeking any honor for
ones self? 1t says seeketh not her
own"
1T is not necessary for US to settle the
bearing of this on the question of prizes
in school. But one question comes near
er to the case in hand. DO you think in
strict honesty the star would be YOUR
OWN, if.you gained it. not by superior
scholarship, but by more prosperous cir
cumstances, and Henry's hindrance thro
his mothers necessities? The only valne
of the sign is the thing signiied. To me
this badge would mean, not that my boy
was a better scholar than Henry, but
only that his father was richer than Hen
RVS mother"
"MOther | don + want the star at all -