Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-03-06
Il More ErceUcnt U0D.


after school, in great excitemeat, what
90 you think we are going to do in
school?o
study, I hope" said his mother,
quietly, while the little boy stopped to
take breath.
awe shall have to, that's fact, >"
said Charley, I" but that was not what |
wanted to tell you, mother. You know
there are just six weeks before examin-
alton, and they are going to give GER
titicates, then, only to the very best
scholars, who have sustained themselves
perfectly through the tcrm.n
And you mean, of course, TO rank
among the very best, if you can" said
Mrs. Morris.
"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, a
golden star to wear upon his breast. He
will be called the star scholar, and will
rank highest in the school"
+" So you are aiming at this bright ar
ticular sar"'
ayes, mother, and will have it, too,
you will see! DR.. II. says it is Il more
honorable distinction than the Legion
of Honor. Went you be proud, mother,
to see me wearing it at the Evening
Exhibition? The teachers will come
and tell you that YOUR boy IL the best
scholar in school,"
Mrs. Morris smiled.
"Won't you be glad, mother ~ re-
peated Charley, eagerly.
"Glad certainly shall 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, l am at tbs head of
my classes all but one, and in that there
is no one above me but Harry Cotton.
don't suppose there would be any hope
of getting above him if he was always
there but he is sometimes absent at the
hour when we recite, and so he won't
have so good chance of Keeping his
place."
"What is the cause of his being alb
sent?n
"He has to do errands for his mother.
She takes in sewing, and they are too
poor to have servant, so Henry carries
the bundles home.'
Mrs. Cotton has made great efforts to
keep her boy at school. lie is g good
scholar Is he not 81
eyes, mother, / don't know a boy
that studies any harder than Henry Col
TONI
"Not even Charley Morris? ~
mo, mother, but then | am not oblg-
ed to study so much, because have been
to school more regularly than he has,
and l have more time to myself at home.
Why, Henry is up and studying before
any one else is stirring, 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 scholarship, but
from the mere accident of his outward
circumstances. But he will doubtless
make Il greater effort to be punctual
theso SIX weeks to Gomez
"He will if he knows of the PLAN" re-
piled Charley, mOodily,
"He learns his lessons at h ONE does he
not, so as to l'cep up with the class,
though he should be absent for a siugle
day"
YES, mother, but to-day we had Il
special explanation of something in ar
ithmctic, that know he can't work out
by himself.
" Is my little boy quite conscious Of
the spirit he is indulging?" asked the
mother, gently. Does he really wish
to gain prize for himsolfat the expense
of one who desires 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,
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,n Mrs. Morris replied.
" You know all the ambition | have in
the world centcrs in my childrcl. |
would see them active, energetic, fore
most, if possible, in the pursuit Of every
honorable attainment. And yet there
is Il more excellent way" which l
would have them follow an attainment
highereven than mental wealth with
knOwledge,' they are nothing"
Charleys glowing ambition had
somewhat cooled during his mothers
calm, but earnest CONVERSE ton. He
was listening attentively 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
he mother.
Charley took down the little we'll
worn Bible in which Ee always loved
10 read aloud to his mother. Turning
to the 18th chapter of LIST Corinthians,
he slowly read the first six verses.
"Do you think, mother" he asked,
"that this forbds seeking any honor for
ones self? 1t says "seeketh not her
own"
at is not nee assary for Us to settle the
bearing of this on the prizes in School.
But one question comes 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 most prosper
Gus circumstances and Hcnry's hind
RANGES through his mothers necessities:
The only value of the Sign is in the
thing signified. TO me this badge would