Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-03-05
4fliseellanp.
A More Excellent Way.

| MOTIFS, as he rushed into the house alter
school in great excitement, "what do
you think we are going to do in school"
Study, hope, said his smother, quiet
ly, while the little boy stopped to take
breath.
We shall have to, that's a fact"
said Charley, but that was not what /
wanted to tell you, mother. You know
there are just six weeks before examina-
ton, and they are going TO give certif-
Gates, then, only to the very best scholars
who have sustained themselves perfect
ly through the term"
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 boyiwho has been
at the head of his classes for the longest
time, is to have besides his diploma, a
golden starto wearupon Ills breast He
viii be called the star scholar, and will
rank highest in the school"
$50 you are aiming at this bright par
ticular star?''
" Yes, mother, and will have it, too,
you will see ! DIR. III. says it is more
honorable distinction than the Legion of
Honor. Won't you be proud, mother,
to see me wearing it at the Evening Ex-
hibition. 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 Char
ley, eagerly.
"Glad, l shall certainly be of the
scholarship that has won the honor, if it
is fairly earned" replied his mother
But what are your grounds of expec-
tation?"
Why, mother, | am at the head of
all my classes but one, and in that there
is no one above me but Harry Colton.-
| 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 when we recite, and SO he won't
have so good chance of keeping his
place in the class"
What is the cause of his absense 2"
81 He has to do errands for his mother.
She takes in sewing, and they are too
poor to have any servant, so Henry car
ries 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
that studies harder than Henry Cotton"
Not even Charley Morris ?"
I" No, mother, but then / am not oblig-
ed to study so much because l have been
to school more regularly than he has,
and then I have more time to myself at
home. Why, Henry is up and studying
before any one else is stirring, and al
ways sleeps with his book under his pill
low at night"
"Then if he fails to obtain the highest
rank in the school, it willnot be for want
of diligence, or even scholarship, but
from the mere accident of his outward
circumstances. But he will doubtless
make greater effort to be punctual,
these six weeks to come"
'He will if he knows of the plan"
said Charley, -noodily.
/" He learns his lessons at home. does
he not, 50 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
Arithmetic, that l know he cannot 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 himself at 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 il
she should be less solicitous about this
particular honor Mrs. Morris replied
You know all the ambition / have in
the world centers in my children. j
would see them active, energetic, fore
most, if possible, in the pursuit of every
honorable attainment. And yet there i:
a more excellent way" which l would
, have them follow; an attainment higher
even than mental wealth, without which
though possessing all knowledge" they
are nothing"
Charley's glowing ambition had some
what cooled during his mothers calm
but earnest conversation. He was lis
tening attentively as he sat in his favor
c ite place at her feet, though his eye:
were downcast, and sense of sham,
} stole over him.
"You remember the passage, in which