The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-12-29
A Spelling Frolic in Cleveland.

pertinent, and the affair was so exceedingly
enjoyable and satisfactory that it was de-
termined to have another. Notwithstanding
the extreme inclemency Of the weather,
there was large attendance, embracing all
classes, old and young. The school" was
conducted upon the same principle-barring
the sleigh-riding and "sparking''-as in
"the country" where, as is well known,
the spelling school is one of the most cher
ished winter institutions.
Shortly before o'clock the "choosing
sides" began, a young lady and gentleman
having volunteered to organize and lead the
opposing forces through the many worded
combat. All were urged to participate, but
"with one consent began to make excuse"
and were as prolific in excuses as those told
of in the Bible who were invited to the mar
riage supper. A Herald reporter who had
just dropped into "see the fun" was press
ed into the service, the managers declaring
that no excuse would be accepted from him.
A Ledger chap who was present was SINH
larry beset, but he firmly declared be
wouldn't, and that was "the end ont"
and they were compelled to raise the siege
and " let him Of" He consented, however,
to act as "referee'
At length, when the audience had been
pumped dry''-as the boss declared-it
was found that forty-six, twenty-three on
each side, were in line, eager for the fray.
Among them were leading minister-who
enjoys the reputation of being one of the
"crack" spoilers of the neighborhood-a
county official, bank cashier, half dozen
school teachers, and many well-known resi-
| dents of both sexes A considerable num-
ber were pupils Of public schools, and some
of these showed that they we're "no
slouches" at spelling either.
On account of the mutations of school
text books--the spelling books in use when
those who are now men and women went
10 school in pinafores and pantalets having
long since gone out of date--and the differ
ences of authority in photography, it was
agreed that, although words might not be
spelled as in the book from which they were
pronounced, if they were spelled as author
lied in the dictionary, it should not count
as "miss." Here was where the referee
got in his work. He was furnished with
copy of Webster's Unabridged, and to him
and his big book all questions of this ma
ture we're referred for settlement
All the preliminaries being arranged,
"time" was called, and Mr.. II. NJ. James,
one of the city supervising principals, began
to give out words from "Dewolrs Speller'
the book used in our public schools. He
went couple of times along the lines with
the ''easy" words of two syllables, as he
said to give the spoilers chance to recover
from their embarrassment and "get their
hands in" During the first fifteen minutes
but two or three words were missed. Then
MIR. James got down to business, and scan
ming page after page with his practical eye,
he selected the more difficult words, and
the slaughter became general.
Whenever the fatal word "Next!' was
pronounced the person who had missed
quietly slid out and took seat among the
spectators. Now and then word would
sweep down half dozen in row, leav-
ing great gaps in the ranks. The survivors
closed up the gaps, the second fifteen
minutes witnessing the downfall of at least
half of the combatants Those remaining
had generally pretty we'll explored the
mysteries of English orthography, and
during the third quarter the casualties be-
|
monies turned over leaf after leaf, keeping
an eye for "hard words" and one by one
the spoilers went down. The cashier stood
fire nobly, but in an unguarded moment the
word "vinegar" soured on him and he went
| under.
At length but ten remained, the "sdes"
being just equal--five on each, and both
the leaders still bravely holding their posi-
tions. Then the county official struck a
snag and surrendered; two lads who had
fought valiantly we're swept away, and Mr..
James betook himself in earnest to the
work of searching out puzzlers In fifty
minutes from the opening of the engage
ment but five remained-the lady "cap-
tain with the clergy as her support, and
the gentleman, fanked by the press repre-
sentative, and young lady who had thus
far withstood every assault.
The feminine leader was the next victim,
reducing the quintet to a quartet, on Que
side the minister being cleft blooming
alone" Warming up to his work, Mr..
James became almost frantic in his zeal to
hunt up hard words, but for several min
utea the four were invulnerable. Al this