The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-04-15
A Spelling Match.


Last evening a spelling match came Oil at
the First Baptist church vestry. OF course the
vestry was well filled, many being anxious 10
spell, and many more anxious to see 'neN.
neighbors fail. The small admittance fee Oh
ten cents was charged, and the Society reai'Neo
$780,
Perc;val Bonney, Esq, was the word-giver,
and Henry c. Peabody, Esq, the umpire. MI.
Peabody was flanked on the right by webster
dictionary, and on the left by worcester S,
while Swinton's word book graced the table be-
fore him. The first class called was maze up
of children. Some very good spelling was
done. and there was lively competition for
the nrize. one dollar greenback. 1t was won
bv George Dame, a modest little fellow, who
looked very happy over his victory
The fun began in earnest when the second
class. made upof adults, Was called About
forty persons, mostly women, though there Twas
fair sprinkling of men, stood up prepared to
meet the snares and pitfalls of English ortho-
eraphy. Mr.. Bonney, wearing his most
magisterial aspect, pronounced the conun-
drums in SNinton's word-book, while the UNI
pire. one hand on either dictionary, settled
himself down to the adjudication of disputed
points. For a time matters went on swim
mingly, and words fell trippingly from the
tongues of the contestants, Mr.. Bonney taking
good care to start the class at an easy gait. But
the photographed fend was on the watch for
promising victim, and soon saw his oppor-
tunity: The first who fell out of the ranks was
Miss Alice Fairfield of the High School, who
spelled "Georgiana'' with two ms. An appeal
was taken from the decision, but reference to
the dictionaries sustained it. In justice to Miss
Fairfield it should be said that her error is
common one, and that half the audience proba-
bly, would have done likewise.
For time there was no further break in the
ranks; but presently Miss Norton, another
school teacher, spelled "Gipsy" with an g, and
stepped out. The next victim was Deacon j.
H. Coffin, who saw no necessity for two g's in
''buggy.'' Two missed on jogging, and one
bright young girl persisted in making "mortlce"
mortisS. Following her to the rear was a young
man who spelled wrinkle after the original
fashion rincle. Other failures were anGchy,
epiphany, ecstacy, vermacel4, natstiy, and sats'
rise "Macaroni' brought down another
school teacher, who doubled the C. bright
young lady took her seat on vidette, spelling,
however, which is authorized by Webster. M.
L. Stevens, Esq, fell on itdlicise.
At this point the word-book gave out, and re-
course was had to a written list In coping with
this the contestants fell thick and fast, until
only two were left standing, lady cempositor
in the PRESS office, who held her own grandly,
aud Mrs. d. 3. Kicker The compositor lost
on the word teetotaler, doubling the ], and the
prize, handsome bouquet, was awarded 10
Mrs Kicker The match was much enjoyed by
both spectators and contestants.
The umpire desires to state in justice to Miss
Fairfield that usage is varied in regard to
the spelling of the word "Georgiana," though
the dictionaries allow but one English spelling.