Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-04-09
THE SPELLING MATCH.

Tie Washington "Capitol'' reports the
following rich spelling-match in that city
Gen. Babcock, chief manager, read some
| simple rules: That it should be controlled
holder and pedagogue, and should exercise
all the privileges except drawing salary,
back pay, and inficting corporal punish
ment by appointing investigating commit
tees; the contest to be carried on by two
leaders (both loyaD to be selected without
recourse to the ballot-box or contingent
fund; to be two contests, if the director
holds out: 1st, those in the ''ring:" I'd.
open to all, and when any one fails to spell a
word he must take his seat without profan-
hity-some allowance for temperament, as
sociations, &c. THAT any one being set down
can have another trial by paying 10 cents
| to the treasurer, provided the latter does
| not go out ito see a man after collecting;
that the spelling of the Republican side OF
| the House of Representatives to be al
| lowed, Webster and Worcester to the con-
trary, who were not positively known to
favor third term.
! B. F. Butler was chosen Director, and
took his chair with an ease that showed
| how accustomed he is to taking things.
! U. S. Grant and Andy johnson were
chosen leaders (they didn't shake hands,,
and selected sides as follows:
By U. S. Grant Geo. Williams, Colum-
bus Delano, O. P. Morton, Dom Piatt,
General Baker, Alexander Shepherd By
Andrew Johnson-Samuel Cox, John A..
Logan, Roscoe Conkling, Mrs. Cobb, Will
| liam King, John Schumacher.
| Professor Butler gave out ''spoils, -
which the whole class promptly and cor
rectly spelled, showing that practice not
only makes perfect, but that they were
equal to any emergency.
The first word was administration, :"
given to Mr.. U. S. Grant, who, in a de-
cided manner, spelt it "m-y-s-e-l-f."
Mr.. JohnsoE thought this was poaching
on his grounds and challenged the spell
ing. The professor, after glaring at his
dictionary, said it was not according to
Hoyle, but custom sanctioned great deal,
and. common consent hadallowed the
word spelled in that mauner.
Mr.. 0. P. Morton was given the word
'sJewelry, which he spelled in clear tones
''P-i-n-c-l-b-a-c-k, wlichSwas loudly
cheered by the audience.
George B. Williams was given "pro-
perty,' and in solemn manner spelled it
correctly, according to his ideas.) 81 an
d-a-u-le-t." The professor quietly winked
at him and let it pass.
Mr.. G. Delano was put to confusion by
the word s'retrenchment," but finally
spelled it ''T-i-e-e meter" There was
some discussion CD the opposite side, but
as none Of them knew much about re-
trenchment or its meaning they let it go.
The next word, ''architect,' - fell to the
lot of Dom Piatt. 1t was hard word
and great excitement was manifested.
Grant looked anxiously at the man who
was the pride of his heart and joy of his
soul. and sent UP fervent prayer that he
might not have to succumb. but the astute
Dom was not troubled, but spelt it in
stantly, 'D-a-w-e-s." A lively discussion
sprung up, the professor tore flantically
over the leaves Of lii. book, but it was
finally agreed that it WI aAggect, that no
architectural structure W Y complete
without Dawes, particu1s he had
charge Of the appropriation.
The next word, ''impeachn16n5 was in
stantly spelled 's-e-n-a-t-o-r," by Mr..
Johnston, who muttered under his breath
something about revenge being sweet,
looking fixedly at the professor, who be-
came vely pensive, and was seen to kick vi
olently at small dog under the table, and
in a subdued tone gave the next word,
''gavel," which after flooring two or three
was spelt by Samuel Cox in this way {:
&C h-a-i-r-m-a-n." 'Intellect" was strug-
gled with by the most of them, but Roscoe
Conkling spelt it at st-"m-e,' and rath-
er than argue with him they let him pass.
Schumacher was utterly crushed by the
word memory" After several attempts
he sat down. He tried to find ten cents so
he could have another trial, but he discov-
cred he had ION his other pants" No one
offered to lend it, as there was fear he
might forget to return it. The word 'com-
missioner was dashed at by General Ba-
ker, who appropriately rendered it ''s-w-i-
n-d-l-e-r." Retreat" was after two trials
spelled ."C-a-n-a-d-a" by William King,
who was told tr sit down.
Mrs. Cobb and John Logan were bracing
themselves to enter on the war-path when
a disturbance was caused by some of our
civil rights brethren, who wanted to tave
a show, and began to make invidous re-
marks about the spelling, whereupon john
son remembered he had soma speeches he
intends making next session to finish,
| Grant that one Or two relatives were visit
ing him with an eye to any little vacancy
| lying round loose. In fact every body
remembered something which must be
attended to, Except Schumacher, he e.
membered nothing,) and the ''spell" was
| broken.
| By a mistake Grant got Johnston's hat
and the latter got Grants overshoes which
caused little excitement, but mutual
friends restored each article to it's rightful
owner, and all departed, leaving the pro-
fessor to turn himself and the gas out,
which he did, sadly thinking what a bad
ssspell'' he had made of his life during the
last year, wondering if he could not come
in again through that other district. I
think he will.
OF all sad words of tongue or pen,
| The saddest are these, 1--WE might have Ben.
|
l. AN EFFECTIVE REBUKE.-Two orthree
days ago this incident occurred on train
on the Charlotte Columbia and Aunnsts