The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-06-15

Euxbury standard, though an artist might
have found something to admire in the
lines of her head and throat, in the exquis-
itely fine, pale skin and deep-set, gray
eyes. Neither was she favOrite. Her
reserve and shyness were taken for pride,
the depression of knowing herself mis-
judged made her awkward, and her ordi-
nary manner was cold and silent. She
seldom made so long speech as on this
occasion. And the girls opened their eyes
SD they listened. Ray was amazed also. |
He was not a stupid boy, and it dawned
upon him that it was an impulse of geoer-
Gus justice in his behalf which had un-
locked the lips of this usually tongue-tied |
Mary, and her face for the first time
struck HIM as pretty.
The other girls chartered on, but Mary
had said her say, and stood silently look
ing at the plaster group: Ray saw that
she admired it intensely, and a half wish
crossed his mind that she might win it
only half one, for to the successful sue
cess becomes indispensable, and the de-
sire to be first was very strong upon the
ambitious young fellow. Presently an
avalanche Of camp-chairs, followed by
procession Of squeaking boots, announced
the arrival of the COMMITTEE of Refer
ence" The boys and girls ranged them
selves in parallel rows. MIR. Ashe, Prin-
cipal of the academy, appeared with a
formidable manuscript roll in his hand.
The curtain rose; the audience clapped.
"Now, my young friends, beg that you
will speak as distinctly as possible" said
MIR. Ashe. With that he consulted his
roll, and gave out the first word, "hippO-
potamus," and the strife commenced.
| 'Twere vain to tell what steeds gave DER
As swept the fight
over the photographed plain; how an
elderly youth of some sixty summers,
with a preconceived theory as to the word
Indian" which he rendered thus: "1-n-
| j-u-n," was the first victim, and tiny
girl of six the second; how aneurism"
slew its thousands, "phlebotomy" Its
tens of thousands; how May Martin fell
a victim to "caries," and Augustus Brown
was borne off protesting that "appella-
ton" had but one in it. Traps and pit
falls abounded. Slowly the ranks thinned /;
the vanquished, finding what comfort Gsq@
could in numbers, lined the wings, ap-
plaudlng and jeering their late comrades.
At last Mary Alger was left the only girl,
opposed to three boys of whom Ray was
one. Five minutes, tent seemed as
though neither of the four would ever
miss The excitement became intense.
"Ill-e-g-g-i-b-l-e," spelled MIR. John
Beach.
Wrong" said Mr.. Ashe; and John,
Each of the three competitors now left was
|, sure of prize. The question was, which
prize?
MIR. Ashe had exhausted his roll and
produced from his pocket deadly little
volume, full of what q sportsman would
call "croppers." Aha! Owen Bryerly
o tripped up. The word " "benzoin" proved
. too much for him. Only Ray and Mary
+ were left. The audience held its breath
v as first one and then the other triumphant
). ly surmounted words which sounded fatal
9 ly difficult to less instructed ears.
n 1t is at such crises as these that manly
h nerves win the day Out of the corner o1
It his eve Ray saw the flush rise and deeper
!. on Mar IS cheeks and her fingers clasI
d and pinch each other. She was getting
d flustereG; in another moment she wOulo
l. blunder. Suddenly generous impulse
e took possession of him. She cared st
IT very much for this plaster thing! Why
h not for once give in and be content t.
come out second? It all passed through
}. his mind in flash and his resolution wa
IS taken.
Is "Pentateuch," gave out MIR. Ashe.
n To the unbounded astonishment of tn
IS audience Ray Pelham rose and spelled tn
F." word thus: "P-e-n-ta-y-t-u-k-e."
D. There was roar of laughter, in whicl
h every one Joined except the bewildere'
D. Mary. Her wonderment lasted but mo
IS ment, chased by triumph and pleasure
N Mr.. Ashe placed the "Union Refugees
IS in her arms; the boys and girls crowded
le round her.
"Im real glad, Mary" said Ray
e. heartily
d. care you, Ray? That's good OF you,
she said. Her cheeks were flushed wit
j. excitement, her eyes sparkled becoming
ly. Several old ladies went home dt
ID claring that "really, now, Mary Allge
was most handsome girl. She locke
70 as pretty as pink with them figgers
her arms. 1t was a pity she was SO du
" and stuck-up, for she wasn't SO bad-lool
N ing, after all" Ray was OF their oplnlol
ne only he didn't agree with them as to th
le stuck-up."
Id That evening of the spelling mate
dated change in Mary's life. She di
=! not know how it was, but people SCENE
kinder and life easier and the worl
ay pleasanter from that time on. Were Il
ed boys and girls really more friendly! ID
the sun shine more than it used u
if Were lessons easier, and was her own 81
stiffness more manageable? Or was
is that Ray, with his frank face and goo
he natured ways, seemed to turn up at h
Ut side everywhere, doing things for her, e
es planning, cheering, bringing her, as
in were, en- rapport with herse1tan M win n,S S'n
ch have explained; but sonething must ma
in been at the bottom of this altered wor
,iS / .u;4l, ;ts x,laasanf chain of senuenceS: Al