The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-05-29

you succeed.
$50 shall !, mother, said Harry, frankly,
laughing as he spoke,
Your chance ought to be good, Har.
ry, said his mother.
at is good. The boys seem to think il
will be between Julian Holmes aud my
self.
"Then Julian is a good writer p in.
quired Mrs. Carter, anxiously.
Excellent think, mother, honestly,
that he stands rather better chance
than |.
"That is because you are modest, Harry. =
said Mrs. Carter, who, like most mothers,
was little inclined to oyer.estimate her
boy.
no, mother, | am not particularly mod
est, but in calculating the chances, can I
help feeling that Julian stands fully as
good chance us !, and perhaps better"
Harry needed no other incentive to ex.
crtion, but one was added. A day or two
later, he carried the quarters rent to Mr..
Delano, dealer in books aud stationery,
who owned the small cottage tenauted BY
Mrs. Carter. He, too, had sou enrolled
among the students at the academy.
well, Harry" said Mr.. Delano, pleas.
antly, care You going to win the prize DR..
Folio has ofTered2"
i am going to try, sir"
My son tells me that you are one Of
the leading competitors"
81 think that | have fair chance, sir, -
said Harry, modestly
"Whom do you fear most 2"
"Julian Holmes"
$50 he's your chief rival? hope il
don't disturb your friendship"
Not at all, sir. Julian is a splendid
fellow; and, if | can't win, l hope he will. ''
THAT is the right spirit, my boy.
am glad you are free from envy and jeal-
ousy. | know Julian, and agree with you
that he is an excellent boy. Yet I hope
you may win, because you need it more.
Julian viii do bis best. His father
has promised TO buy him handsome row
boat if be succeeds
And what extra inducement have you?''
Nothing, sir, beyond the ten dollars.
That sum win be very useful to mother.
She will be very much pleased with my
success, but she cant afford to offer me
anything
"Of course not, Harry; but can"
Harry looked at the bookseller with
surprise. What could be mean?
81 feel very friendly to you aud your
mother" the bookseller went ou. "Your
father was sehoolmate Of mine. Now
for my proposal. If you win this prize,
will take you into my store at salary Of
hive dollars week-that is, if you care to
come
Harrys eyes sparkled with pleasure
lie felt as If fortune were promised him.
ooh, thank you, Mr.. DeIano r he said.
There is nothing | should like better. Il
would make us very comfortable"
Then do your best to earn the place,
my boy
"iou may be sure shall do my best,
sir but will ask one favor"
"What is that, Harry?"
Don't let my mother hear of your kind
Offer
"Why not2' asked the bookseller. look.
ing puzzled.
Because, sir, she will be so much more
disappointed If | fail If | succeed, |
should like to have the pleasure Of telling
her myself"
your are very considerate, Harry. 1t
shall be as you say
SO it CHANGED that both Julian and
Harry had every inducemeut to work hard
for the prize.
Both began early, and, three days be-
fore the time when the essays were to be
handed in, each had completed his task.
They were walking homo from school
together, when Julian said
81 have a proposal to make to you
Harry"
"What is it2"
"lt seems to be thought that the prize
is likely to come to one of us"
ayes"
ii would like to read yours. Suppose
you come up to my house this evening.
| have room where We shall not be dis.
tnrbed. We will read our essays aloud
and compare sides. OF course we viii
leave them unchanged, aud send them in
as they arc.
Harry accepted the invitation with
alaerity. He was anxious to learn how
good an essay his competitor had written.
At eight o'clock he rpng the bell, and
was admitted by Julian himself, who
ushered him into his pleasant little study.
The two boys sat down, and Harry pro-
duced his ossay.
"Read yours first, Harry" said Julian.
Harry did so. The essay was well-con-
eeiyed and well expressed, aud did the
young writer credit
Yet Julian could not help secretly
thinking that his own was little superior.
Your essay is excellent he said, and
said ii honestly.
"Now for yours, Julian, said Harry.
Julian read his essay. As he proceed.
cd, Harrys face began to lengthcn. He
was not blinded by partiality for his own
composition, and he could not help recog-
mixing the superiority Of his friends.
As Julian concluded, Harry said, sadly:
"You will get the prize, Julian
..'Don't be too sure Of that Harry" said
] uliap, his face flushed neyert, eless with
pleasure at this confirmation Of his own
Judgment. "YOos IS very good one.
.But not so good as yours.
Julian could not help noticing the sad.
ness Of Harry's tone, and his generous
heart was touched,
aHarry," he said, rwill you promise not |
10 he offended at what have 10 propOseP" |
"fou would propose nothing at which | |
oould take ofensc, Julian"
"Then IL | win the prize, will you let
me put tho money in your hands, aud |
content myself with the honor "
"four offer Is generous one, bat | |
'ugbt not TO accept II.
There is no good reason why You
shouldn't Harry, The fact Is, | doat |
'arO for the mppey. | should like the
honor, aud the row 'hoat which nv father |
will buy me, II | win .
"Nor, do | care 10 much for ton dollars.
Iulian A pond deal ,,.or. a...a. -