The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-06-09

after he had heard some of the boys talking
about the matter of the prize that afternoon.
"Archer's sure 10 get it." one of them said.
"He's better writer than Raynor."
''Yes, think he is" was the reply.
an use i'll" Paul said. II won't be out
done by Will Archer"
SO he resolved deliberately to become
thief. He despised himself for it, but ambi-
ton urged him to take the step, and he lacked
the moral courage to say "No" to what
he knew was wrong.
1t was necessary to submit the essays of
the different classes to the faculty for inspec-
ton and correction.
Paul copied his and handed it in to Pro-
lessor Howard, who acted as principal in Pro-
fessor Leith's absence. 1t was given back
indUrsed excellent and me corrections
needed"
Graduation-day came at last.
William Archer came first, with a fine
Grafton, which was well received. The three
judges who were to decide on the merits of
the orations and essays of the graduating
| class were very favorably impressed with it.
Paul could readily see, and he knew that the
audience was thinking that he would have
to do better than he hsd ever yet done if he
excelled it.
He came last on the list. He felt so conf
dent of victory that he stepped forward with
an easy self-possession that became
him well, and he knew
from the moment he stepped upon
the rostrum TO the close of his effort that he
was creating a stronger and more satisfactory
| impression upon the audience than William
| Archer had done.
His essay was well committed, and he de.
livered it with graceful gestures and good
evolutionary effects.
He sat down amid great applause, and
many beautiful bouquets fell upon the stage
as tributes of his success.
But something was not as it should be. He
saw that the instant he glanced at Professor
Leith, for that gentleman looked at him in
an indignant and surprised way, and seemed
at a loss as to what to do.
He decided upon a course of action quite
readily, however, and went up to the judges,
whose decision was already made. What
he said to them no one knew, but it aston
ished them, and they looked at Paul with
surprise and displeasure in their faces, tore
up the report they mad made, and wrote
new ORe
Professor Leith stepped upon the rostrum
and read the report.
ain the opinion of the judges the best
original essay was that by William Archer.
The prize is therefore awarded to him."
''For the best Original essay"
When Paul heard the emphasis which
Professor Leith laid upon that word, he
knew that in some unaccountable way, his
imposition had been discovered. His face
flushed guilty, and then grew pale. Was he
to be exposed before the crowd2 No; Pro-
lessor Leith spared him that humiliation.
"I would like to see you for a few min
utes In my room, Immediately after the audi
ence is dismissed" he said to Paul
And thither Paul took his way, feeling
like culprit going for his sentence. If he
had dared to, he would have kept away, but
he saw that Professor Leith was indignant,
and he knew him well enough to know that
the wisest thing he could do was to face the
worst, and have the matter over with at once.
81 was never more surprised in my life!"
burst out Professor Leith the minute Paul
entered the room. Il would not have be-
lieved it of you. / thought you were too
manly to attempt to do such disgraceful
thing. L knew that you had stolen it before
you had got through dozen sentences.
Your Uncle was u classmate of mine and
read the essay to me when he wrote it. Ifit
had been handed to me for correction, the
imposition would have been detected at once
but as was away, and Professor Howard
knew nothing of the real circumstances, of
course your attempt to steal honors to which
you had no claim succeeded until the criti-
cal juncture, and then the tempter deserted
you and left you in disgrace. am grieved to
know that one l have trusted and believed in
is other than what L thought him. L shall
try to keep this painful matter from becom-
ing public for your sake 1t is bitter lesson
tC you. Let it teach you that dishonesty is
sure to be exposed, and that the tempter of
human souls may tell plausible story and
lead you into wrong-doings, but there he
always leaves you, covered with shame. For
the sake of the manhood which you should
prize above all else, be strong to resist when
tempted in future. Success is dearly won
when won by the loss of self-respect and it is
never really success after all. That which
is gained by dishonesty is never lasting. 1t
turns to bitterness, and taunts us with the
truth of our own weakness. Keep this lesson
in mind, and turn over a new leaf to-day,
now, and when tempted to do wrong say
| MOI"
And then Paul Raynor, with a flush of
shame upon his face, bowed himself out of
the room, and went home with feeling at
heart that he would never outgrow the dis
grace which he had brought upon himself,
and he knew that he deserved it all