The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-01

fore my eyes. l knew he would believe
me, because he had said once | was
truthful and then there was that Bible.
with its splendid clasps shining like
gold.
Besides, it hadn't been my fault that
my lesson WASH learned, and Luena had
studied hers in prayer-time. l don't
know how 1 thought of so much in so
short time, but seemed to see in a
fash all the reasons why it wasn't fair
that | should lose the prize.
But Just as soon as | thought of pray
er-time, remembered the place where
had joined in it, and the e" evil seemed
now to be lie and not losing the prize
| couldn't make it that any more. 1t
was as if had said, deliver us from
lying" and l thought of mother, and
what she would say and how the teacher
would look if he found me out
AS soon as he turned toward us again,
if you'll believe me, he gave out another
word, as if nothing had happened.
l spoke up loud now.
mo, sir 1 didn't put in but one
n. >"
He looked puzzled first, and then
said, Didn't you p and looked sorry.
If he hadn't looked that way, l
shouldn't have done it; but when Luena
went above me, biting her lips to keep
from laughing in my face, l couldn't
speak to spell the next word he gave me-
He seemed to want the visitor to hear me
spell hard word, because 1 had ust
failed.
If I had spoken, should have burst
out crying and I hate to see a big girl
like me do that so 1 went down again.
told my mother about it at noon, and
said Id lost the prize and another place
besides, all for asking to be delivered
from evil for by that time all my wish
ing had come back. But she kissed me,
and said it was better so ; l would never
have enjoyed the most beautiful prize if
it couldn't be honestly mine, and that
she would give me a pretty Bible be
causefI had told the truth.
But thought she could never afford
to get me one like that had lost; and
should have been cross, but that she
seemed so worried about the baby.
When examination day came, the teach
er told us to take our places in the spell
ing class in alphabetical order That is
if girls name began with A, she would
stand first.
Mine did, you see, so I was at the
head of the class again; but there was no
comfort in that now
When the class were all in their
places, he made little speech to the
visitors, for the room was full by that
time, explaining about the prize.
Then he said Luena Shaw had been
perfect one more day than I had, and
called her up to take the prize.
She was dressed beautifully; but |
had to wear my old plaid that had
faded in the wash, because baby was too
sick for mother to finish my new gown.
| felt as if everything was against me that
day.
Luena made the prettiest bow, and
said, Thank You, sir ! and came back
up the aisle, looking so pleased. But she
was good when she came to me, for she
looked another way and was sober.
When she was seated, the teacher
cleared his throat and said-well cant
tel it just as it was, for was so surprised;
but he spoke of my having been perfect
in spelling so many times, and that he
would have thought had spelled the
word right only 1 said l hadn't.
He ended by saying he wanted me to
have a present, and, calling me up,
handed me Bible exactly like the 9TH
er
I didn't make pretty how like Luena
[ just bent my head for fear he would
see the tears l saw them in his eyes
when tried to whisper, Thank you"
| didn't look nicely, nor carry il off
nicely either, and told mother so. But
she didn't care She just Rugged me,
and we were so happy over it,
On the fly leaf Of the Bible was writ
ten
RUTH ANISLIE,
From her teacher.
They that deal truly are His delight"