Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-08-16
How Ruth AinslIe Lost and Won.

HOW hutn AlnSlie LOSt anu NOns
You see, the one that stayed at the head Of
the speling-class the most days in the term
was to have prize, really the most elegant
Bible you ever saw, or at any rate never
saw one so handsome, but you have lived in
the city and haven't. Well, Luena Shaw
and were Just even, and that very day was
to decide it, because next day was exam
ination.
The baby-our baby, mean-was sick,
and told mother that morning that Luena
Shaw's baby was always well, and that was
how she got ahead Of me in arithmetic
but she said it was because Luena's mother
was stronger than she, and so didn't need
her little girls help. That made me sorry
had been cross, and | stayed till the last
minute, carrying him round and round the
room, singing to him. am glad enough |
did, for he didn't live long after that, and
know he was pleased to be carried, because
he kept just as quiet as could be; but when
the school-bell rang of course | had to go.
The spelling-class came just after the prayer,
and | saw Luena's book open under her
desk when she bent her head. didn't like
to do that; seems to me I'd never pretend
that way but if | didn't study, felt like
crying, was 80 anxious. And | guess
didn't pray any more than Luena, till it
came to-
"Deliver us from evil"
l thought missing a word would he a
dreadful evil, and know did pray them
When the class was called | stood at the
head, and Luena next. All the time | had
to look at my lesson was Just little time
till mother came and kissed me goodnight
and took the light away the evening before.
| was so sleepy then | could hardly see the
words. But was sure on tne nrs1 part ,
and made up my mind py tne NUMBER Oh
words we usually mad we were almost
through the iessoh' wheh tne teacner gave
out
Tyranny
| couloht remember Ia ever seen .ne
word, and L couidnt imagine now IL was
spelled; but as IL went Gown the CLASS,
everybody missing 1t, listened 70 the pest
spehers ana leit SURE IL was 81 ~, 'ne i,oS
syllable and an Tor the next ii tnefe mao
been one BOY Deiow iom reters-he Always
foot, and don't seem 10 mlnu u shoulu
have known whetner the iast syliaoie was
was ny or y AS IL was, IL came 10 hie VIII :
out my oeing sure. l was 30 iIign.eneu !
spelled well enough I'LL IL came 10 tnat iast
syllable. Then L hesltated a little, nhg
enough, suppose, Tor the teacher 70 think
I'd put in the two MS, but truly didn put
in but one. Just then somebody Knocked
at the door, ana, as ne starteo 70 answer ~,
he gave out another word' but Lueha
called out o,,
Aren't there Two ms IN tyranny
fes, and hutn put IN t"o' uiuh YOU
Ruth = he asked
And then he opened the door, Tor tne rap
was repeated, and l mad 10 wait wniie ne
showed In visito1' Inc scnooiuesks
seemed to swim before my eyes knew ne
would believe me, because ne said once
was truthful and tnen there was tnat
Bible, win us spienalu clasps snilnhg IKE
gold. besiues, !. haul 1een NY iaui' Ina s
my lesson wasn't learned, and Luena had
studied hers in prayer-time. don't Know
how thought OF SO much In SO short a
time, but seemed to see IN hash an the
reasons why it wasn't talr that should lose
the prize.
| But Just as soon as thought OF prayer,
time, remembered the place where had
joined in 1t, and the evil seemed now 10 De
a lie, and not losing the prize. conldn !
make 1T that any more. 1t was as II 1 had
said, Deliver us from lying and thought
OF mother, and what she would say ana
how the teacher would look IL ne iound me
out. AS soon as ne turned towarus US
again, II you'll beieve me, ne gave gu.
another WORD as II nothihg hao happeheu'
spoke up loud now
mo, sir 1 didn put IN put one ~
lie looked puzzled al hrst, ana theh SAID,
"Dldn't you Z" and looked very sorry .
If he hadn't looked that way, snouidn I
have done 1t but when Luena went ABOVE
me, biting her lips to keep from laughing
in my face, couldn't speak TO speil the
next word he gave me. lie seemed TO want
the visitor to hear me spell hard WORD De
cause had Just faiied. III nad spoken
should burst out crying ana nate 70 see
big girl like me do that, so l went down
again. -,
told mother about 1t at noon, and SAID
I'd lost the prize and another place besides,
all by asking to be delivered from evil; Tor
by that time all my wishing mad come pack'
But she kissed me, and said 1t was better
SOL would never have enjoyed the most
beautiful prize II 1t could not be honestly
mine, and that she would give me pretty
Bible because | told the truth But l
thought she never could AFFORD 10 get me
one like the one mad LOST and L should
have been cross had she not semed so wor-
ried about the baby.
When examination day came, the teacher
told us to take our places IN the speinng'
class in alphabetical order. That Is, II
girls name began with A, she should stand
first. Mine did, you see, so was at the
head again; but there was no comfort In
that now. When the class were all In their
places, he made little speech 10 tne WISH
ors, for the room was full by that time, ex,
| plaining about the prize Then he said