The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-03-22
LOST AND WoN
4 srory Tor Sc o,toilb ana s.iri,


1sr0ry Tor Schoolboys and Girls.
You see, the ones that stayed at
the head of the spelling class the
most days in the term was to have a
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 l were just
even; and that very day was to de-
eide it, because next day was exam.
ination.
The baby, our baby, l mean, was
sick, and l told mother that morning,
Luena Shaw's baby was always well,
and that was how she got ahead of
me in arithmetic; but she said it was
because Luenas mother was stronger
than she, ands so didn't need her little
girls help.
That made me sorry l had been
cross, and l stayed till the last min
ute, carrying him round and round
the room, singing to him. I'm glad
enough l did, for he didn't live long
after that, and | knew he was pleased
to be carried, because he kept just as
quiet as could be; but, when the
school bell rung, 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
Ler head. / didn't like to do that,
seems to me I'd never pretend that
way; but, if / didn't study, 1 felt like
crying, | was so anxious. And /
guess | didn't pray any more than
Luena, till it came to-
"Deliver us from evil"
! thought missing a word wonld be
d dreadful evil, and l know l did
pray then. II
When the class was called, | stood
at the head and Luena next.
All the chance I'd had to look at
my lesson was just little time till
mother came and kissed me good
night and took the light away the
evening before. l was so sleepy then
| could hardly see the words. But |
was sure on the first part; and l made
up my mind by the number of words
we generally had, we were almost
through the lesson, when the teacher
gave out
"Tyranny."
I couldn't remember Id ever seen
the word, and l couldn't imagine how
it was spelled; but as it went on
down the class everybody missed it,
| listened to the best spoilers, felt
sure it was tyr for the first syllable
and an for the next.
If there had been one boy below
Tom Peters (he's always at the foot
and don't seem to mind it) | should
have known whether the last sylla.
BILE was my or only q. AS it was, it
came to me without my being sure;
| was so frightened.
| spelled well enough until it came
to the last syllable; then | hesitated
a little, long enough I suppose for
the teacher to think I'd put in two
MS, but truly didn't put in but one
Just then somebody knockedat the
door, and as he started to answer it,
he gave out another word. But
Luena called out:
Aren't there two MS in tyranny"
"Yes; and Ruth putin two-didn't
you, Ruth?" he asked.
And then he opened the door, for
the rap was repeated, and | had to
wait while he showed in visitor.
The school desk seemed to swim
before my eyes, l knew he would
believe me, because he said once |
was truthful; and then there was
that Bible; with its splendid clasps
shining like gold.
Besides, it hadn't been my fault
the lesson wasn't learned, and Luena
had studied hers in prayer time. l
don't know how l thought Of so much
in so short a time, but seemed 10
see in a flash all the reasons why it
wasn't fair that l should loose the
prize.
But, just as soon as | had thought
of praying time, l remembered the
place where 1 had joined in it, and
the evil senmed nov In ha n lie and