The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-07-29
for tbs CHILDREN.
The Spelling Match.

greatly excited over it.
AT Rose Addison's apple pairing frolic, |
the week previous, the coming contest |
was the principal subject of converse
ton, and every one present had some
thing to say about it. There was no
reasonable doubt as to the two who |
would be elected to lead Sides" for |
George Claiming and Henry Lisbon
had never failed to receive the greatest
number of votes, and took their honors
as a matter of course.
But nothing was known as to their
probable choice of followers, and some
anxiety was felt on the subject, partic-
ularly among the girls, with whom
George, by reason of his handsome per-
son and pleasing manners, was great
favorite.
Henry Lisbon was a tall, shy, rather
awkward-looking young man, who was
elected leader principally because he
was an excellent speller and inspired
his followers with courage and conf
dence. 1t was fattering, of course, to
be chosen as his first assistant; but it
was considered far greater honor to
be thus favored by George, and there
were several girls who would have felt
very glad had they been sure of stand
ing next to the latter during the match,
its probable result, and the recipient of
his smiles and whispered condolences.
George was greatly amused at the un-
usual attention he received from the
girls at the pairing frolic. He knew
very well what it meant, but he kept
his own counsel and gave no one any
.. .c, al, -. L
. haven't made up my mind" he
said to Lidy Wheeler, who, made bold
by anxiety, at last asked him to relieve
the general suspense. 1t is very
grave matter, and requires careful
consideration"
The evening of the 10th was clear
and cold, the wheeling was excellent,
and, as carriage after carriage emptied
its load of merry young people at the
door of the old school-house, it became
evident to every one that the spelling
match would be one of unusual interest
and competition.
At eight O'Clock the voting began.
Every one present was required to
write on slip of paper the name of the
one he or she wished to lead; these
slips were dropped into hat. When
counted, the two gentlemen receiving
the greatest number of votes were de-
clared elected.
In view of the popularity of George
Claiming and Henry Lisbon, this vot-
ing was mere form, and George, sure
of the result, paid no attention to it
after depositing in the hat his own
vote, which of course was for Henry.
He was mechanically counting the
number of people crowded on one of
the seats near him, when it suddenly
occurred to him that it would be well
for him to decide whom he would
favor for the " first call' With this
purpose he looked about him, meeting
as he did so half dozen earnest, al
most entreating glances, from as many
pairs of bright eyes.
His inclination pointed to Rose Addi-
son, but he knew such choice would
rouse a great deal of i'll feeling and
jealousy, for he had chosen Rose on
several occasions the previous winter.
Bother the girls!" he thought
there's sure to be fuss, no matter
how l choose"
AS the words formed themselves in his
mind his eyes fell on the tall, gaunt form
vi DSppy ltaNiSy3 a Slli VI dDOuI olA-
teen years of age, who had never APP
he knew quite well, nevertheless, having
had occasion to call several times or
her grandmother, with whom she lived
Debby was called " odd " by hel
neighbors, and perhaps they had some
cause to think her so, for her poverty
obliged her to dress in all sorts of out
landish garments which had belonged
to various dead relatives, and her con
seriousness of her grotesque appearance,
caused her to assume a cold and re
served manner, which, while it pro
tected her from open ridicule, was cal
culated to give the impression that sh,
was both rude and sullen.
She was attired tonight in a faded
shrunken, green worsted dress, trimme,
with shabby ball fringe. About he
shoulders was rusty black shawl, an(
her head was covered with red wOolel
hood of her own manufacture. She sa
in corner of the room, her bare, re,
hands wrapped in one end of her shawl
and her feet tucked out of sight unde
her dress, to conceal her worn an
patched shoes. She looked as she felt
very lonely and i'll at ease No on
present had recognized her by so muc
as look, and her heart was filled wit
bitterness and pain. She wished mos
earnestly that she had not come, ha
not exposed herself to such coldnes
and neglect. But she was too proud t
go home. That, she thought, would b
too open confession of her pain an
chagrin.
Georges eyes sparkled with mischit
as he looked at her.
I'm do it," he thought. cit wi
be a capital joke, and will give tn
girls something to talk about for tn
next six weeks"
AT this moment the counting of tn
votes was concluded, and the schoo
master announced that George Char
ming and Henry Lisbon had bee
elected by tremendous majority.
Amid the loud applause the two SUI
cessful candidates took their places
the two first forms on each side of IL
room.
There was a breathless hush. I'll
room was so still that the big clot
over the blackboard could be distinct
heard. George had received a fe
more votes than Henry and, therefor
had the privilege of the first choic
but for moment both vOunU mr.