Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-05-07
The Spe ling Match.

pie on the farms for twenty miles
around were greatly excited ever it.
At Rose Addison's apple frolic the
week previous, the coming contest
was the principal subject of conver-
sation, and every one present had
something to say about it. There
was no reasonable doubt as to the
two who would be elected to slead
sides," for George Claiming and
Henry Lisbon had never failed to re-
ceive the greatest number of votes,
and took their honors as a matter of
course.
But nothing was known as to their
followers, and some anxiety was felt
on the subject, particularly among
the girls, with whom George, by rea-
son of his handsome person and
pleasing manners, was a great favor
ite
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 cOur-
age and confidence. 1t was fiatter-
ing, Of course, to be chosen as his
first assistant but it was considered
far greater honor to be thus favor
ed by George, and there were several
girls who would have felt very glad
had they been sure of standing next
to the latter during the match, the
sharer of his hopes and fears as to its
natural result, and the recipient of
his smiles and whispered condolences.
George was greatly amused at the
unusual attention he had received
from the girls at the parting frolic.
He knew very well what it meant,
and he kept his own counsel and gave
no one any satisfaction as to his in
tentions.
81 haven't made up my mind,' he
said to Liddy Wheeler, who, made
bold by anxiety, at last asked him to
relieve the general suspense. 'It is
a very grave matter, and requires
careful consideration
The evening of the match was
clear and cold, the wheeling was ex-
cellent, and as carriage after carriage
emptied its load of merry young peo-
pie at the door of the old school
house, it became evident to every one
that the spelling would be one of un-
usual interest and competition.
At s o'clock the voting began. Ev-
cry 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 a hat. When
counted, the two gentlemen receiving
the greatest number of votes were
declared elected.
In view of the popularity of George
Claiming and Henry Lisbon, this
voting 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
forms near him, when it suddenly oc-
Cured to him that it would be well
for him to decide whom he would ia
vor for the ''frst call" With this
purpose he looked about him, meet
ing as he did so half dozen earnest,
almost entreating glances, from as
many pairs of bright eyes.
His inclination pointed to Rose Ad-
Olson, but he knew such a choice
would rouse a great deal of ill-feel-
ing 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 [ choose"
AS the words formed themselves in
his mind his eyes fell on the tall,
gaunt form of Debby Rawley, a girl
of about .16 years of age, who had
never appeared at spelling match,
but whom he knew quite we'll, neve-
theless, having had occasion to call
several times on her grandmother,
with whom she lived.
Debby was called ''odd" by her
neighbors, and perhaps they had
some cause to think her so, for her
poverty obliged her to dress in all
sorts of outlandsh garments which
had belonged to various relatives,
and her consciousness of her gro
tesque appearance caused her to as
sumo a cold and reserved manner,
which, while it protected her from
open ridicule, was calculated to give
the impression that she was both
rude and sullen.
She was attired tonight in faded,
green worsted dress, trim
med with shabby ball fringe. About
her shoulders was rusty black shawl,
and her head was covered with a red
woolen hood of her own manufacture.
She sat in a corner of the room, her
bare, red hands wrapped in one cor
ner of her shawl, and her feet tuck
ed out of sight under her dress, to
conceal her worn and patched shoes.
She looked as she felt, very lonely |
and i'll at ease. No one present had |
recognized her by SO much as look,
and her heart was filled with bitter |
ness and pain. She wished most
earnestly that she had not come, and
not exposed herself to such coldness
DIT IL