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

the votes was concluded, and the
schoolmaster announced that George
Charming and Henry Lisbon had
been elected by tremendous majori-
ty.
Amid the loud applause the two
successful candidates took their
places in the two first forms on each
side of the room.
There was a breathess hush. The
room was so still that the big clock
over the black board could be dis
tinctly heard. George had received
a few more votes than Harry, and
therefore had the privilege of the
first choice but for a moment both
young men were silent. Then, ,"Deb-
by Rawley," cried George, in clear,
ringing voice.
Poor Debby! She could scarcely
believe her ears. Her face flushed,
tatn grew deadly pale. 1t did not
seem possible to her that she had
been honored with first call by this
handsome young fellow with the
laughing brown eyes. She made a
motion to rise, then sank back in her
seat again, trembling all over.
George saw her confusion, and was
touched by it.
"Come Debby,'' said he, kindly /;
"I'm waiting"
She rose and then took her place
by his side, too much dazed and be-
wildered to see the cOntemptuous
glances that were directed toward
her.
There was a subdued whispering
among the girls for moment, but it
ceased as Harry Lisbon called for
Rose Addison, and the rest of the
choosing proceeded rapidly until all
were enrolled upon one side or the
| other.
The schoolmaster took up the spell
ing book and the battle began, those
who misspelled a word being obliged
to sit down at once. One by one
they were vanquished, until at the
close of an hour and a half. Henry
Lisbon, George Claiming and Debby
Rawley were the only ones left stand
ing.
The excitement ran high, and all
eyes were riveted on the remaining
contestants. Debby's cheeks were
flushed, her eyes shone like stars,
and she had forgotten her shabby
clothes and the neglect with which
she had been treated in the beginning
of the evening.
"We mustn't be beaten, Debby,''
whispered George as the schoolmas-
ter paused to turn over a leaf. 81
depend on you, remember"
''I'll do my BEST whispered Deb
by in return, smiling up at him.
The spelling continued and opinion
was about equally divided as to who
would win; but at last Henry Lisbon
failed on common word of only two |
syllables, and a deafening cheer re-
sounded through the old school-house,
as with a forced smile he took his |
seat.
All was confusion at once; every |
one crowded around George to con-
gratulate and shake hands with him
but he was not too much engaged to
notice that Debby had left his side
and was trying to force her way thro'
the crowd to the door.
He hastened after her, and stopped
her just as she was going out.
"Surely, you are not going YETI"
be said.
"Yes, l must," she answered.
''Grandma will be anxious about me-"
"But you ought not to leave me to
bear the burden of our honors alone,"
he said, laughing. "You ought to
stay and take your share. If it had
not been for you our side would not
have won. You surprised me, Deb
by / didn't think there was any
one in Grundy county except the
schoolmaster that could spell down
Henry Lisbon
81 study at home at night" said
Debby, in a low, unsteady voice
and with little nod she walked away
from him and went out into the night.
At 10 O'Clock the school-house was
empty, and the first spelling match of
the season-which was to have a re-
suit of which George little dreamed
was over.
The next day George had occasion
to go to town. His way led by the
small farm of Debby's grandmother,
which badly managed for many years,
yielded but a meagre living for the
two women.
Debby was at the window of a
front room as George drove by; but
the next moment she had thrown
open the door, and, without hat or
shawl, was flying down the patch
which led to the gate.
"Stopr" she cried. 81 want to
speak to YOU
George shouted "whoa," pulled up
his horses, and jumped out of his
wagon.
Anything wanted in town. he
asked.
"No, no, said Debby. CT only
wanted to thank you for choosing me
last night" the quick tears springing
to her eyes. cit was kind of YOU"
and the other tears falling fast by
this time she rushed back into the