The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-12-04
A REWARD OF MERIT.
Why 1t Was Given to Splcer, My Compel
itor.

Why 1t Was Given to Spicer, My Compel
itor.
l hated Jack Spicer; he always got up
head. He was always being praised and
complimented, and told how much bet
ter he was than the rest; and then he
was always setting himself up to give ad-
vice. That's why we fellows didn't like
him. He'd do kindness; why, he used
to give little Morris half his lunch near
ly every day. Little Morris had the
worst kind Of step-mother, and If he
was bad-she called it bad if he sneezed
in church, or took an apple without
leave-why, then she'd send him of
without his breakfast.
Yes, he was kind. He sat up all night
with Shriner, the German pupil teacher,
that the boys sent into fever by max
ing fun Of, and gave him his medicine,
and brought him oranges, and made us
all ashamed.
That was the worst Of Spicer; he al
ways made you ashamed; but about
Shriner he was right.
We had merits at DR.. Browns for be-
ing early, and dement's for being late.
Jack Spicer was always early. never
knew any thing like him for that. 1t
helps a boy on wonderfully. They
think he means to do his best if they
find him there in the morning, first
thing, and looking over his lessons as
Jack Spicer always was.
thoughts good deal about Jack when
the big gold medal was going to be given
out. The boy who had no dement's was
to have it, or if there were several, we
drew for it. knew could not beat
Spicer; he would be perfect; but I might
draw for the medal if tried; and oh! 1
did try. was always early; knew all
my lessons. I did every thing so we'll
that my Uncle Reuben said he had some
hopes Of me at last. That was good
deal for Uncle Reuben to say, for he had
been in the habit Of predicting some
very bad end for me; but now he said he
had hopes, and that If l did get of with
out one demerit he would give me a
watch-a silver watch-with first-rate
works inside Of it. And so l did my
best; and the day before the prize-dsy l
stood even with Jack Spicer. One fail
ure next day, or being late, or talking
when it was forbidden, would throw me
out-or him. But no one even thought
Of that; the wonder was about me.
Sam Squires bet his six-bladed pen
knife against Bill Hopper's baseball
that I'd lose the chance somehow in that
twenty-four hours. I wouldn't have
risked any thing myself, Jack Spicers
luck was so wonderful; but I did my
| best.
The last day. Up went the sun, and
up went I. I washed and dressed, got
my lesson before breakfast-got Uncle
Reuben to hear me over. Uncle Reuben
,oas q good fellow If you pleased him.
And then I hurried my breakfast,
washed my hands, polished up my nails,
and made my hair shine-you got de-
merits If you were untidy at DR.. Browns
and of I went.
Now / lived good long way from the
school, but Jack lived farther still. We
came along the same road and through
a bit of woods, and then down the hill
TO the school-house. And I was flying
through these woods like race-horse
when down came as If I'd been shot
There were lot Of boys up to any thing
in the village: they hated DR.. Browns
boys because they had good clothes
called them dudes, and all that sort O.
thing; and l suppose they had fixed the
wire Oh, didn't say what it was
fell over. Some one had fastened ;
barbed wire across the road. They did i
once when the folks were going t.
church, and there was time about it
and Johnny Bowler got locked up, ant
afterward they found out it was Mug
gins, the butchers boy, that did it. Blu
some one had done it again, and there
was. Coming at such speed, l got
throw, l can tell you, and my legs wer'
cut through my knickerbockers. l hat
lump on my forehead; almost brok'
my neck, and bruised my arm.
For minute couldn't get up. Thel
was giddy, and had to sit down
and thought: ''rll be lat
J and lose my chance after all.
But came right in few minutes. O
} course it hurt yet, but that was nothing
I came all right and picked up m
: books, and was going to unfasten tn
. wire, when l heard Jack Spicer coming
you could hear any one long before 20
could see them, and l knew his ruT
While l was working at the wire h
} would pass. He would get to schoe
early; should be late. And l suppose
! and when said so to the minister, b
said it was probably so-that Satan lool
ed over my shoulder at that very me-
ment "Let Jack Spicer take care q
himself" was what he made me think
! Satan 1 mean; ''let Spicer fall down an
be made late; all the better for you.
! And away went, leaving Spicer comm
, on at great speed. with his nose in tn
; cir and his eyes ON the horison-that
the way he always ran-and no idea
his mind but school and the medal.
: Well, l got in early, and the othe
| boys came in one by one, and we wei
l called to order, and lessons began, N
4 still no sign Of Jack Spicer.
The boys began to look at me. IT
I medal was mine, and at first / fe
Jolly over it. Then began to think
the barbed wire, Of the lonely road,