Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1889-11-09
A More Excellent Way.

Mother, MOTHER" exclaimed Char
ley Morris, as he rushed in the house
after school in great excitement,
"what do you think we are going to
do in SCHOOL,"
Study, | hope" said his mother
quietly, while the little fellow stopped
to take breath.
eve shall have to, that's a fact, .
said Charley, "but that was not what
| wanted to tell you, mother. You
know that there are just six weeks be-
fore examination, and they are going
to have certificates then only to the
very best scholars, who have sustained
themselves perfectly through the
term"
"And you, of course, mean to rank
among the very best, if you can" said
Mrs. Morris.
"Of course, do mother, but there is
one thing more The boy who has
been at the head of his classes for the
longest time is to have, besides his
diploma, a golden star to wear upon
his breast. He will be called the star
scholar, and will rank highest in the
school,"
$50 you are aiming at this bright
particular star
eyes, mother, and will have it, too,
you will seel DR.. H. says it is Il
more honorable distinction that the
Legion of Honor. Won't you be
proud, mother, to see me wearing it at
the exhibition. The. teacher. willYell
you that your boy is the best scholar
in the school"
Mrs. Morris smiled.-"Won't you
be glad" repeated Charley, eagerly,
"Glad | shall certainly be of the
scholar that has won the honor, if it is
fairly earned" replied the mother.
"But what are your grounds of expec-
tation?"
"Why, mother, am at the head of
all my classes but one and in that
there is no one above me but Henry
Gotten. | don't suppose there would
be any hope of going beyond him if he
was there, but he is sometimes absent
at the hour we recite, and so he won't
have as good chance of keeping his
place in the class"
"What is the cause of his absence?"
"He has to do errands for his moth
err. She takes in sewing, and they are
too poor to have any servant, so Hen
ry carries the bundles home"
"Mrs. Gotten has made great efforts
to keep her boy at school. He is a
good scholar is he not.
eyes, mother; | don't know boy
that studies harder than Henry Colt
en-"
"Not even Charley Morris"
"No, mother, but then | am not
obliged to study so much because [
have been to school more regularly
than he has, and then | have more
time to myself at home Why Henry
is up and studying before any one else
is stirring in the morning, and always
sleeps with his book under his pillow
at night"
"Then if he fails the highest rank
in the school, it will not be for want of
diligence, or even scholarship, but
from the mere accident of his outward
circumstances. But he will doubtless
make great effort to be punctual
these six weeks to come"
"He will, if he knows of the PLAN"
said Charley moodily.
"He learns his lessons at home, does
he not, so as to keep up with his class,
though he should be absent for a
single day?''
eyes, mother, but to-day we had a
special explanation of something in
arithmetic, that l know he cannot
work out by himself"
as my boy quite conscious of the
spirit he is indulging?" asked the
mother, gently. "Does he really wish
to gain this prize for himself at the
expense of one who deserves it full as
much, and deserves it perhaps even
more ?"
"Then you don't want me to get the
star after all, mother" said Charley
after few moments silence.
"You will not doubt your mothers
interest in your improvement, even if
she should be less solicitous about this
particular honor" Mrs. Morris replied.
"You know all the ambition | have in
the world, is centered in my children.
| would see them active, energetic,
foremost, if possible in the pursuit of
every honest attainment. And yet
there is "a more excellent way which
| would have them follow; an attain
ment higher even than mental wealth,
without which, though possessing
all knowledge they are nothing
Charley's growing ambition had
somewhat cooled during his mothers
calm but earnest conversation. He
was listening attentively as he sat in
his favorite place at her feet, though
his eyes were downcast, and a sense of