The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-11-30
A REWARD OF MERIT.

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 off
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 demerts for being late
Jack Spicer was always early. l 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.
thought 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 | might
draw for the medal if tried; and oh! l
did try. l was always early; l knew all
my lessons. l did every thing so well
that my Uncle Reuben said he had some
hopes of me at last. That was a 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
lad hopes, and that if did get off 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-day |
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 Hoppcr's baseball
that Id lose the chance somehow in that
twenty-four hours. | wouldn't have
risked any thing myself, Jack Spiccr's
luck was so wonderful; but l did my
best.
The last day. Up went the sun, and
up went |. l washed and dressed, got
my lesson before breakfast-got Uncle
Reuben to hear me over. Uncle Reuben
qcds a good fellow if you pleased him.
And then 1 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 off l went.
Now lived good long way from the
school, but Jack lived farther still. We
came along the same road. and through
bit of woods, and then down the hill
to the school-house. And | was flying
through these woods like race-horse,
when down came as if Id been shot.
There were lot of boys up to any thing
in the village: they hated DR.. Browns
called them dudes, and all that sort of
thing; andl suppose they had fixed the
wire Oh, didn't say what it was l
fell over. Some one had fastened a
barbed wire across the road. They did it
once when the folks were going to
church, and there was time about it;
and Johnny Bowler got locked up, and
of nd
gins, the butchers boy, that did it. But
some one had done it again, and there I
was. Coming az such d speed, got
throw, l can tell you, and my legs were
cut through my knickerbockers. had
a lump on my forehead; almost broke
my neck, and l bruised my arm.
For minute l couldn't get up. Then
was giddy, and had to sit down;
and l thought: ''I'l be late
and lose my chance after all"
But came right in few minutes. OF
course it hurt yet, but that was nothing.
l came all right, and picked up my
books, and was going to unfasten the
wire, when heard Jack Spicer coming;
you could hear any one long before you
could see them, and l knew his run.
While l was working at the wire he
would pass. He would get to school
early; l should be late. And suppose
and when l said so to the minister, he
said it was probably so-that Satan look
ed over my shoulder at that very mo-
ment. Let Jack Spicer take care of
himself" was what he made me think
Satan l mean; ''let Spicer fall down and
be made late; all the better for you"
And away l went, leaving Spicer coming
on at a great speed. with his nose in the
air and his eyes on the horison--that's
the way he always ran-and no idea in
his mind but school and the medal.
Well, 1 got in early, and the other
boys came in one by one, and we were
called to order, and lessons began, and
still no sign of Jack Spicer.
The boys began to look at me. The
medal was mine, and at frat | felt
jolly over it. Then l began to think Of
the barbel wire, of the lonely road. of