The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-01-02

Ebe seen as usual. and l know eyery body
thought OF that ~ we'll IS !, only not
as / did. AS Won't slowly home, no
ticed that the wire was gone.
mo dement's" said my uncle; TN
buy the watch tomorrow
But could not smile; | felt wretchcd
wicked couldn't help
letting mother see nay scratches and
bruises, and ! got lots Of pity and lotion
for them, but they didn't ache Is my
conscience did.
And when went to school next morn
ing in nay best suit, with a carnation In
the buttonhole Of my jacket, I'd have
given the world to sea Spicer standing
in his place; yes, and to see him get the
medal too.
WE'LL. there we all were- Mother,
father Uncle Jack and Sister lilly were
all in the audience We went through
our exercises. and we sang. and we
drilled; and then the prizes were given
outs-last Of all, the gold medal to the
perfect boy.
At last DIR. Brown rose up and looked
about him and made his speech, and
ended thus:
..But for an accident which occurred
yesterday two of the competitors would
have been entitled TO draw for the
medal; hut Jack Spieer- perhaps the
most mcritorious pupil in the SCHOOL
injured himself severely by falling over
barbed wire. purposely placed across
the path, we believe. He is very Ill
at home, and was yesterday; but his
mother tells me that. injured IS he was,
he aafasted the. wire before he crawled.
to Binah Burroughs little cottage for
help. We all regret the absence Of
our young friend, especially from, sue b =
cause"
A little murmur Of pity arose.
Henry Martin, said DR.. Brown, you
are entitled to the medal
saw my mother smile. Uncle Reu-
ben waved his hand to me; but did n,t
feel glad and triumphant.
arose: walked up the aisle; stood
before DIR. Brown, and put my hands In
behind my back
CDR. Brown" / said, 81 am not en-
titled to the medal. 1t Is sort of-of
deception If / took 1t. fell over that
barbed wire yesterday, and II had
stopped to take it down Jack Spicer
would not have been hurt. l was hurt
myself, but came on and left it.
THAT was Careless" said DR.. Brown;
abut you couldn't know spicer would.
falln
/ had my chance out Of it then, with
honors, too; but couldn't be SO mean
as to stop there.
sDr. Brown, y sale, heard Sp.cer
coming. knew he must fall. want
ed him to fall. or course, / didn't think
OF his hurting himself SO much. But II
was any thing to get ahead Of him.
think, II you, please, that ought not to
have the medal. deserve the biggest
demerft for being SO contemplate that
ever you gave me yet
was hot and red, and was trembling
all over But DR.. Brown reached his
hand over the desk.
~ give you the demerit,' he said.
"Shake hands. You shall carry Jack
Spicer his medal. He is the only boy
who has none in the school"
Then every body cheered, and came
near crying. and saw my mother doing
it.
DIR. Brown went with me to take Spi-
Ger his medal, and he was very glad;
and the doctor-the pill doctor, ] mean
said 1T helped to make him get well
sooner.
And what do you think? Uncle Reu-
ben gave me the watch!
you'll understand why when You are
older, my lad" he said.
And Spicer and ! have always been
the best Of friends ever since.--N. Z.
Ledger.