Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-11-13
The Spelling Match.

The first spelling match OF tae season
was to be held in the Pickett scAoolhouse
on the evening of the 10th of November,
and all the young people on tn farms for
twenty miles around were greatly excited
over it,
At Rose Addton's ppie-paring frolic
the week previous, the coming contest
was the principal subject OF conversation
and everyone present had something to
say about it. There was no reasonable
doubt as TO the two who would be elected
to '1ead Sides" for George Charming
and Henry Lisbon had never failed to
receive the greatest number OF votes and
took their honors as {. matter Of course.
But nothing was known as to their
probable choice of followers, and some
anxiety was felt or the subject, particu-
larly amoug the girls with whom George
by reason of his handsome person and
pleasing manners, was a great favorite
Henry Lisbon was tall, shy, rather
awkward looking young man, who was
elected 4 leader principally because ne
was an excellent speller aud inspired his
followers with courage and conhder ce.
1t was fattering, of course, to be chosen
as his first assistant; but it was con-
sidered far greater honor to be thus
favored by George, and there were
several girls who would have felt very
Glad had they been sure Of standing next
TO the latter during the match, the
s6arer of his hopes and fears as to Its
probable result, aud the recipient OF his
smiles and whispered confidence.
George was greatly amused at the un-
u,ual attention he received from the girls
at the pairing frolic. He knew very well
what It meant, but he kept his own coun-
sci and gave no one any satisfaction as to
his intentions.
IL haven't made up my mind, he
said to Lidy Wheeler, who, made bold
by anxiety, at least asked him to relieve
the general suspense. ''lt is very grave
matter, and requires careful con'idera-
ton"
The evening Of the 10th was clear and
cold, the wheeling was excellent, and as
carriage after carriage cmpticd its load
of merry young people at the door OF the
oil schoolhou;e, it became evident to
everyone that the spelling match would
be one of unusual interest aud compstl-
tion.
At S o'clock the voting began. Every
one present was required to write on
slip of paper the name of the one he oil
she wished to lead; these slips were
dropped into bat. When counted, the
two gentlemen receiving the greatest
number Of votes were declared elected.
Ia view of the popularity of George
ChanniDg and Henry Lisbon, this voting
was a mere form, and George, sure o.
the result, paid no attention to 1t after
deDositing in the hat his own vote
which, of course, was for Henry.
He was mechanically counting the
number of people crowded on one OF the
forms near him when it suddenly occurred
70 him that it would be we'll for him t.
decide whom he would favor for the
"frs: CALL" With this purpose he looked
about him, meeting, as he did so, half
dozen earnest, almost entreating glance;
from as many pair of bright eyes.
His inclination pointed to Rose Add
son, but he knew such a choice would
arouse great deal of ill-will and
jealousy, for he had chosen Rose or
several occasions the previous winter.
Bother the girlsl " he thought
4" there's sure to be fuss no matter how
choose.
As the words formed themselves in HI;
mind his eyes fell on the tall. gaun
form of Debby Rawley, girl sixteen
years of age, who had never appeared
in spelling match, but whom he knew
quite we'll, nevertheless, having had oc
casion to call several times on her grand
mother with whom she lived.
Dcbby was called todd" by hel
ncighbors aud perhaps they had some
cause to think her 50, for her poverty
obliged her to dress in all sorts of out
landish garments which had belonged tc
various dead relatives, and her conscious
ness of her grotesque appearance caused
her to assume a cold and reserved man
ner. which, while it protected her from
omen ridicule, was calculated to give the
impression that she was both rude and
sullen.
She was attired tonight in a faded,
shrunken, green worstcd dress, trimmed
with shabby bali fringe. About her
shoulders was rusty black shawl and
her head was covered with red wooden
bocd of her own manufacture. She sal
in corner of the room. her bare, red
hands wrapped in one end Of her shawl
and her feet tucked out of sight under
her dress to conceal her worn and
patched shoes. She looked as she felt
very lonely and i'll at ease. No one
present had recognized her by so much
as look, and her heart was filed with
bitterness and pain. She wished most
earnestly that she had not come. had not