Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-04-23
CHILDREN'S COLUMN.
frFhNsyfws, HUMOROUS AND IN
srbv'crIvE ARTIC .Es ron THE
roUrH TO nEAD.


hcveric OF a School De-icl
Well, yes, am somewhat the worse
Tor wear, but any desk that has been Ia
use as long as have Is equally batter
&c am almost5O years old and 1 was
ussd first in little school house in
Ohio. In those days desks we're ex-
pensive articles, so there were only
lhree in the school room. The children
considered it great honor 10 be allowed
10 sit at desk. When one Of the
scholars had been unusually good this
was the highest reward the teacher
could offor: had better position
than either OF my friends, for I stood
just under south window, and anyone
sitting by me could see ont across the
road into the cool, dark wood beyond,
which was quite a refreshing view on a
warm day.
Sometimes the children would have
spelling matches and the one who came
off victorious was allowed TO sit at the
south desk" as IL was called. How
we'll remember the first OF these con-
testsl
Hester Allen, one OF the older girls,
had been occupying me for a week, and
as she made such excellent grades in
her studies, Miss Gray, the teacher,
could think OF no way 10 stop the mono
poly. At last one day she had an idea
II there was anything Hester was weak
in IL was spelling, and Miss Gray deter
mined to have spelling match and
offer the south desk as a reward. That
afternoon she told the children her
plan and set tho next afternoon as the
time of the trial.
That night Hester took her speller
home with her, and heard her tell one
OF the girls next day that she studied
until 10 o'clock.
One Of the boys, named John Logan,
was the best speller in the school, and
was afraid he would win. The words
we're hard, and many OF the children
missed the first one, till at last only
Hester and John remained. Miss Gray
gave out the word separate" John
spelled II with an "e,n and just then
Miss Gray turned TO speak TO one OF the
younger ceildren. uester's book was
lying on me and she took n sly peep
into 1t while Miss Gray had her back
turned. No one saw her but me, and /
could not tell, so Hester had possession
OF the south desk again.
The afternoon was close and sultry,
and somehow Hester did not feel great
ly elated over her success; presently
she rested her head on her folded arms
and several hot tears fell on me. When
10 was time for school to close she felt
80 uncomfortable that she would endure
Il no longer, and after Miss Grey had
given them their reports for the day,
she Jumped 10 her feet and in her inn
petuqe NAV confessed the whole truth.
The next day was uRoccupied, for
John would not sit by me.
After.many years Hester's son came
to the same old school house. l easily
recognized the little fellow by the like
ness to his mother. He, too, sat by me,
but IL was not sush an honor then, for
many new and handsome desks had
been put In. One day there was an ex-
hibition at the school and a number OF
visitors were present. At the close OF
the exercises a lady and gentleman
came to me and the lady said: oh Johnl
DO YOU remember this old desk? !
Don't you know what time we chill |
dren used TO have over it? l shall new
er forget tho spelling match in which |
j cheated. II has always been a lesson |
70 me. wonder II we could buy the I
desk. think should like to have itln !
you snail have the desk. Hastef,5 /
answered her rhusband ''It will be a
Look. here are my initials.
remember the morning I carved them;
youwere Standing by eating an apple
and criticising my work. And, Hester,
! will tell you a secret, missed that
word on purpose that afternoon so you
could have the desk"
When Hester finished her business in
the country .nQ went back TO her city
home, l went too, and l now stand in
one corner OF the library. ! am not ex-
actly ornamental, but everybody thinks
me great curiosity.
ANNABEL A. MARKoE.