Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-05-01


snowy fields and hills.
1t was three miles to the new Long
Lane School-house, and when we
reached 1t there were ten or fifteen
sleds and sleighs hitched near by.
The whole district seems 10 have
turned out, said Jerry, as We climbed
ont and tied old Ned 10 Il tree.
4 dozen or more boys about our
size, some of whom We knew, were
snowballing each other in front of
the house, which seemed crowded 10
overtlowing.
Hello, you Sand Ridge fellows
I said one OF them, as we drew near,
what do you want over here:'
What do you suppose" replied
Jerry, tartly
Come over TO show yer ign rance?'
"No-to show yours" said Jerry.
Huh was the sneering reply to
this. You'll have TO do some tall
spelling if you don't want TO sir
down at the first round. We've got
Three Reader spoilers that'll make
you open your eyes,
As we pushed our way into the
/ crowded school-house. looked around
and did not see a person from our
! district. | whispered TO Jerry;
Il don't believe you've much chance
with this crowd, Jerry. You'd better
not try to spell tonight, but wait un-
/ til the rest Of our good spoilers come
over"
Il shall spell if I'm chosen, replied
/ Jerry, stoutly.
\ few moments later the teacher Of
the school, a young man whom we
had never seen before, requested all
who were willing To take part i'll the
contest 10 20 10 one end Of the school
room. while all not intending to spell
were asked TO take seats and keep as
good order aS possible.
jerry, in response TO this, walked
forward with the spoilers, and | fol
lowed him, feeling very much out Of
place.
As we walked forward, a boy |
knew >aid, in shrill whisper:
You fellers had better sit down,
We've got some brag spoilers here
from over in the Four Mile district,
and they'll beat you all TO pieces.
Perhaps" said, with "a show of
confidence. But they'll find that
Jerry Lee can spell little, anyhow. y
He spelled more than "a little bit
Oh that memorable night He sur
prised every one. Indeed, he told me
afterward that he surprised himself.
The "brag spellers" were two eA-
tremely spruce young meu and two
pert young ladies with pink and blue
ribbons flutteriEg among their curls.
| They were the noted spoilers of the
Four Mile district, and it was easy to
see that they felt quite confident of
their ability to spell down any
schoolagainst which they might array
/ themselves.
They glanced superciliously at
Jerry, when, after u full hour of
spirited spelling, they and Jerry were
all the scholars that were left stand
ing of the fifty or sixty who had first
engaged in the contest. Indeed, |
saw one of the young men wink in
+ dersion at the other, and one Of the
Young ladies elevated her eyebrows
! loftily while the other one fell to tit
tering, when only Jerry was left to
spell against them.
But Jerry was IA boy of remarkable
self-poise He had hardly won quite
a victory without losing his head, and
now he stood erect, calmly indiiTer-
ent to the sneers Of his opponents.
| think that these sneers simply
caused Jerry to grid himself up more
firmly for the contest. He threw
back his head, squared his shoulders,
folded his arms and faced his oppo-
nents in manner that won for him
the admiration Of even those who did
not wish him 10 win
Perfect silence fell upon Us all as
the spelling went on, although ! was
tempted to pound the floor and
scream "Hurrah =" when Jerry calmly
and distinctly spelled word after word
/ | felt sure that he would miss.
Finally the word 'procellarian" was
given to one OF the young women.
She gave her head little toss Of de
fiance a. she calmly spelled it with
but one Il.
Next" said the teacher.
Jerry spelled 1t correctly, and the
young woman fouuced angriIy into
seat
Then one OF the young men and the
other young woman missed ''sisym-
brum. and Jerry. to my wild delight,
spelled IL correctly. amid breathless
I silence.
/ The defeated ones took their seats
with crimson faces, while the sole
survivor of the "brag spoilers ngri-
ly faced Jerry with a flushed and de.
fiant face.
The next word was cylinder and
the remaining "brag' speller in his
nervousness made the glsring mis-
take Of spelling it with all 's' instead
! Of &C, whereupon amid the widest
applause. Jerry spelled it correctly,
putting emphasis on the &C, and spell
/ ing the whole word in a pardonable
tone OF triumph.
Loud and long were the shouts that
rang throughout the house, and even
the teacher of the defeated Long
lana cchn.t shook hands hpa ri III v