The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-30
UNDER THE NAPLES;
Or, the Test of Character.
A Story of Village Life
w ALT E r N. H N NJ A N.
A Story of Village Life
CHAPTER VIII.
TIL. rrrNn arnpNr


a page of a nations history, while dec
ade of years is disposed of in a single
line"
'My! did you learn ell that ct college,"
asked Laura.
Certainly" said Arthur.
1--WE heard the idea before. but why do
you quote it now"
who said quoted it? l was thinking
OF what a small figure town like Maple
vile cuts in the country's history. The
chances are that half the people fifty
miles from here live and die and never
hear of the place, and yet the fascinating
Widow Budget who has just passed Is
but an atom of the place, and she thought
the foundation OF the presbyterian
church would erumble when she walked
out that morning when Babe was bRp-
tized, four wears ago last April, and there
hasn't been a crumbie, not a totter."
IL don't quite see what your remark
has to DO with that; but how these four
wears have fownw said Laura. at
seems only last week, that night OF the
jack-wax party
Now you begin to catch the aptness of
what | said. That sugar party and bear
scrape has made stronger impression on
you than the whole four years since. Like
me. you're only a confused tumble OF
school, study, vacation, mild tun, going
away TO college, quiet summer like this
has been and back again, as you Will be
SOON"
"What a philosopher you would make,
Arthur, il"
eff what"
eft you would think more and talk less
Ira, how's Babe?'
20, che isn't first-rate; had the tooth
ache and put tobacco in 1t, and 1t made
her sick"
They ell laughed at this. "What a
skeesicks that girl IS, and what a mimic :"
exclaimed Arthur; IL never laughed so
in my lie az / did the other day TO see
her take OF Mr.. DOwdaI. II seems the
dominic came stalking into school one
day, dragging his little boy Tom alter
him. MADAM he said to Miss Ber-
nard, this Is my son loom
stand erect. Toom l-Toom, this is your
future guide and instructor. If she
chastises YOU. ToOmas said he frowningly.
sayagely, L shall supplement it on your
bare back, Sir. with this scooTge,' and he
pulled out short bulls hide whip. Mad
am, If you spare the rod you will spoil
Toomgs.' Then he scowled again at Tom
and stalked out As soon as his back was
=
face NJ him and set the whole room in
roar. Well, that boy proved to be about
the worst imp that ever went 20 school,
but Miss Bernard was afraid his awful
dGd would murder him If she sent him
home, and be raised Ned for two or
three days until il got to be
unbearable so she slapped his
hands and sent him home with note
to his father. In an hour Mr.. Dowdall
appeared. white with anger. Miss Bernard
had tortured his poor child with the
cruelty OF iiend for n most venial ohense
(his last act had been the pouring OF dip
per OF water down girls back and IL she
were only man and ne not n clergyman
his feelings could have been only soothed
with blood and he threatened and blus-
tered and stormed and set tho school in an
uproar. 10 seems that Tom had gone home
crying aud limping and declared that the
teacher had thumped and pounded hIm
and knocked him down and Jumped upon
him till he could scarcely drag himself
home, and all because no had cropped a
book on the floor. toll you
that boy will become novelist II no don I
get hung but YOU ought 10 sec Babe take
of the austere man, the miachievous boy,
the timid teacher and the angry parent ;
it's funnier than circus-nre YOU think
ing Laura, or only going 10 Sleep"
Il was trying 10 think how we girls
could raise more money for the organ for
the church we've had lawn fetes and
soeiables and concerts and We need some.
thing new"
"Why not have an old fashion spelling
school choose sides, gold badge for the
best speller and open TO every age, color
and sex"
'But Arthur, will people Gomez"
al ~
cant or won't try 10 spell can bay ice
cream and lemonade. and make fun OF
those who do and miss"
i believe we'd better try it,"
Unitarian hall was crowded tho night oi
the spelling school. Squire Warren am
Hon. Iii Iompkins were selected captains
and the principal Of the academy. armed
with Webster and n Worcester die
tionary and a manuscript list OF 80
lected hard words TO give at the finish
presided. There was much smilin.
and gggling and bushing and whisper
ing aud talking and saying of my
sekes! can't spell before every
body, but I'll try If you will
so that the majority OF thos,
present finally found themselves standin,
IN long rows on either side OF the hall
Ira was busy at a lemonade-stand and wal
excused, 10 his great comfort. lie wa
somewhat amazed to see his grandmother
rise and 90 smiling and blushing 20 hel
place when her name was called. though
he knew she was a good speller and haC
drilled him for hours at a time nj home
The Rev. Mr.. Dowdall protested when hi
name was called. IL would be using IN,
others unfairly. Mr.. Haskins and he mad
appreciation Of letters, and az for himseI
no doubted If there was any word between
the covers OF the dictionary that he coul,
not spell nevertheless he was persuade,
20 enter the list. The rules were simple
The words were 10 be given their prone
pronunciation distinctly. twice il neces
sary. No corrections 10 be allowed an,
but one trial given if not spelled accord
ing 10 either Webster or Worcester IL wa
miss. and the word was 20 be passed 4
he opposite side.
Before beginning, Mr.. Tompkins aide
the enthusiasm by announcing that n
would add TO the prize of the gold badge
set OF either Dickens or Thackerv'
works II the winner was n perso
whom he had chosen. Squire Ware
Immediately made the same ofIer 10 nj
side. IL Is difficult thing TO spell stand
ing mp before crowd of listening peopl,
conscious that the slightest mistake Wi
h ro.xt..aI Init