Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-07-21
No. "A.

instead OF Phlllp Winters, should have
been declared valedlctorian, and that
Philip Winters did not belong in the
first ten at all. Mary Linooln's stand.
ing entitled her to the tenth place. e
Phil was too much relieved to regret
greatly the loss of his troublesome hon-
or. If he had been sore over it, his
mothers words would have healed the
hurt. For she led him before his fathers
picture, and said, not very steadily: "
Father would be proud of you to-
day, my boy. l felt sure you would
come up to the best there was in you:
But I was .anious, too, for l knew it
was very hard. I think you will feel
more and more that it was worth while.
and that you have won something bet.
ter than school honor.
Phil said it was worth while, and
that he Was glad he done it. lie did
not think much about it the rest of the
year. Yet he was human 10y alter
all, and when Commencement came, 1T
was little bitter to see the boys and
girls on the stage with their essays and
their flowers.
When the valedictorian sat down in
tumult of applause, he had to strug-
gle to make himself contentcd just TO-
march upon the stage and get his di-
ploma with the other boys and girls.
But why wasn't the signal giyen?'
Mr.. Castle was beginning to speak.
Had he forgotten the diplomas Phil
started as he heard his own name and
then listened as If ne were in a dream.
4 think it is but Just to state, said Mr..
Castle, that had it not been for the in.
tegrity of one ofour boys,t programme
presented to-day would have been
slightly different
The silence was breathless. Phil
heard his heart beat violently.
Philip Winters was first declared
valedlctorian ; but believing that there
had been mistake in the figures, and
that the honor, was not fairly his, he
insisted upon reconsideration of the
matter, which proved that his SUPPOSE
ton was right. He was therefore
dropped from the list of appointees.
But | desire to make honorable men
tion of his name, and to thank him
publicly for his conduct.
How the people cheered Then some
small boy that thought he knew how to
do things, called 'Sheech Speech!
and the house took up the cry.
VainIy Mr.. Castle tried to stop them,
and valnly Miss Hague played the
march by which the class were 10 pass
upon the stage tor the diplomas. They
could not even hear that she was play
ing. At last, Mr.. Castle, in despair,
signalled Phil to rise and bow to the
audience.
Phil did so but the cheering and
cries of 'Speech!' were redoubled when
he sat down again. Some wild fellows
in the gallery were keeping it up, and
affairs began to look serious. Mr.. Cas-
tie stepped to Phll's seat.
Rise in your place, my boy, and tell
the people you thank them for their
Kindness he SAID hurriedly. we
shall have almost disturbance if the
people do not get what they want.
Phil stood up, and the house grew
still.
Il thank you for your kindness, he
said, bravely. 4 didn't want to do it
for a whole week, but afterward | was
awfully glad l did,
Then he sat down, and tie people
cheered again, and some Ole sent him IA
big basket of flowers. Then Miss
Hague played the march again, and
the members of the class all received
their diplomas tied up with the class
colors, which were white and gold. Mr..
Castle made remarks, and Mr.. Wilson
made remarks, and the trustees made
remarks and all went home. And go
Phil had the vaedlctory after ALL
Youths Companion.