Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-07-21
hechannspwn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday July Il, 1892

| 10 1t. IL there had been Il mistake, 1t
Was Phil's battle, aud Phil must fight
1t.
Phil took the thought she had sug-
gested to bed with him. The surmise
that there had been mistake was not
entirely new to him, but he had refused
TO recognize it until his mother gave it
shape.
4 do think it would be too awfully
mean / he told himself just before he
dropped off to sleep. I shouldn't have
cared If | hadn't had it at all-but to
give it up!'
If it isn't honestly yours, you have
not had 1t at all said something in.
side. But Phil would not listen and
went to sleep.
Next day he chose as the subject of
essay The Scholar in Politics, and be-.
gan to read a life Of Gladstone. He
worked on it for week, and everything
went wrong. He could not get inter
ested in his lessons. More over he felt
cross and miserable, and his mother
was so sober WHAT bother honors
were
Mother, do you think ought to take
it?' lie broke out one day at DINNER.
There was no need to say it was,
though Commencement had not been
mentioned between them since the day
he had selected his subject.
'CertainIy y you should take it, If you
are satisfied that it is yours answered
his mother, quietly. She knew the
time had come when she must help her
boy by leaving HIM to help himself.
But was he satisfied lie slept on
that remark. and the next day he went
to school early with a happier look on
his face than had been there for u
week.
MISS Stone he said, glat. to find the
English teacher alone in her room, Il
can't teel satisfied about my appoint
ment.'
Did you wish higher grade ? ask
ed Miss Stone, with her quizzical
smile.
No ma am said literal Phil. But
| don't think ninety eight can belong
to me, because I've never stood as high
as lots of others. Couldn't you look 1t
up again:
\ don't think it is necessary said
Miss Stone. kindly. The standings
were all made out twice, and 60 many
of us could hardly have made serious
mistake. I am glad to see you so con-
scientious, but l think the place is
yours.
Here is MIR. Castle she went on, as
the principal came into the room Phil.
ip is afraid there is some mistake about
his having the valedictory but | have
been telling him how carefully the ap-
1ontments were made out. and that he
need not fear.
She looked luouiringly at the prin-
cipal.
Not at all, said Mr.. Castle, heartily,
'and we are glad to see you come to the
front, my lad. The grades were all
down in black and white, and your
ninety. eight is honestly earned. Don't
trouble yourself any more about it.
Miss Stone, can you give me the mum.
Der of students in your classes for the
quarterly report?'
Phil felt himself dismissed. He went
through the day with heart that was
heavy and light by turns. But PhiPs
moral processes were sure, If they were
slow. In the afternoon, having gone
over the ground again and come back
again to bis doubts, he was ready to re
turn to his charge.
1t was teachers meeting day again.
In the midst of their miscellaneous
business he knocked at the Office door,
and entered the room in obedience to
Mr.. Castles Come in !!
The teachers looked amazed. 1t was
was a most unusual thing for pupil to
do. Poor Phil, with cheeks red and
eyes bright, blurted out his carefully
conned statement without knowing ex-
actly what he said.
! don't think my average ought to
be ninety. EIGHT be said, and it you
please, unless ITS dead celtlin, I'd rath'
ernot be on at Commencement
Mr.. Castle looked Impatient tor an
instant andthen smiled.
Very we'll. be said, 'as it is a mat
ter Of conscience we will verify the
standing at once, and make it dead Ger.
tam. You may come into Office to NOR
row morning before school tc hear the
result
Phil turned shade redder and left
the room. He had not meant to use