The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1896-02-06
THE SPELLING MATCH.
Last Week Proved a Great Many
Things as Well as a Success.

Things as Well as a Success.
According to announcement the
'Old Fashioned Spelling Match" un.
der the auspices OF the ladies of the
Monday Club, for the benefit of the
Public Library, was given last Thurs-
day night. Early in the evening the
large Hoss 4 Hodge store room on
Main street was filled with society peo
pie eager to enter the contest for the
honors of the occasion. At seven
O'Clock Captains j. E. Brading and Cy
RI. Lyle stepped to the middle of the
floor and tossed" for choice. The lot
fell to Capt Brading and the selection
OF sides was soon made, en- aging all
those in the assembly who would
participate. Prof. Freeland, superin.
tendent of the city schools, was re.
qnested to "give out" the words, and,
armed with blue backed Webster
spelling'book, he charged upon the
opposing lines, and for two rounds
succeeded only in slightly Tightening
The more timid of the classes. The
third round, however, began to tell
upon the ranks and the word "lac"
cut swath 10 both columns, but was
stopped in its mad career by being
correctly spelled by Mrs. w. w. Faw,
OF Capt Lyle's class Further on
down the lines the word" grammarian
claimed its share of victims until it
reached S. II. Pouder, of Capt. Brad
iag's class, and there met its master.
Early in the fourth round the word
"ptisan," whatever it may be, was
sprung upon an unsuspecting crowd
OF enthusiastic spoilers with terrible
results. 1t was announced by the
professor that it meant a kind of a dis
ease, and the more knowing ones very
glibly spelled it "phthisin" with va
rious variations until it reached Jas.
Summers, who scanned anxious TO try
it fall. rs soon as the professor
called "next" and looked at Jim, he
sailed in and this is what he said,
"p-f oe t'i-zi-m-e." The vast audience
applauded vocifuously, supposing OF
cause that he had found an antidote
for the terrible disease that was rapidly
becoming epidemic, but they we're
doomed to disappointment, and when
Professor Freeland said next" there
was faint suspicion OF defiance in his
tone. The word proceeded onward in
its course leaving the wounded and dy
ing in its wake, and it looked for a
time as if the spelling match was out
matched and was rapidly drawing to
close. In due time, however, il
reached Miss Horton, of Capt. Lyle's
class and there met its Waterloo. Az
ter this destroyer of fond hopes had
been killed past morton was held
and it was found that the correct
definition was "a decocton of barley
and other ingredients" making q
mixed drink that we fear would have
proven equally fatal, had the correct
definition been given. We feel con
strained TO remark, however, that il
ptisan fair to give out such words tc
amateur spoilers.
One OF the most brilliant fascos o.
the evening was the wane of ESQ
Gump The word "hautboy" wal
given him. He hit il with an "ho'
and then hit his seat.
After this only few privates re
manned in the ranks and stray-sho
occasionally picked out shinin,
mark until the contest was mario wei
to Mrs. Hurlbut and Mrs Hyde The,
were sisters and represented opposing
sides. In time, however, "meuagerie
wac offered and being missed by Mrs
. Hy de was correctly spelled by Mrs.
Hurlbut, OF Capt Brsdlng's ass, ant
the circus ended.
1t was remarked that the captain
did not take an active part in tn
spelling contest, but the wisdom of III
iauies oi the club in this matter wa
clearly evident. Had they spellt,
the contest could not have been cor
clnded except as "draw," and thi
complicati could in no o'ber mar
ner be avolded
After the contest refreshments n er
served for small consideration
From this sou c. and The gate receipt
quite "a nice sum was realized for tn
b ary, aud In. ladi,s have eause /
con rsiulste tbs msvlves upon the ST,
cess of tntir under taking