The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1896-05-02

was perfect power OF roses ana iOi1
age. and the faces of the graduating
class were bright and bearning as the
day was. The audience seemed ex.
pecting great pleasure, and whispers
were heard all over the room about the
rival candidates for the one great honor
of the day. 1t seemed to be generally
conceded that the prize was sure to fall
to Darryll or Torrey.
The exercises began with music,
after which there was prayer. Then
President Jackson rose and said that
before the class exercises began three
judges must be appointed to decide on
the relative merit of the orations to be
delivered by the graduating class.
The Judges were sooD selected. They
took their places, and the graduating
exercises began.
Robert Torrey had the salutatory.
He took his place on the stage with an
easy, confident air that seemed to say:
II know my strength" and began his
grafton.
When he had done with his words of
salutation and plunged into the grafton
proper it was noticed by the audience
that President Jachson's face all at
once look on a puzzled look. He seemed
bewildered. Then the bewilderment
seemed to give way to angry surprise,
and many wondered why he looked at
the speaker in that cold, stern way.
Robert Torrey's grafton was, as Prof.
Foy Lad said, very line thing, and 1t
was well delivered. When it was ended
the house rang with applause and
flowers fell upon the stage in a fragrant
shower.
John Darryll listened to it with a
sinking heart. He knew that his ora
ton must seem crude and weak after
such rnasterly effort. The prize was
lost. lie felt that, but his disappoint-
ment did not prevent him from con-
graduating his classmate on his tri-
urnph, and Robert felt that he meant
every word that he said. His face
colored before Johns honest glance,
and he looked away in confusion that
the other could not account for.
John Darryll had the valedictory. lie
delivered il with simple, modest dignity
that won admiration and approval from
all. Then his grafton began. He forgot
ali about the prize in its deli tery. HIS
fine face glowed with the enthusiasm OF
his theme. He was no longer the con-
testant for prize, but a young orator
who felt the fire of lofty thoughts and
an earnest belief in the truth and JUS
tee of the cause for which he pleaded.
When he ended the room rang with
applause again and his friends pelted
him with roses all the way to his seat.
President jackson rose and came for
ward
Before the judges render decision
] have few words to say" he said.
"TThe first orator, for reasons which are
perfectly understood by the young man
who delivered it and myself'-here lie
looked at Robert with a most signifi-
-ant expression on his face. and one
that no one in the audience understood |
the meaning Offs not to be consid- !
red by the Judges in making their de-
,ision."
John Darryil could hardly credit the
evidence of his senses. Not to be con-
idered? Why? There must be some
king wrong somewhere. What was it?
But President Jackson made no ex-
llanation of the reasons upon which
lis instructions to the judges were
based. All eyes were turned upon
Colbert Torrey inquiringly. He was
cry pale. He seemed to be making
-reat effort to control himself Evident
V he wanted to make some nply to the
president. but. for reasons best known
o himself, he thought it advisable to
elnain silent.
There was no doubt where the prize
would go if Torrey's Grafton was to be
ounted out. John realized that this
meant victory for him. There was a
nystery about it, however, that bewil-
ered him. If the GRAFTON was his rivals,
Why was it not to be considered? Could
t be possible that it was not his?
The decision of the judges was made
nd handed up to the president. He
Gvanced to the front of the stage and
cad it to the audience:
"The judges, after carefully consid-
ring the orations of the graduating
lass. unanimously decide i'll favor of
True Greatness by john Darryll."
There was silence for moment and
hen the room rang with cheers which
aemed to make the roof tremble. Then
mere were calls for John Dalryll. John
argyll! and the hero of the day was
ompelled to take the stage and bow his
lonlSs to those who were so enthusi-
site over his victory.
Il congratulate you most heartily"
resident Jackson said, coming up to
chm and shaking him warmly by the
and. Honor WINS" he added, with
leaning look at Robert Torrey.
Several days later Robert Torrey met
resident jackson on the street. He
rs going by without speaking, but the