The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-05-20

credit for 80 much development, men,
tally, or such knowledge of compost
ton and command of language"
"Of course the prize should go to the
one who deserves it," said Professor
Strong, but shall be somewhat dis
appointed if Darryll fails to get it. 1
have always considered him the
brighter, better student of the two.
The scholarship would be such help
for him."
"Id like to have him get it," said
Professor Fay. "But it can't 60 by
preference, you know. Merit must de-
eide who gets it, and after reading the
orations Pm pretty sure what the
judges decision will be-"
Commencement day came, bright
and beautiful, and it seemed as if all
of intellect and scholarship. The stage
was perfect bower of roses and foil
age, and the faces of the graduating
class were bright and beaming as the
day was. The audience seemed ex-
pecting a 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, af-
ter 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 soon 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:
" l 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 Jackson's face all at
once took on puzzled look. He
seemed bewildered. Then the Devil
derment 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.
Fay had said, very fine thing, and it
was well delivered. When it was
ended the house rang with applause
and flowers fell upon the stage in fra
grant shower.
John Darryll listened to it with
sinking heart. He knew that his ora
ton must seem crude and weak after
such mastery effort. The prize was
lost. He felt that, but his disappoint-
ment did not prevent him from con-
t,,1 linz, hio nj hia fri
umph, and Robert felt that he meant
every word that he had said. His face
colored before Johns honest glance,
and he looked away in confusion that
the other could not account for.
John Daryl had the valedictory.
He delivered it with simple, modest
dignity that won admiration and ap-
prevail from all. Then his Grafton be-
gan. He forgot all about the prize in
its delivery. His fine face glowed
with the enthusiasm of his theme. He
was no longer the contestant for
prize, but young orator who felt the
fire of lofty thoughts and an earnest
belief in the truth and justice 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 the de-
cision / have few words to say" he
said. "The first orator, for reasons
which are perfectly understood by the
young man who delivered it and my
self "-here / looked at Robert with a
most significant expression on his face,
and one that no one IN the audience
understood the meaning Of is not to
be considered by the judges in making
their decision"
John Daryl could hardly credit the
evidence Of his senses. Not to be con-
sidered? Why? There must be some
thing wrong somewhere. What was
it?
But President Jackson made no ex-
PLANTATION of the reasons upon which
his instructions to the judges were
based. All eyes were turned upon
Robert Torrey inquiringly. He was
very pale. He seemed to be making q
great effort to control himself. Evil
IDENTITY he wanted TO make some reply
TO the president, but, for reasons best
known TO himself, he thought it advis-
able 10 remain silent.
There was no doubt where the prize
would go if Torrey's Grafton was to be
counted out. John realized that this
meant victory for him. There was a
mystery about it, however, that Devil
dered him. If the Grafton was his ri
walls, why was it not TO be consideredf