The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1896-05-02
THE PRIZE GRAFTON.
BY EBEN e. RExFoRD.


This prize was TO be a scholarship in
one Of the best colleges in The country.
John Darryll's heart gave "a great
thrill when the announcement was
made regarding the nature of the pr1ze
to be given. If he could only gain it,
He was poor boy. 1t had been hard
work for biss to complete the academy
course. B1f by doing whatever he
found TO do, outside of school hours,
and patient persistent study. he had
succeeded in not only keeping up with
his class. but in practically leading IT,.
He was looked upon as the member of
the graduating class who was most
likely to carry off the honors at the
coming commencement.
His heart was set upon obtaining a
thorough education, but it seemed
probable that his school days must end
with the completion of the academy
course. But when the possibility of
securing a scholarship in college was
presented a great hope took posses
sion of him. He could crafty his am
bition, perhaps, if he were TO win that.
9TH do the best | can to get it, he
the best anyone can do"
He bad one rival IN his class. That
rival was Robert Torrey, the son of the
one rich man of Brandon. He was a fell
low of good natural ability, ut being
rich mans son had interfered with
his progress in many ways. He had
not felt the spur of necessity, as had
John Darryll, and the result was that
he had become rareless and lacked am
bition. He would go through school
because it was expected that one in his
position would do SO, but not because
he cared very much about the educa-
ton which college course is supposed
to represent.
He recognized the fact that in John
Dairy n he had a rival who was quite
likely to carry of the honors of the
class. lie respected John, as did all
who knew the manly young fellow, but
that did not prevent him from cherish
ing feeling of jealousy toward him.
1t seemed to Robert that the honors
ought naturally to come TO him. be-
cause he occupied social position
which the other did not. He did not
care about the scholarship as a schol-
.arship. but it would crafty his pride
to win if away from his rival, and SO
he made up his mind to secure it if it
were possible to do so.
II suppose you're going to try for the
price he said to John one day.
ayes, am" answered John, frankly.
-'You will, of course?"
"Certain ly, i" responded Robert. "And |
mean teNbin. give you fair warning
of that"
"All right, if you win fairly" an
swered John. with one of his bright, |
PLEASANT smiles that made his face at
trhctive. "I9shall try very hard to get |
the start of you, but. of course, ! may |
fail to do so. If do, you may be very |
sure that it won't be because l didn't |
do my best"
"Of course, the prize lies between US,
said Robert. Both of US know that /
no one else stands any chance of get
ting it. It's you and land I'm going
to win"
IF you can" laughed John.
The orations which were to be de-
Iivered in competition for the prize
were to be submitted to the president
of the academy a month before COM
mencement Just about that time Pres
ident Jackson was obliged to go away
for fortnight, and he announced TO
the graduating class just before his de-
parture that the orations were to be
handed to Prof. Fay, the secretary of
the faculty, for examination.
John Darryu put great deal Of
honest, conscientious work on his ora
ton. He wrote and rewrote it. He was
not content with it as long as he saw n
chance of improving it.
"There!" he said, as he finished
copying it for the last time. That is
ali can do with it. It may not win the
prize. but shall have the satisfaction
of knowing that did my best to make
it winner"
The next day the orations were
handed in to Prof. Fay. Three or four
DAYS later they were returned to their
owners with such criticism as he saw
fit to make and few suggestions about
delivery.
I'm a little surprised about young
Torrey's Grafton" Prof. Fay said to an
other member of the faculty. lies a
bright. keen fellow, but he hasn't
seemed to have ambition enough to do
himself justice. But his GRAFTON is
fine piece of work. Really, most SUI
perior thing. It would do credit to
student graduating from college
Better than Darryll's"
eyes. because it shows more ma
turity of thought and tirmer mental
was the reply. That's what
surprised me. didn't give Torrey
so much development. men
talIyor such knowledge of composition
and command of language"
4 49, IL q