The Van Buren press., 1896-02-22
conceded that the prize was sure to fall

| l HS eAtIeiSeS peBdn WIFI muSlcy
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 soon selected. They
took their places, and the graduating
exercises began.
Robert Torrey had the sa1utatory.
He took his place on the stage with ali
easy, confident air that seemed to say:
81 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 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 had said, very fine thing, and 1t
was well delivered When it was ended
the house rang with applause and
flowers fell upon the stage in fragrant
shower,
John Darryll listened to it with a
sinking heart. He knew that his ora
ton must seem crude and weak after
such mastery effort. The prize wss
lost. He felt that, but his disappont-
ment did not prevent him from con-
graduating his classmate on his tri-
umph, 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. He
delivered it with simple, modest dignity
that won admiration and approval from
all Then his oration began. He forgot
all atout the prize in it's delivery His
fine face glowed with the enthusiasm OF
his theme He was no longer the con-
testant for prize, but 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
rward.
Before the judges render decision
| have a few words to say" he said.
"The first orator, for reasons which are
perfectly understood by the young man
who delivered it and myself''-here he
looked at Robert with a most signih-
can't expression on his face, and one
that no one in the audience understood
the meaning Offs not to be consid-
cred by the judges in making their de-
cision."
John Darryll could hardly credit the
evidence of his senses. Not to be con-
sidered? Why? There must be some
thing wrong somewhere. What was 1t?
But President Jackson made no ex-
planation of the reasons upon which
bis instructions to the judges were
based. All eyes were turned upon
Robert Torrey inquiringly He was
very pale. He seemed to be making a
great effort TO control himself Evident
ly he wanted to make some reply to the
president, but, for reasons best known
10 himself, he thought it advisable to
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
lnvstery about it, however, that bewil-
1 I,.aO int, n c iVDIG
why was it not to be considered? Could
it be possible that it was not his?
The decision of the judges was made
and handed up to the president. He
advanced to the front of the stage and
read it to the audience;
"The Judges: after carefully consid-
ering the orations of the graduating
class, unanimously decide in favor of
True Greatness, by John Darryll.'
There was silence for moment and
then the room rang with cheers which
seemed to make the roof tremble Then
there were calls for John Darryll, John
Darrvll! and the hero of the day was
compelled to take the stage and bow his
thanks to those who were SO enthusi-
astic over his victory.
81 congratulate you most heartily"
President jackson said, coming up to
John and shaking him warmly by the
hand. "IIonor WINS" he added, with a
meaning look at Robert Torrey.
Several DAYS later Robert Torrey met
President jackson on the street. He
was going by without speaking, but the
president stopped him.
81 was sorry, very sorry, sir, to tind
out that | had been mistaken in you,'
he said. ~ hope the theft of that ora
ton was your first one and that it will
ne your last one. There's a lesson in it
which l hope you will not fail to learn.
Perhaps you did not know that your
uncle, whose graduating essay you
made use of, was classmate of mine
in college-a roommate also. l heard
it rehearsed so many times before COM
mencement that l could never forget it.
recognized it before you had delivered
half dozen sentences. was terribly
surprised and pained, for L would not
have believed you could be guilty OF
such a dishonest act. My words may
seem harsh, but l do not believe in
Clossing over wrongdoing. 1t was dis
honest, and for moment | felt like
publicly exposing you, but / thought
better of that, and no one, except the
| facuI+,r IN vvbou, il Hvns necessary II