The Van Buren press., 1896-02-22
THE PRIZE GRAFTON.
BY EBEN e. REXFORD,


by any member of the graduating class.
1his prize was to be a scholarships in
one OF the best colleges in The country.
John Darryll's heart gave great
thrill when the announcement was
made regarding the nature of the prize
TO be given. If he could only gain i'll
lie was poor boy. It had been hard
work for him to complete the academy
course. But 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
thorough education, but it seemed
probable that his school days must end
with the completion of tile academy
course. But when the possibility of
securing scholarship in college was
presented a great hope took possess
sion of him. He could crafty his am
bition, perhaps. if he were to win that.
"I'll do the best can to get it, he
said, bravely and hopefully. "That's
the best anyone can do"
He had one rival IN his class. That
rivaI was Robert Torrey, the son of the
one rich man of Brandon. He was a fell
low of good natural ability. ut being
q rich mans son had interfered with
his progress in many ways. He had
not felt the spur of necessity, as had
John Daryl, and the result was that
he had become careless and lacked am
hition. 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 a college course is supposed
to represent.
He recognized the fact that in John
Daryl he had a rival who WAS quite
likely to carry off the honors of the
class. He 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 a social position
which the other did not. He did not
care about the scholarship as a sehol-
arship, but it would crafty his pride
to win ii away from his rival, and 50
he made up his mind to secure it if it
were possible to do so,
Il suppose you're going to try for the
prize?' he said to John one day.
"Yes, l am" answered John, frankly.
You will, of course?"
Certainly" responded Robert. "And
l mean to win. l 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
tractive. "l7shall try very hard to get
the start of you, but, of course, | may
fail to do so. If l do, you may be very
sure that it won't be because | 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"
eff 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 month before com
mencement. Just about that time Pres
ident Jackson was obliged to go away
for a 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 Darryll 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
oopying it for the last time. That is
all can do with it. 1t 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 little surprised about young
Torrey's oration," Prof. Fay said to an
other member of the faculty. Hes a
bright, keen fellow, but he hasn't
seemed to have ambition enough to do
himself Justice. But his Grafton is a
fine piece of work. Really, a most SUI
perior thing. 1t would do credit to a
student graduating from college"
"Better than Darryll'sg
"Yes. because it shows more ma
turity of thought and firmer mental
grasp" was the reply. That's what
surprised me. l didn't give Torrey
credit for so much development, men
tally, or such knowledge of composition
and command of language"
"Of course, the prize should go to the
one who deserves it," said Prof. Strong,
"but | shall be somewhat disappointed
IL Darryll fails TO get it. | have always
considered him the brighter, better
student of the two. The scholarship
would be such help for him"
sPd like TO have him get it" said
Prof. Fov. But it can't go by prefer
ence. you know. Merit must decide
who gets it. and after reading the
orations I'm pretty sure what the
:. l. .