The Forrest City times., 1896-01-31
FORREST CITY, ARK, FRIDAY AFTERNOON JANUARY B. IS

l nave lew words to say. he said ''Ihe 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 signifi- cant 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. WEat was ii?
 But President Jackson made no ex- planation of the reasons upon which lis 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 .-eply to the president, but, for reasons best known to himself, he thought it advisable to remain silent.
 There was no doubt where the nrize would go if Torrey's oration was to be counted out. John realized that this meant victory for him. There was mystery about it, however, that bewil- dered him. If the oration was his rivals, 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 cad it to the audience:
 ''The judges, after carefully consid- ering the orations of the graduating class, unanimously decide ill 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 Darryll! 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.
 Il congratulate you most heartily" President Jackson said, coming up to John and shaking him warmly by the hand. Honor wins," he added, with 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.
 Il was sorry, very sorry, sir, to find cut that had been mistaken in you," he said. II hope the theft of that ora ton was your first one and that it will DC 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 q classmate of mine in college-a roommate also. 1 heard it rehearsed so many times before com iuencement that 1 could never forget it. 1 recognized it before you had delivered half dozen sentences. WIS terribly surprised and pained, for l would not have believed you could be guilty of such dishonest act. My words may seem harsh, but 1 do not believe in guessing over wrongdoing. It was dis honest, and for a moment l felt like publicly exposing you, but l thought better of that, and no one, except the faculty, to whom it was necessary to explain my action in the matter, and ourselves. knows the truth. Take my advice, sir, and let this prove to you that the man who resorts to dishonesty is never safe from detection. If your theft had not been discovered you would have lost your own seIf-respect, tor you would have known yourself to be the recipient of stolen hnnors, and the man who has lost respect for him. self is a man greatly to be pitied. ."-N. '. Ledger.