Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-03-05
THE PRIZE GRAFTON.
by EDEN f. RExFoRD.

=, I''No All thc beSt OTatl0n TO De
ueiiVercd at the coming commencement
by any member of the graduating class.
rms prize was to be a scholarship, in
one OIL the best colleges in The country.
John Darrylrs heart gave great
'hrill when the announcement was
mace regarding the nature of the prize
10 DC given. II he could only gain It!
lie was poor boy. 1t had been hard
work Tor him to complete the academy
course. But by doing whatever he
FOUND to do. outside of school hours,
ana patient, persistent study, he had
succeeded IN not only keeping up with
his class, but in practically leading it.
lie was looked upon as the member of
Ihe graduating class who was most
hkeiy to carry off the honors ut 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 scholarship in college was
presented a great hope took posses
sion Of him. He could crafty his am
o't'on, perhaps, II he were to win that.
IN do the best car to get it," he
said, brnvely and hopefully. That's
tho best anyone can do"
lie hnd one rival in his class. That
rival was Robert Torrey, the son of the
ore rich man of Brandon. He was fel-
low of good natural ability. Tut being
a 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 careless and lacked am
bition. lie would go through school
because it was expected that on. in his
position would do so, but not BECAUSE
he cared very much about the eSuca-
ton which college course is supposed
to represent.
lie recognized the fact that in John
Daryl no had rival who was quite
iikcly " carry off the honors of the
class. He respected John, as did all
w'io 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
cure about the scholarship as schol-
arship, but it would crafty his pride
to win it away from his rival, and so
he made up his mind to secure it If it
were possible to do so.
vi suppose you're going TO try for the
price, he said to John one day.
"Y,s, am" answered John, frankly.
You will, of coursc?"
"Certainly," responded Robert. Sand
= mean to win. give you fair warning
of that"
"All right, if you win fairly" an
swored John, with one of his bright,
pleasant smiles that made his face at
tractive. "I?shall 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 didn't
do my best"
'0f course, the prize lies between u.s."
said Robert. Both OF us know that
no one else stands any chance of get
ting IL. It's you and land I'm going
10 win"
''If you can" laughed John.
The orations which were to he de-
livcrcd in competition for the prize
were to be submitted to the president
Of the academy month before COM
mencemcnt. 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 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 a
chance of improving it.
'.There!" he said, as he finished
copying 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
II Il 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
hight. keen fellow. but he hasn't
seemed to have ambition enough to dc
himself Justice. But his Grafton is Il
fine piece OF work. Really, most SUI
perior thing. It would do credit to
student graduating from college"
Better than Darryll's?"
"Yes, because it shows more ma
turity of thought and firmer menta!
grasp" was the reply. That's what
surprised me. didn't give Torrey
credit for so much development. men,
tally, or such knowledge of composition
and command of language"
"Of course, the prize Snouiu go W the
one who deserves it," said Prof Strong
but | shall be somewhat disappointed
If Darryll fails to get it. have always
considered him the brighter. better
student Of the two. The scholarship
would be such help for him."
"l'd like to have him get it," said
Prof. Foy. "But it can't 60 by prefer
encc, Won know. Merit must decide
who gets it. and after reading the
orations I'm pretty sure what the
judges decision will be-"
Commencement day came, bright and
beautiful. and it seemed as If all Bran
don turned ont to hear the contest OF
intellect and scholarship. The stage
was perfect bower OF roses and foli'
nre. and the faces of the graduating