The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-02-14
THE PRIZE o7ATION.
BY EDEN L. REXFORD.

by any member OF the graduating class
This prize was to be scholarship in
one of the best colleges in The country
John Darryll's heart gave IA great
thrill when the announcement was
made regarding the nature of the prize
to be given. If he could only gain it!
He was poor boy. 1t 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 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 great hope took posses
sion of him. He could crafty his am
bition, perhaps, if he We're 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
rival was Robert Torrey, the son of the
one rich man of Brandon. He was fell
low of good natural ability, ! ut 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. He would go through school
becarse 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
Dairy. he had 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 a 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 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 dose.
81 suppose you're going to try for the
prize?' he said to John one day.
eyes, l an" answered John, frankly.
you will, of course?"
Certainly" responded Robert. "And
Z mean to win. give you fair warning
of that"
GAIL right, if you win fairly an
swered 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"
"Of course, the prize lies between u.s."
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-
livered 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 fortnight, and he announced to
the graduating class just before his de-
parture that the orations We're 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
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 a few suggestions about
delivery.
"Tm little surprised about young
Torrey's oration," Prof. Fay said to an
other member of the faculty. Hes
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. 1t would do credit to
student graduating from college,"
Better than Darryll's?"
Eyes, because it shows more ma
turity of thought and firmer mental
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 should go to 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."
"Pd like to have him get it." said
Prof Foy. "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
judges decision will be-"
Commencement day came, bright and
beautiful, and it seemed as if all Bran
don turned out to hear the contest of
intellect and scholarship. The stage
was perfect bower of roses and foil
age, and the faces of the graduating
class were bright and beaming as the
day was. The audience seemed ex-
pecting great pleasure. and whispers
were heard all over the room about the
rival candidates for the one great honor
OF the day. 1t seemed to be generally
conceded that the prize was sure to fall
to Darryll or Torrey.
The exercises began with music,
after which there was prayer. Then
President Jackson rose and said that