The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-02-06
conceded that the prize was sure to fall

conceded that tho prize was sure to fall
to Darryll or Torrcy. %E .%2
The exercises began with music,
after which there was prayer: Then
President Jackson rose and said that
before the class exercises began three
judges must bc appointed to decide on
the relative merit of the orations to he
delivered by the graduating class.
The Judges were soon selected. They
took their places, and the graduating
exercises began. F
y Robert Torrey had the salutatory.
tHes took his place on the stage with an
easy, confident air that seemed to say:
II 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 q puzzled look. He seemed
bewildered. Then the bewilderlnent
seemed to give>way to angry surprise.
and many wopdered why he looked at
the speaker in that cold, stern way.
Robert Torrey's Grafton was. as Prof.
'Foy had said, q very line thing, and it
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 a mastery effort. The prize was
lost. He felt that, but his disappoint-
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. no
delivered it. with simple, modest dignity
that won admiration and approval from
NIL, Then his grafton began. He forgot
eli about the prize in its deli:ery. Ills
fine face glowed with the enthusiasm OF
his theme. He was no longer the con-
,estant for a prize, but a young orator
who felt the fire of lofty thoughts and
IN earnest belief in the truth and JUS
ticc of the cause for which he pleaded.
When he ended the room rang with
applause again and his frieuds pelted
him with roses all tho way to his seat.
President jackson rose and came for
ward.
Before the Judges render decision
I have a few words to say he SAID.
s.Thc 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 signltl-
cant expression on his face, and one
that no one in the audience understood
the meaning Offs not to he consld-
cred by the judges in making their de-
cision."
John Daryl could hardly credit the
evidence of his senses. Not to be con-
sidered? Why? There must be some
thing wrong somewhere. What was it,
But President Jackson made no ex-
rlanation of the reasons upon which
lis instructions to the judges were
based. All eyes were turned upon
Robert Torrcy inquiringly. he was
very pale. He seemed TO be making
Great effort to control himself. Evident
ly he wanted to make some reply to the
president. but, for reasons best known
to himself. he thought it advisable to
remain silent.
There was no doubt where the prize
would 90 if Torrey's Grafton was to be
counted out. John realized that this
meant victory for him. There was a
1oystery about it, however. that bewll-
dered him. If the grafton was his rivaIs,
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 i'll favor OF
True Greatness by John Darryu.'
There was silence for a 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. ..-...,
II 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 Torrcy.
Several days later Robert Torrey met
President Jackson on the street. He
was going by without speaking, but tho
president stopped him.
II was sorry, very sorry. sir. to find
out 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 lesson in it
which I hope you will not fail to learn.
Perhaps you did not know that your
uncle, whose graduating essay you
made use of, was a classmato of mine
in college, roommate also. 1 heard
it rehearsed so many times before COM
ruencement that could never forget it.
recognized it before you had delivered
half = dozen sentenceS was terribly