The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-22

He hastily glanced down tho hst oA
ds-"sooundrsi." "defaulser, oni-
honest" thief" met his gsze. 40
stopped: he could read no more lrat
last word seemed TO whisper 30 an VINO VINO
passed might hear: You're onel Nes,
YOU are. Bonnie Norcross."
He hurriedly turned into his own street
and in a moment more threw down the
mail on the sitttng-room table.
I'm afraid you are worrying too much
about the prize" remarked Mrs' Nor
cross AT the tea table that evening: Tor
Bonnie had left tho warm rolls and fresh
honey almost untasted
"oh, l guess not" returned Bennie'
lightly
That night. when he got oo his room.
he sat down on the bed. and placed the
spelling-test paper before him.
IS ndrel; can spell that
Defaulter That's easy enough.
ID honest
you are. you are" seemingly inter
rupted the wind. as st went moaning
down the chimney.
"Oh. botherr exclaimed Bonnie. fur
lively looking around the room.
81 hief," he spelled, and on through
the entire list. then noiselessly crept into
bed
Good luck 70 you. Benniev called Mrs.
NOrcrOss, merrily. the next morning, as
Bennie with heavy heart. took up his
books, tightly strapped together. and
prepared 10 leave the house.
THANK you, mother" Re answered
quietly The NEXT moment the door
closed. and he was gone. FED met him
block away. why. what's the matter.
old manY' he exclaimed, giving him
friendly slap on the shoulder. "Cheer
up, Youll come in ahead with dying
colOrs this time. There's no Dr. Downing
in this case"
Bonnie tried 10 smile but his attempt
was a miserable failure.
1--WE a good mind not 10 take IT, ne
said to himself, as his chum left him 20
do an errand across the street. But.
then. must beat Dick Adkins: and /
can 10 II this timei'
Just after the opening exercises DR..
Conant entered the school-room, carrying
under his arm a neatly done-up paper
parcel
All eyes turned 70 Bonnie and Dick.
Bennies heart beat wildly. while to its
throbbing a voice within seemed 10 be
keeping time with: "Can't-you-spell--
thief? Course YOU can: for that's you:
you can spell yourself. can't youg''
Slowly Dr. COnant pronounced the first
word,-how anxiously Bonnie was listen
ing for it!-"business."
Hes got another list" happily thought
Bonnie to himself. "Oh. good"
But no. The next word was Sound
rel" and from that on the list was ex-
actly tho same as the one Bonnie had
found and studied.
After ne had written the fifth word,
he looked up from his paper. Ted met
his gaze with an assuring smile. Ben
MES face flushed. What If he knew!
he thought
When the test was over with a sigh
OF relief. Bonnie folded his paper. and
hurried from the room.
How'd you make it?' asked the boys
quickly. as they gathered around him.
Wasn't It a stickor. thought
WAS it?' answered Bonnie. evasively.
"I think, perhaps. l got most Of them
right"
AT the close Of the afternoon session.
DIT Conant was to award the prize. How
slowly the hours seemed 20 PAS! ~
length. however. the exercises for tho
day we're over; and Dr. Conapt entePd.
An air Of expectancy filled the room.
Bennies face paled slightly
Spelling has become nearly lost art
among the boys and girls Of the present
generation" began Dr. Conant "aRd 1
assure you Il gives me a pleasure able
surprise 10 find among the Y grade boys
Of the Wallace High School a marked eX-
ception TO this condition. Nearly every
boy In the grade has done himself credit,
some, Of course. more than others, and
one especially more than all the rest.
The bow referred TO who has splendidly
conquered in the contest, al Gyes were
Immediately turned TO Bennie and then
TO Dick-"is Bonnie Norcross. VIII the
young man who did not fail in single
word please come forwaTd?'
Bonnie arose, pale but resolute' and
walked out 10 the desk before Whlch Dr.
Conant was standing
"Wu YOU please tell me, sir, who
stands second In the contest?' asked
Bennie as the doctor took the parcel up
from tho desk.
certainly. my boy. Let me see; It's
STbon." said Bonnie. "to him belongs
tho prize" And, turning. he faced the
school and confessed tho whole story OF
the lost paper.
A. no ceased speaking not a breath
was heard in the large assembly room
Hastily v,iping his eyes, DR.. Conant
sd,.anced and. gently placing his hand
ON Pennies shoulder, said ten1erly'
NJ how the skates Of course belong
e. Diclr Atkins. but. as l said before. }
reneat. and with the hearty approval OF
every bow In tho y grade, I'm cz tam
Won have splenGdly conquered LII
Register.
A Small Boys Problem
wonder how ia like II, .
And I wonder who I'd be-
Surprising 1 was somebody elSef =
And somebody else was me- e
l wonder, I just wonder, 2
what boy Ia Ike to be
Surprising I didn't Ike him