Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-02-04

+ VWNs might bennie $
agree with it. Strange
IF 1850 pounds of hay can be
bought can be bought wonder
who will get those dandy skates
either Dick Atkins OF"
Once more the arithmetic was
opened.
'If 1850 pounds of hay can be
bought for a-for a-pair of nickel
skates, how"
Again Bennie closed the book dis
mally.
''There! can't get it; there's no
use trying! ! get skates and hay all
mixed up!'
Just then the warning bell rang,
and the grade prepared to march out
for intermission. Soon little groups
met here and there in the yard, all
eagerly discussing that mysterious
pair of skates.
They had be,n offered by DIR. Co.
nant that morning to the boy who
should spell correctly, in u given
time, the largest humber of practical
words used in every day life. The
test was to be given by the doctor
himself week from the following
Friday.
Great excitement prevailed; for
there was strong spirit OF rivalry
among the X-9rade boys, who were
divided into two factions, led respcc-
lively by Bonnie Norcross and Dick
Atkins. Besides, the skates were u
"Jim dandy" pair, as Bonnie declared
to his chum, Ted Stone-and justly,
too; for DR.. Conant, who never did
anything by halves, had purchased
tho finest pair that could be found in
the large manufacturing city where
skates were made.
anyway, it lies between you and
Dick Atkins, old man." declared Ted,
positively, that night, as they sat dis
cussing the matter in the Norcross sit
ting groom. ''You two are the best
spoilers; the rest Of us fellows don't
stand the ghost of a chance. And, be-
sides, we want you to get them, any
how! See how Dick Atkins got the
prize in defamation from You last
spring, and just because DR.. Downing,
one of the Judges, was relative of
his. I'd like to see any one spell for
him now, though"
The friends OF both boys felt conf
dent of their own leaders, success, and
hardly considered the thought of try
ing for the prize themselves.
"Of course, we'll go through the
form; but, when it comes to our get
ting the skates, we won't be there
not even if we tried" declared the
boys, leughiugly.
The fathers and friends OF the boys,
in all professions, were consulted for
their opinion as TO the most practical
words in everyday use, and in this
way both Bonnie and Dick received
much valuable coaching" from their
eager followers.
II hope I ehall get them.-they're
such beauties! But, then, I'd rather
beat Dick Atkins than have all the
skates in the world" was Bonnie S
frequent soli!oquy during that anxious
week.
Twas Thursday afternoon.
"Well. to-morrows almost here, y
thought Bonnie to himself, as lie Ell.
tered the postoflice for the five o'clock
mail.
There, before the letter-box, stood
DR.. Conant. In taking letter from
his pocket to post, scrap of paper
slipped out with it and fell to the foo,
unnoticed.
As Bonnie stepped to the delivery
window, after the doctor had gone,
his foot CHANGED to touch the paper.
He stopped and picked it UP. I'm
folding it, he found
cts the list of test words for to-
morrow he whispered, excitedly.
"It is? 1t is! Now, Mr.. Dick, well
see!'
Bonnie took his mail and hurriedly
left the office. AS he turned into {
less busy street, he stopped and can
tiously unfolded the bit OF paper
again. Surely, there could be NJ
mistake! 1t contained the words fol
.morrows trial.
"I'll have them, every one, before
90 to sleep" he exclaimed, half alond
He hastily glanced down the list OF
words - "scoundrcl," dishonest,
"thief," met his gaze. He stopped
lie could read 10 more. That las
word seemed to whisper, so all who
passed might hear: You're one. ie:
you are Bonnie Norcross."
He hurrjedly turned into his owl
street, aud in moment more TIRES
down the mail Oh the sittinsroom
| table.
"I'm afraid you're worrying Too
much about the prize" remarked
Mrs. .Iorcross ri ica.tabc that even
Ing: for Bennic had left the warn
rolls and fresh honey almost untastcd
"Oh, 1 guess Lot. replied Bennic
lightly.
That night when he got to his room
lie sat Go';n o.. ..ie bed and place.
tie spe!!ing.tes; pnreg before him.
! SON. c-l: can spell that
D.e.f-a-n-l.t.e +. That's easy cnoug,,
| Dish c-;.-e.s.t-'
''iol axe. You Mc.' seemingly IN
tellu,.cd tho wind, as it went moal
Ing down the chimney.