Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-03-27


agree with it. Strangel
'If 1850 pounds of hay can be
bought-can be bought wonder
who will get those dandy skates
either Dick Atkins Or"
Once more the arithmetic was
opened.
eft 1850 pounds of hay can be
bought for a-for a-pair of nickel
skates, how"
Again Bennie closed the book dis
mally.
''lherel I can't get it; there's no
use tryingl l get skates and hay all
mixed up"
Just then the warning bell rang,
and the grade prepared to march out
for lntermission. Soon little groups
met here and there in the yard, all
eagerly discussing that mysterious
pair of skates.
They had been offered by DR.. CO.
nant that morning to the boy who
should spell correctly, in a given
time, the largest number of practical
words used in everyday 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-grade boys, who were
divided into two factions, led respec-
lively by Bennie Norcross and Dick
Atkins. Besides, the skates we're a
Jim dandy" pair, as Bennie declared
to his chum, Ted Stone-and Justly,
too; for DR.. Conant, who never did
anything by halves, had purchased
the 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-room. ''You two are the best
spoilers; the rest of US fellows don't
stand the ghost of 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 a relative OF
his. I'd like to see any one spell for
him now, thought
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, laughingly.
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 Bennie and Dick received
much valuable coaching" from their
eager followers.
81 hope L shall get them-they're
such beautiesl But, then, I'd rather
beat Dick Atkins than have all the
skates in the world" was Bennie' s
frequent soliloquy during that anxious
week.
Twas Thursday afternoon.
"Well, to-morrow's almost here. "
thought Bennie to himself, as he en-
tered the postoflice for the five o'clock
mail
There, before the letter box, stood
DR.. Conant. In taking n letter from
his pocket to post, scrap of paper
slipped out with it and fell to the floor
unnoticed.
AS Bennie stepped to the delivery
window, after the doctor had gone,
his foot chanced to touch the paper
He stopped and picked it up. Un-
folding it, he found
cts the list of test words for to-
morrow" he whispered, excitediy.
''It is? 1t is! Now, Mr.. Dick, We'll
see!'
Bennie took his mail and hurriedly
left the Office. As he turned into a
less busy street, he stopped and eau
tiously unfolded the bit OF paper