Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1901-02-22

Il can spell all the common ones
without looking at them. J-u-d-g-
m-e-n-t." she spelled Leave out the
'e' before 'ment.' Separate looks easy,
but some'n spell 1t with an e. every
time
In early November DR.. Randall, a
genial, retired practitioner, man who
had won the distinction of being the
philanthropist of the village, had Of
fered tuition and all legitimate ex-
penses for one year at Douglass semi
nary to any young man or woman who
should spell all otherS down IN an old
fashioned contest. This was to be held
at the high school building about the
middle of December. 1t made no diff
ference whether the contestants at
tended school or not, the only require
ment being that they couldn't be over
81 and must reside in town.
That Ethel Maynard or Ralph Hol-
man or perhaps George Lewis would
get it was the foregone conclusion in
the minds of nearly all the inhabitants
of the village.
"Just you wait. Perhaps you'll be
mistaken" was Mans soliloQuy after
hearing the matter thus prematurely
settled. Il don't care for the old tut
ton; wouldn't have It anyway. but I'll
show you can do something" and she
nodded her head .defiantly to an imagi-
nary, unsympathetic audience.
"All ready?' asked Dr. Randall the
evening of the contest, glancing at the
eager faces about him. 81 think so. :"
he added. Ethel Maynard and Ralph
Holman may be captains and choose"
Amid intense excitement long lines
of spoilers were soon in their places.
ANY one else like to spell who hasn't
been drawn?" And DR.. Randall looked
over his gold bowed spectacles' inquir-
ingIy III just wait moment"
There was slight stir back in the
corner, and Nan Hascall slowly arose.
"She here-Nan Hascall!' and a tit
ter ran round the room. t
Mans face flushed with indignation.
Mildred caught her eye and smiled
approval.
Your turn to choose, Mr.. Holman"
said Dr. Randall.
.'Did Miss Maynard choose last?
Very we'll Nan Hascall!"
''SpeII your best" whispered Mil
dred. and she pressed Mans hand as
the girf buried by, her look of anger
changed almost to smile by Mildred's
sympathy.
'T'H give you an easy word first"
And ''daguerreotype" was given out.
eff that's easy, 1 don't know what he
calls a hard one" But Ralph spelled 1t
correctly.
'Idiosyncrasies" followed. Three
missed on parallel" and Nan spelled
it.
Zone of the easy Ones" she whis-
pered.
Word after word was given out until
only four spoilers remained on the
floor, the two captains, George Lewis
and Nan Hascall.
Mildred was never more anxious. ~
do hope She was too interested to
finish her sentence.
For ten minutes each spelled accu-
rately every word that came to him.
"Neophyte."
George hesitated. then spelled it with
an |.
'N-e-o-p-h-y-t-e," spelled Nan calmly.
There was hardly a breath in the
room. so great was the suppressed ex-
element.
During the next five minutes Ralph
took his seat, beaten.
well. wellr It was Judge Hilton's
ejaculation Of surprise.
"Metahlorphosis."
Ethel began, hesitated, looked up in
CONSERVATION. spelled it-wrong.
Miss Hascall, metamorphosis."
'M-e-t-a-m-o-r-p-h-o-s-i-s," confidently.
AS she finished Nan was greeted with
a round Of applause such as had never
before emanated from Welchville au-
dience. Again and again as 1t began
to die out 1t was increased with great
er intensity.
Mildred slipped on to the floor and
gently drew Nan to a seat.
81 knew you'd win." she whispered.
I'm proud
"Of me2' interrupted Nan passion
ately. "Then-then I'll take the prize
-and-and be somebody's
Your mother was always. right
smart at spelling" Twas Job Has
calls husky congratulation as he
clumsily patted Mans yellow braid.
81 decided 'twould be indeed a meta
morphosis when l saw your look of
anxiety and knew you cared" confess
ed Nan the day of her graduation. "If
it hadn't been for that-oh, Mildred, |
shudder to think!'-Forward,