The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-04-11
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THE REWARD
OF MERIT e e

a1ls and outbuildllgs vi "nie' W.
hool for Young ladies', fashionable
,.,srv in the town of n. 1t was
e ,oontb Of February, and as the end
he second term of the school year
IL dra wing near the quarterly exam
ot,ons were in progress. In one of
[. coziest apartments in the buildings
vo,nc ladies, all members Of the
= class were assembled, busily en-
rad N conversation. 1t was typ
Il coIlege girls room. Photographs
n eo,,venirs of various kinds deco
ted the walls and mantel, and a heter-
yeneo,,s assortment of bric-a-brac was
,ottored here, there and everywhere.
ba latest magazine, with its leaves
Y ,cnf Law upon the center table. In
u aorner OF the room stood an easel
It'll a. unfinished painting thereon,
lille charcoal drawings, pencil sketch
y and studies in still life gave mute
hdence of the presence of the student.
nv Hildreth, the hostess, a bright
iced girl of sixteen, was just now the
snfral figure in the animated group.
X was the daughter of a clergyman
IA one of the most popular girls in the
Elhool.
NJ "a y it's a shame" cried Minnie
lav. curly haired blond. you're
h most talented girl in the class, and
,fhink of your having to leave now,
ithout even a chance to try for the
rize. You'd be sure to win it. The rest
n is Wouldn't have the ghost of an
pportunity."
eBess takes lessons simply for the
Pame BIZ the thing" said Lottie Moore.
Now. with me it's different. l expect
teach some day If ever succeed in
d ainting a rose which can be distin-
uished from a cabbage by any means
kept its color"
4As bar as am concerned" said EN-
ia Brainard, tall, safely looking
,irI With a profusion Or wavy black
dir RAINING her piquant face, Mime.
rs prize is perfectly safe. You know,
iris, I don't pretend to paint anything
xcept miniatures. Should l ever be-
ONE celebrity in that line l shall
sur Europe and paint all the crowned
eads.p
!, THE prize referred to was a gold med
and a scholarship for the coming
ea1. 10 be given for the best flower
iece painted by any member of the art
lass after one years course of lessons
the seminary. Amy's work up to
bis Time had shown unusual excel
nee, and her talent, if opportunity to
evelop it We're given, would without
uestion have enabled her to take pre-
edence of all the others, even those
I the students who had had the ad-
'antase of previous study before enter
AZ the school for a special course. But
l6tter from her mother. received that
Iery morning, had given her hopes in
hat Erection a decided blow
"Iou know, daughter" she had writ
en-, <your fathers salary is not large,
md ] I'm really afraid we shall have to
ave yOu come home at the end of the
ef1n. If your board were the only
hing. it would be different matter,
hut the lessons are very expensive, and
3 1t Is not at all probable that painting
piIl yer amount to anything more
han a mere accomplishment | do not
ee nv way clear just now to help you
ut, much as | would like to have you
oufiupe. 1t pains me to tell you this,
Or know your heart is set on COM
leting the course, but | see no other
Yay 4unless something unexpected
houId happen"
WHAT'S this, Amy? A valentine?"
lskedpne of girls, holding up a combi-
lati0n of painted flowers and satin rib
lon Which she had discovered among
be collection of souvenirs on the man.
81.
Yes" said Amy, with a merry
aush. and, by the way, tomorrow is
ne l4th. Suppose we each surprise
)ur favorite teacher with a bunch of
lofhQuse flowers. We can get them at
3rce1's when we go out for our walk"
"C8pital!" said Lottie. "I'll give
punch of American Beauties to Miss
Unl(ely think she is too sweet for
lnyt1ing."
80 do l." assented Minnie. "She's
'nflrely too pretty to be buried in this
)oky little country town."
hall give mine to Miss Sue, the
Latin teacher. and it will be lilies of
me valley" said Bess. "She always
makes me think of a lily, she is so
sweet and graceful"
WITH about our town teacher, Miss
1faYes Z" ventured Amy.
eeneral laugh arose.
aer name is certainly suggestive"
SAID one. For instance, one might
coLnpose a couplet after this sort:
se9aphina, I adore thee!
take these flowers, implore thee!
Hnere do you suppose she ever got
.n't pame! And she is so funny look
'a8 With those old fashioned little cork
screw curls and her dainty, mincing
Qon't think she is funny looking"
sai4 Amy. 81 think her white curls are
4'1.lnf, and then her work-why, it's
grandl You know that painting
e ne reception room, The Ruins of
"z<'pgeT heard one of the teachers
~ took the first prize at the Paris
exuQ#tion."
Inns Of CARTHAGE! Probably they
- personal sympathy for ancient
'a'lsf suggested one.
~ you lived in Pope's days,
said Ella Howard, "he never
evq'q have inquired, why has not
! s''.'A microscopic eye? If you can
zstFct any beauty in Miss Graves, the