Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-08-08
PHILIPS TRIUMPH
BY HELEN A. PARKER.

their gay shouts. the crunc,ing of the
hard snow under their feet and the
girls laughter rs they came up behind
lie started to get up. then sat down
again. Then flash OF light shone
through the window. II was the
Searchlight Charley Loomis had at the
Head OF his sled. and the admrntio
of all the other boys. Charley's hello
OF invitation followed rs he got OPP
posite the house. That was too much
for Philip, and this time he closed his
book with bang and got up.
Lesson all fnishcd?" asked his
mother. who was sewing at the other
side Of the table.
swell, not exactly, only partly" Phil
Up answered.; 'but, mother. they are
having such fun! and l haven't been
out this whole week"
He ran to the window and looked
out. There they were, a long line of
them. with Charley Loomis ahead. Yes
and that was Edith Jones with him.
for he could see the bright curls peep
ing from behind her tam o'Shanter.
She was president Of Philips class in
high school and far the most popular
girl in town. Philip and she had been
friends since they were children and
lived opposite one another. but since
Philips father died his mother had to
move into a smaller house.
Then Charley Loonls came to town
md entered the high school soon aft
er. He had everything he wanted and
asked Edith everywhere. She. liking
good time. readily accepted. She did
not forget Philip, however, although he
thought she had, and in her heart Of
hearts preferred him to Charley in
spite Of the candy and invitations the
latter gave her.
But Philip did not know this. and it
was Il doleful face that met his moth
er's.
She looked grave as she said: "You
know how much your success In math-
cmaticS will count towards your get
ting the place in Mr.. Grants store,
and we so need the money! But do
as YOU please, my son." she added. !
feel as badly as you do. even worse,
] think, to have YOU miss so much Of
the fun" And she gave him Il loving
look.
Philips sled, though an old one. was
10y no means one OF the SloWcSt. and
he was the best stccrcr of them all. II
WAS Il glorious night to be out, and he
longcd to be with them. Then he
thought Of his mothers hard work.
how She had patched and mcndcd his
clothes and made over her own. And
now she was sacrificing everything to
keep him through the last year of high
school that he might obtain the posi-
ton which was promised, If his stand
ing proved good. He gave Il long sigh.
but his mothers face settled ii. Turn
ing rcsOlutely away from the window
he sat down again to study.
He no longer listened to his school
mates voices. but worked away with
all his might. A week more and it
would be time for the midyear cxami-
nations. They were reviewing now.
ind in geometry Professor Strong had
sent in an original problem thIy were
to he responsible for. Miss Stephens
was very anxious they should solve it.
but no one had so far.
ITS come mother. at last" he said;
there it is, proof and all :" and he gave
glad shout as he showed her the
finished work.
Meanwhile. after Charlcy's unsuc-
reSsfuI summons the boys waited q
few minutes, thinking Philip might
change his mind. Then he gave ii up
and went on.
what II baby Philip is" said Char
ley.
"Wcll, anyway, I guess he'll be glad
when examination time comes. cSpe-
ciaIIy if that problem is one of the
questions" said Ralph Wood "And
YOU know. whoever gets marked high
est is 10 he valrdict"rian, and Pro-
fcsSor Strong cares more for our &C.
omctry than anything"
ooh. Professor Strong ana his old
geometry" said Charley. 81 wouldn't
los" this cnastimg for all the original
problems going, would You. Edilh?"
Edith did rot answer. She had al
ways respected Philips devotion Ia his
mother. Now She admired him very
much for giving up IN evenings pleas
urc 10 study.
When the day arrived for The exam
ination Philip was triumphant. The
first question was the original prob
lem. He soon solved il and then an
Swcrcd the rest. He finished before
the others and handed his paper to
Miss stephens.
4 day or two after she gave him
his mark, which was % per cent. "You
had perfectly splendid paper" she
said and your mark IS the best ever
attained by anyone In the class. and
Professor Strong says you are to be
yalcdictOrian in June"