Year: 1868




was nearly through, and Emma was proud
and happy in the success of her friend,
when Sarah Black quickly leaned back of
the row OF girls and whispered distinctly
in her ear the one founding.


Nellies eyes dropped, her face flushed
scarlet, she missed, missed twice, became
deadly pale, and answered not another word !;
when a question was given the lips trembled
and tried to open, but no sound came
forth.


The kind principal passed quietly
on to the examination of the next
young lady, yet Nellie recovered not,
but pale, mute, and stricken she sat
like immovable marble, as though life it
self had gone out from her soul.


The close came, diplomas were distrib.
uted, aud the honored and beloved prn-
cipal stepped forward and called Miss Lott
to receive the gold medal. Nellie for the
first time looked up, looked up and smiled
lovingly upon her friend.


few beautiful remarks, and the medal
was extended to be placed around the neck
Of the beautiful girl; every eye was look
ing upon the picture, yet hearts were too
sad for the pale, stricken Nellie to enter fully
into the eclat of Emma Lott when she raised
her hand and put back the medal


Pardon me, my beloved teacher, if
seem to undervalue the honor you would
award me- for it is not so; had fairly won it
none would be prouder than to wear it; but
this honor justly belongs to another. Until
three months ago Nellie Foster was never,
from the hour of her entrance into this
school, known to falter over an answer;
she thought more than any of US, not un-
frequently making an obtuse subject
clearer than the author had done; every
teacher knows this to be true. Just at this
juncture in her uRrivaled success, a class
mate in whose heart jealousy rankled, be.
came an active enemy, and do not hesi
tate to say that no regard to truth has been
observed in her attempts to make my friend
wretched. Nellie is as shrinking as a
sensitive plant and although she did not
relax her application to her studies, she
could not sit in class with that girls mock.
ing look upon her, and answer conuectedly,
and to-day when Nellie was progressing SO
beautifully, and nearly through she leWue
back aud whispered in her ear taunt
which she knew Nellie would recoil so en-
tirely from as to be unable to answer far
ther; and this alone has prevented her
from standing in my place at this moment
Judge now, my teacher, if can receive this
medal. hope l shall not be called upon t.
name the offender, for I could not comply
but the entire class can be asked as to the
truth of what l say. -


The class was much surprised to hear tn,
voice of Sarah Black attest to the truth o
this, as naturally and readily as every othe
girl in class.


This at once decided the question, and tn
teacher spoke:


Miss Lott, rs your worthy conduct mus
elicit universal admiration, we award to yo
the pleasure of placing the medal upon you
friend. 4"


Nellie tried in vain to rise; Emma saw il
stepped quickly TO where she sat, an
placed the medal around her neck, Will
Nellie smiled up into her face through ia;
falling tears, and the words Dearest frien
why did you do this as they trembed oy
from her quivering lips were the first sh
had uttered since her failure.