BERTIE'S SPELLING MATCH.
Early in November, Mr. Curtis removed his family to Woodlawn; and
Bertie commenced attending school. It was too far for him to walk, and
now he found Whitefoot a greater convenience than ever. Close by the
schoolhouse lived a farmer by the name of Camp, who readily agreed
with Mr. Curtis to allow the donkey to stand in his barn during
school hours.
Miss Esther Taylor, his former teacher, welcomed him back with great
pleasure, for she had learned to love him like a brother. His health
had now greatly improved by so much exercise in the open air, and he
resolved to study hard through all the winter months.
I suppose there are many children more forward in their lessons than
he was; but he had laid a good foundation for an education. He could
read correctly, and with expression, and had begun Colburn's Mental
Arithmetic. In geography he had only learned the general divisions of
the globe, and had begun to draw upon his slate, islands, lakes,
capes, peninsulas, etc., which greatly helped him to understand the
explanations in his book.
In spelling, Bertie was rather backward, not being quick to learn the
sounds of which the word was composed.
Miss Taylor was resolved her pupils should excel in arithmetic and
spelling. In order to excite their ambition she allowed them twice a
week to have what is called a spelling-match.
Two boys or two girls among the best spellers were chosen alternately
by vote of the scholars, and these called out from among their mates
the names of those they wished on their side. Of course each one
wished the best spellers, in order that his side might win the prize,
and as poor Bertie generally failed, he was left out.
After this had occurred two or three times, the little fellow began to
feel mortified; and one night said to his mamma,--
"Will you please buy me a satchel? I'm going to bring home my
spelling-book every night; and I can't carry it very well on
Whitefoot's back, without it's in a satchel."
Mrs. Curtis left the room, and presently returned with a small leather
bag, to which a strap was attached.
"Will this do?" she asked.
"Oh, yes, mamma! that is just what I wanted."
After this, mamma, and papa, and Mrs. Dodge, and Nellie, and Bertie,
and Nancy had a great many spelling-matches, the rule being that every
one who pronounced the word must do so with the greatest distinctness,
so that every letter as far as possible should be articulated.
Before the winter was past, Bertie's dislike to his spelling-book was
wholly conquered, and he was called as often as any scholar to try
for the prize in the spelling-match.
This was the first winter the children had ever passed in the country.
When the snow began to fall, Winnie was delighted, and went out to
catch the flakes on a piece of paper.
Their house was of a June temperature, while the new conservatory
furnished bouquets and cut flowers in abundance.
It was not the intention of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis to keep aloof from the
villagers. Indeed, by this time, the Oxford people well understood
that the Squire and his wife were ready to befriend them whenever they
were in distress.
The gentleman taught a class in the Sabbath School, composed of
married ladies who had never before been members.
Mrs. Taylor, who was one of the class, often remarked she would arise
long before light rather than to lose the opportunity of hearing the
Bible explained in the simple, practical way the Squire performed the
service.
It was a happy day for the good pastor of Oxford when Mr. Curtis
purchased his farm at Woodlawn. From their first introduction, the
hearts of these truly Christian persons were drawn toward each other.
They were working in the same cause to win souls to the Saviour whom
they loved. One was rich, and the other comparatively poor; but both
had consecrated themselves and all that they possessed, to the
Saviour, who had bought them with his precious blood; and both desired
so to live and to train their families, that when lying on the bed of
death, they might say with Paul,--"I have fought a good fight; I have
finished my course; I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up
for me a crown of righteousness."