Press enter after choosing selection

The Spelling Match

The Spelling Match image
Parent Issue
Day
16
Month
April
Year
1875
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

A large audience assembled at Union Hall Wedneaday evening to witness the spellingbee, wlnch had been previously aunounced lor the benefit of the Ladies' Charitable Unipn. Prof. Harringtou and Miss Chitteuden were chosen leaders, and called their rolla, each contestant takiug a seat upou the stage. Sixteen ladies and gentlemen eulisted uuder Prof. Harriugton's command, and an equal number on the other side. Proís. Perry and Hutchins pronouuced the words and Prof. Pattengill was choseu umpire. The first half hour the contestante spelled while sitting, and at the end of this time the tally stoDd four for Miss Cliittendeu and seven tor Prof. Barrington. Considerable merrinu'iit was creuted during this contest by a venerable gentleman of Miss Chittenden's purty falliug in his second engagement with a sprained ancle. Now carne the spelling down. i'aceitious made the first victim lor Miss C, while the Harrington wing received its rirst blow by ona oL their number renderiug a word extacy. One went out on Miss C.'s side for spelling facile without the final letter, Another with fallable, and stilt another who munaged fascinate without an s. Decypher redueed the ranks of Prot. Harrington one, and another feil by convelescent. One of his company ceased to compete for the prize after spelling eonfectionary, and auother was seated on annulist. Musqueto and mosketo slew one on each side. Mineralogista moccasin and naiad defeated three of the Harrington wmg. Une from Miss Chittenden's side was sent out ot the ranks by mtsjudyement, two with missie and mistle; one lady faüed on mustuch, a gentleman on metamorfoses, and the leader herseli feil by misteltoe. By this time the ranks were reduced to four professors - two on each side. The battle now began to wage fiercely. The guuuer threw some of his heaviest shell, when one of Miss C.'s bravest warriors was carried off by idiocyncrasy, and a moment later her last man was duin by bderyl. But two men were now left - Profs. Harrington and Beman - and brave men were they. The former was killed with alliynment, and the latter left master of the field. The gunner undertook to slay him with sauerkraut, but this weapon had no effect. After a fierce struggle he was final ly conquered with quahog. And yet, on adjournment, authority was fouud for his renderiug of the name 01 that animal, and Professor B. inay be considered standing yet. It is but just to the contestants on both sides to say that a number of errors were made from a misunderstanding oí the words pronounced, The prize was a bouquet of flowers. The proceeds of the entertainment was about ninety dollars. Tlie Aeous has had nothing to remark to date touching the proposed abolition of the usual Commencement day exercises ; but in view of ;he fact that the student correspondents of the Detroit dailies are attempting to write up a ïttle insubordinaron or rebellion, it has a suggestion or two to offer: lst. Wouldn'tj it be a little more modest for the aforesaid corespondents or their inspirers to use the phrase 'requested tobe excused " rather than"decliued," " resigned," &c. ? These latter words avor too much oí a claim iu behalf of the apointees to be masters (of the situation) intead i)f pupils. 2d. If the body of students or seniors really wish a change for Commencement, let tliem be given their diplomas (after earning them), and then sent home without any public demonstration. A single oraor, nine times out of ten, will prove a great bore, and there is no use in making a day of t just to let the graduates walk on and off the tage for the gratification of themselves, their las, mas, next frieuds, or sweethearts. Newspapee Subscbibers - The London Xecspaper Press contains the following conceruiug oue class of newspaper subscribers, which is vaguely credited to an American )aper : " There are a class of men who take jewspapers, pay for them, and read them. Observe the order in which these things are done : The pay comes first - the reading next. These men cousider they get the worth of their money in the bargain. It seems as fair and ust to them that the newspaper should be paid for as a barrel of sugar or a new coat. They never entertain auy other opinión. Wheu the year runs out, or a little before, they are on hand with the pay. There is no more difficulty with them in remembeiïng tliis period, thau Sunday or the first of Jauuary. If one of them wishes to stop his paper, he either calis or writes a letter in due season, like a man. This class is dear to the heart of the editor. Their image is embalmed in his warm affections. May they live a thousand years, and see their sous' sous to the fourth geueration.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus