For the Little Folks. WHY HE DID NOT WIN.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 176, 30 October 1886, Page 8 (Supplement)

For the Little Folks. WHY HE DID NOT WIN.

The following true incident, though a trifle,, has a suggestive meaning for many readers. It was the day for the - public exhibition of athletic sports in Blank College. The grand stand was crowded with matrons and pretty maidens. Below, the faculty, the trustees, >nd fathers of the boys unbent, from their grave dignity, and laughed over baseball games and races of fifty years ago. Arouad the ring were crowded the students from a rival college, the men who were to take part in the •' events ' of the day wore close-fitting flannel suits of the college colours, white and blue. Two brothers stood near each other j the breast of one was covered with silver and gold medals, the other had not one. •♦Champion, hundred yards daeh." "First prize, L. L. tournament." "First prize, Mile Run," said a bystander, reading some of the inscriptions on the medals. "Ho* many of these things have you. Joe?" J ' " He haa over twenty at home," said hi* brother, eagerly. ** And you none, Tom ? How is that ?" " Never could come in first. I think I shall take a gold bar to-day, though. There is one thing I can do— the hurdle race." "Oh !" cried a child's voice behind him, in a tone of bitter disappointment. Tom turned and saw a littie girl seated' by a poorly dreased woman. Bobh were looking at him with "startled disappointed faces. " Who are they ?" Tom whispered to his friend. " Bradford's mother and sister. One of the charity students. He's in the hurdle race. I suppose they thought the poor wretch would win the gold medal, and be asked to dinner with Prox to-night, along with the first-prize men." " Yea,' said Tom, thoughtfully, as he walked away. Bradford was a dull fellow, he remembered, and neglected by mo9t of the students, who were better clothed and better bred than himself. If the boy won this prize,[and appeared at the President's state dinner, it would certainly give him a standing, in future, among the boys. A moment later a lady who knew him called Tom to the grand stand. " This will be the victor in the hurdle race," she said to the ladies near her, who smiled while Tom blushed and laughed. The sports began. One eYent succeeded another. The hurdle race was called j Tom and Bradford started together, but Tom passed him easily. All of the hurdles were passed but one. Tom glanced aside> saw the strained face of the shabby woman, and the qhild's tearful eyes, and the next instant tripped and fell, while Bradford leaped past him. The President himself gave the prizes. The band played and the men shouted aB he handed the gold medal to Biadford. Joe had, as usual, half a dozen prizes. Tom stood by, without any. But the President|said to the lookers-on, " There was nothing to trip that boy. He fell purposely that Bradford might win," " Shall not you let him know that you know it ?" " No. The man who can conquer himself even in a trifle, needs no other reward' ."