dent, and
applied offensive names to her, but sometimes he purposely put her to
extra labor and trouble by misplacing articles, making dirt about the
house, &c. These things were a sad annoyance to Bridget, and she soon
came to regard Oscar as "the plague of her life," and treated him
accordingly. He did very wrong to annoy her in this way; and she was
foolish to take so much notice of his hectoring. The ill-will thus
established between them grew day by day, until it resulted in the open
rupture just described. But Mrs. Preston did not give full credit to
Bridget's story. She believed the difficulty was owing quite as much
to Biddy's irritable temper and ignorance as to Oscar's impudence, and
consequently the latter escaped with a slight reprimand. She also
prevailed upon Bridget to remain with them the week out, thinking she
would by that time get over her anger. But, to the surprise of all,
when Saturday night came, Bridget took her departure. She had got
another "place," where she would be out of the reach of the provoking
Oscar.

The week for the annual examination of the public schools soon arrived.
Oscar begged hard, but in vain, for permission to absent himself, on
the eventful day that the grave committee and other distinguished
visitors were to sit in judgment upon the condition of the school to
which he belonged. But though he was present, he did not appear to
much advantage among the "bright particular stars" of the day; and as
one and another of the flower of his class were called out, to receive
the "Franklin medals," his name was not heard, and no silken ribbon,
with silver medal attached, was hung around his neck.

The same day, in obedience to the orders of his father, but very much
against his own inclination, Oscar applied to the head master for the
certificate required of boys who present themselves for admission to
the High School. The teacher seemed a little puzzled what reply to
make. At length he said:

"Do you know what kind of a certificate is required?"

"Yes, sir," replied Oscar, who had read the advertisement in the paper
that morning.

"The certificate must say that you are a boy of good character, and
that your teacher believes you are qualified for admission to the High
School," continued the master. "Now I want to ask you if you think I
can honestly say that of you?"

Oscar hung his head in shame, but made no reply. It had turned out
just as he feared it would.

"I