When all was set, this was an august sight: Each school its trusted spellers there had brought, By study armed and trained in many a fight; And with them came their friends who warmly sought To cheer them to the utmost in the game; And win for their home schools still brighter fame. Blue Valley’s spellers came with Mr. Gallaher; John Cottrell with his pupils resolute From Prairie Gem. The lexicographers Of Deer Creek came with Charley Travelute. Likewise McConnaughey with his gay band Of spellers from Herkimer was on hand. Three generations mingled at these sports: Grandparents with their scions and grand babes Coined facial sunshine for congenial hearts That these farm districts always owned and gave. Among the many grand folks ’mid this youth Appeared Grandpa and Grandma Travelute. When lines were formed the spelling match began; By guess of page, the starting side was learned; To fifty then as per adopted plan, Of McGuffey’s text the mediator turned:-- “Dilemma!” Charley Travelute spelled right; And Mabel Rogers next won “stalactite.” Then Emma Kister spelled “discern,” and Ben Bull captured “chemistry,” and next “subvert” To Philip Emmert fell; while “stratagem” To Allie Jeffry went. The word “alert” Brought down a lad from Pleasant Ridge, but Fred Cockerill left out the useless “l” instead. Next Warren Keller overcame “precedence”; And Eva Blackmar right spelled “boulevard”; John Armstrong then scored perfect on “allegiance”; A lass from Deer Creek found “croquet” too hard; But Francis Benson then reduced the fracture; And Louis Tarvin cleared on “architecture.” The word “spaceous” was spelled by Alfred Talbot; And next “sophisticate” by Daisy Bull. “Stereotype” was won by Ella Benson; And Edward Winkler scored with “merciful.” Then Sally Tarvin right spelled “separate”; And Stella Guise o’ercame “emancipate.” Now Henry Stauffacher cleared on “redoubt”; And Ira Strickler nearly missed “renown,” “Adroit” some one from Herkimer let out; Likewise a lad from Prairie Gem put down. Correctly then George Emmert spelled this term; And Jake Schmidler scored high on “endosperm.” “Missile” was sent to Maggie Butterfield; While “modesty” was won by Frank McKee; James Gallaher nearly lost out on “congealed”; And Minnie Cottrell mastered “chickadee”; Now Peter Kerschen captured “epiglottis”; And “gratis” was spelled by Louisa Koppes. George Watson next cleared on “antagonize”; “Incarcerate” fell to Edward McKee; A Pleasant Ridger lost on “analyze”-- He stopped too soon; he left off final “e”. But Andrew Koppes then made the addition; Wesley Sedlacek lettered right “commission.”