William McNulty now missed “privilege”; Ditto some speller sweet from Prairie Gem; Likewise a lass who lived in Pleasant Ridge; But Nellie Armstrong wrought correctly then. Now Abbie Koppes spelled aright “profound”; The spelling contest then had made one round. The order perfect was; no sound was heard Except the mediator’s staccato calls; And spelling of that fitful little word By the contestants lined along the walls. Each district had still standing in the line Enough to hold out in this bout some time. The contest now began the second round. Yet more and more int’resting waxed the game. The spelling grew distinct as clarion sound; And breathless the spectators viewed the same. A plucky lad or lass some times would fall, Hit by some fatal word as “minnie” ball. Each district reinvoiced its spellers there; And weighed again their chance of winning out. Folks drank in every sound to see if fair; And as theirs scored, just ached to give a shout For joy; not so when one of their clan fell: A sad regret upon their mien would tell. When forty minutes more had raged combat, Sadly depleted had become those lines: Many an able speller wounded sat By the word-missiles from McGuffey’s mines. Blue Valley, Prairie Gem and Herkimer Had not a hero left as skirmisher. From Pleasant Ridge but three survived the storm Thus far: lone Peter Kerschen on the west; While Emma Kister, meek and slender form, And pretty Sally Tarvin, still our best, With Charley Travelute stood on the east-- Opponents’ sole survivor, scared the least. For twenty minutes more, the battle raged; The words were spelled hot from pronouncer’s lips; Each standing speller stern defiance waged; For keen tense nerves did obviate all slips. Over one hundred words were given out Free from a single mishap or a rout. The mediator then sought harder words; And while he searched the audience relaxed; Respired more easily, a trifle stirred: That intense hour had them severely taxed. Yet, those two districts whose race was not done Maintained a sphinx composure, every one. Since but four stood, they now spelled in rotation. First Charley Travelute got “surreptitious”; And Emma Kister spelled “transfiguration.” To Sally Tarvin went the word “officious”; Next Peter Kerschen overcame “horehound”; And in this fashion then the words went round. “Topaz”; “priory”; “orgy”; “orphanage”; “Inflammable”;--every one was won. “Surtout”; “gyration”; “muscatel”; “assuage”; And “legendary”; “lout”;--were spelled each one. “Escutcheon”; “frenzy”; “intercede”; “lasso”; And likewise “sentimental”, “domino.”