My friend's was received with great laughter and applause.

The one I read not only fell flat, but nearly prostrated me also.

As soon as I had finished, one of the young ladies left the room and, returning in a few moments with her composition book, laid it before the teacher who presided that day, showing her the same composition I had just read.

I was called up at once to explain, but was so amazed and confounded that I could not speak, and I looked the personification of guilt.

I saw at a glance the contemptible position I occupied and felt as if the last day had come, that I stood before the judgment seat and had heard the awful sentence pronounced, "Depart ye wicked into everlasting punishment." How I escaped from that scene to my own room I do not know.