The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-01-28

Argus at any time after the issue of the
paper at five O'Clock. Rosie did not
much fear failure, for she was shrewd
enough to think that a story which had
once found its way into print was prob
ably better than anything girls or boys
of her own age would do. AT five
O'Clock she took her sewing up to her
room. She could not stand any longer
her mothers nervous anxiety to hear
the news. 1t was to her matter
almost as certain as to Rosie, although
her faith was based on different
ground-the belief that Rosie must sue
coed whenever she was matched against
her school-fellows. 1t seemed an age
to both before they heard in the street
outside " Pa-a-a-p." Mrs. Bender
sprang to the door; Rosie, breathlessly
listening, heard the gate slam, and,
after moment of silence, cry of
pride and joy.
" Rosie, Rosie, my darling, come
down! It's yoursl It's yours" Rosie
sprang from the bed where she had
been lying, and in flash was down
stairs, and in the arms of her mother,
who was sobbing Historically. 1t was
a very hard moment for Rosie, and yet
the first one that had brought her any
pleasure. Her mothers happiness
seemed, in way, to justify the means
that had brought it about.
"Motherl" she cried, "let us go to
the Office and get the money, and buy
our Christmas before the boys get home.
It's nearly an hour to tea, and no.
body'll mind if it's a little late"
1t took only few minutes to reach
the Office of the Argus. Mr.. Barton
paid the money, and shaking her hand
very cordially, said to Mrs. Bender:
"You ought to be very proud, madam.
We consider it very remarkable story
for schoolgirl" Rosie felt as if she
were floating in the clouds, and, in her
mothers happiness and in her own
gratified pride, all remorse was for the
time swept away. Only for the time;
for before they reached home with
their Christmas purchases, it began to
come back worse than ever. She would
not spend one penny of it upon herself.
That she was determined upon; and,
going to her room, she put away the
four dollars left of her store, promising
herself much pleasure in the reserve
fund when something should be needed
for the house.
The Benders' was not the only home
where the Christmas Eve Argus was
eagerly expected. Mr.. Wenham, one
of the members of the firm that had so
long employed Mr.. Bender, had a
daughter, Mabel, girl about Rosie's
age, who had made trial for the prize.
Dinner was just announced as Mabel
rushed in, all excitement, with the
news that Rosie Bender's story was
successful.
DWELL, Mabel" said Mr.. Wenham,
patting the curly head, 81 am glad
your hearts not broken. You shall
if it is as good as yours. SO it's Rosie
Bender's? %
eyes, papa. Nobody II be surprised
she's always ahead of us, and she
never studies hard. We all like Rosie
because she isn't bit conceited, but
it's awfully provoking sometimes to
study, and then have some one walk up
and take all the prizes who hasn't tried
a bit"
"But, Mabel, remember how fortu-
nate it is, for Rosie means to teach, /
understand, and she needs all the brains
she has. You remember Carl Bender,
Mary" turning to his sister, Mrs. Stan
ton, visitor at the house. "He was the
workman l brought here with me from
Nantes-the man who did so much to
bring the men to reason during the
strike in my old works there"
Certainly, do" said Mrs. Stanton.
A big, strengthening man-looked
German
"That's the man. He was of Ger
man descent. Well, it's his little girl
who has taken the prize"
After dinner, the family settled them
selves in various listening attitudes in
the library, and Mabel began the story
1t was listened to with great interest
and at its close Mabel cried with gener.
Gus admiration:
"Now, papa, isn't that splendid?"
Mr.. Wenham took his cigar from his
mouth, and said, very slowly:
" 1t is very remarkable story for 8
girl of fourteen"
&" Mabel" said Mrs. Stanton, I" an
going to send you away for little
while. have something important tC
say to your father"
Mabel departed, little surprised, fol
the motherless and only child was ac
customed to spend great deal of hel
time among older people, and to hear
whatever they happened to be talking of
George" said Mrs. Stanton, firmly
but in low tone, what impression
did that story make upon your"
"The impression that no girl of four
teen ever wrote it. You think the
same, fancy, from your question"
81 most certainly do" replied thu
sister, with tears in her eyes, q" as
wrote that very story myself for thu
Nantes Messenger in '5S. The names
are changed, and some expressions
but have written so little / cannot b,
mistaken. At any rate, have it W
stairs in my scrap-book. I'll get it, ant
Wen compare the two"
They found, as Mrs. Stanton hat
said, some changes, but the storie
were substantially the same. The.
pushed the papers away, and looked a
each other in silence. The sister SPOKE
first.
"What is to be done?n
''To be done?" cried Mr.. Wenham
walking excitedly up and down tn
room. Why, / must go to Barton
show him your story, and let him an
nounce from his columns that the gil
is liar and thief"