The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-12-23

thsorem svery day, whicA I mentally |
worked out at might. In this way Idevoured
tho book, reviewing until could have dem
onstratcd every thoorem II contained with |
out making . single mistake IN . similar
manner became proficient In many other
branches. Usually attempted 70 master
but one study at time. Al very early
age my father had insisted on my writing .
verse, story or little sketch, at least once Q
and after my compositlon-boo was written
through, had recourse TO an old time-worn
ledger Of my grandfather's.
On Christmas Dsy--it was my birthday,
tool gained courage TO send one Of my liz
tie poems 70 papcr my uncle had been In
duced to take. watched its columns
eagerly every week until my pride was
fully gratified by seeing my own produc-
tion in print Again and again my vanity
prompted me to write o few verses, which
invariably made their appearance In tho
course Of a few weeks.
One evening my aunt sent me on an er-
rand to the minister's wife. She wns en-
gagged when I told my business, and gave
me q new magazine to look ovor until sho
would be at leisure. Among the frat ar-
ticles that attracted my attention was one
Of my own little poems, clipped from the
paper for which 1t had been written. Ny
heart trembled joyously ut this tolren Of
appreciation For Q few moments ]
was supromely happy, and then an
overwhelming sense Of my utter loneliness
came over mo, and with the bitter thought
that had not single friend TO rejoice over
my euccess, l turned rapidly through the
remaining pages, until the words "Five
hundred-dollsr prize" attracted my alton
ton. Iran my eyos over II hastily, then
nA..ll~ -RA
ell and paper from my pocket and copied
the address The prize was offered BY the
editor Of the magazine for the best serial
for girls. The story was to be Of such
length % 10 run through the twelve num
bers, beginning with the New Year. All
manuscripts intended TO compete for the
prize were TO BE- in the hands Of the editor
not later than June %.
Before slept I had written for particulars
| and neighboring lad, passing early next
morning, carried it to the Office As soon as
received tho proper instructions, went to
| work with will. have no doubt but that
| my aunt had good reasons for her fault find.
ing during the next six months, for my
mind VIVA more upon tho characters that
my Imagination had created than upon my
work. Aunt had pcrsistently denied me q
| Light in my room during the whole year, but
|
birthday by sending mo dollar. Part OF
this used for oil and paper, and the bal.
ance was boarded for postage. On the 18th
| Of June my precious package was committed
A to tho care Of Uncle Sam and tho next
six months wnited and hoped.
yet dreaded to hear the decision that the
10th Of December might have in store for
me. On Christmas morning my weary
watching was changed into a glad gong OF
thanksgiving, for busincss-looking letter
my uncle put into my hands brought me
the five hundred dollars had dreamed OF
every day for year. I had won tho prize.
how, I scarcely know, unless my desperate
case had nerved me for the conflict. Prob
ably my aching heart made itself felt
through my finger-tps At any rate, had
| won the prize and the money was indis.
putably mine.
Five hundred dollars may seem a very
ins gnificant sum to those VINO count their
possessions by tho thousands, out to mo 1t
meant q peaceful home with my dear old
Margaret, and relief from the bitter bread
Of dependence.
"Well, 1t does seem as II book -laruin'
amounts to something, after ALL" admitted
Aunt Phillis.
"Jcst IA told you," sail Uucle Reuben.
Tho gal shows her bringn' up"
John looked moro sullen than ever
though when he took mo to the train few
days later, overheard him explaining my
success to Q young lady, and il ON no,
mistaken he proudly owned me Is one o.
tho family.
IN n DH n