The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-12-22
lessons that nv father had marked the day

lessons that my father had marked the day
before he died. Thanks TO his thorough
method of instruction and the interesting
manner in which he strOve TO present the
great truths he taught, was not only well
advanced for Q girl Of fifteen, but pos
sessed that inordinate love for books that
makes study pleasure instead OF task.
Much as shall always despise John for
his cowardly treatment Of friendless
orphan, can not but feel grateful to him
for uttering the singing words that
aroused me from my stony grief, and
opened now source of enjoyment to my
starving soul. Every moment l could
steal from aunt's watchful eye was devoted
to my books.
One evening she came upon me suddenly
when was replenishing my humble light,
and taking the old saucer from my hand
said, sharply:
Seems to me, Elsie, you use mighty
sight Of tallow. Mind, 1t costs like sixty.
Miss Jones get seven cents a pound for
her'n. There is no sense in great girl like
you havin' to carry light upstairs every
night Betty Robins told me she had seen
light in your window all hours of the night,
and that folks say you set up to study. II
catch you stealth your time to pore over
books, Ill burn 'em every one"
She set the old cracked dish on the upper
shelf of the pantry, and crawled upstairs,
discouraged but not conquered. just at
this time was wholly absorbed in geome-
try. made II q point to learn one new
theorem every day, which | mentally
worked out at night. In this way Idevoured
the book, reviewing until could have dem
Onstrated every theorem it contained with
out making q single mistake. In similar
manner became proficient in many other
branches. Usually attempted TO master
but one study at a time. At very early
age my father had insisted on my writing q
verse, story or little sketch, at least once q
week This practice managed to keep up.
and after my composition book was written
through, had recourse to an old time-worn
ledger OF my grandfather's.
On Christmas Day--it was my birthday,
tool gained courage to send one Of my lit
tie poems to paper my uncle had been in
duced to take. / watched its columns
eagerly every week until my pride was
fully gratified ~ seeing my own prcduc-
ton in print. Again and again my vanity
prompted me to write few verses, which
invariably made their appearance in the
course of q few weeks.
One evening my aunt sent me on An err
rand to the minister's wife. She was en-
gagged when l told my business, and gave
me q new magazine to look over until she
would be at leisure. Among the first ar
ticles that attracted my attention was one
Of my own little poems, clipped from the
paper for which it had been written. My
heart trembled ioyously at this token OF
appreciation. For few moments
was supremely happy, and then au
overwhelming sense of my utter loneliness
came over me- and with the bitter thought
that had not Il single friend to rejoice Ovei
my success, turned rapidly through the
remaining pages, until the words "Five
hundreddollar prize" attracted my atten-
ton. ] ran my eyes over it hastily, ther
re-read it carefully, after which took pen
Gil and paper from my pocket and copied
the address, The prize was offered by the
editor Of the magazine for the best seria
for girls. The story was to be of such {
length as to run through the twelve nun
bers, beginning with the New Year. All
manuscripts intended to compete for the
prize we're to be in the hands OF the editor
not later than June 3d.
Before slept II had written for particulars
and neighboring lad, passing early mex
morning, carried it to the Office. As soon al
I received the proper instructions, went K
work with will. have no doubt but that
my aunt had good reasons for her fault-iind
ing during the next six months, for my
mind was more upon the characters thai
my Imagination had created than upon ms
work Aunt had persistently denied me 1
light in my room during the whole year, but
dear Margaret remembered my sixteenth
birthday by sending me dollar. Part OF
this used for oil and paper, and the bal
anco vas boarded for postage. On the 18th
Of June my precious package was committed
to the care of Uncle Sam and the mex,
six months | waited and hoped
yet dreaded to hear the decision that the
Goth Of December might have in store foi
me. On Christmas morning my weary
watching was changed into glad song OF
thanksgiving, for misunderstanding letter
my uncle put into my hands brought me
the five hundred dollars | had dreamed OF
every day for a year. had won the prize
how, scarcely know, unless my desperate
case had rerved me for the conflict. Prob
ably my aching heart made itself fell
through my finger-tips. At any rate, hao
won the prize and the money was indis
putably NINE
Five hundred dollars may seem very
insignificant sum to those who count theil
possessions by the thousands, but to me it
meant peaceful home with my dear sld
Margaret, and relief from the bitter bread
Of dependence.
"Well, it does seem as if book larnin
amounts to something, after ALL" admitted
Aunt Phillis
"Jest as told you," said Uucle Reuben.
"The gal shows her bringin' up"
John looked more sullen than ever
though when he took me to the train few
days later, overheard him explaining my
success to a young lady, and if am no
mistaken he proudly owned me as one o.
the family.
AeNA g. N1ekgR.,