The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-12-24

IcH10u1 tnoI my xnturr uuu usnrkf0 the u1y
before he died. Thanks 70 his thorough
method Of instruction and the interesting
manner In which he strovc 20 present the
great truths he taught, was not only well
advanced for girl Of fifteen, but pos
scssed that inordlnate love for books thai
makes study pleasure instead Of task
Much ~ shall always despise John for
his cownrdly treatment Of = frlcndless
orphan, can not but feel grateful 10 him
for tutoring the singing words that
aroused me from my stony grief aud
opcncd a new source Of enjoyment 70 my
starving soul Every moment could
steal from aunt's watchful eye was devoted
20 my books.
One evening she came upon me suddenly
when was rcplcnishing my humble hight.
and taking the old saucer from my hand
said, sharply:
..Scems 70 me, Elsie, you use mighty
sight Of tallow Mind, II costs like sixty.
| Miss Jones got seven cents pound for
hcr'n. There IL no sense In great girl ke
| YOU havin' 10 carry light upstairs every
night. Betty Robins told me she had seen
| light in your window all hours Of the nigh,
| and that folks say you set up 70 study II
| catch you stealin' your time 20 pore over
books. III burn 'cm every one"
| She set the old cracked dish on the upper
shelf Of the pantry, and icrawled upstairs.
| discouraged but not conquered. Just at
| this time was wholly absorbed IN geome-
| try made II . point 70 learn one new
theorem every day, which l mentally
\ worked out al night In this way dcyoured
the book. reviewing until could have dem
onstrafcd every theorcm Il contained with
out making single mistake In similar
manner became proficient in many other
branches. Usually attempted 10 master
but one study at time. At a very early
arc nv father had insisted on my writing
verse. story or little sketch. az least once
week This practice managed 70 keep 10,
and after my composition-book was written
through. had recourse 10 an old timc-worn
ledger of my grandfather's.
On Christmas Day-it was my birthday.
tool gained courage 70 send one Of my III
Tie poems 70 paper my uncle had been IN
duccd TO take. ! watched its columns
eagerly every week until my pride was
fully gratifed by seeing my own produc-
tion in print Again and again my vanity
prompted me 20 write q few verses, which
invariably made their appearance in the
course OF few weeks.
/ One evening my aunt sent me on an CT.
!, rand 70 the minister's wife. She was en-
gagged when told my business. and gave
me a new magazine TO look over until she
would be ut leisure. Among the first ar
ticlcs that attracted my attention was one
; OF my own little poems, clipped from the
paper Tor which II had been written. Ny
: heart trembled joyously . this token q
appreciation. For few moments
: was suprcmcly happy. ard then an
: overwhelming sense OF my utter loneliness
came over me, and with the bitter Thought
x that had not a single friend 70 rejoice over
u l n IIr<
= remaining pages. until the words Five
hundrcd-dollar prize attracted my atten-
Z ton. ran my eyes over IL hastily theu
= re- read il carefully. after which ! took pen
ell and paper from my pocket and copied
4 the address. The prize was offered ~ tn'
editor 81 the magazine for the best seria
for girls The story was 70 be OK such
q length as 20 run through the twelve nun
:, hers. beginning with the New Year. Al
= manuscripts intended 70 compete for m
Y prize were 70 be in the hands Of the edito
!. not later than June 3D.
Before slept had written for particulars
= and neighboring lad, passing early mex
Y morning. carried II 70 the ofice As soon
4 received the proper instructions went
q work with will have no doubt but ina
ic NV aunt had good reasons for her fauit-fine
| ING during the next six months. Tor m
q mind WIN more upon the characters INA
Z, my Imagination had created than upon N
n work. Aunt had pcrsistently denied me
light in my room during the whole year. ~
dear Margaret remembered my sixteen
y birthday by sending me dollar. Part
~ this used for oil and paper, and the "a
ancc was boarded for postage On the ~
n u June my precious package was commit'e
ne "a the care OF Uncle Sam and the ne'
81 six months waited and hops
pi- vet dreaded to hear the decision that =
~ Goth Of December might have IN store X
me- On Christmas morning my W
" watching was changed into glad song
ca thanLs giving. Tor q busincss-lo looking lett
~ INV uncle put into my hands brought II
10 the Ave hundred dollars had dreamed
every day for year. had won the prz
~ how. scarcely know. unless my de~pfra
q. case had nervcd me for the conflict frv
ny ably my aching heart made itself e
ms through my finger-tips. At any rate ! ..
& won the prize and the money was ina'
Y putably nine
ne Five hundred dollars may seem ve
AL insignificant sum TO those who count m
~ possessions BY the thousands, but 70 ns
- meant a peaceful home with my dear I
Margaret. and relief from the bitter ore'
Of dependence
.Weu. Il does seem as IL book -larni
81. amounts W sonacthih6s "'se. s-''f
4. Aunt Phillis.
NJ. jest as told YOU" said Uuclc keupe
~ "Thc Gal shows her bringin' up.
~ John looked more suiien tnan ~
though when ne took me 20 the tram 4
cnt 49, -. ...'.,,- s.sx ana H Attn Il
II mistaken he proudly owned me - on1
~ the family.
AsLZS D. Gz1sxgE.