The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-12-24

worked out at night In this way Ideyourc,
the book, reviewing until could have dem
onstrated every theorem it contained with
out making single mistake. In simila
manner became proficient in many othe
branches. Usually attempted to master
but one study at time. At very earl.
| age my father had insisted on my writing
verse, story or little sketch, at least oncs {
week. This practice managed to keep up
and after my c0mpOsition-book was writer
through, had recourse to an old time-wor1
ledger of my grandfather's.
On Christmas Day-it was my birthday
tool gained courage to send one of my Lit
tic poems to q paper my uncle had been in
duced to take. watched its columns
eagerly every week until my pride wa.
fully gratified by seeing smy own produc
ton in print Again and again my vanity
prompted me to write few verses, which
invariably made their appearance in tho
course Of few weeks.
One evening my aunt sent me on an er.
rand to the minister's wife. She was en-.
aged when told my business, and gave
mo new magazine to look over until she
wou.d be at leisure. Among the first ar.
t;cles that attracted my attention was one
OF my ovn little poems, clipped from the
paper for which it had been written. Ny
heart. trembled joyously at this token OF
appreciation. For few moments :,
was supremely happy, and then an
overwhelming sense of my utter loneliness
came over me, and with the bitter thought
that had not single friend to rejoice over
my success, turned rapidly through the
remaining pages, until the words "Five
hundred-dollar prize" attracted my atteu-
ton. ran my eyes over it hastily, then
re-rcad 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 serial
for girls. The story was to be of such q
length as to 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 30.
Before slept had written TO, particulars.
and neighbOring lad. passing early next
morning. carried it to the Office As soon as
received the proper instructions. went to
work with will. have no doubt but that
my aunt had good reasons for hcr fault-find-
ing during the next six months, for nv
miad was more upon the characters that
my imagination had created than upon nv
work. Aunt had pcrsistently denied me :!
light in my room during the whole year, bull
dear Margaret remembered my sixteenth
birthday by sending me q dollar Part Of
this used for oil and paper, and the .oal-
ance was boarded for poAta On the 18th
OF June my precious package was committed
to the care Of Uncle Sam and the next
six months waited and hoped,
yet dreaded to hear the decision that the
18th OF December might have in store for
me. On Christmas morning my weary
was changed into glad song of
for misunderstanding letter
my uncle put into my hands brought me
The five hundred dollars l had dreamed of !
every day for year. had wen the prize,
how, l scarcely know, unless my desperate
'ase had nerved me for the conflict Prcb- !
ibly my aching heart made itself felt |
through my finger-tips. At any rate, had |
Won the prize and the money was indis-
,utably NINE
Five hundred dollars may seem a very |
Insignificant sum to those who count their !!
by tho thousands, but to me it |
meant peaceful home with my dear old !
Margaret, and relief from the bitter bread |
# dependence.
"Well, it does seem as if bock-larnin'
mounts to something, after ALL" admitted'3
AUNT Phillis.
Jest as told you." sail Uucle Reuben.
The gal shows her bringin' up"
John looked more sullen than ever,
hough when he took me to the train few
avs later, overheard him explaining my
uccess to a young lady, and if am no.
mistaken he proudly owned me as one Of
ne family.