St. Paul daily globe., 1889-04-06
OUR-:-BOYS-::- S-::-AND-::-GIRLS.

said the clerk.
The prize winner. There was only
one prize offered, l believe" insisted
Fred, with dignified firmness.
"One priZe-yes. But that was con-
tested by two poems so much above
the average and so evenly matched in
merit. though not at all like one an
other, that the editor finally decided to
split the difference-that is to say, to
divide the ten-dollar prize equally be-
tween the two leading contestants, of
whom you are one. Both of the poems
are printed In the GooSeberry, as nc
doubt you have SEEM"
Fred had indeed noticed some other
verses following his own; but. suppos-
ing them to be merely an honorable
mention," he had not taken the trouble
to read them.
II have the order here" continued
the clerk. taking a slip of paper from a
hook. II was going to mail them; but
you may as well present this and get
your S5 from the CASHIER
II refuse it, said Fred, striking a
tragic attitude, for the benefit Of his
awe-Struck companions. Il competed
for the $40 prize, and there was but one.
| dent care for any divided honors, and
shall make my protest to the editor"
The clerk shrugged his shoulder and
smiled. A moment of awkward silence
ensued, then Fred marched out of the
office with an air of lofty scorn, fol
lowed by his four comrades in solemn
Indian file.
"Well," said Fred, expectantly. when
they had reached the Street, what do
you think Of the stand | made?"
/. ''It was mighty foolish one," burst
out the bluntest spoken OF the boys.
You threw away certainty of five
dollars tor the ghost of chance of
getting ten."
'It wasn't for the money!" stoutly
maintained Fred, 'but for the principle
of the thing.''
"Well. the money would have taken
US on the excursion, and the principle
won't, that's certain.'
So the disappointed boys deserted
Fred one by one. with the exception of
fat little Frank Bean, who declared he
would stick by his friend and see the
affair through.
Not knowing what else to do, and
feellng that perhaps he had acted a
little hastily, Fred determined to call
upon his cousin Louise for sympathy
and advice.
She received him with cordiality
that both surprised and comforted him !;
and they talked the whole matter over.
"What kind OF poem," she asked,
us this of your rival who is to divide
the prize with you?"
Fred unfolded the crumpled paper,
and together they read over the verses
which had disputed first honor with
those produced by Fred. They were
signed Louis E. Bois.''
Il must say they are pretty good"
Fred admitted. perhaps they are as
deserving of the prize as mine. l believe
if had only stopped to read 'em and
think the matter over | should not have
kicked against the editors decision. But
it's too late now"
II don't know replied the practical
and Quick-witted Louise. elf your
possibly we can devise remedy not too
disagreeable."
The good-natured Bean waited in the
parlor while Fred and his cousin held a
whispered conference, which finally re-
suited i'll the impetuOus poets seating
himself at a writing-desk and dashing
off the following curious epistle:
To the Editor of the Golden Gooseberry.
DEAR SIR: l am much mortified to
learn that an impudent impostor pre-
sented himself at your office this morn
ing, and, claiming to be Frederick
Eustis, audaciOusly demanded the whole
of the S10-priZe which you had justly
decided to divide equally between Mr..
Louis E. Bois and myself. 1t is fortu-
nate that your clerk was able to detect
the fraud and to dismiss the rascal and
his claim without ceremony. / shall be
glad to receive my share of the prize by
bearer of this note; and, thanking you
sincerely for the honor conferred upon
my effort, beg to remain, Yours sin
cerely. FREDERICK EUsTIs.
Frank Bean volunteered to go to the
Gooseberry Office with this and bring
back the response.
Needless to say, his return was waited
with feverish anxiety. and when at last
he came putting into the parlor, holding
out sealed envelope at arms length,
Fred's heart was in his mouth.
You open it, LOU"
She did SO, aud crisp new bank note
futtered to the floor.
Ten dollars! What can this mean?"
The EDITORS note explained it:
Frederick EuStiS, ESQ.,,
Dear Sir: Enclosed please find $40
So for your share Of the prize, and S5
for your clever and ingenious letter,
just received. Yours truly,
ED. GOLDEN GOOSEBERRY.
"This is a staggerer," gasped Fred.
81 don't know whether to feel proud or
humiliated."
Lets go on our excursion" sug-
gested honest Frank Bean.
Fred gleefully assented. AS he was
about leaving the house his cousin
said:
81 think it's a triumph for you.
Fred, and l shall feel as happy over it
as you do if you'll only forgive me.''
For what, pray?'
"Well, for-for cutting in on your
prize. l really didn't think l could do
it, and sent in my poem signed Louis
E. Bois. BOis is French for Wood, you
know, and Louis E. is simply Louise
thinly disguised. By an accident my poor
effort came out half winner, and
received my IS just before you came.
But you don't care, do you, Fred. One
doesn't belongs to an Eight O'Clock
chapter for nothing. you know"