The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-27
THE PRIZE CARVING.

and both in love with the same girl. Bessie
Barker, the old sea captains daughter.
I'm not as much of hand at talking as
I am at carving, SO I'll come at once to
the time when Sir Arthur Atwater, an
Englishman who had settled in merica,
offered prize for the best piece of carving
done by one of his townsmen.
The prize was valuable enough. It was
500. But that wasn't the thing, you see
NOT to Us, at least. We wanted the
name of it, and we wanted to let Bessie
know what we were.
felt afraid of nobody but Harrow, and
he know, feared no one but me. 1 went
to work upon an easel. He began the or
namental top of a sideboard. 1 could have
cried with envy when I took the first peep
at it. I thought the design for my easel
was fine; knew it was, but he must
have been inspired.
But worked at my easel as much as l
could, and it was nearly done when a Ger
tain Tuesday came, not too soon, either,
for nothing was to be received after
Wednesday morning at O'Clock.
looked at my carving and saw that
three hours work would finish it, and
calculated that I could go out to see Bes-
sic, spend an hour with her and still get
it done before midnight; and so-like a
fool, you'll say, but then you are not in
love, you knoW-I dressed myself and
started off.
Now Bessie's father, fond of the sea,
lived close beside in little cottage. In
summer trains regularly, but in win
ter there were just two day, one at 10 in
the morning and ono at in the evening.
1 just caught the train, and stood out
side tho platform for a moment to take
breath, and looked through the window
into the car, and saw Harrow sitting there.
I suppose his work was done by that.
Well, didn't want to speak to him, and
IL II II
to the captains. Harrow did not see me,
and when the train stopped I slipped out
of the way behind the station and waited
until he went by. Then I followed him, I
hardly knew why, clear down to the cot
tage. He rang tho bell and was let in. I
saw his shadow on the white shade-and
going close heard what they were saying.
Carving donef'' asked the captain. 81
suppose SO, or you'd not be wasting your
time visiting"
''It's not done,'' said Harrow, With a
laugh. "But shall take the night for it.
I don't expect to sleep much tonight. You
see, I wanted inspiration, and I came
where could get it,
"And Beldon, he's done, suppose?"
said the captain. (Which of you is to
have the prize?'
"He's got a pretty thing" he said.
''Not to boast I'm not afraid of any other
competitor, and I'm not much afraid of
him-not much. Wish me luck, Miss
Bessie" What would Bessie say? might
learn something of her heart by that. I
listened
81 wish you both luck, Mr.. Harrow"
she said. 81 wish there were two prizes"
'But there is only one," he said very
gravely. (which of US shall have it?''
Did he mean the prize for the carving,
or more? All she said was:
t'Sir Arthur is to decide that
IL @E., hot
him from catching the train he could not
get back that night-could not finish his
carving SO as to get it into the exhibition,
and in that case no doubt of my luck with
judge like Sir Arthur On the committee.
listened. 1 still had another chance.
ST must watch the clock,'' he said.
"My watch is at the jewelers. for repairs,
and if I miss the train I'm done for"
I slipped round to the kitchen door. I
tried the latch, the door opened easily. I
went in. Through the adjoining door I
heard Harrow's voice, loud and gay, and
gave little exultant chuckle as put the
clock hands back half an hour. That was
enough for my purpose.
kept on the watch, and when 1 found
that there was only one other-an old wom-
an-besides myself on the train-call it
train? it was one car and the engine-I felt
triumphant. / should finish my work and
lake it in before Harrow got back.
Our rooms were in the same building
and near each other. When 1 went up to
mine and, lighting my gas, saw my beau
tiful easel almost done, L said aloud:
'We shall have the prize, my DEAR
And I sat down before it, but in a min
ute dropped the tools and burst out cry
ing like a woman.
What forP you ask. Well, for shame. I
knew that I should take no pleasure in
the prizs-no pride in it. The storm that
oil n E,oI I
could do nothing.
Then it dawned upon me that I could.
was a carver-ay, as good as he, if not
better. His work was blocked out. I
could finish it for him, and leave mine
forsake every hope of the prize.
Then took tool knew would do the
thing, picked Harrow's lock, lit his gas,
and went to work.
There was just time to dress and carry
Harrow's work to 1.-The hall. did that,
and then I came back and sat down and
looked at my own lost hope.
GIVE given you up said I. "Have
given up Bessie, toop 1 suppose 500
And then there came step on the stair,
cry in the next room.
There stood figure like frozen ghost,
its hair stiff with icicles, its beard faxed
with them, ice on its coat, on it's hat, on
its feet, one arm hanging by its side help
less. 1t was Harrow.
81 was left by the train at the seaside
last night he painted. 'tHow could
stay? 1 tried to walk. I fell on the ice.
I've broken my arm. I wanted to finish
my work-the prize. I should have got.
Now''--
He fell fainting into my arms.
81 sent the work in for you and you got
the PRICE, said. 81 thought you'd like
me to-
To this day Harrow does not know the
truth. He thinks he was delirious in his
illness, and forgot the last work be had
done. never told him did not compete.
I told no one anything. But there is
something in feeling contented with your
self. I know that the day Bessie married