Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-02-03
Tut Mr.. Enstrom was considerably

dren, more or less, inherited their IA
theirs quick aptness of parts. Ralph
was decidedly more Of genius than
his brothers. There was little he did
not try to make copy Of, even to
making off-hand speeches of his mother
at her kitchen work, of his father In
the field, and baby in his sand-bank.
Most of these were quite recognizable
portraits, SO the boy had grown up with
this one idea uppermost. What Joe
Wildwood said had great influence with
him, and one day after nearly years
study under Monsieur Gerano, he sur
prised his father by saying he was go
ing to compete for a prize. eyes, faith
err, Joe says / can do it, and what he
says means something"
"a prize for what" inquired Mr..
Enstron.
well, just you see for yourself
said the boy with great assurance, as
he spread before his father a sheet Of
the Illustrated World.
Mrs. Enstrom was all attention while
her husband read aloud; "a prize OF
one hundred dollars for the best orl-
ginal sketch in charcoal. This offer
is made for the encouragement Of art
in our young people. Only those un-
der fifteen years of age are eligible to
the competition. Work to be submit
ted before Nov. 30th, 1896, to A. R. L.,
Herald Office, New York"
well, my son, this is chance to
show what you can do"
From that day on, for three success
sive months, Ralph had but one idea.
Joe and Ralph became great friends.
No one but father and mother and Joe
were taken into the boys confidence.
Joe gave him one of the best window
lights in his den and became his critic,
until the drawing was finished and
sent along with the work of the other
competitors. 1t was long, weary
waiting for the decision that would
appear in the columns of the Illustrat-
ed World. Several names were whis-
pered around in the Art School as the
ones most likely to win the prize, and
Ralph almost settled down to the be-
lief that he had made a mistake in
trying to compete.
Three weeks from the time when all
came by the mornings mail letter
to Ralph's address, and it read thus:
''The original drawings in COMPETE
ton for the prize of one hundred dol
lars, as advertised in the Illustrated
World, for the best original sketch by
any boy or girl under fifteen years of
age, having been submitted to and due
ly examined by three judges, l herein
announce the prize to have been
awarded to Ralph B. Enstrom for his
original sketch of The Farmyard.' En-
closed find check for one hundred dol
lars, the amount of the prize offered.
Respectfully,
Abraham R. Leasing.
March 1, 1896"
The surprise and JOY of the whole
family was at it's height and again
there was a ring at the door. A
stranger confronted Ralph.
II am looking for lad by the name
of Ralph B. Enstrom," said this gen.
| tleman. "Have 1 come to the right
| placer"
THAT is my name" said Ralph, ex-
citedly, as he waited upon the strang-
er in.
"And I am Mr.. Lessing," continued
the gentleman, smiling, by way of in
PRODUCING himself to the family. "And
have come to find out what more I
can do to assist the lad who has tried
SO hard to think for himself and to
make his hand do the bidding of his
| BRAIN"
In the conversation that followed
he explained the circumstances of his
own early life; the desire he had to
follow art, but how he was baff1ed by
the care of widowed mother and pow
erty. and now, Mr.. Enstrom, for the
prosperity I have had, and for the love
of what l was debarred, ask no other
return than that you will allow me to