Bisbee daily review., 1903-05-07
MISS WlGGS'
 PRIZE STORY

bling hand.
 She carefully cut the end of the en- velope with the scissors and drew out the letter. It was very brief:
 ''The editors of The Story Magazine take great pleasure in presenting the inclosed check as payment of the prize offered for the best short story submit ted in their recent contest
 That was all. But a dozen pages of praise could not have pleased little Miss wiggs more. It was not large sum of money, to be sure. but to her it meant a great deal. Ever since that day three months before when she had mailed the story and the required sub scription money she had waited and hoped with all the fervor of her little body.
 There had been little sewing for her to do of late. and she had watched her income dwindle away with growing fear. She had never thought of trying to write till Cordelia Brown one day brought her copy of The Story Maga- zine to read. Cordelia was seventeen years old now and well along in high school. but she had never forgotten Miss wiggs' kindness of former days. When the girl was gone. Miss Wiggs picked up the magazine. Almost the first page to meet her eyes was an ad- vertisement offering a prize for the best short story submitted before certain date. It was then that the idea of trying to write a story first occurred to Miss wlggs.
 She had tale of the first settlers in her memory handed down from mother to daughter. as such stories are. More over, she possessed a good education. clear mind and plenty of leisure. Noth- Ing was more natural, therefore. than that Miss wiggs should write story. In due time the story was completed. Miss wiggs copied it in her best hand writing and. inclosing the dollar de manded as one of the conditions of the contest, mailed 1t to the magazine. Then she told Cordelia what she had done and even read her the first draft of the story.
 When she had finished. Cordelia shook her head 'I am sorry, dear Miss wiggs.' she said gently. ''but I am afraid the story will hardly suit them" Then. with all the kindness she could command. she explained to the woman the needs of the magazine. It used little else than love stories, she said. and for that reason the editors would scarcely take the trouble to ex- anime manuscripts of another cbarac- ter
 But why not try againT she fn- ished brightly. "Our subscription has expired, and you can send in our re newal with the story. Please do. Miss wiggs."
 So Miss Wiggs did try again. Some how as she sat in the darkened parlor q plot came to her, an idea for love story, unique. clever, interesting. She told it to Cordelia, and the girl clapped her hands joyously.
 -Oh, it's eyer so good, Miss Wiggs" she said. And when the story was writ ten and read to her she gave 1t exactly the same praise. And now the story had won the prize.
 The back door opened softly, and Cordelia entered the house. It was some time before she discovered Miss Wiggs in the parlor. As the girl enter ed the room the woman looked up with a smile lighting her thin face.
 See, Cordelia," she said. with child. ish glee. 'I won the prize"
 Cordelia did not smile Drawing 6 chair close to Miss Wiggs', she opened the magazine in her hand.
 T am going to read you story" she said slowly. that was printed several years ago"
 Miss Wiggs smiled at the girl loving iy as she listened to the first few words Then the smile gave way to g look of wonderment that in turn changed to one of pain. When the story was ended, she looked up at the girl with tears in her eyes.
 You don't think. Cordelia"- she be gan brokenly.
 Cordelia sprang to her side and placed an arm caressingly around the woman
 Dear Miss Wiggs." she said quick iy, perhaps 1t was merely a coinci dence or it may be you once read this story and then forgot it i'll 1t came hack to your memory. apparently ar original idea
 They sat silently in the little parlol till twilight fell Miss Wiggs bravely kept back the tears. but the hand thai Cordelia held trembled constantly.
 The postman's step sounded on tht front porch, and Mis- Wiggs opened the door for him He ssnded her 2 long blue envelope.
 My story of the frxt settlers" sh' explained to Cordelia. noting the nams sf The Story Magazine on the envelope
 She tore it open and slipped out thu manuscript. 4 little note came with it
 Read 1t. Cordelia." she said. ''Al, eyes are not very clear today
 ''The editors of The Story Magazine. read Cordeiia, return the incloset manuscript with much regret. Vel written and readable as It Is. the plo Is somewhat hackneyed. and for tha reason the story is returned"
 With q sudden suspicion Cordelis turned to the manuscript
 'sOh, Miss Wiggs.v she cried, 'tit wal
 Al.