The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-05-03
DAILY SHORT
I ! STORY
THE BEAUTY CONTEST.

bal Hawkins, editor of the Mound
willie Monitor, sat in earnest con-
verse with the judges pretty
daughter, Miss Margaret. The
young journalist, pounding his hee,
into the sward, spoke in tremulous
tones.
How about lady's bicycle for
the first prize, Margaret"
The judges daughter shook her
golden brown head. NO" she said,
fatty, "a grand piano."
"a solid gold watch then, or
trip to New York." suggested Haw-
kins.
/ Again Miss Lincoln shook her
head. "Or runabout,' suggested
Hawkins. Grand pianos are SO
expensive, you know"
When the young editor looked up,
however, and beheid the girls half
contemptuous smile, he haggled no
longer. That's all right, Margaret,
he promised "The first prize in
the Moundville Monitors beauty
contest shall be a $500 grand piano,
and I hope you win
The judges daughter beamed ra-
dainty upon Hannibal Hawkins.
"If | win" she began.
IF you VIM" prompted Hawkins.
eff I win, l shall be in a mood
to listen to the subject that you
have preached, l believe, 10 times"
Hawkins jumped to his feet. I'D
like to know who can defeat you"
he challenged. "The pianos yours
and you're mine!"
The editor departed, treading
upon air. He had proposed just Is
times to Margaret Lincoln, and had
received but Indifferent encourage.
ment. Now he felt that she was as
good as won. A few discreet hints
would enlist his friends for the girl,
and her striking beauty and general
popularity would carry her through
once her name was presented. Then
it would be a case of giving the
costly. grand piano to himself, and
Margaret could play dreamy waltz
tunes upon it in their new home on
summer evenings. Hawkins whiS-
tied gayly as he walked away.
But the race was to be no walk
over for Margaret Lincoln. Chic
school teachers, charming sales
ladies and blooming girl graduates
entered, and for a while it was any
bodys race. Then the contest mar
rawed to Miss Lincoln and three
rivals; and finally the judges
daughter and Minna Grant the
pretty cashier of the Blue Front
department store, ran neck and
neck Hawkins worked the best he
could for pretty Margaret Lincoln,
but. by reason of his position, could
not openly take sides. BY the morn
ing of the final day Miss Grant and
Miss Lincoln were practically tied,
with upward of 100000 votes each.
All Moundville was astir with the
excitement of the great contest
and the judges-the mayor and
leading barber-appeared to count
the final mornings vote and declare
the winner.
The contest was to close at noon
and, to expedite matters, the judges
began to count the ballots at 1880.
An avalanche of subscriptions had
come in that morning, and Hawkins
was fdgeting about in state of
nervous panic when old Squire
Duncan of Braggs Hollow pottered
in.
Il want to pay my subscription
to the Monitor quavered the
squire, "for three years past, and
want the votes cast for Miss Mar
get Lincoln"
"All right, squire" assenteo
Hawkins.
AS he signed the receipt he over
heard Barnes, the mayor, whisper
to Jenkins, the barber: It's a tie,
Bill-a square tie with the 300
votes Squire Duncan's going to put
in for Miss Margaret"
1t was three minutes to II and
no one knew the result save the
Judges and Hannibal Hawkins. The
editors heart leaped with sudden
inspiration. II tell, you, squire,
he cajoled. You'd better make it
two years in advance, as we're Civ
ing unabridged dictionaries with
five-year subscriptions
Squire Duncan shook his head
Nope, | don't want none of your
dictionaries.
We're also throwing in fine, new
road wagons with five year sub
seriptions," urged the editor. Bet
ter take it up"
Squire Duncan hesitated. 1t was
1859. Hawkins grew desperate.
During this great contest we're Of
fering $500 grand pianos with 10
year subscriptions. Better make 1t
10. squire"
by zum!" cried the Squire.
Here's your $40 for 10 years and
every vote for Miss Margaret Lin