The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-10-27
BETHS PREMIUM
BY ELIZABETH PRICE

II T was very hot to sit still and sew The needle
would get sticky IN spite OF all the help the little
emery strawberry could give it, and Beths fingers
had never telt so clumsy and uncomfortable If only
May and Billy would play little farther off Il
would help some, but there they were in plain sight
under the very shadest maple with all the games Beth
liked best
It an apron she was malsng--wilite cambria with
wee cunning pockets and breteles that were to come
quite up to her shoulders and narrow, delicate tattina
oyerhanded every bit of the way around only the belt
1t wasn't at all like the aprons little girls wear nova
days. but was stylish then, and very pretty Beth had
made IT. every stchseams and facing that had to be
henmed down SO carefully, and it all done EXCEPT
part of the tatng But OIL there had been such lot
of that-yards and yards it seemed to Beth az She
glanced longingly out the shade and Nav
and Billy, and the games. When you are only eight
years old there things that more interesting
than over-handing. Mamma busy at her own sewing
heard long-drawn sigh and looked up to smile COM
fortingly think you'll be through by five o'clock
Betty" she said. You know must send it off to-
night SO as to have it entered on time You've done
beautifully, dear, and you deserve premium whether
you get 1t or not Beth smiled back and decided that
after all it wasn't 50 dreadfuly hot, and FIVE o'clock
wasn't very far away. Do you think I'll get II
mamma she asked for the twentieth time
don't know, dear. If mamma was Judge YOU
surely would but they haven't invited me to award any
prizes You mustn't count it too much for you may
be disappointed but your time has not been wasted even
If you get nothing but the pretty apron and the pleasure
OF knowing that you made it yourself and very neatv
What is this talk hear of premiums and nyster-
les demanded Uncle Ed, coming in from the porch
Its the County Fair, Uncle Ed--nest week-and
fourteen years old, and I'm trying to get it" explained
Beth, excitedly
Which you surely ought to do for can testify that
your sewing is considerably less than fourteen years OF
age declared the rogush uncle But Beth was too full
OF her subject to heed teasing Uncle Ed had been away
Tor month, and It was such comfort to find somebody
who hadn't heard the matter discussed and again
I'm only eight, Uncle 3D. but I've been most as care
full fourteen don't you think and the marlborough
ened forelnger pointed to the tidy hem Uncle I'D
hunted for his eye-gasses because cant see them ~
all without he declared Of all the rdiculously small
stitches-why, Beth I'll be surprised If those near
sighted Judges don't think you've glued that pettcoaA
It's an apron Uncle Ed" explained the small seam
stress, patiently very important, because if pet
the money it's to go into the bank to help my education
so can be teacher, and mamma won't have to work"
see And It you don't get it you'll have TO be an
ignorarnus all your life should think it is Important
And then May and Billy clamored at the window and
Beth set the last careful STITCH and the clock struck Eve
The County Fair began as usual just as if Beth anro
were not part OF it. It too far away for nann,a
and the children to attend but Uncle Ed went on the a
day and he to bring back word Of the result Path
was certain she should not sleep wink until he cane
no matter how late that was but mamma insisted an Her
gong 70 PED ~ usual and the next thing she knew Il
was broad daylight Uncle Ed was down III the dining
room, but he didn't say mucjust looked over his se
glasses and talked about premium pigs and rnoync,s
chimes and pretended he hadn't heard 4 word ahort
aprons Betty crept away by herself She rndarstoods
she hadn't gotten premium and Uncle Ed didn't Ie
to tell her Well II she couldn't ever be educated sed
have to be dressmaker like mamma and sew no mater
how hot it was.
And then breakfast was ready and Uncle Fd c.I,sA
her to come quick before he starved -''N@
She slipped quietly into her chair and slowly ftad 49,
plate TO release an edge Of the napkin and there g,
II foaea neatly Lax her very own cambria apron with
blue ribbon pinned fast and across It srnooth e
green, fascinating fve-dollar bill $50
And tnls isn't made-up story at all for Il every bk
happened sss's -