The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-09-06
First Prize
Success Follows q
Failure
By CLARlSSA MACKlE
BY CLARlSSA MACKIE

continuous stream. Outside the
great fenced in area was q maze Of
vehicles of every description, from the
humblest box wagon to the highly var
nished and luxuriously equipped mo-
torcar.
Inside the grounds there was as
great a dissimilitude among the people
wandering from one exhibit to anoth-
er, streaming in and out of the side
shows or gathered in the refreshment
tents.
Phoebe Sweet had arrived that morn
ing in her fathers comfortable two
seated carriage. all the available space
about her piled with daintily wrapped
boxes. for Phoebe always exhibited at
the Corinth county fair, and her bread
and cake and canned fruit always car
ried away the first prizes.
Today had been an exception, how.
ever, for one by one the coveted
prizes had been awarded to another ex-
hibltor, who in years past had been
among the vanquished, and, although
Phoebe had smiled bravely as she saw
her products passed by, she was Bit
terly disappointed at the outcome.
Her father, arriving at the building
too late, found her at the door, flushed
and rather detected. Same old story,
Phoebe, bird?" he asked affection
ately.
She shook her head dolefully. what
is the matter with me, father?
didn't take a prize-not one!"
"Why-eeeew exploded Mr. Sweet,
aghast what in thunder are those
fellows thinking about anyway? What
do they know about bread or cake or
pies. eh? Let me have look"
He was about to pass her when
Phoebe caught his shoulder and shook
| him laughingly.
Its no use, father. dear. Mrs. SEQ
ville's products really are superior to
mine. Let US go back and look at
them, and please don't let any one
know we are very much disappointed"
"I'll look as glad as l can that Mrs.
Whats-her-name has carried off all the
honors," smiled Mr.. Sweet as he led
his daughter down the building to the
exhibit of domestic productions.
A few people were gathered about a
table on which were set forth several
loaves of beautifully baked bread,
some toothsome frosted cakes and a
row of vari-tinted canned fruits. A
tall, sunburned young man was speak
ing to a short, plump, motherly look
| ing woman.
~ nef hn
family, Aunt Sabrina." he was saying
cordially.
"Good land, George, I'm almost
ashamed to have taken it. That pret-
ty girl almost cried when they passed
over her things with just honorable
MENTION There's so few girls who
can cook nowadays that they ought to
be encouraged instead Of an old wom-
an like me stepping in. 1 declare, there
she Is nowr'
Phoebe had heard the frankly spo-
ken words and had flushed warmly.
Mr.. Sweet smiled good naturedly, and
the woman, who was Mrs. Scoyille,
stepped forward with a pleasant, win
ming smile.
"You heard what said," she remark.
ed holding out a plump hand to Phoe-
be. "And l meant it too. Your things
look beautiful, and I'm sure they taste
as good as they look"
"Thank you, Mrs. Scoville, you are
too kind" said Phoebe gratefully.
This is my father; dad, this is Mrs
ScOville. who carried off the prizes this
year. We must congratulate her"
Mrs. Scovile warmly insisted that
PhOebe's dainties were as good as her
own If not much better, and much time
was spent in comparing the two ex-
hibits.
81 used to see you carrying off the
prize every year." said Mrs. Scoville
at last, "and told George, my neph-
ew, that II was too bad a girl should
carry off highest honors every year.
so pitched in and tried for the prizes,
and now that I've got them all l don't
feel a mite better. feel just as you
overheard me telling George. And, by
the way, where is George" She look
ed around for the sunburned young
man who had been talking to her.
"If he was the tall young chap who
was talking to you when we came
up | saw him going over toward the
race track" remarked Mr.. Sweet.
"Oh. dear me! OF course he would
be going there at this time. His little
mare Princess will be in the three-year-
old uottlng class, Would you care to
go over and see the race?"
"We expected to. I've got a horse
In II myself" said Mr.. Sweet. "My
hired man is going to drive"
George will drive himself" observ-
ed Mrs. Scoyille as they walked across
the grass toward the trottng course.
Il do hope Princess win win. He's so
fond Of her and has set his heart on
winning this race"
Phoebe, walking silently beside the
two older people. looked like a pretty