Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-28

!
continuous stream. Outside the
great fenced in area was a 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 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-
hibitor. 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, father2 l
didn't take prize-not one!"
"Why-eeeer 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 a 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"
"rll look as glad as l can that Mrs.
What's 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.
you've carried off honors for the
family, Aunt Sabrina," he was saying
, cordially.
Good land. George. I'm almost
, ashamed tn have taken 1t. That pref
ty girl almost cried when they passed
+ over her things with Just honorable
I mention There's so few girls who
, can cook nowadays that they ought tC
be encouraged instead of an old won
: an like me stepping in. declare, theri
. she is nOwr'
Phoebe had heard the frankly spo
: ken words and had flushed warmly
: Mr. Sweet smiled good naturally, anC
!. the woman. who was Mrs. ScOville
q stepped forward with a pleasant, win
a ming smile.
"You heard what | said,' she remark
4 ed, holding ont a plump hand to Phoe
!. be. "And l meant it too. Your things
look beautiful. and I'm sure they tast'
as good as they look"
"Thank you, Mrs. ScOville. you arr
/, too kind" said Phoebe gratefully
This is my father; dad, this is Mrs
G Scoville, who carried off the prizes thi
z year. We must congratulate her"
Mrs ScovilIe warmly insisted tina
y Phoebes dainties were as good as he
:, own If not much better. and much TIM
was spent in comparing the two ex
hibits.
Il used to see you carrying off thu
prize every year." said Mrs. Scovill
at last. land | told George, my neph
ew. that it vas too bad girl shoul'
carry of highest honors every year
SO pitched in and tried for the prizes
and now that I've got them all don
feel q mite better. / feel just as yo'
overheard me telling George. And, b,
the way. where is GEORGE" She look
ed around for the sunburned yOuni
man who had been talking to her.
''If he was the tall young chap VIII
n was talking to you when we cam
~ uD ! SAW MN EDlli- ONCi tp"hih III
is race track" remarked Mr.. Sweet.
"Oh. dear me, OF course he woul
be going there at this time. His liLti
n mare Princess will be in the three year
At old trotting class. Would you care (
to go over and see the racer"
I'VE expected TO. I've got hors
IN it myself" said Mr.. Sweet. an
Ir hired man is going to drive"
b. George will drive himself" obserJ
ed Mrs. Scoville as they walked acros
the grass toward the trotting course
rs 81 do hope Princess viii win. He's $
N fond of her and has set his heart 0
winning this race"
Phoebe. walking silently beside tn
two older people. looked like a prett
te flower in her sheer white dress, fror
N which her pink face. under lac
white hat. trembled like a wind blow
blossom. Chldess and widowed Mr.
III Scoville looked nj the girl more tina
n once as Mr. Sweet told Of how cleverl
his only child managed the motherlez
household.
iii 81 don't know what I shall do
Phoebe ever gets married" he ende'