Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-02-07
THE PRIZE THAT SHE
DID NOT RECEIVE
By Cecilia Hamburg)


my goodness" exclaimed the girl
from the ribbons as she dropped gasp
ing into a chair in the rest room.
Amt it something fierce downstairs?
You'd think every living, breathing
woman owned a millionaire husband
from the way they're fighting to buy
things at this SALE"
I'm not feeling any better'n you
are" said the young woman from the
neckwear, cheerfully brushing stray
lock of hair. Somehow, life doesn't
seem as cheerful as it did yestidday
at this time. You know Harold and
me were going to hard times party
last night-did l tell your"
"Sure!" said the girl from the rib
bons with interest. You said you
knew you'd take the prize as the
couple nearest to the real thing Did
your"
Did WEI" echoed her friend, drop
ping disconsolately upon the couch.
well, I'm no. quite sure yet in my
own mind what we did take. That's
how you look at it.
Harold and / worked hard over
those costumes, l tell you," went on
the girl from the neckwear. II said
to him right at the beginning, 'Har-
DID, I said, If we are aiming at the
prize we, must be careful to be artis-
tic and not overdo it. We must make
ourselves look just as much like a
pair of tramps as we can without
looking like vodeveel caricatures,'
said
"And he agreed with me. That's
one nice thing about Harold-he most
generally let's me boss things.
you ought a-seen me, Carrie. when
/ was fixed! You'd a-vowed an de-
clared l was Mrs. Shapowlski from
back of the yards and that my hus-
band had deserted me and I had II
small children to support and only
81 cents to my name, and long, cold
winter coming. Sort Of pinched and
haggard / made my face up and
wore neat but threadbare old black
things with an occasional torn place
for the high lights.
my bonnet was dream. My small
brother found it in the alley one day
and brought it home as a curiosity.
Harold was the same, only more
pronounced. He was more ragged
and dangerous looking. but honest, |
was proud of us BOTH l could see
that silver toilet set that cost $25 be-
ing handed over to me by the presi-
dent of the lodge just as plain, and
Harold getting the gold headed cane!
Harold blew himself for a cab, too,
on account of our looks. There's
nothing small about Harold.
I'VE hadn't driven eight blocks be-
fore a taxi hit us and smashed up
our horse, and there was nothing for
us to do but get on a street car or
be late for the grand march. | was
SO excited about the wreck I kind
of forgot our looks, till a woman | sat
down next to sort of shifted and got
up and took another seat at the end
of the car
There was a man next to Harold,
and he dragged his overcoat away
and said something mean, and every
body stared so that we went out on
the platform to feel more comfort
able. The conductor scowled at us.
Where you hoboes bound for? ask
ed a smarty boy with a cigarette, who
was standing there.
"Tll punch your face for that! says
Harold. He's dreadfully quick tenn
pered, is Harold
None of that says the conduc-
tor.
Then Harold, who was mad, said
he'd punch him, too, and that no lady
friend of his was going to be insulted
by a couple of dubs like them.
ON throw you off'n the cart says
the conductor. Who do you think you
l are-Reggie Van Astorbilt?
The boy with the cigarette laugh
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