Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-27
THE FIRST PRIZE
By Mabel H. stilInan

It was that hour between supper and
 bedtime which Is so dear to both mother and children, the time when
 mother can be with the children and
 they are tired enough to play quietly, or listen to one of her delightful stories.
 But on this particular evening mother had one of her worst headaches
 an6 was lying in darkened room.
 Aunt Phoebe had gathered the children
 in the nursery and was trying to keep
 them quiet so that a restful sleep
 could drive the pain from mothers
 head.
 The children meant to be good. but
 somehow they were unusually restless
 and noisy. They tired quickly of one
 game after another and had several
 disputes during which voices were raised.
 Finally Aunt Phoebe exclaimed:
 Children, you must try to be quieter and more polite and kind. I propose that Gladys, Harold and Alice give an entertainment and Ruth and I will be the audience"
 ''oh, what fun:" exclaimed Gladys
 old.
 'You may each speak a piece and sing a song. I will give three prizes. The first shall be for conduct. To the 1 and thoughtful of others, will give 1 this little red leather notebook The one who recites the best shall have my new blue pencil. To the best sing
 CT will give two pretty picture pos tals''
 What shall we do for a stage? ?'' asked Harold.
 You may plan about that" replied
 Aunt Phoebe. Then, seeing possibilities l Of keeping them interested for a req sonable length of time. You may dress 1 up for the stage, if you wish. All I 1 require is that you be quiet and do not 1 quarrel"
 The three prospective performers re- ! tired to the spacious, well lighted closet \ of the nursery and held a whispered l consultation. Little Ruth, left alone with Aunt Phoebe, made haste to claim her attention. Armed with her favor ] ite picture book, she climbed on Aun- l ties lap with the request:
 Show bookie-"
 \ few minutes later Harold emerged ] from the closet and said: we are go- ! ing to use the bed for a stage and ] will be stage manager" 4 flight of steps leading up to the bed was quick l ly made by placing Ruth's small chair 1 Alice's somewhat larger one, and l mothers full size chair in q row. | "The first number" announced Har- ! old, will be solo by Gladys ] Gladys walked with slow and stately l tread toward the stage. She was ar 1 rayed in mothers purple kimono which was tied around her waist with l a bright yellow scarf. A lace trimmed 1 boudoir cap, ornamented with a bow | of pink ribbon. rested iauntily on heI yellow cuTis. In stepping to the first 1 chair she tripped over her flowing 1 gown. When the third and last chail 1 was nearly reached the gown extended ! in q train over the chairs behind her l As Gladys with a final desperate ef- 1 fort. reached the bed, the two smaller | chairs tipped and almost fell to the 1 floor. Alice with a whispered "'You'l ] wake mother" sprang and caught then 1 just in time to avert 8. crash. ! When Alice had resumed her seat ] Gladys softly and sweetly sang Home | Sweet Home" As the last note dieG 1 away Harold said:
 Gladys will now recite 'Woodman 1 Spare That Tree" 1 Gladys, with a deep and tragic voice 1 began her recitation. She stumbled 1 over some of the words entirely for get others, and made awkward ana wholly unnecessary gestures. When Gladys had finished, Haroic mounted the stage. He felt that ar { elaborate costume was unsuitable tC 1 the dignity of a stage manager, 50 his only attempt at dressing up" was q ] pair of white nitJens on his hands ana
 an artificial chrysanthemun pinned tC 1 his flannel blouse
 My first effort to entertain you he 1 explained, will be g few verses from | one of our national songs" He ther 1 sang Yankee Doodle" in high falsettC i tones and with little regard to the time 1 Some ethiug in the words or the music ! inspired baby Ruth with desire tc