The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-27
BOUND TO SUCCEED.

Hilda Graham was the only daugh-
ter of q needy seamstress who was
widow. Mr.. Graham had. at his death
1--WE years before, wflled his wire
and child all OF the money he possess
sed, which was only one thousand dol
lars. With this she bought two acres
of land and a small cottage out In
the country. Hfida was devoted 10
books and had finished public school
at the age of twelve. She also liked
to "scribble'' little. Often her teach
err would say to Mrs. Graham. II ex-
pect to read some beautiful books by
and by that are written by a noted
authoress, Miss Hiida Graham. The
girl was envied by her neighbors VINO
discovered her fine talent through the
papers for which she wrote Though
not far enough advanced to get pay,
the stories she sent to the press were
readily accepted.
One girl even said that she had seen
Hiida copying stories from book to
put into the paper. This, OF course,
was untrue; but envy had prompted
wicked person to say wicked thing
One afternoon Mrs. Graham was
thinking .If might only secure money
to send Hiida TO high school, maybe
she could write books as Miss Blan-
ton said. Just then the door-bell
rang: she answered 1t. 1t was the
postman, who gave her letter. She
went into her room and read 1t. This
IL what 1t contained:
Boston. Mass. June s. 1915.
Dear Madam,-Y brother who
left home when q youth OF sixteen
died few days ago and left you heir
to his entire fortune, large house,
besides twenty thousand dollars in
cash. Come to Boston al once.
Sincerely.
GEORGE WHEELER.
Mr.. Beverly. Mrs. Graham's brother.
had left his home to seek his fortune
eighteen years before. He returned
home twice and wrote TO his sister
monthly. This lady began prepar-
ing for the journey the next day. She
purchased q mourning outfit for her
self and clothes for Hilda- The fol-
lowing Monday they started to Bos-
ton. The next morning they reached
the depot. An elderly gentleman met
them and motored them to his home
This was Mr.. Wheeler. Mrs. Graham
soon settled She business part of her
visit and on Mrs Wheeler's request
spent two days longer with them.
when the time came for her TO re-
turn home, Mrs Wheeler begged that
Hiida remain In Boston until her
mother sold their small cottage and
furniture. This she consented TO.
Mr.. Jones'. Mrs Grahsm's next-door
neighbor. bought the house and land.
The furniture was sold TO another
neiGhbor. Two weeks from the day
the letter bearing the sad news of her
brothers death and the glad news Of
the large fortune sfae was now owner
OF, the poor seamstress left her hum
BILE home In the country for q more
beautiful one In Boston. When she
reached her+new home she Immediate
Iy sent Hilda to high school. and at
ter she finished there, which she did
In four years. sent her to college.
Meanwhile her stories kept growing
longer and better until she received
rAy fer thern- She has 3uss completed
book, her first one. For this she
got one thousand dollars. ! don't
know whether her teacher ever read
| II or not, but her prophecy came true.
One night Mrs. Graham sat by the
fire thinking Of long Ago. As she
arose to 90 In Hiida.a room she said
aloud, -She Wa bound TO succeed. :
and 20 think shs was.
(Orig1nail
EMILY WIGHT BI4AYToN.
y