Bessie Bradfords Prize

Bessie Bradford's Prize

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Title: Bessie Bradford's Prize
Author: Joanna H. Mathews
Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6569] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on December 28, 2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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BESSIE BRADFORD'S PRIZE
The third of a series of sequels to "the Bessie books"
By Joanna H. Mathews
Illustrated by W. St. John Harper
Dedicated to my dear little friend and fellow author Elizabeth Leiper Martin ("Elsie")
With the wish that the path of authorship may have for her as many flowers and as few thorns as it has had for her friend and well wisher
J. H. M.

CONTENTS.
I. AT THE POLICEMAN'S,
II. LETTERS,
III. LENA'S SECRET,
IV. PERCY,
V. ROBBING THE MAIL,
VI. A CONFIDENCE,
VII. A BOX OF BONBONS,
VIII. "INNOCENTS ABROAD,"
IX. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING,
X. FRANKIE TO THE FRONT AGAIN,
XL A TRUST,
XII. DISCOVERY,
XIII. ACCUSATION,
XIV. WHO WINS?

CHAPTER I
.
AT THE POLICEMAN'S.
"Here comes Mrs. Fleming," said Jennie Richards, in a tone indicative of anything but pleasure in the coming of Mrs. Fleming.
Mrs. Granby responded with an exclamation which savored of a like sentiment, and rising, she tossed aside the little frock she was working on, as she added:
"I don't see what she's comin' for! I didn't want her a comin' here, bringin' her mournin' an' frettin' an' lookin' out for troubles to pester you, Mary Richards, an' I told her I would be over to her place this evenin'. I did tell her, you know, I'd fit that dress for her Mrs. Bradford give her to Christmas, but she just needn't a come here when I told her I'd go there; an' a kill-joy she is an' no comfort to nobody. You go into the kitchen, Mary, an' stay there till she's gone, which I won't be long fittin' her, an' I'll get rid of her soon's I can,"
Mrs. Richards was about to comply with the suggestion, when Jennie, who was still gazing out of the window, exclaimed with a total change of tone:
"And here come the little Miss Bradfords, with Jane, and Miss Belle Powers and Miss Lily Norris along with them."
The little sister whom she was diverting by holding her up to the window, began to clap her hands, and Mrs. Richards settled herself back into her chair again, saying:
"I ain't going into the kitchen to miss _them_, and I'll set the sunshine they'll bring against the clouds Mrs. Fleming drags."
Mrs. Granby beamed upon her.
"Well, I declare, Mary Richards, you ain't no great hand to talk, but when you do, you just do it beautiful; now don't she, Jennie? That's the po'tryest talkin' I've heard this long while, real live po'try, if there ain't no jingle about it. I allers did think you might a writ a book if you'd set about it, an' if you'd put such readin' as that kind of talk into it, I'll be boun' it would bring a lot of money, an' I'm right glad the little young ladies is comin', on'y I wish Amandy Flemin' hadn't hit the same time."
It was plain to be seen that the visit of the young party who were on the way to the door was a source of gratification to the policeman's family, whatever that of Mrs. Fleming might be. Their quicker footsteps brought them in before Mrs. Fleming, and they received a warm welcome. It is to be feared that the younger girl had an eye to the loaves and fishes with which they usually came laden on their visits to the Richards' household, as she ran to them on their entrance, saying,
"What did oo b'ing me?"
"Augh! Shame!" said the scandalized Mrs. Granby, snatching her up; and, "You'll excuse her, young ladies," said Mrs. Richards, mortified also; "but she's only a little thing, and you spoil her, always bringing her something when you come."
That they were not offended or hurt