Part 18 (1/2)

CHAPTER XIV

THE FIRST PRIZE

When the last craft in the procession had pa.s.sed the judges' stand, and the little lake was alive with decorations and nautical novelties, everybody, of course, in the boats and on land, was anxious to know who would get the prizes.

There were four to be given, and the fortunate ones could have gifts in silver articles or the value in money, just as they chose.

Everybody waited anxiously, when the man at the judges' stand stood up and called through the big megaphone:

”Let the Fisherman's Daughters pa.s.s down to the stand!”

”Oh, we are going to get a prize,” Dorothy said to Nellie. ”I'll just cut the line to Harry's boat and row back to the stand.”

Then, when the two little girls sailed out all by themselves, Dorothy rowing gracefully, while Nellie helped some, although not accustomed to the oars, the people fairly shouted.

For a minute the girls waited in front of the stand. But the more people inspected them the better they appeared. Finally, the head judge stood up.

”First prize is awarded to the Fisherman's Daughters,” he announced.

The cheering that followed his words showed the approval of the crowd.

Nellie and Dorothy were almost frightened at the noise. Then they rowed their boat to the edge, and as the crowd gathered around them to offer congratulations, the other prizes were awarded.

The second prize went to the Indians!

”Lucky they don't know us,” said Hal to Bert, ”for they would never let the two best prizes get in one set.” The Indians were certainly well made-up, and their canoe a perfect redman's bark.

The third prize went to the ”Sea-serpent,” for being the funniest boat in the procession; and the fourth to the gunboat. Then came a great shouting!

A perfect day had added to the success of the carnival, and now many people adjourned to the pavilion, where a reception was held, and good things to eat were bountifully served.

”But who was the little girl with Dorothy Minturn?” asked the mayor's wife. Of course everybody knew Dorothy, but Nellie was a stranger.

Mrs. Minturn, Mrs. Bobbsey, Aunt Sarah, Mrs. Bingham, and Mrs. Blake, the latter being the mayor's wife, had a little corner in the pavilion to themselves. Here Nellie's story was quietly told.

”How nice it was she got the prize,” said Mrs. Blake, after hearing about Nellie's hards.h.i.+ps. ”I think we had better have it in money--and we might add something to it,” she suggested. ”I am sure Mr. Blake would be glad to. He often gives a prize himself. I'll just speak to him.”

Of course Dorothy was to share the prize, and she accepted a pretty silver loving cup. But what do you suppose they gave Nellie?

Fifty dollars!

Was not that perfectly splendid?

The prize for Nellie was twenty-five dollars, but urged by Mrs. Blake, the mayor added to it his own check for the balance.

Naturally Nellie wanted to go right home to her mother with it, and nothing about the reception had any interest for her after she received the big check. However, Mrs. Bobbsey insisted that Mr. Minturn would take the money to Nellie's mother the next day, so the little girl had to be content.

Then, when all the festivities were over, and the children's excitement had brought them to bed very tired that night, Nellie sat by her window and looked out at the sea!