Two hundred of the little articles were afterwards published from time to time in The Ladies’ Home Journal. The first article of the series appeared in the magazine for January, 1904, and my wife’s little story, which won first money, was at the head of the list. I am going to give here the whole of the little article, as published in The Ladies’ Home Journal. Of course, I am proud that she won the prize, and I hope other young ladies by-and-by may be the happy winners in such contests. And here is the article:
“When one’s pin-money is all gone but twenty-five cents the question comes as to the way to replenish it. One day when I found that I had only that amount I invested it as follows:
1 yard of lawn .10 1 yard of lace .10 1 spool of cotton .05 ——— .25
“The same day I made three baby caps as daintily as I could with these materials. The next day I sold them for twenty-five cents each, and then I had seventy-five cents. I then bought
1 yard of lawn .15 2½ yards of lace .25 2 yards of ribbon .25 2 tiny buckles .05 1 spool of cotton .05 ——— .75
“With these materials I made two baby caps, somewhat larger than the first ones, and trimmed more prettily. I found no trouble in selling them for $1.50. Straightway I invested the sum in lawn, lace, ribbon, etc., and as I had done so well with the caps I thought I would try my hand on little bonnets. I made two. A friend offered me $5 for them before they were finished. I accepted her offer and from that day to this I have never been troubled about pin-money.
[Illustration: PIN-MONEY MADE WITH THE NEEDLE.]
“In four weeks’ time I made and sold twenty caps and eleven bonnets. The material for the caps cost me $2.50—twelve and a half cents for each. I sold them for twenty-five cents each. The material for the bonnets cost me $8.25, or seventy-five cents each. I sold them for $2.50 each. So I netted $21.75 for my work. The time which I devoted to this enterprise was that which ordinarily I would have used in calling or in running up bills for my husband to pay.
“Since the first four weeks of which I have spoken in detail I have made more expensive caps and bonnets for babies from six months to about three years old. The last one I made was of silk, beautifully trimmed, tucked and hemstitched. I sold it for $6, making a clear profit of $3. My husband says I’ll soon be in position to organize a trust.”