There were three branches of the contest, and he entered them all, laughing at himself bitterly the while in that he was driven to such straits to live.
His poem won the first prize of ten dollars, his campaign song the second prize of five dollars, his essay on the principles of the Republican Party the first prize of twenty-five dollars.

Which was very gratifying to him until he tried to collect.

Something had gone wrong in the County Committee, and, though a rich banker and a state senator were members of it, the money was not forthcoming.

While this affair was hanging fire, he proved that he understood the principles of the Democratic Party by winning the first prize for his essay in a similar contest.

And, moreover, he received the money, twenty-five dollars.