The manuscript was privately dispatched , accompanied by a note , modestly saying that if the tale did n't get the prize , which the writer hardly dared expect , she would be very glad to receive any sum it might be considered worth . Six weeks is a long time to wait , and a still longer time for a girl to keep a secret , but Jo did both , and was just beginning to give up all hope of ever seeing her manuscript again , when a letter arrived which almost took her breath away , for on opening it , a check for a hundred dollars fell into her lap . For a minute she stared at it as if it had been a snake , then she read her letter and began to cry . If the amiable gentleman who wrote that kindly note could have known what intense happiness he was giving a fellow creature , I think he would devote his leisure hours , if he has any , to that amusement , for Jo valued the letter more than the money , because it was encouraging , and after years of effort it was so pleasant to find that she had learned to do something , though it was only to write a sensation story . A prouder young woman was seldom seen than she , when , having composed herself , she electrified the family by appearing before them with the letter in one hand , the check in the other , announcing that she had won the prize . Of course there was a great jubilee , and when the story came everyone read and praised it , though after her father had told her that the language was good , the romance fresh and hearty , and the tragedy quite thrilling , he shook his head , and said in his unworldly way ... `` You can do better than this , Jo . Aim at the highest , and never mind the money . '' `` I think the money is the best part of it . What will you do with such a fortune ? '' asked Amy , regarding the magic slip of paper with a reverential eye . `` Send Beth and Mother to the seaside for a month or two , '' answered Jo promptly . To the seaside they went , after much discussion , and though Beth did n't come home as plump and rosy as could be desired , she was much better , while Mrs. March declared she felt ten years younger . So Jo was satisfied with the investment of her prize money , and fell to work with a cheery spirit , bent on earning more of those delightful checks . She did earn several that year , and began to feel herself a power in the house , for by the magic of a pen , her ` rubbish ' turned into comforts for them all . The Duke 's Daughter paid the butcher 's bill , A Phantom Hand put down a new carpet , and the Curse of the Coventrys proved the blessing of the Marches in the way of groceries and gowns . Wealth is certainly a most desirable thing , but poverty has its sunny side , and one of the sweet uses of adversity is the genuine satisfaction which comes from hearty work of head or hand , and to the inspiration of necessity , we owe half the wise , beautiful , and useful blessings of the world . Jo enjoyed a taste of this satisfaction , and ceased to envy richer girls , taking great comfort in the knowledge that she could supply her own wants , and need ask no one for a penny . Little notice was taken of her stories , but they found a market , and encouraged by this fact , she resolved to make a bold stroke for fame and fortune . Having copied her novel for the fourth time , read it to all her confidential friends , and submitted it with fear and trembling to three publishers , she at last disposed of it , on condition that she would cut it down one third , and omit all the parts which she particularly admired . `` Now I must either bundle it back in to my tin kitchen to mold , pay for printing it myself , or chop it up to suit purchasers and get what I can for it .
Fame is a very good thing to have in the XXXXX , but cash is more convenient , so I wish to take the sense of the meeting on this important subject , '' said Jo , calling a family council .
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