Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-12-23
and locking the door Of the room, put the
key inio his nockef and sailed firth


key into his pocket, and sailed forth.
1t was cold cherries day towards the
end of February. The sky was overcast,
and the countenances of the passeersby
seemed TO haze formed themselves to ac-
cord with it every face wore an expression
Of care and dissatisfaction. The streets
we're covered with mud, which the reckless
vehicles scattered on all sides policemen
walked along, scowlIng, as If just in the hui
NOR to catch thieves women selling apples
and gingerbread on stalks by the path side
looked miserable and not well pleased will,
their situation IN life, and when they saw a
policeman, or were obliged to move to let
some rich aud beautiful lady aligh from her
carriage, they looked still less pleased.
Arthur marked all this as he went on his
way. 1t was the food most agreeable to his
nisanthropic mind. He arrived at the book
sellers, and, on sending in his name, was at
once admitted.
Mr.. Rawlings was seated at his desk in the
counting house. Files ofetiers and papers
we're strewn ,hickly around, and huge led
ger was lying open before him. He reques-
ted Arthur 10 take seat, and commenced
operations thus :-"Well, Sir, l have read
your manuscript, and like i, muct-very
much. l should certainly imagine IT to be a
first work F.; for there is an evident want Of
power fully to work out the meaning bu,
there is stuff in il, Sir-there is stuff !"
"Ah !" thought Arthur, "after the bit Of
praise that every one is pleased to bestow
upon me, comes the regular addition-want
Of name, and state Of the market. People
can afford to praise when they do not intend
10 buy. Number six will be like numbers
one, Two, three, four, and FIVE ~
Mr.. Rawlings, having refreshed himself
with pinch Of snuff, proceeded ;-"BuI
the want of name-he want Of name, Sir,
must tell you, is a formidable objection ; and
in the present state of the literary market
the chances Of success are greatly against a
work by totally unknown author"
1.-THE very words ~ thought Arthur, 81
could have foretoId them, evesy one. He
does not know how often have heard them
before"
Mr.. Rawlings continued: "Stil, as
have said, like the book. II is good, sir
So, if we can agree about price should
have no objection to publish but you mus,
be moderate. The risk is great, sir, as
sure you-very great ~
Arthur was qune taken by surprise. He
had given up all hope of deriving advantage
IN any way from his literary labours. Alone
in the world, and suffering from extreme
poverty, how could he have refused anything
that the bookseller had offered He woulc
gladly have accepted a ten pound note but
in a calm, self-possessed voice, and with al
air of gentlemanly indifference, he named
three hundred pounds.
"Thrce hundred pounds !" exclaimed Mr.
Rawlings. mo, no, sir recollect I've ne
name to put on the title page. Come, wei
say t,co hundred for this. and Jfre hundred
for work to follow it you shall not have
to complain of me. The book shall be hi
a hit, sir and by this time next year the PEG.
pie will know your name we'll enough, o.
I'm mistaken"
Why should relate how the bargain wa
concluded how Arthur shook hands will
the worldly bookseller, and left the shop
another man! Everything, too, seemed diff
terent the air warmer-the sky not S,
cloudy, the people more contented AM
when he turned the lock Of his poor apart
ment, and entering, saw the fire burning
smilingly, as lfto welcome his return, he sanl
into chair and tried, but in vain, to thinl
over sobcrly his new prospects. An entir
change had x len over his mind. The feru
city called for by poverty was gone. In
dignant haued, by the magical influence o
money, had become gentle disapproval.-
"Yes," SAID the young author,"I return,
!, repcn,ant wanderer, TO my old checrin
creed and, since it is my destiny, will en-
deavor, in an humble spirit, to become on
: of the worlds teachers a learning teacher
Nor will lose the pleasures around me
whilst telling of those far distant. Thong
looking forward to bright future will nc
believe the present uitcry dark. have es
perienced Kindness, and will think better {
I all for the sake of one"
, The old Dutch clock struck six. A
, hour ago Arthur Jervis was not so happy
: and now he set about preparing a cup I
. fragrant and refreshing coffee.
9 MORAL. Charge not all mankind wit
baseness even in their existing rudiment
: state Of progress. In ten thousand grains
. sand there may be one grain Of goId-ar
f who knows but you may light on il,
e ~ don't know how it is" soliloquised