The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-08
COMMUNICATIONS.
Written for the Pres $.
Jenny Lees Mistake.

Jenny Lees Mistake.
BY IDA pERLEY.
II is very common thing for young peo-
pie who depend upon their own exertions for
support, to turn their valuable time and tai
ents pen-ward, thinking it the easiest, the
most respectable way to gain a livelihood,
perhaps. 1t twould be hard to say in how
great a ratio the love Of fame may be the in
centiye that leads SO many to the field OF lit
erature, but in all probability the reason is
oftentimes the same that induces man-of
course a woman knows better-to invest his
last dollar in lottery, hoping that he may
awake some morning to find himself rich OF
famous.
However, to succeed well in any undertak-
ing one must have his heart in his work, or ii
will be all uphill with him; and when at
length he reaches the goal of his ambition,
worn out with labor long and wearisome,"
and ready to perish, perchance he would
gladly resign all that he had gained to rest
once more in the green valleys of his child
hood. Aye, to be happy; free hearted boy
again.
But to little Jenny Lee who, throughout
the long nights Of winter and the warm bright
days OF summer, had dreamed Of nothing less
than resolve to climb to the summit of fame,
experience was the best teacher.
So with little hope nesting in her heart,
and-forgive the Yankeeism-a dollar or two
in her pocket, she went out to purchase pens,
ink, and a ream of commercial note-for some
reason Jenny repudiated foolscap--to begin
with. She proceeded at once to her room,
shut and locked her door, and then seated
herself to get breath and - ar inspiration.
Soon there came through the window soft
but delicious strain of music. It was very
suggestive of the verb samo.' But that is
theme that poets, sages, and even simple
minded maidens have corrugated, expert
enced, and SO written Of, in every nation and
every tongue, to say nothing of its discus
sion by the inhabitants of the pre-Adamite
world. However, there were numerous SUBJ
jects at her call, and though for the life of
her she could think of nothing new under
the sun" Jenny drew up to the table, and res
oiutey dipping her pen in the ink, wrote the
single word Twilight" in large capitals at the
top OF her sheet. Well, what next? All,
Matac the question,
II was evident the fair querist was in a pc-
etical mood; but the pen went to the ink
again and again, and returned to the paper
without an idea Of its own.
She was too true to herself, to lust to 9TH
ers to indulge in plagiarism; but with that
WORD before her eyes, came these lines with
strange persistency:
Twilight let her curtain down
And pinned it With a star"
only this and nothing more; till Jenny, in
despair oil bringing her subject under control,
suffered big black drop to fall upon the cap
itals, thus blotting them from her sight for
ever.
The next day she was more successful, and
SO on for time, till at length, with selfsat-
ished air she deposited her little package d.
rected to the "Presumscot Daily" in the post
Office, aad went home to wait the result. The
day SO anxiously expected came at last, and
to Jenny's great delight her verses had found
place in the poets corner Poor child! her
heart was In futter all day long, What if
she was genius after all her fears to the con-
trary? What IL the Atlantic Monthly made
the discovery that she was and should COPY
her Lines to Summer. or the Whippoorwill's
Lament? Would not that be two stems nm
the ladder Of fame? But the Atlantic didn't
appreciate her poetry, and Jenny was the
least bit disappointed, but not discouraged.
She would write story and send it TO the
- Magazine She did not have to wait
long In suspense to learn its fate. A letter
came from one Of its editors, who by the way
was lady. Itwas kind aad TO the point, as
few extracts will show:
I'VE are obliged TO decline all
applications OF the sort. Mr.. Herbert has paid
writers, but those are accomplished in their
art, ana have already acquired fame. These,
however, are few, and al present we do not
need more. Ti,aratnre ;s
not profession to be relied on for support by
man, much less by a woman / do not be-
leve there are twenty-fi women in our conn |
Try, OF more than twenty-five millions of peo- |
pie, VINO support themselves wholly by their |
pen. Not one in million What chance |
nave you! Pardon me, If | am destroying |
the castles in the air which YOU have Iee1 |
raising for yourself shonld not write thus |
f did not believe you to possess good sense |
as well as genius of no common order. can |
therefore set this matter before YOU as know |
1t to be both from long experience aud care |
ful reflection. l would advise you to turn
your talents to other pursuits more useful and |
more remunerative. Teaching, for instance. |
Is the best profession for young lady, and is |
more congenial to the genius and nature of |
woman than to be an authoress.'
Jenny Lee began to think that she had mis-
taken her calling, but she remembered how
Others had persevered, and at last been re-
warded, took heart of grace, and wrote another
story which, with a metrical version of the loss
Of the "Golden Gate," she sent to well known