American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-11-30
VOLUME l.
NV First Attempt.

J.
isfied if | could but see something of
mine in print From my childhood, VS.
ions of myself as writer have danced
before my eyes, and have thrilled with
delight as | have imagined some one
pointing me out as the talented authoress
of ''those delightful sketches IN the
Magazine"
Hitherto however, notwithstanding all
NV devotion to the art of composition,
have never before summoned courage
enough to attempt an entrance into the
arena of literary fame indead, to tell the
truth, I,have had vesy little encourage
meut don't think people have appre-
Stated me sufficiently. At school, though
my compositions were undoubtedly re-
markable, my teacher never took any par
ticular notice of them, and made no at
tempt to accelerate the growth ofmy bud
ding genius, and so, through her neglect,
my ideas upon ''Friendship," Spring,
and various other subjects, are lost for
ever to the world At the moment, L
was fil ed with indignation at her treat
ment. but as time has somewhat healed
my wounds, and as / am naturally amia-
bic, have forgiven her, and hope that
her neglect was owing rather to want OF
ability to appreciate than envy Of my
superior talents Then | have heard, too,
some of the most heart-rending stories OF
blood thirsty editors, who have refused to
print thrilling stories and lovely poetry,
merely for the sake of tormenting their
luckless authors, and | have naturally
been afraid of falling into the hands of
one of these "roaring lions" But true
genius always overcomes sooner or later,
the greatest obstacles, and so have de-
termined to make one more attempt to
reach the coveted goal
If | should be rejected-but | will not
think of that | wound rather dwell upon
the idea that my article will be accepted,
and imagine myself waiting anxiously for
the magazine in which it is to appear.
How eagerly shall turn over the pages
until my eye rests upon the familiar yet
unfamiliar words Howl shall torment
my friends by repeatedly inquiring If
they have read that article in the maya
zine, and what they think of it The
mere thought exhilerates me SO now,
when it is only fancy, that | hardly know
what will become of me should the idea
resolve itself into reality.
Pshaw. there comes the dark side Of
the picture thrusting itself before me .
Well will meet it bravely. Suppose my
poor little attempt is ANONYMOUSLY re-
iected All, | am afraid should be,
come from that instant cynic, and a
firm believer in the doctrine of total de-
pravity | know | should be an editor
hater for life. But there is consolation,
even in that view of the question Have
not many of our very first writers been
unsuccessful at first? And then no one
need ever know that | tried for the prize
and failed, for | intend to keep it pro-
found secret.
Well, | have decided to write. Now
comes the momeutous question, what shall
l write about? have no disposition to
make inroads upon the domains of poe
try, and even if | had the disposition,
fear should lack the ability. | never
did attempt anything in the rhyming
line bat once, and that was several years
ago, when / did perpetrate poetical de.
scription of one of my schoolmates, which
was contained in three verses of four
lines each and, as availed myself of
poetical license to considerable extent,
| hardly think the description was very
striking. know it abounded in allu-
sions to pearly teeth, vermillion lips,
marble necks, and jetty curls. / believe
the subject was rather deficient in every
one of these particulars, but ! presume it
was as near the truth as most newspaper
poetry 1t decided me, however, that my
mission does not lie in-the region of poe
try, and SO l am not obliged to decide
whether shall astonish the world with
an epic poem or merely minister to its
taste by sonnet But if don't hurry
(. and choose my subject, l won't have any
DOM to make my observations about it,
or have determined that my ''frst at
tempt shall not be a long one. Perhaps,
way down in the bottom of my heart, |
may consider myself competent to han
die any subject, from politicalleader on
the state of the country down to disser-
tation on coat-button; but I want to
choose one that will meet with general
appreciation.
Now, sour Country" would be grand