Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-04-12

yVu"B 'A"ii "hOsc DTlbnt lauBnlnB eyes Wcr'
full of mischief and intelligence, and who's,
manners we're charming. | regretted tn,
white piquo more than ever.
"By the way" said Doctor Fred plung
ing into the depths of his oyorcoat pocket
brought the mail with me, but it is all foi
Miss Rose.
My heart gave a great jump, and was
quito brcathless with expectation. MY let.
ter, Of course and / had opened it-in
imagnation-and read
"DEAR MADAM. Your very interesting
story was most thankfully received. Pray
accept the enclosed one hundred dollars as
most inadequate return and lot US hear
from you as often as possible.
Very respectfully, etc"
When | had perused this imaginary doc
ument | caught sight of an awkward look g.
ing packet VERY like the one had dis
patched), and, with bow, it was deposited
in my lap | could have cried with yexation.
but inyoIuntarily glanced at the gentleman,
and saw, from his eye, that he knew exactly
what it was My modification was complete.
l felt my cheeks burn, and was rather glad
when Susie said aughingly,
"That is a formdable.looking package.
hope he hasn't been and gone and returned
all your letters and keepsakes, has he ?"
Nothing half 50 important" replied
with an effort this is really not worth
having" and stuffed it into my pocket.
That hateful doctor To think OF his
knowing, at the outset, that was a rejected
author And that still more hateful editor
Not even an apology for his unfeeling con-
duct; nothing but the words too long"
scrawled in one corner of my manuscript.
As soon after tea as | conveniently could,
| slipped off to the library where | knew
should be alone for an hour at least and
getting behind the window curtain, | enjoyed
the luxury of q good cry. 1t was quite an
infantle sort of boo-hoo.ing, and found it
decided relief
After a while heard sigh that made me
start quite guiltily
al quite understand your feelings Miss
Rose, said the DOCTOR coming forward 81
have been through it all myself"
You :" | exclaimed in surprise, as | sud.
denly called to mind the reiterated praises of
Freds exceeding cleverness that had been
sounded in my ears by all the family in turn
how he wrote " lovely poetry" and had
edited paper, and knew not what all.
les" he continued, as quietly as though
we had known each other all our lives; al
tried story once, and asked the editor to
criticise it. His reply to my con6ding re.
quest is written with fire on my memory.
Sir, he wrote, your characters are the crea-
tions Of a lunatic, your style that of an idiot,
and your presumption worthy of king |
showed the letter and story to friend. My
friend simply said, He does not appreciate
it. thought this was very mild way of
speaking"
What did you do ?" asked with a great
deal of interest.
Sent the article to another editor, who
did appreciate it, aud got twenty-five dollars
for it. should like to see your story, Miss
Rose"
81 couldn't think of it," said /, blushing
behind the shield of the curtains
4" l think you could" was the quiet reply
Suppose we appoint a meeting here for
Monday morning, and review the story with
crcket's eye from beginning to end There
are more editors in the world than one"
He spoke as though it were such matter
of course that could not refuse and feeling
that he was very kind, hastoned back to the
parlor, while the doctor proceeded to search
for book which he said he had come-n quest
of when arrested by my sobs l felt quite
ashamed Of myself, and wondered if he were
not despising me all the time.
Where have you been 2" they exclaimed
You are the most unsociabe creature
And Fred says you remind him of head Of
Clytie that he has in his room"
was just asking how many heads this
fabulous female was supposed to have indulg-
ed in, when Fred himself sauntored in with
an Indifferent air.
Many Of our forms of speech are alb.
surd," said he, smiling. An old lady of
my acquaintance is always saying that
have fine eye, but | stoutly insist on hay-
ing two"
So he knew then that | knew that he
thought me like Clytie truly, was likely
to feel at ease with him
1t was a very pleasant evening, however,
in spite Of my disappointment; and when he
retired, Susie, who shared my apartment
said, " | am so glad that you like Fred"
al did not say that liked him." replied,
peryersely.
"No, but you acted it; and | am sure
that Fred likes you. He's splendid fellow,
Rose"
Susie said much more on the subject, and
| became quite indignant that her brother
and | could not enjoy little friendly inter-
course without having it commented upon
as something particular.
We did hold a council of two in the libra
ry, and | actually read my story to tho doc
tor. He listened gravely to the end, and
then declared that it had some very fine points
and some very serious faults. lie did not
think, for instance, that my heroines calmness
in the midst Of an infuriated mob was alto
gether natural but persuaded him that il
was, although the same woman would have
screamed ifa mouse had run over her foot.
Finally, we concluded that the whole thing
was to be rewritten and sent to the editor OF
the Sensation Weekly, who would probably
consider it a gem Of the first water. The
doctor said had only mistaken my man.
erased and added at my critics sugges.
tion and the result was a mass Of blurred
and blotted paper, quite frightful to behold
so | resolved to put it aside for the present
and copy it out fairly after got home.
"To think of your bringing it from the
office" said | during one of these discussions
" when you were the very last person
should have taken into my confidence !"
Doctor Fred laughed merrily;
And you may have to thank me yet for
your debut in the Sensation Weekly. knew
the nature of the thing as soon as | saw il
--as | told you, | have received such
packages myself--and | Immediately ex-
perienced an inordinato curiosity to see what
manner of Rose this was to whom the docu-
ment was addressed"
| think she proved very poor speci-
men" said ], as | remembered my perform
ance in the library.
"A changeable Rose, | should say" he
returned first damask Rose, as she re-
ceiyed the fateful parcel and read in my eye
the wicked intelligence that l could not quite |
conceal and then in the library Rose Just
washed in the shower, like that which Mary
to Anna conveyed : sometimes, as now, |
4