Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-05-18

responsible for their non-arriyal:
and as had often had the feeling
myself, 1 was not surprised to see
| that they regarded me as an incom-
petent letterman.
The day closed in, and that del
| lightful time which Old-fashioned
people called ''early candle lighting
| arrived-the hour OF the whole
| tWenty-fOur when it is so charming
to draw costly up to the table lamp
and open letters, papers and books
that have just arrived.
We were rather nice looking par
ty at Mill Edge; plenty of bright eyes
and cheeks, and quick, merry tong
ues, with an unbounded capacity
for enjoyment. Dear Mrs. Darble,
too, was so kind and hospitable,
and the open wood fire was lovely,
| filling the room with dancing shad-
ows; but was mOOdily pining after
my letter, and rejecting on the base
ingratitude of the editor to whom
had sent my treasured story.
81 do believe that's Fred" said
some one, starting up. "Just like
him to come day or two before he
is expected"
Mrs. Darble rushed 10 the door at
the sound of footsteps on the crisp
garden walk, and l suddenly re-
membered that had totally forgot
| ten the existence of the eldest hope
of the family, whom l had never
seen. He was always away at col
lege when l made my visits, and
had lately taken his diploma as NJ.
D., and settled in neighbonng
town.
This was one Of his flying visits
home; and 1 began to wish that
had put on my white pique, with
knots Of scarlet ribbon.
He came in laughing, caressing
and caressed, draught of cold Oc-
tober air follwing in his wake; and
l found myself shaking hands with
a tall, pleasant-lookiDg young man,
whose bright laughing eyes were
| full of mischief and intelligence, and
whose manners were charming, L
regretted the white pique more than
ever.
"By the way" said Doctor Fred,
plunging into the depths of his
oVercoat pocket, ~ brought the
mail with me, but it is all for Miss
Rose"
My heart gave a gret jump, and
was quite breathless with eXpecta-
ton. My letter, of course; and
opened it-in imaginatIOn-and
read:
"DEAR MADAM; Your very inter-
estiDg story was most thankfully
received. Pray accept the enclosed
one hundred dollars as a most inad-
equate return, and let us hear from
you often as possible.
Very respectfully, &c"
When 1 had perused this imagina-
ry document, caught sight of an
awkwark looking packet (very like
the one had despatched), and, with
bow, it was deposited in my lap.
could have cried with vexation,
but involuntarily glanced at the
gentleman, and saw, from his eye,
that he knew exactly what it was.-
My modification was cOmeplete.
felt my cheeks burn, and was rather
glad when Susie said laughingly.
"That is a formidable-lOoking
package. ] hope he hasn't been and
gone and returned all your letters
and keepsakes, has he?"
Nothing half so important, re-
piled with an effort; "this is really
not worth having" and l stuffed it
into my pocket.
That hateful DOCTOR To think of
his knowing, at the outset, that l
was a rejected author! And that !
still more hateful editorl Not even
an apology for his unfeeling con-
duct; nothing but the words "too
long" scrawled on one corner of my .
manuscript.
As soon after tea as / convenient |
ly could, 1 slipped of to the library, |
where l should be alone for an hour |
at least; and getting behind the win
dow curtin, enjoyed the luxury of
a good cry. L was quite an infais-
tile sort of boo hoO-ing, and found
it decided relief.
After awhile heard 4 sigh that
made me start guiltily.
"I quite understand your feelings,
Miss. Rose," said the doctor, com
ing forward; 81 have been through
it all myself"
"YOu % l exclaimed in surprise,
as L suddenly called to mind the
reiterated praises of Fred's exceed
ing cleverness that had been sound
ed in my ears by all the family in
return-how he wrote ''lovely poet
ry and had edited a paper, and
knew not what all.
eyes," he continued as quietly as
though we had known each other
all our lives, 81 tried a story once,
and asked the editor to criticise it.
His reply to my confiding request
is written with fire on my memory.
"Sir," he wrote, "your characters
are the creations of a lunatic, your
style that of an idiot, and your pre-
sumption worthy of a king" l |
showed the letter and story to a
friend. Ny friend simply said, "He
doesn't appreciate it," l thought
this was very mild way of speak
ing"
'What did you do?" l asked with
a great deal of interest.
Sent the article to another editor
who did appreciate it, and got twen-
ty-tive dollars for it. l should like
to see your story, Miss Rose"
al couldn't think of it," said l,
blushing behind the shield of the
curtains.
81 think you could" was the
quiet reply. Suppose we appoint a
meeting here for Monday morning,
and review the story, "With a crick-
cts eye" from beginning to end
There are more editors in the world
than one."
He spoke as though it were such a
matter of course that l could not re-
fuse; and feeling that he was very
kind, fastened back / o the parlor,
while the doctor proceeded to search
for book which he said he had
come in quest of when arrested by
my sobs. felt quite ashamed of
myself and wondered if he were not
despising me all the time.
"Where have you been ?'' they ex-
claimed. "You are the most unso-
ciable creature Fred says you re-
mind him of head of Clytie that he
has in his ROOM"
1 was just going to ask how many
heads this fabulous female was sup
posed to have INDUCED in, when
Fred sauntered in with an indiffer-
ent air.
'Many of our forms Of speech are
absurd" said she, smiling. "An old
lady of my acquaintance is always
saying have a fine eye, but Istout-
lu iuaisf ~, hausuor frsTa -