Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-12-21
SIMON PENNIWORTH, A.P.
AND
His CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION.
Continued from yesterdsy.)

| VIII you tell me how you shall begin lt!"
1.-The first line has come to me thus:
The Christmas bells peal on the hills"
THAT is iine." said Mary. but if l
may critcse little"
Whatever you criticism is," said ST.
mon, Il shall accept gladly"
| 1T is only this. Mr. Penniworth: bells,
| think. peal on the churches, and not on
| the hills"
"a good point. But can remedy the
error by changing the proposition ON to
over. So it will read:
The Christmas bells peal ocer the hills"
THE sharpest critic cannot find fault
with that, Tm sure, Mr. Penniworth."
"And my next line shall be:
The cold white snow fills valley and rils."
"But only a few inches have come yet,
Mr.. Penniworlh."
Yes; but trust there will be more by
Christmas and. if there is not can
change the line "
"And have you thought of more p''
my next two lines shall read:
Cold, fading, slowly diving year,
To see thee leave US brings the tear!"
"Much the prettiest lines" said Mary
Lyle. "You certainly improve as you 90
on
Thank you, Mary. And while l am
in the mood of it, and the inspiration is
upon me, perhaps had better go to my
study and write upon my production. Re-
member that you are to go with me next
Christmas eve" he continued, rising, Ito
attend the celebration"
Il shall most certainly remember it.
Mr.. Penniworth."
And in few moments more Simon
Penniworth was on his way home.
But he was sad all the way-yes. it
might be said, angry; for when he
was leaving the parlor OF Mary Lyle
he was sure that he saw in the ad-
joining room, through the open door, an
other person-and this no less a one than
his rival" ut was he then that
laughed" said Simon to himself; land he
has been hearing all that we said" When
he reached home he was in very bad
mood for writing upon his Christmas pro-
duction. But he received sympathy from
the faces OF the poets around him, and
felt better.
At last the memorable Christmas eve
arrived, when the production pre-
pared by Simon Penniw0rth was to be
delivered at Washington Hall. At an
early hour large number had assembled
in this building to witness the exercises
OF the evening. The snow was very
deep. aud quite fierce storm was raging;
but this could not keep the people of
Woodville from an entertainment that
promised them so much pleasure.
At seven O'Clock the exercises began.
The speaking and singing went on finely,
and there was nothing to break the gen.
eral harmony of the occasion until that
part of the programme was reached where
Simon Penniworth was to deliver his poem.
The entire audience seemed filled with
eagerness to listen to the principle exer-
else of the evening. and to catch view
of the one who was to render it.
But Simon was not in the hall
AS the audience perceived this, there
was general stir, followed by excited
whispers, which were stopped by the pres
ident of the meeting rapping violently on
the table with a gavel.
'.ls Simon Penniworth in the house ?"
he asked in loud voice. removing his
glasses Che was old and bald-headed) and
looking sharply around.
A short silence WAS broken by someone
in distant corner shouting in very
squeaky voice:
He is not, sir"
has ANY Que seen WI. IcnuiWorth w.
night?"
No answer.
HAS any one seen Mr.. Penniworth to-
night P"
At the repetition of the question, q
young man arose midway OF the hall, and
said:
"Mr President, as rode by the house
of Simon Penniworth tonight, to come to
| 4 in hrir linb i'm
from the window of his room. and he
must have been there, engaged upon what
he was to deliver to us this evening""
Nothing but supposition," said the
president; ''you have not seen Mr.. Penni-
worth, and can sit down"
And the young man sat down looking
trife Inundated.
The president again repeated his ques-
tion, when another man arose.
"Mr. President, | have not seen the
gentleman in question tonight, but l
would suggest that he might be at home
at the present time engaged in his writing,
and as other men of genius have done be-
fore him. become so absorbed In his labor
that he is entirely eblivious to the rapid
transition OF time"
These words. which many Of the people
present considered "high-1own" were not
well received; and an over-grown boy
even went so tar as to shout:
Put him out !"
But it was very still when William Dent
arose; for it was evident from the ex-
preston of his countenance that he had
something to tell OF sad nature.
Mr.. President" he said. "only few
days ago in private conversation with Mr..
Penniworth, he expressed the feeling that
the world often seemed very dark to him.
and otherwise hinted. as it seemed 10 me.
tContipued on fourth pags.I