The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-07-23
"Ah! indeed, said Jones, not knowing

4 "Ah! indeed, said Jones, not knowing
i what else to say.
a EYES," continued Mr.. Wilson, Smith
!, often showed me your stories and as
t sured me that it panied him greatly II
, be obliged to decline them because they
l had such quantity on hand. He con
sidered all your articles excellent, bu
, the publishers of the paper would no
s hear Of such thing as accepting arti
I; Giles from any but well known writer's, -
! such as were already famous, even though
: they did not write as we'll as you, Smith
} Hearing that Simpson here, intended tc
4 start literary paper in Chicago, and
that was to be the editor, called upon
me last week and made me promise tc
stop and see you on our way to Chicago,
3 and secure you as writer for our new
, paper. As liked what l had seen OF
, your writings very much. ! tn3k y, yan !,
+ aiiJidress AM; st mere we are"
ell am sure you honor me great
DEAL" stammered Jones.
90, no; not at ALL" said Simpson.
owe want a good writer, and as Smith
and Wilson are both good judges, know
you are a good writer We have not
decided upon name for our paper, but
it will be about the same kind and style
as the New York Ledger, only much bet
Ter. The first number will be printed
about the first of next month, and we
want first class, attractive story to
open with; enc that will be sure TO
make sensation. If we can make sat
isfactory arrangements, we would like
you to write such story for lis, so that
we can have the opening chapters in a
few weeks"
why, have novel already finish
ed, which think will just answer your
purpose" said Jones, in very business
like manner, Then he opened drawer
and took from it large pile of paper,
and said, "It is called the Bloody Dia-
mond, and though ] say it myself,
think it is the best of the kind ever
written"
"It has an attractive title; that's
good" said Simpson, delightedly. THE
title is half the story-money value, that
is. But l should like very much for you
to read q chapter or two for knew zss 6 y
it is good, but still l would like to hear
the first of il, that is, if you feel like
reading"
go. certainly; with pleasure" said
jones' and at once began.
1t was a dark stormy night in Octo-
Der, IS, and solitary horseman was
riding along wild mountain road in
Western Virginia The moon, pale
guardian of the night, was blotted out
by the clouds, but, by the incnssant
flashes of lightning, we can see that the
rider IS handsome young man of about
twenty-five; that he has a rubber cloak
around him to protect him from the
storm, and that he wears a low-crowned
hat. But wild gust of wind OCCASION
ally blows aside the cape, and then we
see that he has pistols in his belt, and
that long sword hangs at his left. He
seemed very impatient, and continually
drove his silver-spurred heel into his
horses flank. The horse splendid
coal-black stud, had no little difficulty in
making his way along the rough and
marrow mountain path, and could make
but little Roadway in spite of the impa-
tient nrgings of his master.
Faster, Demon, faster said the rider
to his horse. Lay to it, for we must
reach the cave of the counterfeiters be.
fore midnight, and we have yet before
us a long, rough ride. Curse this storm.
What as the morse suddenly snorted in
fear, and sprang aside as flash of light
ming showed black mass, stump or
rock, right before them; fie! for shame
Have you meier travelled this path before
on a stormy night, that you are so easily
frightened? He"
Here Wilson, who had been listening
rather abstractedly, jumped up excit-
eddy, and snatching his hat, rushed out
Of the door, exclaiming:
"That has given me the very idea /
have been trying to get for week. I
have it now. Excuse me-"
Jones locked rather Disconnected at
being thus interrupted, and looked to
Simpson for an explanation.
That gentleman was very voluble.
/" Pray do not be disturbed at my
friends conduct, which must, of course,
seem strange to you. He is very eccen-
trio, and at times surprises even me who
know him so well; but l think I can
explain his action. He has for some
months past been engaged upon very
long NEUROLOGICAL poem, which | shall
publish as soon as it is finished. The
poem works SO upon his mind that he
sometimes jumps out Of bed in the mid
die of the uight,-would you believe
tito write out something he happened
to think of while lying there awake
for he has not slept-at least | don't
think he has,-for a week, or several
weeks past. Your description Of a dark
stormy night brought up some idea con-
! nected with his poem, and he has rushed
OIL tc ponder ever it before he forgets it.
1t is very likely he will wander around
out OF doors for an hour or two, and
then go to the hotel and write out what
ne has composed. sm very sorry, how
ever, that he should have interrupted
you, and beg that you will excuse him
and 60 on with your story, which opens
just spiendidly."
Perfectly satisfied with the explana-
ton, and fattered by his opinion Of the
story, Jones commenced again and read
for nearly half an hour, when he had fn-
ished chapter second. Just as he was
about to commence chapter third, he
fancied he heard noise in the next
room. and stopped reading fc. al in
slant, when there was another noise.
"That must be the cat said Jones.
about to lay down his manuscripts and
| go into the next room.
Simpson gave a start, but quickly
said:
I 30, it is nothing, heard nothing.
/ Never mind, anyway; it will be time
ENOUGH Il To 70 when ann11 hear or fancy