Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-12-20
NO. 800.
Gales aud Sketehes.
SIMON PENNiWORTu, A.P.
AND
His CHRISTMAS Production.
Continued from Yesterday

before you CO." he said, "I would
show you something. At the time your
knock upon my door interrupted me was
engaged upon some lines addressed to the
Maid of Woodville.' Step to the table,
and give me your opinion concerning
| them"
The visitor did as asked
They are excellent-most excellent.
And does not the poem initiate Byron's
| Maid OF Athens P''
at does. And to him." said Simon,
pointing to Byron's portrait, "do l owe
my inspiration in this instance"
but trust | have not caused your
thread of inspiration to become broken"
said William Dent-''I mean bv my in
terrupting you"
"Ah. not in the least | have the
faculty by which l can at any moment
take up poem where left it, 1t was
so with Shakespeare and Poe-though l
am not exactly certain about Campbell or
Longtellow. Milton, we are told. re-
quired days in which to perfect two lines,
while Byron could dash off page after
page in rapid succession "
"And have YOU been long engaged on
the Maid of Woodville, Mr.PenniworthP"
Simon suddenly and UNEXPECTEDLY looked
sad
"Ah, no, Mr. Dent" and a sigh was
drawn,-''l have not been long engaged.
nor am | engaged to her at all. But
sometime. by Heavens permission"
''You do not understand me- William
Dent interrupted. II did not say en-
gagged 10, but engaged on and referred
to your poem"
What could Simon Penniworth do after
-; lrIs h
der of his, but to throw aside for the mo-
yes, laugh slightly!
But his features had assumed their
natural expression when he said:
"You will excuse me for my blunder,
Mr.. Dent.-But my poem--you may hard
ly think it; but when you came into my
room had been at work upon it scarcely
an hour"
mo longer than that! Your power is
indeed remarkable" said William Dent.
Attribute what you have Just read to
Byron, not to me-" said Simon Penna-
worth with that willingness to give credit
to others which is always characteristic
of true genius. "If there is any praise
bestow it upon him!'
This noble action of Simon did not fail
to become noted by William Dent, and
his admiration Of the gifted man grew
stronger the more he conversed with him
and learned that, though with genius, this
man could make himself pleasing to one
beneath him.
They were both seated now, looking in
to the fire that cracked in the fire. place.
''Do you know" said Simon at length,
''that cheerful fire like this always makes
me think of n cartain DprsOn pH
"Of the maid OF Woodville P''
Eyes; of her. And don't know why
it is. unless it may be because could wish
her near me at such times"
mo doubt you have stated the reason"
"Mr. Dent, | tell this to you because
believe you TO be my friend and will not
divulge it, for it is rather delicate mat
ter: am almost led to believe that love
this girl"
William Dent waited a few minutes be-
fore he made rerly to this confession of
the man beside him. When he spoke, be
said:
''And no doubt she is aware of this ?"
al cannot think otherwise. But, Mr..
Dent, am panied, and know that YOU
will be paned for me, when | tell you
that feel am not the only one who re-
CARDS her with affection"
"A rival P"
"Yes.-ah presume it is the old sto-
rv-a story that Campbell or Shakespeare.
Byron or Poe, might have told you. When
think that such AS these have been thus
tortured try to be calm-but it is often
hard work, very"
Simon's breast heaved with emotion,
and it required much exertion to suppress
tear.
1.-The world seems very dark to me
sometimes" Simon continued, Every dark
and could | not lose sight of the earth by
becoming bound up as it were, in my pro-
duction contemplate what might follow
with fear"
''But If it is suicide that you refer to-"
said William Dent, ''think of the loss you
would occasion to the world by death 80
young"
"Yes; and this, too, restrains me. |
have work to accomplish, and it must be
completed.-But, Mr.. Dent, do you think
that the lady we have just been referring
to will receive the lines l have ad-
dressed to her with favor"
Il do not see how she can do other
wise "
THANK you. trust that it will be so;
and that she will not fail to comprehend
by my words the passion bear to her.
"But may ask 1t she is very handsome
as OF course she must be ? Is she light or
dark P"
mot dark. History tells us that men
of genius have always preferred light
ladies to dark; that poets in particular
say that there is no such thing as dark
skinned beauty. Poe had no dark ladies
among his acquaintances. while Byron
loved none but the light. Milton, who
was blind the latter portion of his life,
could, by certain sensitiveness, always
tell when dark lady entered the room
where he was. and ne would leave at
once. Yes, the maid have affection for
is light, with finely cut features, and dark
blue eyes, and lips as red as they are
beautiful"
An old clock in the room struck the
hour of noon very loudly as Simon CON-
pleted this some what brief description of
the girl he loved. and William Dent arose
to go.
IL have staid longer than had intend
ed" the latter said. ''but your converse
IContinued on fourth page.I