Connecticut western news., 1881-02-23

rOSrapnY, It was all that could De Qo' sired and there were some pre- etty and fairly original ideas in it, and some gleams of poetic nature but the plot was so highly romantic and visionary, and the whole thing so evidently the work of one who had not yet even mas tered the primer of authorship, that ii was impossible to give it place in the publication of which was junior edi- tor.
 But never did the necessity of saying "No" so distress me before, not even when Alveretta Strawhorn, since known as the author of GA Riddle Solved by a Cimeter, told me that, in spite of my rejection of her novelettes, (" the laurel wreath of fame would encircle her brow when I was still groveling, the obscurest of the obscure"
 I slept but little that night, thinking of it. Something told me it would al- most break tn e girls heart. Should I accept it, pay for it myself, and then consign it to the waste-basket? No, that would not do, for she would be anxiously watching for it's appearance in print, and bringing more stories meanwhile for my consideration. What could do? Morning found me undecided.
 When I took my place at my desk, I was still undecided. And 1 had reached no decision when, in answer to that gentle knock, for which I had waited as believe no editor ever waited for would-be contributors knock before, l again called "Come." She came in, sinking into the visitors chair, raised her eyes in mute inquiry to my face. searched my brain for some harm less falsehood with which to soften the blow, but those eyes con- pelled the truth. "I have carefully read your story" I said, "and am sorry to say it would not suit our paper" The little hands went up to the face the veil dropped over them. I heard a stifed sob, and my heart began to ache. "But that is no reason, Miss Silver," I continued, with assumed cheerfulness, that, with few altera- tions, it should not suit some other. If you will leave it with me, will take it home tonight, revise it, and you can try it again."
 The veil was tossed aside, and down came the hands. "Oh, I am so ridicu- lously afraid of stran gers and strange places v she said, wan little smile shining through her tears. II should never have dared to come here had not heard you were one of the kin dest of men. Is there nothing you can giveme to do, MT. Gray? I can read the most illegible of writing readily-a talent I inherit from my dear father-and can copy rapidly and plainly.
 Now had nothing on hand which it was absolutely necessary that I should have copied, but vision of the poor child toiling up dark stairs into cheer less offices, cold and frightened, with that, in its present form, unstable story, rose before me, and determined to make work for her until could find her some easy, permanent employment elsewhere. So I said, quickly, as though it were the very assistance of all others of which stood in need. elf you arc willing to accept work of that kind, can employ you two or three hours day for month or two, and you may begi1 at once."
 Her eyes sparkled the thanks she dit not speak. I bade her lay aside hel hat and shawl, seat herself at the chief desk, and prepare to copy the Chinese like characters of the famous autho
 over which had been puzzling the da,
 before.
 She obeyed me with the simplicit,
 of child, and soon was bending owe her task. flush of pleasure on he cheeks, transcribing quickly and faith
 fully.
 As for me, the sight of that tin
 hand travelling over the paper with wor , derful grace and ease, and the clear GU
 profile dropping above it, caused som ludicrous mistakes in the article wa l writing, about which mistakes I rt 7 cei7ed no less than seventeen commun
 cations during the week following il 1 publication.
 The two or three hours passed awa, ,. She showed me wh at she had accon 0 plished with pride, accepted paymel
 for it with blush, donned the summt + shawl and hat, and tripped away, pron T ising to come again on the morroy O The morrow found her punctually y her post, and so did many morrows, al > at last the MS. was almost copied, al
 I had been unable to find any other CT l. ployment for my faithful little aman e ensis. Meanwhile the child had to g me her sad story. Her mother died 'f her birth. She had never had al n home, but had always lived in boardin e houses with her father, school teac '. CT, who, dying year ago, left her t. the mercy of an only relative, wealtl
 aunt. That aunt--Heaven forgive he D. refused to receive her, saying she h "children of her own to look after, al Id she saw no reason why the girl shou KS not follow her fathers profession" le "I tried to-" said Winona, "but u
 children would not mind me. Min1 y Minceitt minds me, because she lo1
 me. I board with Mrs. Minceitt, a ot teach Minnie in part payment of I I, board. Mrs. Minceitt is not unkind ic me; but she is not as kind as she W SC before papa died. And papa used Id say wrote excellent compositions, @