Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-07-28

snip was IiOt merely pastlme but that
there was work in l..
Still she would not give up, but spent
the whole afternoon in her unsrccess-
full attempt, and retired that night see
ing things dressed in sober grey instead
Of rose color.
These two days were fair sample of
the next six months, and no doubt
many authors have similar experience.
The second sketch she wrote was re-
turned as lacking incident and plot.
what we want" wrote the publish
er, sis a sensational love story of pure
Tone"
Ethel Gerry wrote another-highly
emotional and tragic in its conclusion,
and this was declined because the
character of an outcast-an unfortunate
figured in its pages. True to life and
love, but it shocked the publishers idea
of propriety.
Poor Ethel was in dismay.
She had reckoned on the proceeds of
this story to buy food for the ensuing
week, and she had no other resources.
In her great need she sent it off to
the publisher of an extremity sensa-
tional paper, and received little note
OF approval with a crisp five dollar
| bill
Occasionally she sent an article to
some other journal, but it was oftener
returned than otherwise as not avail
able, with courteous little regret, and
she was most successful with the pub
Usher who accepted her first story.
Her style was good-a pure, moral
tone pervadlng her writing, toget er
with fascinating originality that gave
popularity to anything coming from her
pen
During the summer the publisher en-
gagged her to write serial for his maya
zing, and SO much time had been given
to it that her money was nearly
gone.
Almost ANONYMOUSLY she had
wrought into the web of the story in
cidents of her own life as the wool; and
feeling intensely, she had given to it
pathos at added unusual interest to
its declineations.
She worked patiently, and whom it
was finished sent it off; and, complete
ly Frustrated, mentally and physically,
found herself incapable of exertion.
She had, in reality, been living over
her own past, and thought it was in the
long-ago "reminiscences of those happy
days had crowded up with such intense
vividness that it had exhausted the last
| remnant of strength.
A week must elapse before she could
hope to hear from her serial.
Even then it might prove failure.
What would become of them if it
should?
Fuzzling her weary brain over this
unsettled problem as she was reclining
upon the lounge in the afternoon, he
carriers well-known step was heard,
a letter for mamma.
Mrs. Gerry recognized the publishers
handwriting and grew faint with APP
prehension. A rejected manuscript,
doubtless: and she tore open the wrap
per with nervous haste.
1t had been only two days since she
sent it away.
A little note, more brief than she
had ever received, from him, and pub
| fishers are renowned for their brevty,
dated that morning:
"DEAR MADAM: Shall come out to
P on the five express, on business
| regarding the serial.
Truly yours,
ar. Z. GRAHAM"
"What can it mean?" and Mrs. Gerry
made an effort to rise, but was so faint
and dizzy she sank back h pelessly
amo ,g the cushions, and gave glance
about the disordered room.
Only an hour before the five train
was due.
children, pick up your playthings,"
she said, YEARLY. "The publisher is
coming and will be here SOON"
Mamma, the man you wrote the
tories fors' Intercepted little Bess,
Juggling away with might and main to
right up huge chair that had been her
carriage all the afternoon.
eyes, darling and you must be very
good" the mother said.
81 will if he brings you some money
to buy me some shoes that amt weared
out" Bessie answered, with shocking
disregard to the rules of grammar; and
a little later, when a gentleman was
seen coming up the walk, Bessie
bounded down to meet him with the
question;
'Is you the man mamma writes
tories for9"
81 believe / am" De responded, and
in token of her fellowship for him, she
slipped her chubby little hand into his,
and escorted him straight to the sitting
room without word of warning; while,
as the door opened, Ethel Gerry looked
up 70 behold face she had not seen