New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-08-17

after hearing several acts of each play
read, and declined them, with the adj
vice to the writer that, if he perse-
vcred, in time he might bring out q
drama that would make hit.
''In time shall be an old man; but
these fellows arc fools, cyclists, who
alone think they know what will suit
the public; but I will try again, for I
must write something brilliant to find
favor in the eyes of Kate, for she actu-
ally yawned behind her fan when
read to her last night my learned ar
ticle upon tho Immortality of the
Brute Creation am afraid my style
may be little too heavy" and enter
ing his rooms Clement found there a
box that had arrived from India, ad-
dressed to him.
TWAS from Horace Mcrvyn, and con-
tanned q lot of Indian curiositics, a few
specimens of native arms, and a roll of
manuscript.
ssWell, what is thisP'' And Clement
took up the package of paper and
looked at it.
"What! play, and written by Hor-
acep Why, the man is crazy to think
that he can write, for .how he ever
passed through Woolwich, I cannot
UNDERSTANDABLE! here is his letter."
and opening it he read:
GHORABAD, Sept, 49,.
my DEAR OLD CLEM.-I send you herewith a
few souvenirs that may be acceptable, as they
are curiOsities in England.
'Kate writes me that you call often, and Sin Q
likes you immensely; but don't fall in love
with her, Glenn, for you know she is my bright,
particular star.
sYou have doubtless seen account, of our
hard work here, so I'll not bore you with re-
write. Goodbye, and good luck to yea:
Up: S:-Just received orders to move upon
the hill tribes, and expect a hot time, but hope
to win my captaincy.
by the way. I have employed my leisure
have written play, though she knows moth,
ing about it, and have kept it as a dead se-
cret from my brother officers, not being will
send it to you, and its title is The vagabond.'
its merits, if it has any. and bring it out for
ms has Gny Which neV
do not tell Kate. Goodbye again.-HoRACE.' y
swell, here goes for the first cigar
lighted with bis nonsense" and the
title page was rolled up and held in
the blaze; but as Clement Hastings sat
musing and smoking, his eye fell upon
the opening words of ''The Vaga-
bond" and something in them caused
him to read farther.
And, as each page was read, he con-
tinued on, until at last he dropped tho
MS. and said, angrily:
"Why didn't I think of this? 1t will
20 as certain as I sit here-if l let a
manager see it, which I will take good
care not to do, as Kate Davenant shall
never know that he can do what can
not"
He was half-tempted to destroy it,
but refrained from so doing, and locked
it up after moments thought.
The next day, as he read his morn
ing paper and ate his breakfast, his
eyes fell upon the telegraphic head
massacre of troops in India-sever-
al officers and number OF soldiers
slainr'
Eagerly he read what followed, and
it told him. that among the dead left on
the field was the ''gallant Lieut.. Hor-
ace Mervyn, r. H. A., who sacrificed
his life to save wounded corporal"
ttPoor, poor Horace! just like him to
do such q deed!' said Clement, his
heart touched by the loss of his friend;
but his better nature soon vanished,
for he sprang to his feet with q flushed
face, and cried:
"Now is Kate Davenant mine-aye,
and more, The Vagabond' is mine. -
Six weeks after, Clement Hastings
arose at sunrise, and eagerly seized the
half dozen papers he had ordered left
at his rooms, and read the criticisms
upon ''The Vagabond, presented for
the first time the night BEFORE
my fortune is made, for they laud
it to the skies,'' cried the literary thief,
and he spoke the truth, for his name
was upon everyone's lips, as having
written the most successful play ever
produced, and one that could bring a
tear and laugh together, being full
of the most touching pathos and the
raciest humor.
And Kate Davenant, whose eyes had
grown red since the day of that India an
massacre, smiled upon the young au.
thor kindly, and offered her warmest
congratulations; nay more, as time
went by, and tho fame of Clcmen,
Hastings increased, she promised him
her hand, for her father willingly gave
his consent when be found that Cle-
ment was no longer an impecunious
young scribbler.
Having made success, of course
Clement Hastings writings were in
demand, and, with the aid of b.
hemian, who had brains but no money,
he wrote several other plays that also
took we'll, and for which he paid the
real author enough to keep him from
starving for a few months.
With q comfortable bank account,
and a 'royalty" upon his plays, Gle.
ment Hastings was living in fine style,
and had bou ght and furnished a small
residence in which he was to install his
bride in another month.
Seated in his sumptuous home one
evening, making notes for new play,
the servant suddenly usherod in visi:
tor, and with cry of horror Clement
| Hastings started back, for Horace Mer.
vyn stood before him.
Horace, believed you dead!'' he
said, in hoarse voice.
$50 it would seem, Clement, from
what has occurred; but came not
here to quarrel with you. Hold! !
know all for, on landing yesterday,
after my escape from a long imprison-
ment among tho Beloochees, stopped
over night in Southampton, and seeing
The Vagabond' advertised, went to the
theatre and witnessed my play verba-
tim, with youf name as author.
$50 be it; you have reaped rich
harvest, and / will not rob you of it,
for I am a rich man; but for your
treachery I will punish you by taking
from you Kate Davenant, whom yor
won under false pretences."
''Never! She knew that you could
not write play, or thought so, and
YOU have no proof. and she will remain