The National tribune., 1881-11-26
D WAYS.

D WAYS.
Chal colt for December.
L other young men-and
won 81. Than atter-I was once badly
affi with ...sf scribeRdi. OF course
grea m We befallen me; [ might
have iz. a passion for whisky or
gam inc. uat stI .ar cGc0ethcs scri6endi was
seriC .s euog .s my college days the
symg,.m, slowed ua nselyes plainly; but the
maa U rg. raa.. sumo its true and awful
prop lens .a.l a... had taken my degree.
Ther rsan.. II H.. ID upon me like leech,
and l. many ,-a. 5 elapsed it Overmastered
ME c. u.a5elE. an rdance with my mothers
wish re.trsy Ug. ostensibly to read law
with my unclc 1.t was q mere pretense of
laW-I aGtae nr the rnings that ought to
have anen. .e- lne were devoted to the
comp nd the afternoons to the
publ r- it,. 81. 81. ms. Uncle Dick shook
his h 4 graz ., lonstrated, sometimes in
sadnt 4 anger
IT 'a- s....... never amount to any
thing =. rcI aY temptuously. This was
hard my fly aspirations sustained
NE, a.. aga IL r.r lief Of ultimate success,
| scri nlea oa arl and bOmbarded all the
maga es l1- rha e.aau Y with my manuscripts.
The u. pen their columns to me,
and | +. Ga |a- upon the weekly news
paper and g.ne,at. pom the Boston Weekly
PGH0 -sat .u- ! printed my essays, and
a ceI ea Or, whose initials were
"F. me ite notes from time to
time was Laera---; to see my productions
in pTiat aa n. been more had these
prodr Il lille brought in a check
But aar ley elected only polite
notes ally, wrote a letter to
the q on the subject, and by
return .. reply. It was sent to
my p--..>,v 80, post office, but, to my
great amusement, was directed to "Jane Bell"
instead of John" My handwriting was not
very distinct, and perhaps trifle feminine, and
the signature, upon which l rather prided my
self, certainly left it an open question whether
John or Jane was meant The note, too, began:
Miss BELL: In reply to your question, l
would say that this journal pays only its regular
corps Of writers. We are glad to receive your
articles and perhaps later may make adequate
compensation therefor: but, as young writer
it would be wiser for you to think at present
only Of securing foothold. You have an ex-
cellcnt chance Of success in the end; but much
patience is necessary at the outset
"PIease say whether | shall direct future COM
municatons to Jahn Bell, Miss Bell, or Mrs Bell
At present l do not venture to give you any title
"Ncry truly yours, T. 3. SCREyEN."
This letter at'once amused and piqued me. It
was pleasant and rather encouraging; but it was
ba
young woman, whereas the truth was had
very fair income of my own, and was siX-to0t,
specimen of masculinity. The idea
of playing the role Of Miss Jane Bell tickled my
fancy, and therefore, giving my imagination free
rein, upon the spur OF the moment | sat down
and wrote as follows:
AZ. 3. SCREVEN: At present I also am in
quandary, for | do not know whether | ought to
address you as Madame, Monsieur. or Made
m0iselle. The last title is mine just now, al
though of course l feel at liberty to change it
when | choose, Or rather when the proper opp0r-
tunity offers itself. Perhaps matrimony would
he a more profitable speculation than literature.
Do not howeveg, suppose that I am dependent
upon my pen for my bread and butter. IN that
case, I fear, the butter would be very thin in
deed. No; the tates have given me most Of the
luxuries Of life; but these, of course do not
satisfy ne. The reason why | wrote as | did
about payment for my articles simply be-
cause | thought if they were good enough to
print they were good enough to be paid for 1t
seems was mistaken; but, to show you that I
take your advice | send you another essay. l
will at least try to secure Il foothold, and pray
that greater success may follow.