The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-11
MISS MILLER.

"Messrs Hartopp d Co. would be glad II
Mr.. Egerton would call on them tomorrow
morning, the 18th, at 1Oso'clock, as they have
an important commission to place in his
hands,"
E For some seconds 1 gazed at this note
completely bewildered, then, jumping from
my chair, 1 waved it triumphantly over my
head, much to the amazement and concern of
my pet dog Dick, who as usual was basking
gravely before the fire. 1t was seldom, in
deed that he had seen his master 50 excited.
"At last! at last!' L cried, 'Success at
last. The tables are turning, and work is
coming to me instead of my seeking for it."
For, be it known to the inquiring reader,
1 was, at the period of which write young
man, who for a greater length of time than
like to tell, had been struggling to obtain
a footing in the arduous profession of letters.
And although before this l had often ap-
peared in print, yet this was the first COM
mission 1 had ever had put into my hands.
No wonder that 1 was elated that in my
heated Imagination 1 thought my fortune
was made, and that success had indeed come
al last In short, I felt like barrister when
receives his first patient. The letter had
come by the morning post, and, being dated
yesterday, it of course made the appoint
ment for to-day. Hastily | finished my
breakfast and, telling my landlady that
might ne out some hours, l departed.
Poor Dick! he looked longingly at me. He
wished to be taken, too; but no, Dick, you
must not come this morning. There is no
walk over Hampstead Heath this morning;
there is sterner business afoot.
Now, 1 do not mind confessng that my
heart beat somewhat as l was ushered into
the presence of the principal of the firm OF
Hartopp & Co.; but his pleasant manner soon
treasured me. 1 had seen him but seldom
before for, though / had called frequently,
offering MS. (Which was generally rejected), l
had scarcely ever seen him personally.
After few preliminary remarks as to my
qualifications for literary work and research,
Mr.. Hartopp said, that although they mad
not been able to use all Tor nearly ally the
MSS had submitted, yet what they had
seen of my work had led them TO believe l
could undertake the task they now wished
executed.
I need not particularize what that work
was, sufficient that it involved a large
amount of research at the reading-room of
the British Museum, and still further, that
great speed was absolutely necessary. The
MSS must be in our hands by this day week
at latest; and it will be well if you can bring
Can you do this?'' concluded Mr.. Hartopp,
and as he spoke, l felt that his keen gray
eye was reading me like a book. At that
time | scarcely knew how in the world l was
to execute the work put before me. | had a
dim idea of it, and that was all. But how
could l shrink back, when the object for
which had worked and waited so long was
within my reach? Never. So l said boldly
that would accept the engagement and ex-
ecute the work to the best of my ability
That is right" returned Mr.. Hartopp. II
am glad to hear you say so. L need hardly
tell you that, if you satisfy US in this mat
ter. we shall be able to offer you other COM
missions 1t will lead, doubtless, to further
engagements, which, l doubt not, will be
mutually profitable" He then proceeded to
speak of terms, with which, however, 1 need
not trouble the reader and ended by enioin-
ing secrecy, (which is of course absolutely
necessary in all such cases. and especially so
in the present one. as we doubt not but that
some other firm is engaged in the same
project"
When left the publishing house walked
hastily to the Museum, and all the way l
was pulling my brains az to the best method
of setting to work. l am wiser now, and,
having had more experience, | know better
how TO set about such a search, but l was
rather nonplussed at that time.
However, l entered the splendid reading
room of the Museum with a firm determine
X
Book after book was consulted, but all in
vain. | remember pausing once in my
search and gazing around, thinking how like
it was to searching for needle in a rick of
hay. Here is the information [ require
somewhere-if only l can get clew to it.
But hour after hour passed. L made no
progress. At last, not to prolong this part of
my story, obtained a clew, and not long
afterward discovered the old magazine in
which one of the papers for which l was
searching originally appeared.
But when this result was obtained the
ring of the gong warned me that further
work must be postponed tonight, for the
hour OF closing had arrived.
/ departed with a heavy heart. The first
day was gone, and 1 had scarcely made a
beginning. / should have liked to have been
able to take in batch of Ms. this first night
but could not do so. Would Mr.. Hartopp
be disappointed and annoyed? Had light
and permission been forthcoming l could
have worked on all night
Early the next morning l was at my post,
and was soon able to make progress. l made
copious notes, and was able to obtain certain
valuable information,
Perhaps it was this success that caused me
to raise my head and think OF rest-and
lunch. And as did so my heart thrilled
with a vague sense OF pleasure. Sitting at the
seat next to mine was young lady whom |
had often previously noticed in the room,
and with whose face l was very familiar, but
with whom l had never yet exchanged
word, whose name l knew not, and near
whom, until now, 1 had never even sat
As | said just now, had noticed her fire.
quently in the reading-room, and was con-
scious that much as liked to frequent this
place for its own sake, it was yet dearer to
me from the fact that sometimes l saw there
a graceful figure, with grave, gentle, intel
lectua face, patiently working, and some
times-quite by accident, of course-lifting
starry eyes to mine as we passed one another
to consult books of reference.
And at last this divine damsel was sitting
at the desk next my own, and l could adj
mire the beautiful profile, the classic pose of
the head the soft hair (''fluffed" in 'front.'
and the neat, quiet, somewhat aesthetic but
by No menns foolish Or dnwdv draSs One