The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-07-12
MY FIRST EDITOR.

l snatched up my manuscript and was leaving the room, flushed with shame, trembling with rage and indignation, when the editors voice arrested my at- tention. turned round and looked at him scornfully, for 1 felt could have withered him with a glance; but he did not seem to feel it much.
 "You're a most impetuous young lady" he said, in slow, low, musical voice. "I have not half finished my crit icisms of this very remarkable produc- tion,o and he took the manuscript quietly but resolutely from my ytrembling fingers. Now, Miss"
 "Jones," said shortly.
 No, not Jones but the name will serve . and l felt his keen grey eyes on my face and observed an amused smile lowering round the corners of his mouth, which was half hidden by long, fair, coping moustache. 4 Now, Miss Jones, pray sit down"-he indicated high leather-eovered chair just opposite to him" and let us talk this matter over If you had been content, like other aspir- ing young authors, to send your contri- button in the ordinary way, through the medium of the postman and a newspaper wrapper. it would have been declined, doubtless, and returned with or without the customary though not very consoling thanks but, since you have bearded the lion in his den, you must listen to me for few minutes"
 l bowed and sat down. He had got out his scalpel and was going to scarify me mercilessly, but as l had brought 1t on myself felt must heroically endure it. though I glanced suueptitiously round the den in search of some means of escape. He ," fixed me with his glittering eye," and waited, wondering why had been SO mad and misguided as to enter an editorial office at all.
 Slowly, deliberately, with a sort of hendish satisfaction, he smoothed out the crumpled manuscript, glancing at me with amused interest.
 Why do you write poetry, Miss Jones ?"
 "I don't know: because ! like to, suppose"
 "A woman's reason-therefore valid. But do you honestly and really think it necessary for people, even in poetry, and supposing they are very much in love with each other-which no one is now-a- days-is it necessary for them to be bit ten and ssmitten,' and that sort of thing9 Is l, really desirable in the interests of common humanity for hearts to be melted and smelted '!"-and he placed his finger under certain ssanza. "This sentiment, for instance, is simply fero- cious."
 "Dontw cried angrily. "It's very cruel and unkind of you! you don't want my poetry, you can say so, and have done with it."
 My passion flowed forth as a torrent of course rhymes with abhor- rent"
 Stop, please w-and thrust my fin- gers into my ears in the most undigni- hed misery but could not shut out the sound of the clear, quiet, moeking voice. l shut my eyes; but still there was the horrid, gioating, good-looking editor watching me steadily, his hand resting on my beautifully written poem--l thought then and think to this day that it was and is beautiful. When looked at him again, he was laughing at my dis tress, smiling to himself, like a ghoul or a harpy, or something equally horrid, but that he was exasperatingly good looking.
 Now, Miss Jones, what else have you written besides this very remarkable pro- duction :" with another suppressed smile.
 Some blank verse and blanker prose,
 And more of both than anybody knows,'" l reply little bitterly. "Will you please give me my manuscript2 Pm very sorry to have troubled you; shall never do so again"
 Oh, yes, you will :; and l shall be very glad to consider some of the blank prose you speak so despairingly of! lsyou will let me see nice, matter-of-fact, com monplace little story, or a short article on some useful domestic subject, such as The Average Servant or 'Oecupa- tion for Girls'-anything of that sort-can you suggest anything Y"-and he looks at me gravely and questioningly-- some. thing novel and attractive, that might be treated briefly and brightly-msde a feature of, in short-l shall be very pleased to consider anything of that sort you may favor me with, Miss Jones'"
 He always paused most provokingly after the '' Miss" and l hardly knew whether to be angry or to laugh outright as stammered feeble Thank you.s
 And you really should cut Swim burne," he added with meaning glance at the manuscript.
 don't know Mir Swinbnrne is. met him only once. and then he said to me in Creek" replied.
 He might have said something much worse. But merely mean that you shouldn't devote SO much of your time to his poetry-the Poems and Ballads for and the Songs Before Sun rise.'"
 How do you know doT
 Internal svidence;" and he touched my manuscript. This besrays . severe course. You must alter your style, Miss Jones. Time enough for you to come to the ecynical-sensual-metaphys.cal-iacom- om- pCehensible in ten years, say. You'll be educated up to the point of not believing . word of it by that time. Kindly leave me your address, and the manuscript shall be returned in the usual vav.n