Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-05-29

i LETT n6f clearing OH G0G LaD10, anu
singing softly to herself. I was due at
the office of the Daily Neptune at 2 p. m.
to receive my assignment of local work,
1 had left a hope blossoming at home
| that the day might be light OfWork, and
! that I might return soon and give few
! hours to the opening of my prize story.
| The plot formed itself or my walk to
] the street cars. and the scenes unfolded
and fitted into each other as as the slow
steeds covered the three miles between
my house and the Office. I would be
back by four, three hours Of good work
would help me along, could close it up
on Sunday, Mary conld copy it at her
leisure, the 500 would really be god
send
"You must get rig Immediately" said
Five Mile Lock, there has been a powder
mill explosion, and several men killed.
Throw yourself, Smithy, on this, as it
has the making of a sensation"
The newspaper instinct was i'm
mediately alive and at work. I
forgot all about the story, the prize
money, and had time for only one ten
der regret for the disappointed little wife
at home. The day was cold, the rain
changed to snow, the distance was long,
the roads heavy, and the pursuit of in
/
reigned all about the lock. But my note
book was eventually loaded, and decid-
ed to stop at home for hurried lunch on
my way to the Office.
Supper had been waiting. The wife
was cordial and kind, but trace Of tears
on her cheeks showed the disappoint-
ment she was too good to voice. In our
cozy sitting-room stood my table drawn
close to the CRATE, my chair and slippers
beside it, and pens and paper in place.
81 have looked for you ever since four, .
was all she said. But knew, dear, that
business kept you away"
''But we won't give up the story" l
said, decidedly. ave may not get the
in our work, but we will make sure OF
one of the fifties."
"Fifty dollars" said Mary, would buy
the chamber set and a cheap pretty in
grain, and we could put off the pictures
until your salary is raised" owe were
alwa; IS postponing things to that golden
Utopia. We had in imagination spent
and respent a dozen raises" It cost
little and was better than running in
debit
1 kissed her goodbye, and started to
the office. When l reached the street
she raised the window to call after me:
"Be sure and decide upon your subject
Jack, as we must commence it TO-
morrow"
My usual hour of reaching home was
3 A. NJ. This time it was after 4. A sec
ond edition had kept us. I walked the
three miles too tired tn body and mind
to think of my story or anything else
was just then more interested in the
character of powder-mil1 explosions, as
related to newspaper reports, than in lit
erature; and the fact that an expected
promotion of the city editor to the Sin
tellectual department" of the Neptune
with bestOWal of his long and hOnora-
bly, worn shoes on some one else, might
lead to the lettering of my position, kept
me closely to the practical side Of life.
went to sleep almost before l was I'M
dressed, and forgot to give even a dream
to the subject that had grown very close
to the dear little heart at my side.
All day and evening sessions of the Ma.
tlonal Society for the organizing of South
Africa and East India Missions, held me
close for the next week, and the mere
mechanical labor of following long
drawn speeches, and copying volumin-
GUS reports, and resolutions with many
'whereases" so used up my mental and
vital energy, that 1 had heart and
thought for nothing else. 1 lost some
(
5 and was compelled to explain the plot in
| full to my wife, lest should lose it alto
gether before the long-deferred time OF
placing it upon paper, should dawn up
on us.
: perhaps we can get few hours rest
on Sunday" said, "and them we will
: take off our coats and goat it." "Of course
| we will, my DEAR" she said brightly.
"One can get fair chamber .set-but
guess we will have to let that go until
your salary is little more, and we will
| put the $40 into the bookcase you have
wanted so long. It is bargain ?"
1t was signed, sealed, and delivered
: with kiss.
Sunday came, and with it scattering
of the reverend gentlemen who had par
ticipated in the mission deliberations
} and debates, to the various pulpits of the
city and suburban churches. Follow
} them around" said the city editor on
: Saturday night, "and get something OF
J the services held by a dozen of the best
} of them. When that is out of the way,
) drop over and get old General SnOdger's
opinion on this COMPOUNDED tariff debate.
He has been in Washington, and ought
to have something fresh. And, by the
way, am going out of town, and wish
you would come around about eight
o'clock and run the local work for the
rest of the night"
When Mary called me on Sunday morn
ing I dressed slowly and put of a square
look into her face as long as I possibly
, could. knew she had been out on Sat
urday looking at bookcases, and had
set her heart on seeing that story dashed
into with vigor and energy before p. m.
} and perhaps whipped into shape by eve
ming.
| When I drew up to the table she
moved the sugar bowl and milk pitcher
= to one side, gave me half-hopeful anC
], halEpleading look, and simply said
D "Well?"
!. temporized.
! "Mary, we ought to have a new set o
: curtains for our sitting room"
:, Eyes, but they can wait"