The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-08-30
A TANGLED AFFAIR.

Silas Mink and Horace Paul had gone through college together. At the end of the term, finding themselves with bu' little mosey, with no profession and with the cutting oi an eye-tooth which told them that the struggling world cared but little for Virgil and was not painfully anxious concerning the other ancient poets. They had expected to march out into the world with grand flourish of accomplishments, that room would be made for them wherever they went, and, making a wholesale expression of ex- pectation, they believed that prosperity and fame awaited them. Literature was open to them. Literature is open to the world. Better for many that it were not. The young men pooled their issues Several spec ulations resulted in disaster, but literature was open to them. Af,er while they decided to enter upon a systematic literary career. Silas would write criticism on the Methods of Euripides and Horace would discourse on the Origin and Advancemen, of Peri paietic Philosophy. They occupied the same room, and occasionally they would turn from their desks and exchange ideas with regard to the matter under treat ment. The articles were finished. Each was delighted with the others production and, to be strictly truthful, each was de- lighted with his own production.
 Well" said Silas, "weu take them around to the magazine office this aheT- noon. saw it stated in a newspaper the other day that American articles of credit are scarce. Wen show the gentlemen that there is thought in this country. Hang it, nest of hornets is quiet until it is stirred up."
 Tell you the truth" rejoined Horace, the Americans haven't enough con- hdence in themselves. They allow the English to do their thinking. Nov, these articles we have written are just as good as though they had been written in Eng land. It won't take us long to gain recognition, and after that, our fortunes are made. Well, it's about time we were going"
 They went 10 several offices. The editors were not surprised. One was so ungentlemanly as to say that he did not care for ancient slush." At last the editor of an obscure publication con- sented to read the articles if the authors would leave them with him a couple ci months.
 Great Cesar" said Silas, "we will need the money before that time.,
 What money" asked the editor. The money you pay for them"
 Pay for them! Why we couldn', think of paying for them. Our magazine never pays authors who are no, known to the public. Oh, If you want pay for them you'd better take them along with you. Why, sirs, we can buy all the college stuff we want for ten cents per pound. No offense. Good day, gentlemen"
 It's blasted shame,v said Horace. when he and his companion entered their room. "Just think what scarcity of learning there is and then just observe how uncouceTned the so-called educators are. Tell you what we'll do. You know that last fellow spoke of not paying any but well known authors. We'll, we1l send these articles to some newspaper. They will be published, of course, and then our career will begin"
 Silas agreed to the suggestion. He thought that it was better to use the newspapers for the purpose of making a reputation and then to make the maga- zines pay handsome prices for matter that the public had learned to love. The essays of learned diction were sent to several newspapers. They were returned affer an engagement of sharp cores pondence and the forwarding of a suffi- cient amount in stamps. At last the confident young gentlemen were com pelled to give up the literary idea. The country had outlived its literature. Re 6nement and polish had vanished from modern thopghs. The man of practical and vulgar push had trampled upon the gentleman whose thought exuded like the perfume of sweet blossoms.
 Silas and Horace finally drifted to Arkansaw and set up :" small store in Conway county, on the old military road, near the Wheeaington plantation. They boarded with old man Whselington, an eccentric old fellow who claimed to be a kneal descendant of Washingson-de- claring that the Washingtons were originally Wheelingtons. but that the name was changed in consequence of an early law suit involving the ownership of | H