Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-05-14
MY FIRST EDITOR.

Its the natural result OF a severe
course Of SwineburneT'
I snatched up my manuscript and
was leaving the room flushed with
shame. trembling with rage and indig
nation, when the editors voice arrest
ed my attention. turned round and
looked at him scornfully, for could
have withered him with glance, but
he did not seem to feel it much.
You're q most impetuOus young
lady," he said in a slow, musical
voice. 81 have not half fnishe my
criticism Of this very remarkable pro
duction, and he took the manuscript
quietly but resolutely from my tremb
ling fingers. No, Miss"
Jones, II said. shortly.
''No, cot j ones; but the name win
serve;" and | felt his keen gray eyes
on my face and observed an amused
smile lowering round the corners of
his mouth, which was half hidden by
a long, fair, dropping mustache.
''Now, Miss Jones. pray sit down.
he indicated high leather covered
chair just opposite to hina-''and let
us talk this matter over. If you had
been content, like ether aspiring
young authors, to sendyo contribu-
ton IN the ordinary way, through the
medium of the pOst,man and a news
paper wrapper, it would have been
declined, doubtless, and returned with
or without the customary, though not
very consoliDg, thanks; but, since
you have bearded the lion in his den,
you must listen to me for few min
utes"
I bowed and sat down. He had got
out his scalpel and was going to
scarify me mercilessly, but as I had
brought it on myself I felt I must
heroically endure 1t, though I glanced
surreptitiously round the ''den' ia
search of some means of escape. He
fixed me VITA his glittering eye. !"
and [ waited, wondering why I had
been so mad and misguided as to enter
an editorial office ataIl.
Slowly, deliberately, with a sort of
finished satisfaction, he smoothed out
the crumpled man uscript, gIancing at
me with amused interest.
''Wby do you write poetry, Miss
Il don't know; because | like to, l
suppose"
"A woman's reason-therefore
valid. But do you honestly and really
think it necessary for people, even in
poetry, and surprising they are very
much in love with each other-which
no one is -days--i is it necessary
for them to be bitten and smitten,
and that sort of thing? Is It really
desirable in the interest of common
humanity for hearts to be melted
and ''smelted?' and he placed his
finger under certain stanza. This
sentiment, for instance, is simply
feroclous."
"DoA'tp I cried, angrily. cts
very cruel and unkind Of you! II
you don't want my poetry you can
say SO, and have done with itp
My passion flowed forth as tor
rent, which, Of course, Rhymes with
abhorrent."
''Stop, please, and [ thrust my
fingers into my ears In the most I'm
dignifed misery, but I could not shut
out the sound of the clear, quiet,
hooking voice. shut my eyes, but
still there Was the horrid, gloating,
good looking editor watching ne
steadily, lis hand resting On my
beautifully written poems; I thought
then, and think to this day. that it
was and is beautiful. When I looked
at hina again he was laughing at my
distress, smiling TO himself like a
ghoul, or a happy. or something
equally horrid. but that he was exas-
peratingly good looking,
''Now, Miss Jones, what else have
you written besides this very remark
able production?" with another sap
pressed smile.
'some blank verse and banker prose,
And more of both than anybody knows"
reply, little bitterly, 'WM you
please give nee my manuscript? I'm
very sorry to have troubled you; [
shall never do so again"
"Oh yes, you will, and shall be
very glad to consider some OF the
blank prose you speak so despairingly
of II you will let me see nice, matter
of fact, commonplace little story, or
a short article on some useful dOmes-
tic subject, such as "The Average
Servant" or Occupation for Girls
anything of that sort-can you
suggest anything?" and he looked at
me gravely and questioningly-
something novel and attractive, that
might be treated briefly and brightly,
made feature OF, in short, [ 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 ] hardly knew
whether to get angry or to laugh out
right as I stammered feeble THANK
you"
"And you really should cut Swim
burne," he added with meaning
glance at the manuscript.
st don't know Mr.. Swlneburne,
that is I met him only once, and then
he said something to me In Greek,
7 replied.
s'He might have said something
much worse. But I mean you
shouldn't devote so much OF your
time to his poetry, the Poems ahC