The Press., 1885-08-27
pATTY,s LITERARY EXPERIENCES.

Patty was not pf6Cry-Sne Knew LnaL- ut she was just as ssnice, 7 a comprehensive djective. She had private conviction hat she was genius, but can conscien- iously affirm that I never knew of the opinion being shared by any one III our ,illage.
 She did not consider that music was her | trong point. though she played dances 7ery we'll and sang "Robin Adair, Gath sring Up the Shells by the Sea-Shore," md kindred melodies very prettily in a school voice.
 Art needle-work was not her speciality, though she embroidered suspenders for her seven brothers, and undertook Ken sington stitch, and Arrasene. Painting was not, though she had plaques enough to shingle her fathers house as unimpeach- able witnesses of her skill. No. Patty's soul scared above these. She was poet. She felt destined for a career.
 She had not published much at the time our story opens. Nothing, in fact, but some acrostics, and a poem on Romnlus and Remus but she had number of fine manuscript poems, with which she some times favored the Mutual Aid Literary and Musical Society when called on to read, to say nothing of a half f-finished tragedy, which the family felt sure would work revolution in dramatic circles when she got it completed.
 Somebody has been wise enough to say that we cannot make our opportunities, we must wait for them to come, but if we are wise we will not let them pass by. This Patty considered an aphorism worth re- when Col. McFad, the editor of the "Daily Chanticleer," called her into his office day, and announced that he wish
 Rz1x e,1:, .1,A1~ turbed at first, thinking more of the gal lant colonel in the role of widower than as a disseminator of facts and ideas. His first words however were reassuring.
 'sMiss Patty" he began, "I am about to add new feature to the attractions which have made the "Chanticleer" so deserved assume urban proportions, and it behooves us to emulate the spirit of progress exhib- tied by metropolitan journals. With this object in view have decided to publish a social column in each Sundays issue. Knowing your ability as writer, and your intimate acquaintance with the elste of Higginsville, decided at once to ask your co-operation. In other words, would you be willing to run the social for while ?'
 "I-that -really-perhaps," " stammer- cd poor Patty.
 ssThe remuneration will not be great at first,'' continued the colonel, ''but in time we could doubtless increase it..
 "I never did any reporting" said Patty, tempted, but still hesitating.
 "My dear young lady," said the colonel, with superior smile, ''you must excuse me for contradicting you. Do you not re port every entertainment in Higginsville to your family, from the number of spoons on the table, to the fancy spots on the la- dies dresses ?"'
 "No, do not, " said Patty. My broth CTS are not fond of amusements, so that 1t does not always lie in my power to be present at our entertainments.
 ''As to that, I'd take you myself, said Col. McFad, magnanimously. ''That need not deter you. You had better join me in this undertaking" continued the colonel, impressively. ''Remember this is the first rung in the ladder of fame. It will give you practice, and polish your style. It will-and-ahem !- I will be glad to drop in from time to time to give you points, and advice, and when you are in doubt come to me-
 Pattys excitement lent wings to her feet.
 ''I have agreed to write society items for the Ladder" she exclaimed, bursting into the family sitting groom. 'It Is the first rung in the ''Chanticleer, and am to go to him whenever am in doubt.
 "Mercy, child, what do you mean 9 queried her mother, anxiously.
 'Too much learning hath made thee mad,' gravely quoted her brother Will.
 "I mean,' said Patty, recovering hel breath, and not deigning to look at Will, "that I am to write for the 'Chantlcleer. It is to have social column, just like g city paper, and am to conduct it. ,
 "Hadn't you better consult your pa and the boys, Patty ?" asked Mrs. Brown. "It seems like bold step for girl"
 Nonsense, ma What do they know about it? must make beginning in lit erature some time. think this is just the thing. I've already promised to describe the costumes at Mrs. Grinders party to- morrow night"
 ''I'm not going" said Will, promptly ''I fail to appreciate her cheap. suppers in fine dishes.
 "That makes no difference to me-" re- torted Patty. "Col. McFad is going to escort me-"
 and the twins along ?"
 OoiA pO AAAiOAAouo, VAA' "O dAO gu ing professionally, not as frivolous pleas ure-seekers."
 ssBeg pardon. Of course that alters the case," said Will. winking solemnly at his mother, with the eye fartherest from Patty.
 The following day Patty cut from the "Chanticleer, and pasted into her scrap book, this delightful paragraph :-
 "The 'Chanticleer,' always wide awake to CTS, and sparing no pains or expense to justi- fly their liberal patronage, has added to it's at fractions social column, and secured for it's editor, Higginsville's favorite poetess, Miss Patty Brown, lady too we'll known to fame to require laudation from us.
 s'Items of interest the bon ton, invitations, requests for personals, and so forth, should be addressed to Social care of this ofice.''
 The first week nothing in particular happened. The second, Patty enthusi- astically declared that it was so nice to write pleasant thingssof your friends, and receive their gratitude. The third, she heard that Mrs. Smith was furious because Mrs. Greens house had been spoken of as 'spalatial mansion, while her own, which was half story taller, was designated as a sshospitable villa" That same day her best friend passed her on the street with the coolest of bows, owing, she afterwards learned, to said friends party dress figur- ing in print as ''sprigged" instead of bro caded.