Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-01-15
A GENERALS WAR ARTICLE.
E;le Editorial COrrcctions OfEEis Wife
Eiscourages she Author.

Discourages she Author
General Meckleham decided upon writ
ing a series of war articles. "Why
shouldn't I, Nary" he asked of his wife,
who belongs to literary society and who
Is considered an excellent critic. "a
should Just like to know why ought not
to give my experience. l went through
the war and served with distinction, and
know how to write. | understand the
construction of sentences. | understand
the use of vigorous English. What do you
say, MGryW
''Why, by all means, write your expert
ence. do not see why you should keep
back anything that might prove Of in
tcrest TO the public and result in profit TO
yourself"
That's it, Mary; that's It, While l
was ut college the students used to laugh
at me for devoting SO much attention to
rhetoric. 1t will come in handy now, you
sce | shall go to work at ouCc."
The next evening, When the lamps had
been lighted the General said -.
'tMary, ire you ready to hear lily war
paperf'
He read it to her.
'What doyou think Of IL"
at is good"
''Do you think it's first class"
ayes, [ do"
81 have never said much about it,
Mary, but | am writer Many a time
while visiting newspaper offices l have
said to myself All, we'll You fellows
think hat you are great writer's but you
haven't learned your first lesson Now
shall wad it up and send it to Il magazine.
| ought to get at least one hundred dollars
for it,"
"You ere going to copy it, are you
not?"
'Oh, 10; rot necessary. It's as plain
Us print"
II didn't know but you might want to
make q few corrections. Listen to this
| paragraph General Beauregard, seeing
| that the left wing was weakening, deter
mined to reinforce them DON'T You
| think you should say it instead OF
them"
'Why? Refers TO the soldiers"
"No, it means wing, which should he
ft.,n
"Well, go on, go on"
"'Thc General at one time continued
tie woman, finding another Objectionable
! paragraph, was much moved TO seeing a
soldier dragging q gun with broken
leg"
"What's wrong with that? It's a. fact,
for saw it myself"
ayes, bnt how did he drag gun with q
broken Lego
Don't You see? The fellows leg was
broken, but SO determined was lie that he
still stuck to tie gun"
"I}ut he didn't drag it with his broken
leg"
'IIsng it, the fellows leg was
81 understand that"
"Well, then-leg was broken, hut I'M.
willing TO retire from the field, he crawled
along, dragging his gun"
"With his broken leg"
"The statement is as plain as daylight.
When you strike woman on military
matters she can't see two inches"
Il understand it well enough. The man
was dragging his broken gun with his
leg" which, | should think, would differ
very little from dragging his gun with his
leg"
The General wheeled round in his chair,
showed both hands in lis pockets, and, in
II calm voice slightly trembling on the
bosom of Il struggle, said
"Whcn ! smmIicd | thought that my
wife was a sensible woman | thought
that she was woman of literary taste.
Read that paragraph again"
"''Hhe general at one time was much
moved to see II soldier dragging a gun
with u broken leg All! | seew she
exclaimed.
al am glad you do, Mary"
"rhe soldier was dragging gun with a
broken lCg--the guns leg was broken"
"Gimme that paperp' he exclaimed.
Then he folded the manuscript with mock
precision and put II in The stole.-
ArkanSaw Traveller.
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