The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-01-28
A PALE LITERARY MAN.
nY orIE 2. REAn.

ny Otnlnu WhlCn ALWAYS t0fks strong self-assertion. He went out with an air which plainly showed his disgust,
 His was a literary errand. He came to sell me large shipment of manu- script did not buy the shipment. This was, perhaps, an oversight on my part, but still l may never regret it. There comes moro regret from buying than from declining to buy literary matter.
 After telling me that he had writ ten great many pieces" some of which had been published, he re- marked that he had story on hand which he knew would please mo. Oh, what a welcome visitor is the man who comes to tell us of the labor his pen has performed Il sent my story to an eastern publication" said he, as he twisted few hairs that grow near one corner of his mouth, but did not succeed in making successful dickcr." Oh, what literary expression! 1.-The editor" he continued, "thought that wanted to pull his leg too hari."
 Do what?" l asked.
 "Pull his leg too hard-charge him too much. He liked the story. Said it was one of the finest things he ever read. but he couldn't afford to pay me my price. However, he generously added, "it is not my intention to charge you as much as I did him. You see, like your paper. One of the best edited sheets In the country. Every thing one finds in It Is worth reading, which, you must admit, is saying a great deal, for literary publications are not what they used to be. My father used to write for the press, and I shouldn't wonder but got the trick from him. Such things, you know, run in families. I didn't bring my story with me. Thought I'd call and see whether you wanted it or not AL ways like to make sure, you know"
 "lIow do you expect me, not having read the story, to tell you whether or not want it2"
 "Thcn Pll go and bring 1t up."
 "No, never mind. l."
 "No trouble, l assure you. This Is one of my loafing days"
 "My dear sir" replied, "I don't think that will be here when you return. have an engagement, and"
 "All right, then, will tell you about it. Eve got d first rate mem ory and can give you all the fine points anyway"
 As the foiled stage villain remarks, "Cursc him !" He stood near my desk, and in commencement exercise de- clamation began to recite his "dry rot" Of course, 1t told of young man who sprang to his feet and ex- claimed; "Then you will not marry me. Oh, see 1t all now. Fool that was. know that you love your cousin, Algernon l.. De Lacey. hate him pronounced ha tim). Ildegrate, fair, false one, have been thy slave, and must go out into the cold, cold, dreary, dreary world"
 My dear sir" said I, "you must really excuse me. left pair of pan taloons at a tailor's shop this morning to have them patched, and must go and get them before he closes up. am going to fashionable reception tonight and will need them"
 He paused, just in the act, I thought, of turning in his mind the twenty seventh page, and told me to wait moment. "There is scene near at hand l do not want you to miss. Listen. Your cousin has been play ing a double game'-mark that, will you?-a double game, understand and l will crush him. But 1 cannot find it in my heart to harm hair of thy false but shapely head, Ildeerate.' False and shapeIy head, don't you sec? Tine average writer would not present such picture. Head being shapcly and at the same time false brings up the picture in vivid glare. You are safe, lldegrate, but as for Algernon l.. De Lacey, let him beware"
 "Of the dog" could not help but suggest.
 My visitors lips quivered. "Who said anything about dogl" he asked, in suppressed voice. "I like to sec you evince interest, but do not care to have you anticipate. Let him be- ware, for--'"
 My dear sir" said, "it Is unne- cessary to prolong this recital. 1 do not want the story"
 "Then why have you kept me here all this time reciting 1t? Do you suppose 1 haven't any thing to do but to go round entertaining peopiei Think that my time is worthless? Your paper don't amount to any thing, any way. You print . lot of stuff that nobody reads, and refuse lit- erature of merit. There are certain kinds cf chack!ehszds that arc anus ing" he added, when he had reached the door, "but there are other kinds that ought to be expunged from the record"
 That pale young man is one of 4 -a