The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1889-01-16
CHAPTER VII.
SOMETHING DEMONIACAL.


th.: l;ta chapter.
Rather tired; be seated" Allen an
awCrcd, casting q suspicious look at pom
t.cICrg roll under Toney's arm.
81 thought would bring you a story" he
eaid, with a triumphant smile. 81 heard you
,ras going to use one of Miss Hopkins
novels, SO l thought I'd bring you somo
thing worth publishing, if you must have
serial"
Allen assured him that he was in no need
of any thing Of the kline, and had never for
moment entertained thought Of publishing
Nj IS Hopkins story.
. Not agoin to publish it'll" cried the
amazed Toney; "why, it's all over the town
and country, too, that you intend runnin'
her novel as serial In the WeSter~ RepUb-
ter
cit Is mistake"
81 thought So Nothln' she writes Is fit
to be ia print" said Toney, somewhat acri-
moniously Essays she used to contribute
to Harper, but Il guess twas to their waste
basket
"The number Of waste basket contrib
utors is much greater than those whose
papers are published"
eyes, / suppose SO; but no one likes to
write for the EDITORS waste basket; it don't
usually pay" returned Toney. "But let
me read you a few chapters Of The Bloody
Knife, or the Wild Witch OF the Santee
Border"
at would not be worth while, Toney, for
all our space is engaged. Every inch that
can be spared from news will be devoted to
advertisements"
"Who wants to read advertisements"
said Toney, with look of disgust
"They are invaluable to q country news
paper. They bring in considerable money,
and without them we could hardly exist"
81 suppose it's money and not talent you
want" sarcastically returned the author.
Allen smiled, and then in a very calm
manner proceeded to explain that this is O
very practical world, and one could not
conduct business without doing 80 on bust
ness principles His story might be very
good, and just what some other publisher
wanted, who was willing to pay good price
for it, but it was valueless to him.
"a dealer in dry-goods wants to buy dry
goods, and can not be induced to purchase
potatoes, no matter how good the quality
or how cheap they may be offered him. No
matter how good your serial may be, car
not use it." So
Toney's disappointment was considerably
alleviated by the knowledge that Miss Hop
kins' story had been rejected also. After
the political campaign was over, the editor
thought he might possibly be able to use
serial, and if he found himself in such q
position, would be pleased to look at Toney's
manuscript.
Gathering up that ponderous roll, the
disappointed author left the Office with
sigh Ho was not the first, nor will he be
tho last, author to heave signs of disappoint-
ment. Oh, We hard-hearted publishers
what dark account will yours be, when
all the signs and tears of disappointed
authors are arrayed against you on that
final day
A day or two later, while Allen WAS
struggling between an article for the up
building of Turkeys Point and the mystery
of the great stone house on the hill,
llo heard heavy step at his side and, look
ing up saw Mr.. Strong.
"I'm not agwine to stand It," cried
Strong, anGrily.
As mildly as he could, the country editor
asked for an explanation.
eyer playin' mo foul"
"You are laboring under a grave mis-
take" Allen returned, making great Of
fort to keep his temper.
"No, I'm not; fur know We ar. Didn't
We promise me far an sQuar' ye'd support
me fur sheritfm
"Yes."
AN yer gwine t. go back on met"
''No, Pm not; unless you provoke me into
breaking my promise, you will receive the
s1nnori of the HesteTM IIepubHc.n