Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1889-11-27

writer, whoever he may be, said Lee
comte. with a chuckle of satisfaction,
ito apply to me. as happen to be the
only person able to answer the question
l may as well crafty him, particularly
the bourse ard the boulevard are pretty
well used up, and retrospective article
for once in way will be novelty"
Not having the paper by me, and COM
PEELED therefore to trust to my memory,
can only attempt to reproduce the sub
stance of one of the lively clironicler's
most amusing feuilletons, related some
what in the following terms:
A good many years ago, when l first
essayed to gain living by my pen, Al
phonse Karr, if not already famous, was
at least regarded as one of the most prom
ing young authors of the day. He then
occupied tiny apartment on the top
fioor-the seventh-of house in the
Rue, Vivienne, where / occasionally
passed half an hour with him, when-a
frequent occurrence, alas! at that period
of my career-I had nothing better to
do. One afternoon, after clambering up
his interminable staircase, found him,
contrary to his wont, sitting in a de-
iected attitude at his window and look
ing the picture of misery.
What is the matter?" I inquired.
Anything wrong?
Everything" he replied, drumming
his knuckles impatiently on the window
pane. "I have bill for 500 francs dne
today, and no funds to meet it.
.sDiable!'
Ut must be understood that in Louis
Philippe's reign. to literary man, liy-
ing as it were from hand to mouth, 300
francs appeared fabulous sum-
.sNot sous he continued, land that
isn't all: Tuesday is the last day of the
carnival. and | have promised a pretty
neighbor of mine to Wcort her to the
ball at the Varieties, which of course en-
tails supper" ,s..s..z.
sand Champagne" I suggested.
Exactly, and where on earth am to
find the money!?
This was poser. and for some min
utes we looked despondently at each
other.
Suddenly an idea struck me.
.sWhy not ask your publisher" said I,
Ito advance it to your"
'.No use" he muttered, with melan-
ycholy shake of the head. ST am in his
debt already"
? .'If he won't. persisted, "others may.
And, now come to think of it, why not
collect those tales and sketches you have
written for different reviews2 They
ought to make q volume.
Eyes" said Karr, with dedication,
preface, plenty of margin and an in
dex, perhaps they might"
Every well, then. Put on your hat
and come with me to Souverain.''
"Your publisher? You don't mean to
say there is any chance of his taking it?'
ssWhy shouldn't he?" / replied. she
will be only too glad to have your name
in his catalogue. At oil events, there is
no harm in trying"
The establishment of NJ. Hippolyte
Souvefain, the fashionable publisher of
the period in question, was in the Rue
DIES Beaux- ARTS, and on our arrival there
we were directed by one of the clerks to
a restaurant in the Rue Jacob, where the
great man was in the habit of dining.
He had nearly finished his repast and
shook hands cordially with me as | in
troduced my companion. thought. it
best to act as spokesman on the occasion,
and explained as briefly as possible the
object of our coming. Souverain lis
tened attentively while slipping his coffee
Very happy to know M. Kari, he
said. 1--WE will talk the matter over one
of these days"
THAT will be too late replied de-
cisively. 1T must either be settled now
or never. If it doesn't suit you. we will
try Gosselin.
.But. my good sir, objected the pub
Usher. you cannot expect me to puI-
chase book without having the least
idea what it ISL
1oh," said l.. IF that is all. !. there will
be no difficulty in satisfying you. Karr
is ready to sign an agreement, making
over to you, say for five years, the ex-
elusive right of republishing in any form
you choose certain specified tales and
sketches which have appeared in various
periodicals, in consideration of the sum
of five hundred francs received by him
from you.
Not in cashf' hastily interposed Sou
verain. "A bin at three months. per-
haps."
'sOut of the question. Karr has one
Of his own due, and to pay 1t he must
have money down.
- Very sorry, but make it a rule never
to pay cash until my bills fall due.
I'm that case" said Alphonse, who
was chafing at the delay, ssit Is no use
wasting any time, and we had better see
Gosselin.
Wait amoment. expostulated Souve-
rain. You don't suppose carry 300
francs about with met
I'VE said 500, not 300, quietly OBJ
served Kari. When you have finished
your coffee, it Is butts step to the Ruedes
Beaux-Arts.
"You are In such desperate hurryl
Cant you wait until | have thought it
OVER
.sBills won't watt Iretofted. ''as you
know very well So. unless you decide
quickly. there b al end TO the matter.
"H'm. muttered Souverain. visiblyi
Iperplexed: tive said 400, did we not?
ssNo. emphatically replied KARI Not
asou less than 500.
"a quarter of an hour later we were
seated in the publishers room, where SO
many illustrious colleagues. Balzao and