The Delta independent., 1889-06-11
A LITERARY MAN.
sr oPm P. READ.

hon, the Weekly niad. Indeed, the
Iliad was not only well established,
but was regarded as an institution of
extreme wealth. Mr.. Newton, follow
Ing a bent which seems to be natural
with so many self-made men. was
proud Of himself. He was q man Of al
most painful dignity, and his wife,
finding herself the center OF q group Of
''female poets." was fattered into a
state OF extreme self-satisfaction. There
was only one other member of the
household, handsome daughter
named Mildred. This girl, strange as
1t may seem, was inclined to be
practical. She regarded her many ac-
complishments not as divinely bestow-
ed gifts, but as the results of decidedly
human exertion. Old Newton's most
thrilling hope was that Mildred should
marry literary mana man capable
Of taking hold Of the Iliad and, by a
TRANSMISSION of the blood of letters, give
1t a new strength.
One evening when Newton came
nome his face wore an expression OF
deep anxiety. He sat down with a
sigh.
Wesley" said his wife, '.you do
not look we'll"
81 am not well," he answered.
sis your ailment physical or does it
come from a disturbance of your high.
iy-organized mental nature?"
He looked at her with a half sarcas-
tic glance. There were times when
her pretentious expressions rasped
him.
''Mental!" he said; mental! All
my troubles are mental Hang it, II I
had no mind should have no trou-
ble!"
"Will you not confide in mep Per-
haps l can assist you"
: II doubt it. The fact is, I want an
Easter story for the Iliad."
''Well, surely that should not trouble
you" she rejoined. "Among your
many contributors there is certainly
one who can write an Easter story.
The subject is by no means an expert
mental one."
.
It were new nearly any one could write
It, for it's very newness would make it
interesting, but, being old, the hand
OF master is required to relieve it OF
hackneyed plodding. Thus far four
teen stories have been submitted, but
each ono is as flat as the paper upon
which 1t is written"
Mildred entered the room. Tho
father frowned. Mildred" said he,
''did not tell you"
"Yes. father"
"What did tell youp' he exclaimr
cd.
II hardly know, SIR"
"Why. then, did you say yesr'
'sTo show you that was payias ~
tention."
The editor gruntcd. "You may pay
attention to my voice." said ha, "but
i, xo1 DO not heed my words. 1Adn't I
u not to associate with Tom Car
Ye. sir"
"Well, but why did you disobey n.es"
"Why. am sure that Mr.. Carpen-
ter Is eminently respectable"
"9ut that is not the point"
"What is the point"
THE point is that he does not BIZ
long to your set."
"What is my set?"
''Have you lost all the sense you over
had?" he demanded. "You belong to
literary circle, that's your set"
"Yes, but make no literary preten-
sions."
''But your mother ana do. Car
penter is simply a booh-keeper."
HE is bright" she replied.
$50 is milk pan, but it is shallow" !"
Ae exclaimed. II have told you time
and again that the man who marries
you must bo able to take charge OF the
Iliad. What could Carpenter do in an
editors chairP"
"He could sit there, suppose"
"Yes, and yawn. You needn't try 70
defend that fellow, for know that your
praises OF him are but the errors Of
your haphasard judgment"
',But lovo him.
The mother screamed and tho father
spfang to his feet "You love himP"
thu. editor exclaimed.
= 'Yes, SIR
"Ah. and you hope to marry him.
supposeT'
''Ycs, SIR"
II would rather see you buried.
Have you no family pride? Have you
no conception Of the work to which my
LIE has been devoted. Sit down here
quietly now and let me talk to you"
The next day, while Mildred was
in the garden. Tom Carpenter Joined
her.
Father is furiously angry at you"
she said.
''Don't see why he should be. /
subscribed for his paper"
"Tom, for gracious sake, don't make
. Jest OF this matter. He says that we
shall not marry-declares that II dis
obey him he will disinherit me and de-
nouuce me In his paper. What shall I
dop"
''Have to work with the old gcntle-