The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-06
A STRANGE CONTRIBUTOR.
How q Ta'~rted WON IN Made a Reputa-
ton for Her Husband.

A STRANGE CONTRIBUTOR.
How q Talented WON IN Made Reputa-
ton for Her Husband.
A very strange story was told me by
the editor Of weekly paper published
In New York. not long ago, concerning
contributor. The editor said: ''One
of my most valuable contributors for
the last three or four years has been a
gentleman whom the public know pretty
well by this time. He writes over his
own name-a striking name. So regu-
larly has this person written for my
paper that | came to regard him as q
member of the staff. 1t was only after
.wo years of acquaintance through the
mails that he actually put in an appear
ance at our Office. The first time he
came in l thought he was book agent
or bill collector until he mentioned his
name. Then. of course, gave him
chair and all the other courtesies at
my disposal. He only staid minute
g. two, and seemed very nervous all
the while he was sitting opposite me.
Helacked that splendid assurance most
writer's possess. His appearance be-
lied his work, which was vigorous and
sparkling in style, for meeker. meaner
sort of man never saw.
The next time he paid me visit
he was writing a novel for us and came
with an installment of it happened
to be reading the proof of the chap
tiers to be published in the issue of the
next day. At once it occurred to me
to ask the author to explain passage
which had puzzled the proofreaders
and me- So l handed the proof-sheet
to the author, and pointing to the pas
sage in question asked him if that was
exactly what he had intended to say.
ITO my SURPRISE" continued the
editor, 1.-The novelist grew very red in
the face, his hand in which was the
proOf-sheet trembled, and for a moment
he said nothing. l had no idea what
embarrassed him, but thought had
very rare bird, modest author. in my
cage. TO encourage him l said: I've
no doubt it's my stupidity and no fault
of yours that can not catch the mean
Ing of that passage
'He seemed to be going to speak
once or twice, but bis lips only moved.
Meanwhile his face remained flushed
and other eloquent signs of disturbance
were not wanting. His silence was
making the situation very painful. and
suddenly bethinking myself that I
might have wounded a sensitive spirit
l began in clumsy way to apologize
to him for calling his attention to the
unfortunate paragraph, but he stopped
me with motion of his hand, and in
low voice began: The fact is, sir,
have deceived youths story is none
of my writing. never wrote line in
my life-haven't got the ability, I
ought sssss
DO you mean to say said l. holly,
that I've been dealing with an inn
poster all these years-a literary thief,
precious
"'Not quite so bad as that, sir, he
replied more calmly, although Two
put my name to great many manu-
scripts which you have been good
enough to buy. and which l now own
were not written by me, yet believe
you will not be so indignant when you
learn who did write them
MAY have the pleasure of know
ing who the author tsp said ], with all
the irony could summon.
Certainly. My wife, he replied,
quietly. i never was in favor of the
use of my name, but she insisted that
the reviewers and newspaper para
graphers had sharpened their knives
to keep down the rising crop of fem
mime writer's, and that she could write
more boldly over my name than over
her own, and with less criticism of a
so-called moral sort
"Well. to cut long story short in
the last volume, the facts were exactly
as my 'imposter' stated them, and 1
very soon after made the acquaintance
of the fair author. She still used her
husbands name, but he is no longer
SO meek and nervous when he visits
my den. A great burden is off his
mind. "-Pittsburgh Dispatch.
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