The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-13
HOW he F0RGAyE HER.

never corrected their inst proof sheet. or
cut the leaves of the first copy of their
FIST book. or on opening oRepapCr have
never suddenly discovered their first IA
vorlllc review. can have bat a very faint
notion of what happiness really Isl
Afierward one writes better and probably
looks on ones first book as very poor
stuff. 90 be forgotten, If possible, or at
least ignored on title page or advertise
mmt sheet. bat when that book first APP
pearod Nhat untold JOY it brought
with ir
Many wears ago 7 was ono of those per
fccily happy persons. My first book
uooms. oi coursc-do we not an begin
with poetry. because 1t is So easy, before
we venture CD attack the difficult pr0sco
bad lately appeared in q chamiugly pale
binding. suggestive of hope and spring;
my first notices had been sweet, with
gust Tint dash Of aciiiiy necessary 70
make tle draught more stimulating;
annblc friends limited at 90 rising genius,
and fond rthiircs bccau 90 build airy
Dalaccs OF stup0ulous height and mccr
fain foundation, whom one morning i re-
ccircl % Letter forwarded through my
publishers Fbponcd it in blissinl 60
element tlo c0mmOuest things seem 10
veil fair mv ,crios Of delight when one
isl young poot and found q short note
and several poems.
dear sir. the letter ran, "vour book.
'1i0s.s and Nldges delightful and orig
iral utl,| las been given to me 10 re-
yirw for The BlacEpool Chronicle, and
find SD much in 1t that is sympathetic
and true 90 THE instincts of my own
nature. That ] venture % write 20 you as
q friend o. friend, feeling that we are
kindred souls. and should become better
known to each other, that Our hands may
meet. os our spirits already DO. j ven-
uire also to enclose one or two poems Of
uf own. suggested by your book. They,
with others. and some ESSAYS, viii shortly
Do published Nav ] dedicate them 10
youf Yours faithfully,
"CYRu BCOwNRIGG.
"DaI ir How delightful he took
no for man. as indeed most of nay re-
viewer had done. Ny feminine senses
~ mischief and mystery were reused.
and determined ] would continue o. De-
"lear sir Gs long os possible so ! read
rht Toeme and I found them very
beautiful and Tar. far above anything
could DO. and wrote O few lines TO my
unknown correspondent telling him how
flafterod ] should feel on his dedIcating
his book 90 me, and signing myself by
tho nom dc plume / had chosen, Earle
Oakhuret
Earle was really my own name, hav-
ina been given 20 me, / always thought.
a. an attempt 90 impart dignilied sound
10 ioy other two extremely insignificant
ones. Amy Smith. Who could expect
anything TON Amy Smith, But when
son said Amy Earle Smith slowly. 10
sounded rather literary, SO / hattered
NV self. Oakhurst lVls the name 0f our
house. So for love of Sc J dubbed myself
Earle Oakhurt, and really it sounded
quite important and diguihed.
a few days alterward ] received half
dozen copies OF The Blackp0ol Chronicle +
containing my now friends notice Of
"1iosses and Midge5.' 10 was very
flattcr.uC and generous, with % sort of +
half tender. half humorous criticism
which showed me the weakness of my .
work far more clearly than the severest I
Celurc would have done. OF course, ! .
wrote % thank my reviewer, and after
This we corresponded con family, our
letters growing gradually warmer and .
more confidential
At last his book. "Suav Thoughts. APP .
peued, and NO once made @ great sensa- +
tion il was dedicated o. My God-givCn F.
brother and friend Earle Oakhurst." .
How proud / was as / read the words, f.
aitl chen suddenly the terrible thought .
flashed across my mind that i had de F.
ccivcd him. and made him appear ridi- .
culous 90 every one who knew Chat / was .
a woman 10 was characteristic Of him .
that he had never inquired on troubled f.
about the seX of his friend. but ia bis
own great honesty had taken IL FOR
granted that / should not deceive him
even in tribe, and this, alas, ! now felt
was 90 tride.
. knew not what % dc. SO, Ike most
weak people. did nothing ] did not F.
even acknowledge the copy OF "Suay
he sent me, with q letter even
moro aticcu0natc than usual ! was M
tis time staying in London with mar
riel cousin and as ms "liOaos and
Aldges had been somewhat successful.
ana had managed % get talked about,
had plenty al invitations and enjoyed
myself thoroughly meeting pleasant and
oOugenial people, and being made much
a. fW j was young, fairly rich and
~oQd looking, and wanting nothing from
.Dt' ~14g Ohe great secret of popularity.
Ono M slnj1C, some days after receive
mo- "ctr,v ThGIcNts," while / was still
debating how i N469ld mako my comics
Jon, got a few liTss iSom * author.
Il am surprised he ns9ie' 'Jlol %
nave had a word of greeting a+Qm SOU
but never mind, STRAY Thoughts j. 60
ny b. well that i have been asked 10
,One % London TO talk over q new ven
urc with lay publisher, so shall soon,
my brother and friend. make your per
.onal acquaintance, until then, goodroy..
] felt Overwhelmed with shame, and
yet absmdly happy 20 the idea OF really
SEEING and talking % him. W hat would
be- say Would he forgive INC, i looked
nxiOusly iu my glass, and thought per
iaps he might for / could not help
linking ! looked pleasant, If not pretty,
Is INV friends told me / could not guoss
low or where 1 should meet him, bpt
Dee next night. when my cousin and
uived az musical party our hostess
aid % me in a pointed manner, with
mile
Your friend D. here tonight"
"Who is my friend| 1 th0ughtlessly
inquired
"Cyrl Browning eho answered,
With a laugh "H0W Will he greet his
rofher and friend, / wonder
/ ielt myself growing scarlet with !
haine and annoyance for 1 had, Of ]
curse. been numerically tcassd about
hat unfortunate dedication, and had
arefully explained 10 all my friends .
bat the author only knew mo from my
OK 1 felt that / could not stay and
leet him there with all those people
satchiug. and turned % tel my cousin ,
elt ill and must return home, but she ,
ad been claimed i0i q duet and was al {
aady standing hy the piano 40 The oppo-
10 side of tue room. 80 / skunk away :
no the conservatory. whore, behind tall (
anellias and ferns. I trusted 20 be un- I
bservod until / could speak 70 my /
ousin, and persuade her 10 return with q
se do not know how long / rat 4
lerc. lost in q dream, when voice / h
new well said quite close 10 me: l.
Have you seen your brother and e
rond here yet, Mr Brownriggf ! n
now she with malicious accent on
be gbel Is here fo-uigIf bocauep | have b