Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1889-10-05
TAKEN By SIEGE.

need not interfere with your work on
The Dawn, if you get any I'm not too
proud to increase my limited income by
the same means, but ! tell you frankly,
dear boy, would not care to have it
known among the rich and great with
whom ! hobnob out of business hours
Can you write poetry
Hardly that; but can make rhymes" >"
said Rush, wondering what bomb his
friend was about to burst.
so much the better A poet would
scorn to engage in this business but it is
the fortune of the rhymester. Now, | am
paid $50 week by the wealthy proprie-
tor of the Damascene soap to write
rhymes in praise of his wares. do the
New York morning papers; and he told
me the other day that if | could get up a
new batch for the evening papers he
would like to have one, or, If / had not
the time, perhaps | could suggest some
one with poetic talent who would take
the job. He didn't know much about
poets himself-though they were rum
lot-and he would be obliged to me if
would bag Byron for him. You're just
the man. No one need know it, and it
will keep your stomach from getting in
such condition again as it was in when
found you. You need not be particular
about being originals; you can work over
your Tennyson or your Longfellow; only
get in the word Damascene, and you1
duty's done. Meet me at the cub to-mor
row with batch of verses. Well dine
together; and in the mean time I'll see old
Pennypacker and have check ready for
you, from which will deduct S5 that I'm
going to give you now"
"No, Archie, old man, said Rush,
pushing away his hand, and with diff
Guilty speaking for the lump in his
throat. "Wait till I've earned it. Your
kindness has completely upset me, but
can't take your money. I'll gladly try
my hand at the soap verses and take my
pay when they're written; but not till
then"
"Nonsense! What is friend for if
not to help one when he needs it? shall
really feel hurt, Rush, if you refuse me.
l wouldn't treat you as formally. It's
only IS, and you will have earned it be-
fore midnight I'll lay wager. Come
old man, don't make me feel that am
asking you to do something dishonora
bic. Much more than n paltry S. has
passed between us at college,"
"Yes. to be sure there has, but neither
Of us needed it as much then as we do
now. 1t is much easier to borrow money
for tomfoolery than for food. But I'll do
as / would be done by; I'll take your s.,
Archie, and try to think that it is old
times. / feel that this is the turning
point, and can't thank you enough"
Don't mention it, dear 10y. I'm sorry
you take trifie SO seriously. 1t all
comes of the condition of your stomach.
| think you can venture on eating q
fairly hearty dinner tonight and good
breakfast tomorrow. And then you
must dine with me at the club tomorrow
night at half past G sharp, for have three
receptions and wedding on hand. BY
the way, put on your dress coat, for
shall take you to one of the receptions
with me at my uncle Archer's. / want
you to know my cousin, Bessie Archer.
She's an awfully jolly girl. I'll tell them
I'm going to bring you. They will be
delighted, for they've often heard me
speak of you. Come. cheer up, man;
you look so per cent. better already. so
long, and don't forget tomorrow night,
'Powwow' club, Fifth avenue and Nine
teenth street." Archie put out his hand,
and Rush took it with grip that drove
the rings on his friends fingers into the
flesh but the latter was too polite to
vince.
Before he could quite man himself to
confront the people in the waiting room
of The Dawn office, Rush walked rap
idly down Broadway as far as Trinity
church, where he stood for moment
looking through the iron ratings of the
fence into the grass grown church yard,
The clock in the church tower struck 3,
which reminded him that the city editor
would not be hong at his desk: SO, with
his mind fixed upon the business in
hand. the strain ON his nerves relaxed,
the winding iron stairs at tho Office as
lightly as on that hopeful first day which
now seemed so long ago.
He had hardly put his foot on the
threshold of the waiting room door when
the old messenger stepped up to him
and said, Just in time, sir. Mr. Mus
grave sent out here for you only five
minutes ago, sir. and told him this was
the first day you had missed in three
weeks. I'll go at once and tell him you
are here, sir'--which he did, returning
with the message that Mr.. Musgrave
would like to see him. 1T never rains
but it pours, thought Rush, as he walked
eagerly to the little room.
"Ah, Mr. Hurlstone. how are you?
Sorry not to have been able to do any
thing for you before. but we have been
pretty well filed up. Just at this mo-
ment, however. we are short handed,
and want to work up q particular case
at once. Do you know where the Acad-
emy of Music is?'
Rush looked at Mr.. Musgraye to see
whether he was joking; but he was