The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1892-09-08
THE IMPERIAL DRAGON.
How q Criticised Poet Took a
Longed-For Revenge.

How Criticised Poet Took a
Longed-For Revenge.
The combination Of circumstances
that served to bring Miss Damon to
Il none y less but determined was
known to nobody. All that anyone
knew Of her was impaired by brief
statement made by the editor of the
Dispatch to the effect that on a certain
clustering afternoon in January she
had walked into the Office and asked
for employment. He had declined her
services with thanks, but she came
ngain and again, until one day she
found q vacant desk, sat down ut it,
and had been there ever since.
She wrote two or three caustic
articles, struck at one or two local
atrocities, and in little while made
an enviable reputation for bitterness
and cynicisma Her mime got out and
alter that everything malicious and
pnngent that appeared in the paper
WIS Enthusiastically set down to her
credit.
She wasnot known outside of the of
fee, but the impressions that prevailed
concerning her were not fiattering. 1t
was generally agreed that she knew too
much to be young. was too cynical to
: be agreeable, and there was theory
current among the papers readers that
she had been crossed in love and disap-
pointed in her literary aspirations. She
did her work in the daytime and was
little moresthan myth to the men
who spent their nights in journalistic
harness. They were frequently ques-
toned about her, and they generally
answered all queries by the broad but
meaning statement that she did not
run with the gang
Soon after she began her mark in her
new sphere book OF verses appeared,
written by gentleman of L.,
George Lawrence. Copies were sent to
all the papers, and one of them fell
into the hands of Miss Damon. She
prefaced her criticism with the remark
bad, but ranged from bad TO very bad.
and then mercilessly impaled the
author to the extcnt.of three-quarters
of column.
Lawrence had never forgiven her.
He referred to her ever afterwArd as
1.-The Dragon" and the Imperial
Dragon" The name seemed appropri-
ate and IL was generally adopted. The
criticised versifer experienced some
satisfaction at having thus bnptiscd her
with indignation, bnt he by no means
considered himself avenged, "and-at-the
mere mention of her name his muscles
grew rigid and every artery throbbcd
with a wild desire for vengeance.
Being clever with pencil, he made a
sketch of her which embodied the pop
ular impression that she was shrew-
ish person of uncertain age, and it was
n source of endless amusement to him
self and friends II must be confessed
that Miss Damon's was not the only ad
verse criticism, and Lawrence was Q
good deal depressed, but not wholly
subdued. He did not intend To be
snuffcd out in this summary fashion,
however, and though for time he at
tempted nothing in a literary way, he
was casting about for fresh motive
resolved at no distant date to make an
other effort. 1.-THE Dragon" had recon
mended prose; he would try prose.
In the meantime summer had come
and Lawrence was to spend severa
months with some friends in Califor
mia. When he returned he wouldsgo t.
work In earnest
It was a glorious day, bright and cool
though it was the middle of July; The
the sun was just rising over the eastern
rim Of the cup-shaped valley; a lumin
Gus mist shading from pink to purple
was rolling away. FROM Pixies Peak
and the, bits of sky showing between
the serrated ridges opposite were deepl.
blue.
Lawrence, on has way to California
had stopped to spend day at Manitou
He had reached the springs the even
ing before and was finishing his break
fast this bright morning in Che grea
Sahara of a dining room when tn,
waiter came in to announce the car
riage he had ordered for the day. Fo
the last half horr the gallery in from
of the hotel had Nbeen thronged witt
Tourists ready to begin the days sight
seeing, and the double line of vehicle
drawn up outside were being loade
with all possible dispatch. Vas Law
renee emerged from the dining-roor
the last wagon drove up to the door, an
lady was ON the point of getting Il
when the driver said:
beg your pardon, ma'am, but thi
sarriage is for the gentleman"
'sBut ordered a carriage for thi
morning. ~.
Your order was too late. They wer
all engaged This was the last one I
kbe stables. / can give you one Il
y. morrow. ~ - -Ss 4
81 shaIl not be here to-norfow. r. s
s'Maybe the gentleman's going I
etky over q day or two and would jus
- soon Dive to-morrow, suggested tn
driver. -
nv this time Lawrence hadIcome nj
..if yon can give me horse and sal
die il win answer my purpose just .
Z WELL he said:
Il havenst gcs 4 horse.
.Ar 4 lieasc Tomorrow On the earl
train. snid Lawrence, II cannot col
vrnirntly postpons my drive. Bat "
an probably going IN the same dire
Sivp, spdJ should be delighted 70 =