Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-04-21
NOT A BAD DEAL.

The little volume of verses entitled
ITO Lalage" made quite a stir in the
literary world. One critic Of note said
that it was instinct with classic grace;
another that it was informed by the
true spirit of Hellas; third that it had
a Whit of Hymettus; a fourth that it
was hardly suitable for family reading;
and, on the strength of all this lauda-
ton, "To Lalage" was a success, and
several copies were bona fide sold to
complete strangers. Imagine, then, the
bitterness of heart with which Adrian
Pottles, the gifted author, saw himself
compelled to maintain strict anonymity, |
and to conceal from world thirsting
to know him that he was the "A. p"
whose initials appeared in Old English
letters on the title page. Yet he did
not hesitate; for he knew that if his
uncle, Mr.. Thomas Pottles, of Clapham
Common, discovered that he wrote not
only verses, which was bad, but anna
tory verses. which was atrocious, his
means of present livelihood and pros
poets of future afluence would vanish
into thin air.
For Mr.. Pottles was man Of strict
views, and whether one regarded this
world or the next there could be no
question that a bank clerk of evangel-
ical connections committed grave fault
in writing love poems. So poor Adrian
had to make up his mind to remain un-
known, and to hold his tongue even
when he heard that another man had
been claiming the authorship of "To
Lalage." Luckily, perhaps, he failed to
find out who this miscreant was, prob
ably his indignation would have over
come his prudence, and he would at any
cost have claimed his own. The secret
was well kept, and Adrian received the
usual check at Christmas time, and with
it the usual invitation to spend the festive
season with his uncle and to bring with
him his young friend, Peter Allison, to
whom old Mr. Pottles had taken great
fancy. Peter was man of many en-
gagements, but, sought after as he was
and proclaimed himself to be, he re-
membered the good cheer at Mr.. Pot
ties, and accepted the invitation. They
went down together, Adrian bewail-
ing his hard fortune and denouncing
the impostor Peter warmly sympathiz-
ing, but counseling continued silence
and prudence.
"Ah, if could only claim It'll" cried
Adrian, opening his Gladstone bag and
gazing fondly at half a dozen neat, clean
copies of ITO Lalage." II should be
the lion of the season, Peter"
Peter smiled and shook his head. "a
fortune is better than fame, Adrian,
said he.
For day or two all went well at
Clapham. The old gentleman was in
the best of temper. and the two young
men did their best to keep him in it, in
dorsing all his views as to the lax moral.
ity and disgraceful tone which pervaded
modern literature and modern society
and when they had done their duty in
this way they rewarded themselves by
going in next door and having tea with
they both thought charming.
Indeed, Adrian thought her SO charm
ing that after q short acquaintance ht
sent her copy of "To Lalage," with the
authors kind regards. Now, Miss Dort
Chatterton adored genius. She ha6
thought both Adrian and Peter very
pleasant young men; she had perceived
that they both thought her very pleas
ant young woman, and she had beer
rather puzzled to know which Of then
she would, in certain event, make III
her mind to prefer. ITO Lalage" set
tied the question. It was the giftet
author, A. p, who deserved her love
and A. P. obviously stood, not for Pete
Allison, but for Adrian Pottles.
The very next morning she called earl,
at Mr.. Politics.. She found him alone
The boys, he explained, had gone for
walk Dora was disappointed; but, fail
ing the author himself, she was conten
to pour her praises into the ears of al
appreciative and proud uncle. She di
so, expressing immense admiration fo
Adrian's modesty in not having told MI
Pottles of his achievement.
"Humph!' said Mr.. Pottles; "let M
see these-er--things.
The effect of ''To Lalage" on Mr.. Poi
ties was surprising, and particularly S
to Dora. In less than ten minutes sh
found herself being shown the door an
intrusted with a letter to her mother i
which Mr. Pottles stated that she ha
been reading wicked books and ought
his opinion to be sent to her own roo1
for an indefinite period.
"And shall know if you don't give
to her." said Mr.. Pottles viciously.
Thus it happened that Adrian an
Peter, as they were returning, met poe
Dora on the steps with this horrid moi
in one hand and her pocket handkerchi'
in the other; for Mrs. Chatterton share
Mr.. Politics. views and Dora did not Ell
Joy having to deliver the note. The
were just fastening up to speak to he
when Mr.. Pottles himself appeared 9
the steps holding out 'To Lalage"
his hand. Adrian grasped the situation
.'For heas EMS sake, Peter" he whi
pered, ''say you wrote the beastly thin
I'm ruined if you don't"
"Eh? But he'll kick me out"
sI'll stand pony"
.'rwo," said Peter firmly.
"Well, two; but be quick
Then Peter spoke up like man az
accepted the blame of "To Lalage."
'.But your initials aren't A. P" o
jccted MIR. Pottles.
ITO avoid suspicion ! reversed the G
der; mine is P. A."
.Jamcs,r said Mr.. Pottles to the foe
Grave Mistake.