Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-06-17
SIO LALAGF."

10 LtiaBe maze quite SUI IN Inc
literary world One critic n note said
that it was instinct with classic grace;
another hat it was informed by the true
spirit Of Hellds; a third that 1t had :.
Whit OF Hymettue; 3 fourth that it was
hardly suitable tor family reading;
and, on the strength of all this lauda-
tloA, 10 L9lage'' WAS a success, and
several copies were bona fde sold to
complete strangers. Imagine, then, the
bitterness If heart with which Adrian
Pottleq, the gifted author, saw aim self
compelled to maintain strict anonymity,
and 10 conceal from word thirsting to
know that b. was the "a. P" whose in
ltials appeared in Old English letters on
the title page Yet he dio not hesitate;
for ne knew that if his uncle, Mr.
IEemas Po't'es, Of Ciapham Common,
discovered thaG he wrote not only verses,
which was bad, but amatory verses,
which vas atrOcious, his means of present
livelihood and prospects of future affluence
would vanish into thin air.
For Kr. Pottles was a man of strict
views, and whether one regarded this
world or the n xt, there could be no uues
ton that bank clerk of evangelical con-
nectloDs committed a grave fault in writ
ing eve poems. SO poor Adrian had to
make up his mind to remain unknown,
and 10 hold his tongue even when he
hear hat another man had been claim
ing lie authorship Of "To Ltlaoe. y
Luckily, perhaps, he failed to fnd out who
this mlscreant Was, or probably his indig-
nation would have overcome his prudence,
ant ne would at any cost have claimed his
own. Tho secret WIS well kept, and
Adrian received The usual check at Christ
mas time, and with 1t The usual invitation
TO pend the festive season With Eio unc e
and 10 bring with him his young friend,
Peter Allison, to whom old Politics had
taken great fancy. Peter was man of
maby engagements, but, sought after he
was and proclaimed himself to be, he re-
membeged the good cheer at PottIes' aud
accepted the invitation. Tkey went down
together, Adrian bewailing his hard for
tut G and denouncing the Impostor, Peter
warmly sympathizing, but counsehng con-
tlnued silence and prudence.
All, If could only claim IT, cried
Adrian, opening Lis Gladstone bag and
gazing fondy at half dozen neat, clean
copies of ITO Lalaee, 81 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 we'll at Clap
ham. The old gentleman was in the best
temper, and tie two young men did their
oest to keep him in it, indorsing all his
views as to the lax morality and disgrace
ful tone which pervaded modern society,
and when they had done their duty in
this way they rewarded themselves by
going in next door and having tea with
Dora Chatterton, a young lady whom they
both thought charming.
Indeed, Adrian though her SO charn-
ing that after short acquaintance ne
sent her a copy of "To Lalase,' with the
author kind regards. Now, Miss Dora
Chatterton adored genius. She had
thought both Adrian and Peter very
pleasant young men; she had preceived
that they both thought her very pleasant
young woman, and she had been rather
puzzled to know which of them she would,
IN certain even, make up her mind TO
prefer. 10 Lalage" settled the question.
1t was the gifted author, A. P, who de-
served her love, and A. P. obviously stood
not FOR Peter Allison, but for Adrian
Pot 5.
The very next morning she called early
at MIR. Potters. She found him alone.
The boys, he explained, had gone for a
walk. Dora was disappointed; but, fail
ing the author himself, she was content to
pour her praises into the ears of an appre-
ciative and proud uncle She did so, ex.
pressing lmmence. admiration for Adrian s
modesty IN not having told Mr.. Pottles of
his achievement.
'Humph!' said Mr.. Politics; ''let me
see these-er-things.'
The effect of 80 Lalage" on Mr.. pott-
les was surprising, and particularly so to
Dora. lnSless than ten minutes she found
herself being shown the door and intrusted
with letter to her mother in which MIR.
Pottles stated that she had been reading
wicked books and ought to be sent to her
own roo II for an indt finite period
And | shall know if you don't give it
to her, said Mr. Pottles viciously.
Thus it happened that Adrian and
Peter, as they were returning, met poor
Dora on the step with this horrid note in
one hand and her pocket-handkerchief in
the other; for Mrs Chatterton shared Mr..
Pottles' views and Dora did not enjoy
having to deliver the note. They were
Just Fastening up to speak to her, when
Mr.. Pottles himself appeared on the steps
holding out TO Lalage" in his hand.
Adrlan grasped the situation.
For heavens sake Peter" he whisper
ed, say you wrote the beastly thing; IN
rulnced If you don't"
"Eh? But he'll kick me out
i II stand pony"
Tive" said Peter, firmly.
We'll, two; but oe quick"
Then Peter spoke up like ii man and &C
cepted the blame of To Lalage."
But your initials arm A P, objected
Mr.. Pottles.
TO avoid suspicion | reversed tine or
der; mine are P. A"
James" said Mr. Pottles to the foot
man, pack Mr.. Allison's bag
But Dora gave Peter the kindest and
most admiring glance as she murmured
softly to Adrian: They're lovely. On,
don't you wish you could write verses, Mr..
Pottles2''
Adrian started. He had not bargained
for this; but Peter had overheard and in
terposed:
81 am more than consoIed by your APP
proval, Miss Chatterton. Mr.. Potties
called Adrian, and he had to go in. leav-
ing Dora and Peter in close conversation,
and to assure his uncle selemnly, that he