St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1893-07-15

exact duplicate of the Ms. he had given
to the novelist lie read it over care
fully, corrected some evident mistakes,
folded it up and put it in his inside
pocket.
Ten minutes later he was in the wait
ing room of the illustrated Bugle. one
of the most prosperous Of the big week
~ papers The boy came back to him
with his card still in his hand.
''The editor says" began the boy,
shat if it is about Ms. you wish to see
him you arc to leave it and he will send
the answer lie is very busy just now,
and says he cannot sec you unless it Is q
matter Of importance"
''It is a matter of Importance" sasd
Crosby. Tell him that"
"Then please write it down." said the
boy, hesitating and pushing q slip of
paper towards Crosby.
Crosby took the paper and wrote on
it: Il must see You personally. shall
not keep you one minute. Kindly grant
me that length of time"
The boy took the paper and disA Ap-
peared. Returning after q few moments,
he said, briefly: Come this way, sir. I"
Crosby followed the boy until the lat
ter raped gently at a door, and, push
ing it open, said: ''Mr. Crosby"
The editor was standing beside his
desk with slight frown Of impatience
on his face, and an attitude that indi-
Gated that he had just sixty seconds to
devote to his visitor.
Il wanted to see you," said Crosby,
personally regarding . Ms. have in
my pocket"
"Wcll, all can tell you." replied the
editor, lis that you may leave the
Ms. if you care to do so, and it will re-
ccive due consideration"
II know that is the formula" said
Crosby, blandly, but this is not an
ordinary MS. and If leave it i. is on the
understanding that I may call at this
time tomorrow and get your own
opinion about it claim that this
story is as good as anything Flipp has
ever written. If you really wish ex-
cellence and not a wcll-known name.
you have an opportunity that may not
occur again."
I'VE get opportunities enough" said
the eaitor. dryly, ''of that kind. Every
Ms. we receive is an extraordinary
story from the authors standpoint II
you leave it promise to read it myself,
though ordinarily Ms. takes its turn
with our regular reader"
"And tomorrow, at this hour, may
call and get your opinion about it?''
The editor hcsitated . moment and he
glanced at the card in his hand.
II think have had MSS. Of yours b.
fore. Mr.. Crosby"
YES" was the answer, lard you re-
turned them. don't think you will re-
turn this one.''
Every we'll Call again to morrow"
At the same hour next day Crosby
had his interview with the editor. That
gentleman had the Ms. in his hand.
Il have read this carefully" he said.
''aDd must tell you frankly that it il
not up to our standard. There is some
indication of merit about it, but If
were you I would not say t. the next
man to whom you submit it that it is as
good rs anything Flipp has ever writ
ten. 1t has not the slightest trace of
the genius of Mr.. Reginald Flipp."
Thank you" said Crosby, taking the
Ms. II shall not trouble you with any
more contributions"
THAT must be as pleases you." rc-
piled the editor. Good morning."
Crosby's experience in other ccle-
brated editorial rooms was similar to
his first attempt at selling another
mans MS rs his own.
A month later he saw on all the walls
of the city where advertisements were
allowed . flaming announcement set
ting forth that the Illustrated Buglc
had been fortunate enough to obtain q
most remarkable story by Reginald
Flipp-this name in tremendous letters
entitled "The Parting of the Ways"
The announcement ended with the in.i-
nation that the story would appear in
the next number. and readers were ad-
vised to order their papers ahead, SO
that there might be no disappoint-
ment.
When Crosby saw this announcement,
he smotc his clcnchcd fist against the
wall and said:
Now I know there is no honesty in
this world. Sharp. in Detroit
Free Press.