The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-07-21

INOtcENukch lAHtOua 1taEtncht Vl hunta
Khan.
A few days later he received proof
(his first proof Of the verses together
with highly complimentary letter
from the editor. in which that gentle
man bestowed great praise on
Brownrigg's effort and expressed his
conviction that II would be favorably
received by the public. The young poet.
elated thereby beyond all description,
read the proof through with loving
eyes 1t least hundred times ddht
think he altered anything except one
printers error; in the first place, be.
cause the verses seemed 10 him perfect
rs they stood; In the next, because this
first proof Ind a sort Of sanctity Ia his
eyes, which would made II appear next
door 70 sacrilegious 10 cut Il about with
pen and ink.
II Is needless TO say that he secured
q copy Of Mayfair at the earliest posi-
BILE moment after It's publication and
carried II about all day--to the great
detriment OF his work IN his fathers
counting-room. But the rcbnlses which
he incurred for his absurd mistakes In
business glided of him as easily as
watch from n ducks back. For was
not his fame ms poet now won2 And
would he not soon be able to turn his
back ON mercantile pursuits forever?
Next morning, on coming down 10
breakfast, he found living on his plate
q letter from the editor Of Mayfair.
Doubtless IL was 10 congratulate him
on the success OF his ode or. perhaps,
TO solicit n contribution for the next H.
sue Of the magazine. He opened It
eagerly. As he read, the look Of self
satisfaction at once faded from his could
tenance, giving place To an expression
Of mingled bewilderment and dismay.
The communication ran Thus:
~. 7. A. BRuwNRiao. ESQ., r ear Sir have
just received letter from tho editor Of the
Monthly Critic requesting me 10 inform him
how Il was that have pnbltshea In Mayfair.
over your name, precisely the Same yersas on
the subject witch Oliver Lowell the weli-known
poet has contributed 70 the Critic for the same
month"; l can hardly think that you have In.
tentionally made fool Of mo. But as The mat
ter Is . serious one. be good enough 20 let me
have your explanation 1T once. Yours faith
fully. HoRATIo sISkrNss
Naturally poor Brownrigg could not
make head or tail Of this astonishing
epistle. So, instead Of going to bush
ness that morning, he obtained leave OF
absence from his father and bctook
himself In fine state OF mind to the
editorial Office Of the Mayfair. On
sending up his card he WINS told that
Mr.. Sinkins was Just then engaged, but
would see him shortly. Aft@ quar-
ter Of an hours waiting he wiGs usherel
into that gcntleman's presence.
Good morning, Mr.. Brownrigg,r
said the latter, stiffiy. sI'm glad yon
are come. I've just had cull from
Mr.. Lowell, who II waiting In the next
room now. But before you mako your
apologies to him Just tell me candidly
how you came TO do snch thingl''
"I-l--composed the verses myself,
did upon my honor" stammered out
the young man, eagerly "And can
assure you am quite as much sur.
priscd at what has happened as you are
yourself"
Come. comet" was the graveIy IN
crednlous reply. III Is a serious matter,
Mr. Brownrigg; and promise you that
your best way out Of 1t will be a can
uiu huiulbSlOu Vi tIt lFuLH anu n IuIi
explanation Of everything"
but have nothing to admit and
nothing TO explain" Brownrigg pro-
tested, earnestly. almost crying with
injured innocence. II wrote the verses
myself. without any sort Of assistance;
! swear did. /"
well" said the editor, after short
pause, during which he had keenly
Drownrigg's excited face,
III you have no better explanation TO
give me ! shall leave you TO. settle
matters with Mr.. Lowell yourself"
So saying he opened tho door OF an
office, and requesting Brown
rigg 70 follow him, briefly introduced
him to Lowell, and then left the rival
poets to fight it out
Oliver Lowell, flery-looising little
man at all times. was now rendered nn.
usually fierce Of appearance by the ex-
element and wrath which possessed
him He glowcrcd at BroWnrigg for
some moments in whitening silence,
then burst out with:
Now. young man. you viii kindly
tell me, please, how tho devil you oh
tanned copy Of my verses2'
"I-I-didn't; composed them my
self, rctorted Brownrigg. whose head
was literally swimming with bewilder
mcnt
.'oh, indeed" cried the other. laugh
Ing q sayagely sarcastic laugh Per
hAps you'll tell me next that You CONF
posed yours first, and that | copied
them -eh?"
II don't know when you composed |
yours" our young friend answered
But can tell you exactly when |
mine. It was last Saturday |
evening In the train. as was going |
down to Ealing, and"
I'm the train going 10 Ealingi' in
Lowell, with a sudden start, |
and speaking very eagerly. tEhi"
Yes, said Brownrigg, And then he |
proceeded with many protestations 81
to give d full and particular
account. which our readers have al
ready heard described
Long before he had finished light |
broke ON Lovclps countenance, and dis
PEELED the lowering clouds Of wrathful
He burst into a hearty |
tit Of laughter. and. when at length he
could speak, exclaimed:
by Jovei l see II all now It
wasn't your fault; though. to be sure.
It's rather q risky thing to fall into
such q lethargy that you can't dis
anguish other peoples voices from
1o,.~ f.x,,~r.sfa,.a Il..k txs.