The Lafayette gazette., 1893-07-01

exact duplicate of the MS. he had given
to the novelist He read it over care
fully, corrected some evident mistakes,
folded it up and put 1t in his inside
pocket.
Ten minutes later he was in the wait
ing room of the Illustrated Bugle, one
of the most prosperous f+the big week
ly papers. The boy came back to him
with his card still in his hand.
''Fhe editor Says began tho boy,
''that if it is about MS. you wish to see
him you are to leave it and he will send
the answer. He is very busy just now,
and says he cannot see you unless it is a
matter of Importance"
''It is a matter of Importance sai1a
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: II must see you personally: shall
not keep you one minute. Kindly grant
me that length of time"
The boy took the paper and disap
pearcd. Returning after a few moments,
he said, briefly: "Come this way, SIR"
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 a slight fr,own of impatience
on his face, and an attitude that indi-
Gated that he had just sixty seconds to
devote to his visitor.
II wanted to see you," said Crosby,
personally regarding MS. have in
my pocket
''Wcll, all can tell you," replied the
editor. sis that you may leave the
MS. if you care to do SO, and it will re-
ceive due consideration"
Il know that is the formula said
Crosby, blandly, but this is not an
ordinary MS, and if leave it it is on the
understanding that may call at this
opinion about it. I claim that this
story is as good as anything Tlipp has
ever written. If you really wish cx-
cellence and not a well-knovyn name,
you have an opportunity that may not
occur again."
the eaitor, dryly, ''of that kind. Every
MS. we receive is an extraordinary
story from the authors standpoint. If
you leave it promise to read it myself,
though ordinarily a MS. takes it's turn
with our regular reader"
And tomorrow, at this hour, may I
call and get your opinion about it?''
The editor hesitated a moment and he
glanced at the card in his hand.
II think have had MSS. of yours be.
fore, Mr.. Crosby"
''Yes,'' was the answer, sard you re-
turned them. don't think you will re-
turn this one.'
Every well. 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
II have read this carefully" he said,
land must tell you frankly that it is
not up to our standard. There is some
indication of merit about it, but if 1
were you would not Say t., the next
man to whom you submit it that it is as
good as 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
moro contributions
THAT must be as pleases you,' re-
piled the editor. ''Good morning.
Croshys experience in other cele-
bratcd editorial rooms was similar to
his first attempt at selling another
mans MS. as his own.
month later he saw on all the walls
of the city where advertisements were
allowed a flaming announcement set
ting forth that the Illustrated Bugle
had been fortunate enough to obtain q
most remarkable story by Reginald
FliPp-this name in tremendous letters
entitled 1.-The Parting of the Ways
The announcement ended with the init
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-
mcnt
When Crosby saw this announcement,
he smote his clenched fist against the
wall and said:
'Now 1 know there is no honesty in
this world. d.''-Lukc Sharp, in Detroit
Free Press.