The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-07


first proof had sort of sanctity in his
eyes, which would made it appear next
door to sacriegious to cut it about with
pen and ink.
1t Is needless to say that he secured
a copy of Mayfair al the earliest posi-
bic moment after its publication and
carried it about all dsy-to the great
cetriment Of his work in his fathers
counting-room. But the rebul1es which
he incurred for his absurd Iistakes n
business glided of him Is easily as
water from a ducks back For was
not his fame as poet now won? And
would he not soon be able . turn his
back on mercantile pursuits forever?
Next morning, on coming down TO
breakfast, he found lying on his plate
letter from the editor of Mayfair.
Doubtless it was to congratulate him
on the success of his ode or, perhaps,
TO solicit a contribution for the next IS
sue Of the magazine. lie opened il
eagerly. AS he read, the look of SELF
satisfaction at once faded from his coUa-
tenauce, giving place to an expression
of mingled bewilderment and dismay.
The communication ran thus:
-. T. A BEowSRIGG, ESQ eer Sir have
Just received = letter from the editor OF rs
! Monthly Critic requesting me 10 inform him
how IT was that have published il Mayfair,
over your name, precisely the same verses on
! the subject which Oliver Lowell the well-knowa
poet has contributed to the Critic for the same
month"; I hardly think that you have in
| tentionally made fool OF me- But as the mat
| ter is serious one, be good enough 10 let me
have your explanation at once. Yours faith
fully HoRATIo STNEINs"
Naturally poor Brownrigg could not
make head or tail of this astonishing
epistle. So, instead of going TO bust
ness that morning, he obtained leave of
absence from his father and betook
I himself in a fine state of mind 20 the
editorial Office of the Mayfair. On
sending up his card he was told that
Mr. Sinlsins was just then engaged. but
would see him shortly. After a quar-
ter of an hours waiting he was ushered
into that gentleman's presence.
Good morning. Mr. Brownrigg,"
said the latter, stifiy. I'm glad you
are come. I've just had call from
Mr.. Lowell, who is waiting in the next
room now. But before you make your
apologies to him just tell me candidly
how you came to do such thing"
''I-I-composed the verses myself, I
did upon my honor" stammered out
the young man, eagerly. And I can
assure you l am quite as much sur
prised at what has happened as you are
/ yourself"
''Come, GOMEZ" was the gravely in
! credulous reply. ut is serious matter,
Mr. Brownrigg; and promise you that
/ your best way out of it viii be can
| did admission of the truth and a full
| explanation of everything"
I But have nothing to admit and
nothing to explain" Brownrigg pro-
/ tested, earnestly, almost crying with
| injured innocence. ~ wrote the verses
myself, without any sort of assistance;
! swear l did"
| We'll" said the editor, after a short
/ pause, during which he had keenly
scrutinized Brownrigg's excited face,
IF you have no better explanation to
give me | shall leave you TO settle
matters with Mr.. Lowell yourself
So saying he opened the door of an
adjoining Office, and requesting Brown
rigg to follow him, briefly introduced
him TO Lowell, and then left the rival
poets to fight it out
Oliver Lowell, n fery-looking little
man at all times, was now rendered un-
usually fierce of appearance by the ex-
element and wrath which possessed
him He glowered at Brownrigg for
some moments in whitening silence,
then burst out with:
Now, young man, you will kindly
tell me, please, how the devil you OBJ
tanned copy of my verses?"
'I-I-didn't; l composed them my
self, -" retorted Brownrigg, whose head
was literally swimming with bewilder-
| ment.
"Oh, indeed" cried the other, laugh
ing a savagelY sarcastic laugh per
haps you'll tell me next that you com
posed yours first, and that l copied
them-eh?"
II don't know when you composed
yours" our young friend answered
But l can tell you exactly when /
composed mine. 1t was last Saturday
evening in the train. as l was going
down TO Ealing. and"
I'm the train-going to Ealing" in
terposed Lowell, with a sudden start,
and speaking very eagerly. En-
Yes" said Brownrigg. And then he
proceeded with many protestations OF
sincerity TO give full and particular
account, which our readers have al
ready heard described.
Long before he had finished ligh.
broke on LovelIs coun teDaDce. and dis
PEELED the lowering clouds Of wrathful
indignation. He burst into a hearty
fit of laughter. and, when at length be
could speak, exclaimed:
by Jove! / see it all now. II
wasn't your fault; though, 70 be sure,
it's rather a risky thing to fall into
such a lethargy that you can't dis
tiDguish other peoples voices from
your own impressions. But It's ny
fault mostly, for reciting my verses
aloud in a railway carriage. And the
company's' he added, with a chuckIe,
'for having their compartments open
at the top-'-Londou Truth.
james" said the uilkmsn 20 his
new boz, dye SEE what I'm a-Goin'
off, Eyes. sir, " replied James, your