The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-04-18

JUST reserved letter from the editor OF the
Monthly Critic requesting me to inform him
how 1t was that have published in Mayfair
over your name, precisely the same verses on
the subject which Oliver Lowell, the well-known
poet has contributed to the Critic for the same
month"; l can hardly think that you have In
tentionally made fool of me. But as the mat
ter is q serious one, be good enough to let me
have your explanation at once. Yours faith
fully, aoRArIo SINKING
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
himself in fine state of mind to the
editorial Office of the Mayfair. On
sending up his card he was told that
Mr.. Sinkins was just then engaged, but
would see him shortly. After quar-
ter of an hours waiting he was ushered
into that gentleman's presence.
Good morning, Mr.. Brownrigq, .
said the latter, stifiy. 'I'm glad you
are come. I've just had a 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 thingi'
'.I-I-composed the verses myself, l
did upon my honor" stammered out
the young man, eagerly. '.And 1 can
assure you | am quite as much sur
prised at what has happened as you are
yourself"
Come, comet was the gravely in
credulous reply. "Iti serious matter,
Mr.. Brownrigg; and promise you that
your best way out of it will be cam
did admission of the truth and a full
explanation Of everything"
But / have nothing to admit and
nothing to explain" Brownrigg pro-
tested, earnestly, almost crying with
injured innocence. 81 wrote the verses
myself, without any sort Of assistance;
/ swear / did. !"
WELL" 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, hery-looking little
man at all times, was now rendered I'M
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:
Nov, young man, you will kindly
tell me, please, how the devil you OBJ
tanned copy of my versesp"
s'I-I-didn't; I 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 copied
them-eh?''
Il don't know when you composed
yours" our young friend answered
But can tell you exactly when /
composed mine. 1t was last Saturday
evening in the train, as was going
down to Ealing. and"
I'm the train-going to Ealingl" in
| terposed Lowell, with sudden start.
and speaking very eagerly. "Ehl''
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 a light
broke on Lovell's countenance, and dis
PEELED the lowering clouds Of wrathful
indignation. He burst into hearty
fit of laughter, and. when at length he
could speak, exclaimed:
by Jovei see it all now. It
wasn't your fault; though, to be sure,
it's rather risky thing to fall into
such a lethargy that you can't dis
tinguish other peoples voices from
your own impressions. But it's my
fault mostly, for reciting my verses
aloud in q railway carriage. And the
company's," he added, with chuckle.
'4or having their compartments open
/ at the fOnls,-T ,ondon Truth