The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-24
"HAWKEYE" AGAIN.

Final Word to ''U. Phrates"-The Bur-
den of the Pen.
u. PHRATBs-Dear Br other: I think
our discussion is well classed. We are as
near together as could be expected in
this world of 'diversities of gifts end
differences of administration" Eat do
Lot think l found no good in Drum
monds natural law. l said 81 read the
preface and introduction with pleasure
and profit. Taxing 1t as you do with your
construction of il, / take it as well as Won
do but reading q greater part OF it half
dozen times l shall see what looks 10 me
like the old doctrine we both reject.
| have tried hard to unders and him.
Have picked out some good grain, if IL
was slow threshing and but little bread.
May be my machine was ont of order, or
/ had a poor set of hands. At any
rate do not intend to
thresh that stack over, be it wheat, straw,
or weeds. and cannot put it in my granary
in the condition it is in. but will be glad
if others will find an abundance of good
food in it.
Burden of the Pen.
NV mind is burdened this morning with
other thoughts-the responsibilities and
dangers OF welding the pen.
j have written before now hastily.
Shoughtless of ANYTHING but present feel
ings and impressions, and on looking it
over in after years nave wished / could
wipe them out of memory or sight of the
human face.
one time wrote a campaign song re-
flecting severely on great ana good men
whom, in nv blindness, | despised and
no one knows how glad l was when l Got
hold of the last written copy and de-
etroyed it. l would not have il
printed today for a thousand dollars
| have written on both politics and re-
ligion that am ashamed of aud am doubt
full as to whether l had not better quit
now. | would rather die than TO lead one
soul astray, and the liability TO do this
makes me tremble at the fearful RESPONSE
bllity the pen fastens on one who uses it.
A few days ago | saw piece In which
the writer said: The real poet hates
the pen, and if one enjoys its use-iikes
to write-his verse is not worth reading"
do not hate it, but often shrink from
il as a task greater than / am capable of
performing; dread it on account of its re-
probabilities and exactions, and fear it
because of its consequences, and think l
will write no more and so escape the liza
short | am scourged from my couch of re-
pose and ordered up to my Dreaded
work, am shown that the dangers and re-
sponsibilities and consequences of written
words are small, of little moment COM
pared with those of an unused talent, an
idle droning life.
l try 10 think have no talent in this
line, but cannot escape the lash by 1t, and
wonder why. In the last few years | have
written a great many articles for other
papers, giving nv Real Treasures" q
leaflet of poetry, to many. and the no
tices l have received Of appreciation, have
been added as crackers to the lash TO COM
pei me to WELD the pen, Notwithstanding
the intensified feeling that failure, OF
some kind is printed in every page.
have hidden the larger part OF what
1 have written behind the excuse that L
am not able to publish it, and so have laid
by enough to make a book OF thousand
pages. But when the possibility of means
and time was presented. L found my
self shrinking from the thought.
My long time ago, Hoosier
school house was too humble and its
teacher knew too little to teach me the
use of words, so l can polish a sentence to
suit this age of learning or myself.
90 forward with many misglVlngs and
fears; l stop and am gosded on.
Oh, such worrying emotions, such con-
flicting thoughts. such doubts, such hopes,
such fears. Alas what can l do2 Oh
God, what thy spirit,
"What conscience dictates to be done,
Or warns me not TO do;
This teach me- more than hell to shun,
That more than heaven pursue"
paul Quacs," | svmpathiZe with you,
but did not know how / could help YOU.
Glad you have some hope to cheer you.
Ivan w. Fern" give me your address
II you want the letter.
Comet" your Ii. J.. c. gems were ex-
cellent "Stranee Mary" your story is
good indeed. ben Ardys," your review
of David Copperfield is splendid it brings
so much to mind in such little space.
Dora Dickens, l cannot attend the re.
union, but hope you may succeed in stir
ring up those who can go.
''Letta and Nons." don't wait so long
next time. The account you give of your
reading will be of great service to any
young person who will act on your opin-
ions of the books and papers given
Little Women" and Youths Compdn-
ion, l do not know what you conld
get that is better Read Little Men" by
the same author.
think this weeks page the best for
some time, but no disparagement to any
writer on a previous page.
Anyone who wishes TO, is invited to ad-
dress me at Gendon, Ia. by my nom de
plume" and will be glad to do any SER
vice in my ability for them.
With kindest regards for all.
al AwKFYFn