River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-11-16
A SPRING POEM.
Why the Editor of the Monthly
Messenger Accepted It

Why the Editor of the Monthly
Messenger Accepted It
Elaine Gray, carrying IN her hand
che manuscript Of a poem-the first
fruit q her literary labor-entered the
editorial sanctum Of the Monthly Mes
seuger with fear and trembling. A
young man seated AZ a desk looked up
and smiled spprrciatively-f Elaine
was sweet and wiuSome and her confu-
son made her positively charming.
Can { see the edItor2' asked the
girl trying unsuccessfully to seem un-
concerned. a. il such visits were of
daily occurrence
II am the editor. NJ your service"
said the young man. politely Pray be
seated
You She exclaimed. then checked
herself and said, with flaming cheeks:
You see. ] had supposed that editors
we're all old and wore spectacles I
don't know what gave me such a ridicu-
louS idea, I'm sure"
We sometimes find our DrecOnceived
notions are wrong. said Mr.. Horace
Winthrop When ! was bov I
thought that a bald head and wart
en- the nose were the distinguishing
characteristics OF ali doctors. because
the only one I happened 70 bno0 had
them
They both laughed, and Elaine was
at her ease again.
do You accept poetry from an un-
known suthora~ She asked
Very seldom. said the editor we
receive - much verse from authors of
established reputation that only by
reason Of especial merit can we accept
contributions from unknown authors.
I am always willing to read and pass
Judgment upon ma uscripts. however"
Il have a pUeru here which ! would
like to read to you. said the girl. pro-
ducing her manuscript You see. IL Is
q spring poem"-this last half apollo
getically-' and ! suppose YOU get
plenty Of those I wrote il while visit
ing in the country last spring. when I
was 50 enthused with the charm OF the
place and the season that felt must
offer sO...e tribute and only verse was
an harmony with my feelings. ! read
this to friend the other day, aud she
advised me To bring Il 70 YOU II prob
ably doesn't amount 10 much, for it IS
difitult 10 write poetry If ! could
only express myself a ! desire
That j. difficult art indeed. said
Mr. Winthrop Il suppose all poets
have found their finer conceptions too
subtle 20 tran>cribc in black and white.
They are like the evaueScent cham Of
beautiful suuset- glorious 10 behold.
hut hard 20 describe and soon gone.
Will you read your poem2"
Elaine read. in voice that 70 Mr..
Winthrop seemed very sweet, the fol-
lowing:
= Al dag The sunshine. clear and soft
Has FURNISHED earsh affh Eolde1 sheen.
Al dav she ba!uGy bre,z-s wait
SVeet promises frcrn land OF green;
Al dss has corac the rapturo-S voice
~ luutful birds :rom every tree
T.s sprsuE-al nature doth ryIUsCe-
Aad vhy not veg
sslf -iav ',.e dis taut mist yeathed bills
Hsvs gaEen yet sreener hue
AL Fay IRE rlscid lake reveals
a cIoudle,s Esave ceru!eau blue
Al isv tAs bruck its coy has told.
Whtss fastening % the distant sea
he world forEets that IL is old
And why not We:
s.sg dav from yonler grassy plain
Has ccme the lowing % the herd;
And SOFTLY falls the low refrain
OF insect. bee and tunetul bird
gh nv should man alone be sade
All shows its happiness hut he
'rhc world is hr .Eht-Creation glad
And Why not We
During th.. reading OF the poem Mr..
" iufhrup. il Is but true 10 say, paid lat
tlc attention 10 the literary merit Of the
production he was too busily engaged
IN studying the living, breathing poem
beforv him FOR that.
.'It is very pretty indeed. he said.
''WnI Won leave il with me? should
like To read II carefully"
Certainly said Elaine. rising 10 90.
A. the editor opened the door for her
he said: Il hope You will call again,
Miss -
'-Gray. She said.
Miss Gray, and submit any con-
tribution> YOU may have You seem TO
possess talent
She murmured her thanks gave him
her sweetest smile and trippcd out, very
happy.
''Ev love" was the editors mental
exclamation when she had gone. that's
a pretty girl Why didn't think to
take her address, She NAV not call
he seems 20 have the literary fever in
mild form. Lets see-I didn't paw
much attention to her poem-too busy
observing the color Of her ewes. Some
thing about spring like most of the
rest of them
lie read il critically.
Not 81 bad. was his comment:
considerably above the average for
BEGINNER. Il j. commonplace. how
ever; too much - u publish. But ii
will never do 10 refuse il. for If DO
she will he mortaIly offended. no doubt,
and will not see her again. I must
make her acquaintance.
Il thought all editors were old and
cross Elaine observed TO Miss Wilson.
her dearest friend, that evening.
Well, aren't they?" asked Miss Viii
son
NO. ! took that poem on Spring
20 the editor Of the Monthly Messenger
to-day. and he's young man.
and a. nice as ne can be. lie seemed
very much Interested while read the
poem t. him. and said it was ever 80
pretty. He asked me 10 call again.
too. and said ! seemed 10 possess tai
emit
Perhaps he was more interested in
you than in your poem. Miss Wilson
sagely remarked Its lucky you took
il instead of sending It
Why what an idea. said Elaine.
blushing.
When She went again 20 the Office of
the Monthly Messenger. a few DAYS
later. the editor greeted her with a
smile
i have accepted your poem, Miss
Gray he said. You write well for
beginner
Thank Won" she said, gratefully.
i am very much encouraged"
But I warn you. he continued,
thSr ~ su-ce--st as an author requires a
great deal of hard work and much per
severance. and even those who have