St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1893-04-01

eyes NJ least u nuuuTcu times. UOu
think he altered anything except ono
printers error; in the first place. be-
cause the verses seemed to him perfect
as they stood; in the next. because this
first proof had q sort of sanctity in his
eyes, which would made it appear next
door to sacrilegious to cut it about with
pen and ink.
1t is needless to say that he secured
copy of Mayfair at the earliest posi-.
BILE moment after its publication and
carried it about all day-to the great
dctriment of his work in his fathers
counting-room. But the rebulzes which
he incurred for his absurd mistakes in
business glided off him as easily as
water from q ducks back. For was
not his fame as q poet now won? And
would he not soon be able to turn his
back on mercantile pursuits forever?
Next morning, on coming down to
breakfast, he found living on his plate
n letter from the editor of Mayfair.
Doubtless it was to congratulate him
ON the success of his ode or, perhaps,
to solicit contribution for the next is.
sue of the magazine. lie opened it
eagerly. As he read. the look OF self
satisfaction at once faded from his conn
tcnauce. giving place to an expression
OF mingled bewilderment and dismay.
The communication ran Thus:
81. T. A. BRowNR;GG, EsQ.-pear Sir: have
Just received q letter from tho editor OF the
Monthly Critic requesting me to inform him
how ii was that I 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. I can hardly think that you have in
tent;onally made fool Of me. But ~ the mat
ter is . serious one. he good enough TO let mo
have your explanation ut once Yours faith
fully, HoRATIo SINKISs."
Naturally poor Brownrigg could not
make head or tail of this astonishing
epist!e. So. instead of going to busi-
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 May fair. On
sending up his card he was told that
Mr.. Sinkins was just then engaged, but
would see him shortly. After q quar-
ter of an hours waiting he was ushcrcd
into that gentleman's presence.
Good morning. Mr.. Brownrigg,"
said the latter, stifily. I'm glad ycu
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 q thing.'
'.I-I-composed the verses myself,
did upon my honor" stammcrcd out
the young man, eagerly. "And l can
assure you I am quite as much sur.
priscd at what has happened as you arc
yourself"
Come. come!" was the gravely in
credulous reply. ut lis a serious matter,
Mr. Brownrigg: and promise You that
your best way out OF it will be can
did admission of the truth and a full
explanation Of everything"
But l have nothing to admit and
nothing to explain" BrownriSg pro-
tested, earnestly, almost crying with
injured innocence. Il wrote the verses
myself. withou. any sort Of assistance;
l swear did"
WELL" said the editor, after short
pause, during which he had keculy
scrutinized Brownrigg's excited face,
IF you have no better explanation to
give me I 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, aud then left the rival
poets to fight it out
Oliver Lowell, a fiery-loOking little
| man at all times. was now rendered UNI
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:
snow, young man, you will kindly
tell me, please, how the devil you OBJ
tanned q copy of my versesy'
| .I-I-didn't; composed them my.
SELF" rctorted Brownrigg, whose head
was literally swimming with bcwilder-
ment
.'Oh, indeed" cried the other. laugh
ing q savasely sarcastic laugh. Per
haps you'll tell me next that You COM
posed yours first and that l copied
them-eh?"
IL don't know when you composed
yours" our young friend answered
s.But I 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 Ealing! in
terposed Lowell, with sudden start.
and speaking very eagerly. "Eh!"
"Yes," said Brownrigg. And then he
proceeded with many protestations OF
sincerity to give q full and particular
account, which our readers have al
ready heard described.
Long before he had finished light
broke on Lovelrs countenance. and dis
PEELED the lowering clouds of wrathful
indignation. He burst into hearty
ft of laughter, and. when at length he
could speak, exclaimed:
"Ry Jove! I see it all now. 1t
wasn't your fault; though. to be sure.
it's rather q risky thing to fall into
such q iethargy that you can't dis
tinguish other peoples voices from
your own impressions. Bat it's my
fault mostly, for reciting my verses
aloud in railway carriage. And the
company's," he added, WIKI chuckle.
..for having their compartments open
1t the top.'-London Truth.
He Probably HAD EN-.