The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-28
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THE WORLDS
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fliis first proof Of the verses. together
with highly complimentary letter
from the editor. IN which that gentle
man bestowed great praises on
Isrownrigg's effort and expressed his
conviction that il would be fayorably
received BY The public. The young poet.
eiatcd thereby beyond all description.
real the proof through with loving
eyes al least a hundred times. don't
think he altered anything except one
printers error; in the first place, be
cause the verses seemed 70 him perfect
as they STOOD IN the next. because this
first proof had a sort Of sanctity Ia. his
eyes. which would made il appear next
door 20 sacrilegious 70 cut it about with
pen and ink
It Is needless to say that he secured
copy 81 Mayfair at the earliest posi-
Tie moment after It's publication and
carried It about all dayto the great
detriment Of his work in his fathers
Icounting-room But tho rebulces which
be incurred for his absurd mistakes In
business giided on him as easily as
water from ducks back For was
rot lis fame as poet now won2 And
would he not soon be able to turn his
hack on mercantile pursuits forever
Next morning, on coming down To-
breakfast, he found lying on his plate
q letter from the editor Of Mayfair
Dusibtlcss IL was to congratulate him
ION the success Of his ode or, perhaps,
70 solicit contribution for the next is
sue Of the magazine. He opened 1t
eagerly. AS he read. the look Of self
sati sfaction at once faded from his coun-
tcnaucc, giving place TO an expression
of mingled bewildermcnt and dismay.
The communication ran thus:
/ ~. 4. A. BnownRIc0, ESQ Tear Sir; have
4 jlst received letter from the editor Of the
\ Isonthiy Critic requesting me TO inform him
how II was that have published In Mayfair.
1 lover your name precisely the same verses on
The subject which Oliver Lowell. the well known
/ poet has contributed 70 the Critic for the same
| tJ0nthf | can hardly think that you have In
| tcnfic1aliy made fool Of me. But rs the mat
ter Is a serious enc. be good enough 10 let me
/ have your explanation at once Yours faith
fully, HoHATfo SrNKrHs'.
Naturally poor Brownrigg could not
make head or tail Of this astonishing
epistle. 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 Mayfair. On
/ sending up his' card he was told that
Mr. Sinlsins was Just then engaged, but
4 would see him shortly. After q quar-
ter Of an hours waiting he was ushcred
into that gcntleman's presence.
Good morning, Mr.. Brownrigg,"
said the latter, stiffiy. 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 a thingl"
"I-1-composed the verses myself,
did upon my honor" stammered out
the young man. eagerly. And can
assure you am quite as much sur
prised at what has happened as you are
yourself
Come, comel" was the gravely in
credulous reply. Tits 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 have nothing to admit and
nothing to explain" Brownrigg pro.
Il
injured innocence. II wrote the verses
myself. without any sort Of assistance;
| swear did
.Well,n said the editor. after q short
pause, during which he had keenly
scrutinized Brownrigg's excited face
IF you have no better explanation tc
give me shall leave you 10 settle
matters with Mr.. Lowell yourself"
SO saying he opened the door of nj
adjoining Office, and requesting Brown
, rigg to follow him, briefly introduced
! him 10 Lowell, and then left the riva
: poets to fight it out
Oliver Lowell, fiery-looking littl,
, man at all times. was now rendered I'm
usually fierce of appearance by the ex
, element and wrath which possessed
him lie glowered at Brownrigg 70
some moments in whitening silence
j then burst out with:
Now, young man, you will kindl,
| tell me, please, how the devil you oh
; tanned copy Of my verses?"
sI-I-didn't; | composed them my
j self, retorted Brownrigg, whose hea,
was literally swimming with bewilder
) ment
st0h, indeed, cried the other, laugh
: ing a sayaSely sarcastic laugh. "Per
: haps you'll tell me next that you com
1 l4posed yours first, and that copiet
5 them -eh?'
$ Il don't know when you compose,
{ yours" our young friend answered
r But can tell you exactly when
d composed mine. 1t was last Saturda
/ evening in the train as was goin
i down to Ealing, and"
! In the train going to Ealingl'' ii
terposed Lowell. with sudden start
J and speaking very eagerly. 'Ehr'
7 Yes" said Brownrigg. And then h
I proceeded with many protestations Q
6 sincerity to give full and particnla
4 account, which our readers have a
o ready heard described
q Long before he had finished ligh
4 broke on Lovell's countenance, and dill
! PEELED the lowering clouds Of wrathfu
h indignation. lie burst into heart
K fit Of laughter, and, when at length b
q could speak. exclaimed:
I "Ry Jovel see II all now. j
, wasn't your fault; though, to be sure
: it's rather risky thing to fall int
I such lethargy that you can't dii
tingnish other peoples voices fror
s your own impressions. But it's m
q fault mostly, for reciting my verse
J! aloud in railway carriage And til
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