The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-11-12
A SPRING POEM.
Why the Editor Of tho Monthly
Messenger Accepted It


Elaine Gray, carrying in her hand
the manuscript of poem-the first
fruit of her literary labor-eptered the
editorial sanctum of the Monthly Meg
senger with fear and trembling. A
young man seated at a desk looked up
and smiled appreciatively-for Elaine
was sweet and winsome and her confu.
sion made her positively charming.
Can I see the editor?" asked tho
girl. trying unsuccessfully to seem I'M
concerned, as if such visits were Of
daily occurrence. r
II am the editor, at 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
were all old and wore spectacles. I
don't know what gave me such ridicu.
lous idea, I'm sure"
notions are wrong" said Mr.. Horace
Winthrop. when l was boy 1
thought that bald head and wart
on the nose were the distinguishing
characteristics of all doctors, because
the only one ! happened to know had
them"
They both laughed, and Elaine was
at her ease again
DO you accept poetry from an I'M
known author?" she asked
Very seldom" said the editor. 1--WE
receive so much verse from authors of
established reputation that only by
reason of especial merit can we accept
contributions from unknown authors.
am always willing to read and pass
Judgment upon manuscripts. however.
Il have a poem here which 1 would
like to read to YOU" said the girl, pro-
ducirg her manuscript "You see. it is
a spring poem"-tnis last half apollo
getically-''and l suppose you get
plenty of those ! wrote it while visit
ing in the country last spring, when 1
was so enthused with the charm OF the
place and the season that l felt l must
offer some tribute-and only verse was
in harmony with my feelings. / read
this to friend the other day. and she
advised me to bring it to you. 1t prob
ably doesn't amount to much, for 1t Is
so difficult to write poetry! 1t could
only express myself as l desire"
That is difficult art indeed" said
Mr.. Winthrop. II suppose all poets
have found their fuer conceptions too
subtle TO transcribe in black and white.
They are like the evanescent charm of
a beautiful sunset-9lorious TO behold,
but hard to describe. and soon gone.
Will you read your poem?"
Elaine read. in q voice that TO MI.
Winthrop seemed very sweet, the fol-
lowing:
"All day tie sunshine clear anc soft
Has Furnished earth with golden sheen
All day the bainy ereezes Wait
Sweet promises from land Of green:
AL day has come the rapiurous voice
o. tunetul birds from every tree
IT'S spriry-an nature doth rejoice
And why not we.
"Ail day the distant Eais:-wrestted hills
Have taken yet sreener hue,
AL day the placid lake reveals
A cIoGdle-. heaven cerulean blues
All day the brook Us .og nas told
While fastening TO che distant sea
TIE world fo-gets that II IS old
Aui wby EoE wei
"AI day from yooder grassy plain
Has come the lowing % TIE herd;
Aud softly falls the low refrain
@. insect bee and ture;El bird
Oh. WHY should man alone DC sad.
Al shows its happiness bit be
The world Is erirhs-ereStion' CAD
Aa6 why Ect we:
During the reading of the poem Mr..
Winthrop. il i but true to say, paid lit
tie attention TO the literary merit Of the
productiou-he was too busily engaged
in studying the living, breathing poem
before him for that.
at IS very pretty indeed" he said
xviii you leave il with NE? ! should
ike 20 read it carefully
Certainly" said Elaine, rising to 20
As 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-
t-ibu.ions you may have fou seem TO
possess talent"
She rnurmured her thanks. gave him
her swee,es. smile and tripped o1t, vsry
happy
by Jovr.- was the editors mental
exclamation when she had gone that's
6 pretty girl Why didn'. saink to
:ai-e her s44ireks2 SEA naaz IA; az-li