St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1894-01-06

take her address? She may not call
again. / guess she will. though, for
she seems to have the literary fever Ii
. mild form. Let's see-1 didn't nav
much attention to her poem---too busy
observing the color Of her eyes Some.
thing about spring--like most Of the
rest OF them"
He tead it critically.
'Not SO bad" was his comment;
considerably above the average for 4
beginner. It is commonplace, how
ever; too much 81 to publish. But it
will never do to refuse it, for If do
she will be mortally offended, no doubt,
and | will not see her again. must
make her acquaintance"
Il thought all editors were old and
cross" Elaine observed to Miss Wilson,
her dearest friend" that evening.
We'll, aren't thcy?' asked Miss Will
SON.
NO, took that poem on Spring
to the editor of the Monthly Messenger
to-day, and he's = young man,
and as nice as he can be. He seemed
very much interested while read the
poem to him. and said it was ever so
pretty. He asked mc to call again,
too. and said seemed 10 possess tai
ent"
Perhaps he was more interested in
you than in your poem." Miss Wilson
sagely remarked. Its lucky you took
it instead of sending it,
why, what an idea" said Elaine,
blushing.
When she went again to the Office of
the Monthly Messenger, a few days
later. the editor greeted her with =
smile.
Il have accepted your poem, Miss
Gray" he said. "You write well for Z
beginner"
Thank you," she said, gratefully.
Il am very much encouraged"
but I warn you," he continued.
''that to succeed as an author requires q
great deal of hard work and much per
severance. and even those who have
become celebrated in letters often
question If their success is worth what
it cost"
''Oh. l never expect to become fa-
NOUS said Elaine, innocently. Il will
just write a little occasionally for the
pleasure of writing.
by the way" said Mr.. Winthrop.
hoping to divert her newly-awakened
literary energies into another channel,
''can you not contribute TO our House
hold or 'Fancy-Work' departments,
Miss Gray?'
well. perhaps she said with some
hesitation. Mamma flatters me by
saying am something of . housekccp-
er. and might give you my recipe for
making the crullers that papa apprc-
ciates SO highly, And then am doing
little fancy work, and if you care tc
have me l can tell you about it"
Exactly what we want, Miss Gray,
and i should like to have you contrib
ute each month. am sure your cook
ing receipts will appeal to the popular
taste"
.'But these subjects are so humdrum
and prosy, Mr.. Winthrop"
True, but this is . humdrum world,
Miss Gray. Where there is one who
will read poem there are ten who will
read a receipt for making crullers."
But prefer the appreciation of the
one who reads the poem to that OF the
ten who read the receipt n,
IF the receipt is = good one the
crullcrs will lie appreciated. even IL the
author is not, and, besides, they may
furnish inspiration for. poem from
some grateful epicurc.
s.Your arguments are unanswerable, =
said Miss Gray, laughing. THE crul-
lers win the day."
Each month after this Elaine con-
tributed to the Monthly Messenger .
few directions for fancy work or one or
two of her choice cooking receipts--for
she was, thanks to her wise mothers
tuition. an eminently practical young
lady, and well-skilled in all tina: goes
to make q w0man's education COM
plete. t
As for Mr.. Winthrop. the girl. 50
sweet and womanly. grew very dear
indeed to him, and became the bright
center around which revolved all his
hopes and ambitions. Love with How
ard Winthrop was no light matter. As
the ocean is stirred by = tempest, SO his
nature was moved to its profound
depths by his love for Elaine
It was May. A little party had ex-
changed for few days the gray city
for the sweet green country. and
among them were Mr.. Winthrop and
Elaine.
ut makes me feel like writing spring
poetry" said the girl, IS the two were
strolling over the verdant meadows.
..By the way. Mr.. Winthrop, You never
published that poem gave you year
1Ro. don't believe you intended to-
this last with charming pout-
mo. reserved it for better fate, =
was the grave reply.
And what is that, pray?' she asked.
1T is this" he said, taking from m
inner pocket the crumpled manuscript.
Il have carried it near my heart"
She blushed, but turned the subject
aside with . laugh
.Why couldn't you publish this, and
keep the receipt for crullers. if you de.
sired to-to honor me in that way?"
because it was through this came
TO know you," he said, in voice that
made her suddenly serious
She had taken the manuscript, and
some pencileR lines on the back at'
tracted her attention. She read this:
.sThe woods and fields from sleep have sprunE
Awakened BY the suns warm kiss:
The birds . song OF love have sung
For natures mating time b thsA
From earth below 70 heaveR aeOvo
All holds message sweet to me,
And speak In accents soft q love-
So Why not wes
With crimson face she returned the
paper to him He took the unrcsistine
b and in both OF his own. and held il