The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-02-24
THE MSS STORY.

May tell my story? am a MS. of medi-
an weight and bulk, and in addition to the
tale which is told through me have tale
to tell, story of adventure by land and
sea, of experiences in tragedy and comedy,
with class of beings known as editors.
The author of my being was a woman.
use the past tense, as knew her long ago
80 long, indeed, that fortune must have
crushed her ere this had she not been of a
firm, strong mold. which refuses to be
crushed, even by the heavy weight of an
unknown name
At the time of my conception she lived
with her father in a small cottage in
sleepy old town in the heart OF an eastern
state.
Its chief attraction was an academy of
learning, where my author pursued her
studies with character and decsiOn-ioing
everything she did well and completely,
and indeed winning for herself the title of
the brightest girl in town."
She had gift of expression and some
talent, and her friends often said, You
ought to write," phrase so often repeated
dence in it of herself.
I1CF lACucT WdS a pcuSlOucU ulSr
abled by wound from doing manual la
Dor, and the pension that he drew was
their main support, and while ambition
spurred/ On the daughter to make the most
of whatever talent she possessed, stern
necessity, that memorable driver, dashed
her tagging hopes from day to day with a
demand for dollars dollars-dollars with
which to supply fast growing needs
To- In tNnn ~, bar
intruding eyes, and even the too garish
light of day, tale after tale was produced,
and each, with a parcel of hope done up
editorial world.
to the mind Of my author l was her mas
terpiece.
A true story of a remarkable chapter of
Incidents. A love story? Why. yes, of
course. "Men may come and men may CO."
but love goes on forever.
too went out, and my author timidly
asked for me the pay which she had been
too modest to expect for my predecessors,
them, graciously accepted and pigeon
holed.
Iwell remember my first reception. 1t
was in the office of leading religious
paper, and the editor was u mighty man
in flesh and titles-and he looked me over
suspiciously.
"Hum-um. A young writer, evidently.
Hnm-crude: very crude-um-um. A love
story, and written by woman who wants
pay. Such presumption had best be nipped
in the bud"
He seized a pen and scratched off a note,
which | had ample time to read as we
jostled along together in the mail bag.
DEAR MADAM While your story shows con-
siderable merit, we regret to say it is unavail-
able for our columns, and it is returned with
thanks for. the privilege of examination. r
, you are thinking of making living in litera-
ture, feel constrained to offer you bit Of adj
vice-saw wood or take in washing, and you
will find 1t a more pleasant and lucrative field
" labor than this. Respectfully yours,
~ DR.. w.
c Ny author laughed Historically when
,khe read this tender and sympathetic epistle.
o'"Take in washing, indeed" holding up
Ater tiny, slender hand. "Perhaps might
irn my shoestrings at the washtub, and !
= hall have to learn to cut kindling before
> can venture out as a wOodcutter. l
,liink we'll test the value of your advice
! irst, DR.. w."
next went to the Office of one of the
leading magazines ON the principle of
S"NothiDg venture, nothing have"
Z felt that had come on fruitless quest
when saw the great number of compan-
ions which joined me upon the road.
I When at last my turn came to be opened
= found myself in the hands of a tired,
faded man, who plainly showed WEAKNESS
eA mind and body-the reader for the
y. kgazine through whose hands all matter
I Ho hst 60 for it's first sitting
"sHis brow contracted as he took me up
nd looked at my title, then at my authors
y. me. II wish these unknown writers
! sud stop sending in their Improbable
wares" he said petulantly. He made
1Fretense OF reading few pages, but find
ting nothing which struck his weary fancy
as brilliant Or original he thrust me hasti-
~ into another envelope with a printed
slip and l was again Rejected MS"
lying upon the editorial page of the maya
zine whereon was printed this item:
1.-The editors are ready at all times to
seize upon anything original or unique in
the line of literature without reference to
the name or fame of its author, and all
matter submitted is carefully and labori-
ously sifted in the hope of finding some
stray gem Of literary excellence"
When arrived home found my author
In maze of delight-a story had been &C
cepted by publisher Of worldwide fame.
With word of hearty praise and better
still check worth very much more to her
than its mere face value, for it was the
very first penny she had ever earned by her
pen.
I "Ah. you dear thing, you," she cried.
valtzing around the room with the bit Of
fblue paper in her hand, you represent at
least twenty-five washings, so think, DR..
w, we'll wait awhile before we follow
your clever advice"
She took me out with my printed letter
q wooden letter I remember she called it
land patted me tenderly.
II fear you're going to grow old and gray
4. 49, .ov,,;oo old friend cha eo;1. sSl,,,t