New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-22
A CLEAR CASE.

Frank vanbrugh held good appointment on
che staff Of 1.-THE Daily Argus. and always hao
more literary work on hand than ne knew no"
TO get through he might, therefore, De CON
sidercd q rising man. He had written niue
book OF essays. and the critics had told MN tha'
he had a style-which Is perhaps inc nis"es'
praise that critics deal in nowadays' oh inc
other hand his one-volume novel hao peeh p'o-
,ounced crude. morbid and overambitious, and
had gone into three editions whence II may
.as,,v he seen that he was the road TO a popu-
lar success He had begun to know this chiehy
by the kind Of circulars that now reached MIN
On ,a,,.ncnny wrappers. They used always to re
advertisements Of patent fuel. new stoves. or
outAtters' warehouses; they now prove to con-
%ai, notices OF prosecuting firms. and bookseh-
ers. catalogues-a significant change rs this
famer' he once asked himself, when ne was
requested TO send his photograph and sKetch
Of his early life TO an American newspaper On
second thoughts he concluded that although II
could not be called fame. II might mean success.
and he went his way rejoicing
Put even a moderate success like his has its
drawbacks as he discovered TO his cost
Like most journalists. he was not very early
,,scr and II was with feeling Of distinct irrita-
ton that he heard one morning While ne was
stil in his bath the announcement OF a visitor
II,
adjacent sittng-room. and proceeded to dress
himself In a leisurely manner wondering mean
while whether this early caller were printers
devil a dun.
He looked a personable young fellow as he came
out OF his room; OF middle height, muscular.
brisk erect. with keen hawks eye, dark nalr
that curled wherever 1t was long enough to get
a chance. a quick. bright manner. and smile
that was very attractive. His air or healtn'
strength and joyousness made him curious con-
+rast 10 the stranger whom he found in his sit
ting-room; a man who might be any age between
thirty and fifty, sallow, worn. indescrioapiy
fatigued- looking with long. fair mustacne
down-trodden look and decidedly shabby clothes
OF somewhat foreign cut
He made a profound bow when vanbrugh
entered. and stood clasping his picturesque ieit
hat to his side In an attitude Of humble ex-
pectancy while his host. glancing at him care
lessy asked him to be seated and himself TOOK
his usual place near his desk
1T am ashamed to intrude upon YOU" said the
man. speaking in a low. fluent voice not un-
pIeasant TO the ear but the fact was that Messrs
Mailing recommended me to call upon YOU
"Eh?" said Vanbrugh. He suddenly remem-
bered an account that he had lately seen In the
papers of a man who visited authors with false
testimonials and messages from publishers; ana
he wondered II this were the man. Certainly
Messrs Mailing Son were his publishers
'Have you a letter from Mr.. Mailing TO me?' he
asked rather sharply.
The stranger lifted his hand deprecatingly.
mot from Mr.. Mailing" he said. in gentle
voice but have letter to show you. Mr. Mall
ing said that ought to show 1t to you. He was
very kind but OF course he could not find me work
TO do. It is work that am in search Of. sir; and
unless find 1t. l dare not think OF what VIII
happen to my wife and children"
He paused and put one long. lean hand over MS
eyes as though to keep out the picture.
What sort Of work do you WANT said VAN
brugh hdgeting with his papers.
Copying type writing, shorthand from dicta-
fion Anything to keep the wolf from the door
Ny poor little girls-sir. Christmas Day had
nothing to give them but bread and cheese
could not bear them crying. and locked
myself in my own room away from them But
why should tell you such pitifu details? Read
this letter and you will that 1t Is no fault OF
my own
His voice choked little. and he held out the
letter with shaking hand. Frank looked at him
doubtfully Either he was a splendid actor or his
emotion was sincere Vanbrugh had learned by
bitter experience to be suspicious Of strangers;
but he was inclined to believe in this mans
veracity
The paper In his hand bore engraved crest
and address with which he was well acquainted.
He turned to the last page to see the signature
II was one which he knew WELL and the letter. ad
dressed to Mailing. the publisher gave glowing
account of the bearers abilities and past achieve
ments.
Your name. then" said Vanbrugh. keeping his
eye on the letter lis Charles Simmonds?'
"Yes-yes-at your service; II there is anything
have had mot tho 70
90 for the last three months owing to an illness
from which have only just recovered. II you
had any copying
But don't want anything copied" said Van
brugh, in rather a perplexed tone. Il do all my
work myself. And-I don't know. but perhaps-if
you called at The Daily Argus office tomorrow,
about 4 or 5. might have heard Of some
thing
He was almost abashed by the mans eager
gratitude you give me new hope he cried.
starting up. II he could no longer endure to
remain seated. Then his face fell; the fire died
out OF his blue eyes: his hands fell helpessly to
his sides.
MY poor wife-my children" he muttered.
"Nust go home empty-handed once again? Sir.
A. of your great goodness you could but lend me
a poor half-crown--I will fa.thfully'-
"Oh good Lord" said Vanbrugh shocked more
by the sniallness Of the request than by anything
else. and touched also. he scarce knew why;
'Eere's trife--if you can make any use Of it
YOU needn't mention IL agan-it is nothing
But they were two sovereigns that found their
way into the visitors long lean hand
Il suppose it's genuine case" said Vanbrugh
TO himself, rather ruefully. when the inpecunious
literary man had taken his departure. and the
donor Of the sovereigns had had time TO reflect
upon his gift and the very effusve burst OF grail
ttde that had followed IT, 1T sounded real
enough And that letter from James Desmond
that was certainly in his own hand. However.
when I've time I'll go round to Malling's and see
what they know about him"
He had light the subject before he went TO
Messrs. Mailing He turned into his club that
afternoon and met Desmond, a writer Of some
he