Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-29
A CLEAR CASE.
CThe Woman at Home)

pent on the STAFF OF 1.-THE Daily Argus"
and always had more literary work on
hand than he knew how to get through;
he might therefore, be considered
rising" man. He had written little
book OF essays. and the critics had told
him that he had a style-which is per-
haps the highest praise that critics deal
In nowadays. on the other hand. his
one-volume novel had been pronounced
crude. morbid. ard overambitious and
had gone into three editions: whence 1t
may easily be seen that he was on the
road to a popular success. He had begun
TO know this, chiefly by the kind OF cir
cuars that now reached him In half
penny wrappers. They used always to
be advertisements Of patent fuel, new
stoves. or outh,ters' warehouses; they
now prove 10 contain notices Of press
cutting firms, and booksellers cata-
logues-a significant change. us this
fame?' he once asked himself. when he
was requested to send his photograph
and a sketch Of his early life 10 an
American newspaper. On second
thoughts. he concluded that although II
could not be called fame. il might mean
success. and he went on his way re-
Joicing.
But even "A moderate success like his
has its drawbacks, as he discovered. to-
his cost.
Like most journalists, he was not
very early riser and 1t was with a feel
ing of distinct irritation that he heard
one morning while he was still I'm his
| bath the announcement of a visitor.
Coming" he roared through the door
to the adjacent sitting-room, and pro-
ceeded 10 dress himself in a lesurely
| manner. wondering meanwhile whether
this early caller were a printers devil or
a dun.
He looked a personab,e young fellow as
he came out Of his room Of middle height,
muscular. brisk, erect, with keen,
hawks eye. dark hair that curled wher-
ever 1t was long enough to ge,
chance. quick, bright manner. and
smile that was very attractive His air
OF health, strength, and joyousness made
him "A curious contrast to the stranger
whom he found in his sitting-room; a man
who might be any age between 80 and 20.
sallow. worn. indsscribably fatigued-look
| ing. with a long, fair - ustache, a down
| trodden look. and decidedly shabby
clothes OF somewhat foreign cut.
| He made a profound bow when Van
| brugh entered. and stood clasping his
/ picturesque felt hat TO his side. in an
attitude of humble expectancy. while his
| host gancing at him o1relessly, asked
| him TO be seated. and himself took his
| usual place near his desk
Il am ashamed TO intrude upon YOU"
| said the man. speaking in low. fluent
/ voice, not unpleasant TO The ear, but
! the fact was that Messrs. Mailing recon-
| mended me to call upon you--"
| En- said Vanbrugh. He suddenly
| remembered an account that he had lately
| seen in the papers OF a man who visited
authors with false testimonials and mes
sages from publishers; and he wondered
| IL this were the man. Certainly Messrs.
/ Mailing 4 Son were his publishers. Have
you a letter from Mr.. Mailing to me|'
he asked. rather sharply.
The stranger lifted his hand depreca-
tingly. mot from Mr.. Mailing" he said,
in a gentle voice. but | have a letter
to show you. Mr.. Mailing said that |
| ought TO show 1t TO you. He was very
| kind. but of course he could not find me
work to do. II is work that | am in
search OF, sir; and unless | find II. | dare
not think Of what will happen to my wife
and children"
He paused and put one long. lean hand
over his eyes, as though to keep out the
picture.
What sort of work do you wantY
said Vanbrugh, fidgeting with some
| papers.
Copying, typewriting. shorthand from
dlctation. Anything to keep the wolf
| from the door. My poor little girls-sr,
| on Christmas-day / had nothing TO give
| them but bread and cheese-i could not
bear to see them crying, and | locked
| myself in my own room away from them,
But why should | tell you such pltiful
details? Read this letter. and you will
see that it is no fault Of my own"
His voice choked little, and he held
ont the letter with a shaking hand. Frank
| looked at him doubtfully. Either he was
a splendid actor, or his emotion was sin
cere. Vanbrugh had learned by bitter
experience TO be suspicious Of strangers
| but he was inclined 20 believe in this
| mans yeracity.
The paper in his had bore an en-
| graved crest and address with whlcn
he was well acquainted. He turned to
the last page to see the ssnature-it
was one which he knew well, AID tho
| letter addressed 10 Mailing Tho publisher
gave a glowing account Of the bearer :
| abilities and past achievements
Your name. them said Nanorugn'
! keeping his eye on the letter, rs Charles
| Simmond52' 49,, =
"Yes-yes-at your service; II there Is
| INVITING | can possibly do for you.
have had nothing to DO for the last three
| months. owing 10 an Illness from wnich
| have only just recovered. II you had
any copying
put I don't want anything copied"
| said Vanbrugh, in rather perpleNed
tone 81 do all my work myself And
Z don't know. but perhaps-it you called
az The Daily Argus office tomorrow,
about or 5. l might have heard OF
! something"-
He wss almost abashed by the mans
| eager gratitude "You give me new
hoper he cried. starting up as If he
could no longer endure TO remain seated.
Then his face fell: the fire died out OF
his blue eyes: his hands fell helplessly
20 his sides
MY poor wife--my children" he NUT
tered. Must ! go home empty-handed
nee again? Sir. If Of your great good
ness you could but lend me a poor half
crowu-I will faithfully'-
.Oh. good Lordr said Vanbrugh. shock
ed more by the srnalness OF
Inc reduesi than by anything else. and
touched also, he scarce knew why;
here's trihe-if YOU can make any
use OF it-you needn't mention II again
il Is nothing
But they were two sovereigns that
found their way into the visitors long
lean hand.
II suppose it's genuine case" said
Vanbrugh 70 himself, rather ruefully,
when the impecunious literary man had
AIKEN his departure. and the donor OF the
soyereigns had had time 10 reflect upon
ais GIT and the very ELUSIVE burst OF
gratitude that had followed II. 1T
founded real enough. And that letter
rom James Desmond-that was certainly
in his own hand. However. when I've
time III go round to Mallins's, and see
what they know about him.
| Nh, on tba subject before he