The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-03-22
A LITERARY AGENT.
BY g. ~. DURGIN.

~ ElIAALLEN BuNCOMDE, ESQ, author OF
Shc wasn't to Blamc"-Sir: II you will have
the goodness to call on mo ut my Chambers.
you VIII hear of something to your advantage.
l am TuEOpUIr,rs noDcpuc
Literary Agent
Buncombc was very hard up, and,
therefore, anxious to hear of something
to his advantage. He glanced at the
above letter, and called his factotum,
Wilkins. Wilkins, you're up to all
sorts of lodges, aren't your
We'll, sir, knows few" Wilkins
modestly replied. pea and thirnble.
and three car"
mo, no; l don't mean that. What
do you think of this letter."
Wilkins considered it attentivclv. "I
think it's a do, SIR
''Why?"
"When somebody you don't know.
sir, wants to do you good turn for
nothing, sir, it's generally do 1t
arnt in human nature to do good to
strangers unless you help yourself at
the same time"
Buncombe took up the letter wi
the intention of casting it into the fire.
VI don't know" he said, irresolutely.
I'm hard up-suppose go down and
sec the fellow There might be copy
in it."
1t was chill October afternoon-thc
kind of afternoon in which rising
young author does not usually care to
leave the certain good OF comfortable
tire for the doubtful benefits likely to
accrue from an interview with un-
known philanthropists.
The very lack of pretension in the
word 'sIin1 CT 10 ,l d..
curiosity. An imposter would have
sought cover under more grandiose
appellation. But Rodgers" sounded
bluff and burly, British and believablc.
Buncombe put on his hat, called "A han
som-hc could afford hansoms now
and departed in quest of the unknown
dodgers.
small boy in the ante-room of Bod
gers said that he "b'lievcd" !ir. Bod
gers was in.
Go aud find out for certain" said
Buncombc, giving the boy card.
The boy left him in the quiet, com
fortably furnished ante-room. an ante
room which was absolutely colorlcss as
regarded any clcw to its owners dispo-
sition or taste. He might have been
either a barristcr or n baronct, a ouacll
or Quaker; and Buncombc. as he razed
round, felt an increased respect for
dodgers, owing to his having such a
non-commttal kind of apartment.
When he obtained admission to the
presence of dodgers, he found that
worthy seated comfortably before the
fire, reading book
GLOW do you do?'' said dodgers. of-
fably (hc was pale, thin man of fifty.
with the carc-worn countcnancc of n
sub-cditor, and costume which was
more florid than Il sub-cditor's ever has
II chance of becoming). ''IIow do YOU
do? Have Il cigar?''
Thanks, no." said Buncombe. with
the hautcur of one of his own heroes
"l-eh-don't smoke dubious cigars at
the expense Of unknown philanthro-
pists.
More fool YOU" said dodgers. cheer
fully If you'd any sense, you'd have
taken my cigar-it's good onc-and
thus made sure of having something at
any rate. Sit down. and well talk"
Bumcombc sat down. There Is
much in what you say On second
thoughts. l'lh have the cigar. know
the brand"
dodgers gazcd at him admiringlv.
"Ah! ! always felt sure you'd get on.
patcnt-lcathcr boots. gold-rimmcd eve
glass. ovcrcoat lined with fur diamond
ring cutting through your glove, and a
new top-hat every, month. That's
about your style. Why, you must be
making two thousand year?"
Would .<Sou like to sec M pass
-hooli?,,- asked Buncombc. Your tobac-
co Deter than your manners
"Oh. that's all right" said Bodrers.
checrfully. That's all right, Mr.. Bun
combc. I'm only going back few
yehrs-to the time when you used to do
fiY-shilling stories for the Family
Lucky Tub, which | was sub-cditinp."
oh! you were sab editor?" asked.
BFncombc, curiously. "D'you know,
1hdgcrs, if could have got at You in
those days, should have murdered
yDu. and cast your inlly, sub-cditorial
drpsc into the rivcr?"
oh yes said Dodgers, brightly.
Want another light? I'vc often seen
lou go away with five shilline-e in your
land. and murder in your heart. | had
little pccpholc high up in the Office
wall. You weren't so well dressed
Then. Mr.. Buncombc"
NO said Buncombc, shortly; 81
wasn't. When / think of those DAYS.
land how | starved and worked, and
the life led, and how you tramplcd
on me, feel that nothing can make up
for it,"
What nonsense" returned Dodgers.
chcerinlly. Twas the making of
you, man. Survival of the fittest. If
you're not fit YOU don't survive: and