Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-01-23

that he would go as far as f150 for a
story by Hilda Markham, and he wrote
a I>~~er to her agents opening nego-
tiations for a serial. AS It happened.
two other editors wrote with a similar
object that same Gay. and the agents
were in the delightful financial posi-
lion Of suddenly finding the demand
greater than the supply. So they re-
piled to each OF the editors that Miss
Markham's next stcry would be $500
for serial rights alone
The price took Jim Fleming's breath
away, especially as he had been accus-
toned all these years to fill the paper
with his own stuff and with stolen
matter from America. l. seemed hard
that an honest editor should be asked
to pay away gcod money to a mere
writer. So he wIote to the agents ex-
postulating against the eXorbitant
terms, and was told in reply that they
had two other ofers for the story, and
merely gave him the first chance be-
cause his letter happened to be the
first one that was opened. The agent
llllIIudlSU I-1dl IL 1LS NduJSu (IlS SIpIN
he should have to make up his mind
at once, so that the others might not
be kept waiting. Then it was that
Jim Fleming went home, worried
about the matter, and he never was a
man who concealed his irritation
when he entered his own house. Poor
Minnie Fleming was very much trou-
bled to see her husband in the state
of evaporation that now encompassed
him. She asked him timidIy to con-
fide his woes to her, and perhaps she
might be able to help him out-a sug-
gestion which jim received with lofty
scorn.
rs it money trouble, Jim?" she
asked.
"All troubles are money troubles"
replied her husband. There is no
other trouble in this world except lack
of money"
Have you a payment to make?"
she asked.
yes
How much?"
"Now, what the deuce good would
it do you 70 know? Have you a bank
ing account?'
Il have a small one" said his wife,
as she spoke, for she felt
that her secret was in jeopardy
jim looked up at her quickly.
"a small oner' he said Cant you
you tell me plainly how much money
Won howe xyo,, ,ouo
you don't tell me plainly" she
answered, with more spirit than she
had yet shown, "how much it is that
you need"
Very WELL" replied Jim gruff1y. 81
need $780, Have you got it,"
mo, I have not. How soon do you
want it?"
81 want it now. That is, I want it
tomorrow or the next day at the
latest"
"Then," said his wife with dignity,
Il will see if I can get it for you to-
morrow or the next day"
After Fleming had left for London
On the following morning his wife put
On her best apparel and was in the
city soon after her husband. She had
never called upon her agent before
All her negotiations had been carried
on by letter. She walked three times
past the office before she had the
to go up the stairs. The de-
mand she was about to make was so
enormous, and she felt there was
such a little chance of success, that
had it not been for the sake Of her
husband she would not have ventured
When the clerk showed her into the
great mans room her courage nearly
left ner, but when the great man dis
covered that she was the rising au-
thor, Hilda Markham, he was ali
and smiles.
Il have brought you here" she said,
her hands trembling as she undid the
string, for she seemed to have a vague
idea that if she showed him the writ
ing she might have less difficulty to
get along with him. Il have brought
with me the complete manuscript of
the latest novel l have written.
think it is better than the last"
ut is sure to be good" said the
agent, encouragingly.
"But-but-" stammereu Mrs. Flem-
ing, Il wanted TO know if you could
advance me f500?"
The agent looked grave.
do you mean that we are to ask
that much for the novel;"
ooh, no, no." said Mrs. Fleming
eagerly. But I promise to write an
other one as soon as possible. l need
the $500 for a particular purpose, and
l must have it today, if it is to do any
good"
Well" said the agent, 1--WE some
times advance money to authors, and
if l could be sure of having all your
work for the future, I think | might
stretch a point in this case and let you
have the money"
Mrs. Fleming gave a gasp of re-
lief, and the great man, calling
clerk wrote out check for $500 and
presented it to her. After she had
signed the receipt, given him the
and put her name to a
contract, Mrs. Fleming hurried home
to place the money in the bank, but
that was one of the days when the
bank closed at 2 o'clock, and she ar
rived there just five minutes too late.
She was dismayed at this, for there
was no place in their suburb where
the check could be cashed, and she
dared not give the check to her hus-
band, or the whole secret would be