The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-09-24
AGAINST HIS WILL.


derl
II was the dull season and the Scru-
tator was compelled to resort to much
padding in order to fill the daily measure
expected by it's subscribers; it was
even obliged to print copious extracts
from other publications. thing only
to be done as a last resource by any
paper of spirit! Yet at this particular
time a celebrity, real celebrity, came
for few days stay to Oakhampton, and
refused to be interviewed!
Why he came was a mystery, but that
l,e had come was fact, though from the
editors point of view he might just as
well have stayed away. The celebrity's
unobliging disposition on the subject of
interviewing had preceded him; he was
perhaps the only man of note in two
continents who had not submitted to
the ordeal. In moments of self-depre
citation he was won to say that that was
his greatest claim to distinctions but
even this reputation had not daunted
the hopes of our editor, who felt con-
Ninced that the surliest Discrimination
must give way before the charm and tact
Of the most valuable member of the
Scrutator's staff. But the tact, the
charm, had no opportunity of producing
their usual effect; they might as well
have been noneXistent. Celebrity, from
the privacy of hotel sitting-room, sent
down a curt message of absolute re-
tusal.
No wonder, then, as we said before,
the editor was Disguised.
AS he meditated on the provoking
ness of things in general and of the Gel
ebrity in particular, he found his
thoughts running into such eloquent
and wellrounded periods that he in
stinctively drew pen and paper toward
him and wrote an editorial, which, if the
celebrity had read it, would have made
him feel very small indeed.
The article clearly proved that what
The Public demanded it must have flor
the public spelt with a capital ? was as
sacred to the editor as Humanity (spelt
with capital H is to the followers of
Auguste Comte. The individual as such
exists not for his own sake, but for the
sake of the Public in one case, or of
Humanity in the other. The article
further demonstrated that celebrities
would not exist without Public. (How
could anyone become celebrated on a
desert island, for instance?) If, then,
it is to the Public that the celebrity owes
his being, and the Public manifests a Gu
riosity as to the opinions on things in
general of any celebrity in particular,
the Public has a right to know those
opinions, and how could it know them
better than through the columns of the
Scrutator?
But our editor was not always in this
displeased frame of mind. AS a rule he
was the most genial of men, and such
he looked that same evening as he sat
smoking his cigar on the gallery of a
handsame house in Clarence avenue
His companion was his niece, a young
girl with a pretty face and figure, and
q mischievous look in her dark eyes
which was particularly fascinating.
She was discoursing about the dearest
wish of her heart-that she should be-
come a regular writer for the Scru-
tator.
But her uncle pooh-poohed the idea;
she was too young, too inexperienced,
too pretty, and at any rate it was impos-
sible to become writer by simply talk
ing about it. why" continued he, do
you not write something and show me
what you can do?"
II have written several stories, as you
know, but you won't look at them," re-
pl*ad the girl.
"Oh. no, the Scrutator does not want
stories. Write me an article on some
subject which will interest the public"
But, what subjects do interest the
public, uncle, dear? You only laugh at
me if / suggest one"
"Oh, come now-you can't expect a
poor editor to suggest subjects for you
as; well as read your articles. Make your
own choice. The world is all before you
where to choose"
That's just what bewilders me; it is
Sc hard to choose. If only | had some
thing definite to go upon-or if COAX
ingly)-you would just look at one of
MY stories"
But the editor vouchsafed no reply to
NhISB ~ his illtNC NIhU OlI' Wy Ill III
conviction is that should make splen-
cid interviewer. | should enjoy it, too.
At college l could always get the girls
10 tell me anything wanted to know"
The editor laughed.
"Why not become a detective at
cnce ~ said he.
II wish | could" sighed the girl But
her uncle was not attending; he was
looking at a cyclist who was spinning
rapidly past the house.
'"rhat's the mani" he exclaimed
''that's Camberton!"
sob, that man!"-for Kittie knew all
about the editors grievance with the
celebrity--"he passes here every day.
l have met him several times lately
when have been out on my morning
ride. wondered who he was"
''Well, must go now" said her uncle,
as he glanced at his watch. Good
night, child" and then, as an after
thought: Tell you what, Kittie, if you
can manage to interview Camberton I'll
do anything you like" and with laugh
as though he had made a tremendous
Joke, the editor departed, leaving Kittie
A~ har &c III, IL.