St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1897-04-03

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that I am bigger
fool than you thought me. l came to
this little village to write novel amid
the actual surroundings of 4 real drama
lin the which / have imbedded my
plot. Lodging in the same shanty is
Constance Carruthers, the clever lady
novelist; imagine, then. my surprise
mot to mention my forebodings and
literary jealousy when. during one of
our numerous country rambles. 1
CLEANED that she was at work upon a
novel moved by the self-same motive as
my own. Yes; she too had read the
paragraph in the Moon relating to the
village tragedy that had fired my inn
agination, and she too has come to
Fernstone in search of local color. My
dilemma is obvious. since there is no
demand for two novels similar in plot
and design. A survival of the fittest
was inevitable. Keeping my discovery
secret, to6k clandestine advantage of
my opportunity TO peruse Miss Carru-
Tiers manuscript. Conceive the hor-
ror, pique, disgust. with which discov-
cred that her novel (nearly finisheD
was In every way superior to mine. It
was lesson in comparative incapacity.
Reside Miss Carruthers' story mine is
limp and fatuous.s Her style is as vigor-
ously refreshing and her expansion of
the motive as clear as one. knowing her,
would expect. Undoubtedly the fittest
has survived. Ny own inept endeavor,
seventy-odd foolscap pages, represent
ing nine weeks work. is now crumbling
in charred disorder in the CRATE. (Goes
to the fireplace and vicious!y prods the
smouldering paper with poker. Then
returns to the table and continues.) 4
wish you were acquainted with Miss
Carruthers; you would the sooner con-
done the weakness with which you
chaff me. She is womanly in thought
and act; yet am timid in her presence.
Her manner is impulsive. sympathetic,
kind; yet in all the natural advantages
of our position, 1 dare not whisper that
I worship her very shadow. Without
being supercilious, she wears a superb
ority that defies ones amorous ap-
proaches-that superiority which jams |
the brake on my vanity. It says as |
plainly as words: He who would own
me must first prove himself worthy of
the possession / have been dreaming
that my novel might accomplish some
thing In that direction; but alas! If
only her book had been a little inferior
TO mine"
"a knock at the door.) Come in.
Enter Miss Carruthers).
She (hesitates)-You are at work.
Mr.. Rous; l will not disturb you.
He Jumps up)-Merely letter. a.
sure you.
She (comes forward) II only wanted
TO say good-by.
Hc-Going away?
She-In the morning-and Won are
Dot an early riser.
He-You are going to finish YOUR
sovel elsewhere?
She-Finish-! Laughs lightly.) Nv
aovel is already finished, thank YOU.
He-Indeed! My congratulations.
More to follow On its publication. ri
wish you the success your genius de-
eFves.
She (nervously)-You're very kind
but TIM afraid-that is, I've determined
not to publish that particular story.
He-What! You don't really mean
it7
Shc-I am serious; (quickly) but
please don't request explanations.
have very substantial reasons. When
win your book be finished. Mr.. Rous?
He-It has been finished this ten
Min Carruthers. points to
yrate.) Absolutely, undeniably, ire
finished.
She -But-you don't mean-you have
burnt your manuscript?
He-Behold the ashes! am on to
London by the morning express.
She (iUperatively)-Mr. Rous-why
have you destroyed your work?
Hc-Bccausc Il was SO very inferior
10 an existing story containing precise
y the same motive.
Shx&d never heard of the story.
He-Yetyoa wrote it. refer to the
Rork Of genius you have developed dur
iae f1oneat feN weeks. Yes; deserve
ron11 - S5GS&ien. read your manu-
1sri11 ~ poulings yoa took II out
nndeA o1papw trees ana wandered
lJita17 pt wild flowers instead |,
7 E hafpened 5ilbng. 4 you |
- 90 found & II ydnr s1nS1