The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-04-14
SELECTED STORY.
His Riyal's Muse.

drama, written in the purest blank
verse. AS the authors mind conjured
the scene of luxury and princely pro-
digality he became unmindful that his
own room was little attic apartment
with no carpet, one chair, rough Ia
BILE. q narrow couch and a tallow dip.
Now he grouped the characters togeth-
er--three pairs of lovers, juvenile low
ers and elderly, whimsical lovers-and
the curtain rose amid such witty lines
as delighted Partisan audience. The
play was completed and Claude was
hungry. 1t is one thing to be hungry
and another thing TO be able to appease
hunger. Claude ruminated mournfully
upon the felicity of all the characters
of the piece, blessed with abundance,
and upon his own misery. Poet and
dramatst Had he known what was in
store for him he would have learned
trade. "All the same shall go to bed
without any supper" commented
Claude, casting hungry glances at the
candle and being in frame of mind to
appreciate all the marvellous tales he
had read of shipwrecked mariners and
their appetites for all manner of mis-
cellaneous articles, such as bit of
shoe. This train of thought was inter-
rupted by knock at the door.
"Come in" said Claude, and stout
man, with rather ford face, fashion
ably dressed, entered. He bowed po-
litely, surveying the room with consid
cradle surprise.
an. Claude Morain," asked he.
eyes, SIR" answered the poet.
81 came on business matter, SIR"
every well, be seated"
And Claude handed him the only
chair, sitting on the couch himself.
The visitor busted the chair carefully
and then proceeded to occupy it GIN
gerly.
"What can 1 do for your" asked the
young man.
"You are poet, understand"
81 have written poems, SIR"
"Well, want to engage your servi-
ces. want you to write me one poem
a day and I'll pay you well for it. Let
me see; I'll give you ten francs a
poem"
Ten francs day! Claude thought
he was dreaming. But he strove to
conceal his joy and inquired as coldly
as possible:
"What magazine do you own, may
ask?"
"None."
"What newspaper
"None."
"But don't understand"
~ want the poem for myself. They
will not be published"
"Will you explain further?"
"Well, you see, M. Claude, the mat
ter stands just like this. 1 am paying
attention to young lady; that young
lady is sentimental, romantic, full of
moonshine and nonsense. must win
her, for she is not only beautiful and
aristocratic but has considerable for
tune. Now, l don't seem to have made
as much progress as l should have |
done, 30 I've made up my mind to feed |
her mood upon rhymes, iambics, verses,
stanzas, lyrics and 80 on. l can't write
them myself, but that doesn't matter.
One can always buy what he wants in
this world if he has money. So my
is this"-taking out his
purse. "You are to write one poem
day, such as lover would address 10
romantic girl just out of school. These
poems propose to send"
"And she will conclude you wrote
them?" asked the amused and yet an
noyed poet.
"Why not?"
Greatly, sir, you are novel kind of
lover"
"Confess that it was good stroke of
laughed the visitor.
''To deceive grip"
"Poohl She'll get over her romantic
fancies. All women do. You hest
tate? Think of what ten francs will do
for you every day. 1t will buy you
plenty to eat and plenty to drink. Be-
will, for Pm bound to carry her off
from all my rivals"
swell, l consent. The first poem
will be ready tomorrow. Now what is
she like?"
Rather tall, good looking, yes,
stunning grill"
"But," said the poet, I" 1 must have
further details. What color are her
eyes?"
81 don't know"
"And her hair?"
GA sort of brown, think"
"What flower does she prefer?"
"How can tellp"
"What books does she like?"
81 never asked herr
" What is her favorite sonata?"
"How do you think l can answer
such absurd questions?" angrily de-
manded the visitor.
81 desire 10 learn her temperament
more exactly" replied the poet hum
bly,.
However, it doesn't matter"
"No; of course it doesn't. Now
here's ten francs in advance to inspire
you. The poem is addressed by me to
her, Won't she be surprised when she
gets it. She thinks I'm a common
place sort of a fellow. I'll make her
think there's more to me than appears
on the surface. Good night, Mr.. Poet;
if you do your work we'll Pll give you
steady employment"