The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-02

newspaper worker carefully assorted and
placed ready for perusal.
In the center of my desk, where 1
would see them first, were complimentary
letters from the editors for whom 1 write,
with orders for work from my pen. And
these would be backed by checks that
arrived in the early morning mail.
To the right of the checks, and held
down by a tall vase in which there is
always a rose-the only concession I make
to the fact that 1 am still a woman
would repose, as if smiling a welcome TO
me, the pleasant letters which writer's
receive from readers; and to the left Of
these, and substantially thanking them
would be placed the list of duties for the
day. Hidden away, yet where knew how
to find them, would be the rejected manu-
scripts, tied with q gray cotton string and
kept out of sight until morbid moment
should turn my mind to them.
Threatening letters, letters from cranks
and notes breathing vengeance Tor news
paper affronts were promptly thrown away
by Seena.
Truly, Selena understood the art of plac-
ing in harmony the mind whose gray ma
terial must create a living for us both.
But one day there came letter which
Selena did not throw away. 1t was too
threatening for that. And when l had
read my other letters she brought il out
with trembling hands and pallid face.
centric clubman. the son of one of the
most aristocratic houses in New York,
but about whose peculiarities, amounting
apparently to insanity, l had written a
scathing article a few days before, in ODE
dience to an editorial order.
The letter SAID that the writer would
call that afternoon. and take me to ac-
count for the article. and that l should
die for the words l had written. There
were several pages of very fiery and
threatening language, and the letter
wound up with the full name and address
of the writer and the distinct assurance
that he would call upon me that afternoon
without fail
All that day we were apprehensive! Sc
lena was particularly SO! And when she
insisted upon placing my little mirror
upon her desk, SO that it should reflect
the door and those who opened it, al
lowed her 10 do so, since l saw that it
comforted her a little; and each time the
door opened saw her hand fly quickly
toward the police alarm, which, with other
calls, decorates the side of my office near
Selenas desk
But as the afternoon wore away with
out our visitor we became more settled
in mind; and next day / referred to it
only once and then in a joking way.
Later we learned that on that very same
day the erratic clumans family had seen
mt TO confine him in private asylum, and
In few days the incident of the letter had
passed entirely from my mind. But, as
] afterward found, not from the mind of
my faithful Seena, who cherished it as
a constant menace to my well-being.
Gradually / discovered that my little
typewritst had developed a great respect
Tor me-a respect amounting almost to an
uncomfortable reverence. And this eX-
tended not only TO the working Of my mind
but to the welfare of my person as well.
This developed itself in various ways.
On showery days when l would absent
mindedly come to the office without my
umbrella l would always, in case of rain,
find one in the corner. And when it has
poured this fall have more than once
found a nice storm coat hanging up for
me in the same convenient place, while Sc
lena from her tranquil tapping would
glance up long enough to explain:
Yes. II is mine. But please wear IT.
wore it down here because it showered.
But ] have. IN my closet where I hang
my hat. much nicer one to be worn II
II rains when I go home"
Business women are as obtuse as men,
and the explanation went with me. But