The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1898-01-20
JOHN HAYNES LUCK.


said it-man would never die if he did
not consent, if ho did not yield to the
angels of death. What is true of death
is true of misfortune also. If it tri-
umphs over us, the reason is only be-
cause we weaken and cease to resist
with enough confidence and ardor.
We all know poor fellow named
John Hayne, who could do nothing be-
cause he had no luck, who wrote plays
that were not played, verses that were
not printed. and exhausted his strength
in vain struggles. One day, a few weeks
ago, in a cafe on Broadway, he was re-
citing his sad experiences to some friends
with savage eloquence and with the
charm that handsome eyes naturally
lend to conversation.
While he talked, telling the incredu-
lily OF publishers, the Indifference of
theatrical managers, his useless sieges
OF inaccessible Journals he was curious
~ and sympathetically looked at by
very pretty girl named Julie, who, seat
I'D at q table, was drinking alone
glass OF water. And as Haynes friends
praised his w.t. his inexhaustible in
ventlons, his personal inspiration, he
shook his head sadly and said:
You say that I have rare gifts, and
Z want to believe you, but if my come
dies be amusing it happens, neverthe-
less, that no playhouse wants to play
thcm. reach the offices of the most OBJ
scure magazines at the very instant
when they have no need of a half page
OF poetry as a filler, and if l present
myself palo and with heavy heart in
the editorial rooms of tho journals do
it exactly Oh the day when they havo
just engaged the dazzling reporter who
is to make their fortune. You sec that
talent, If have any, is not for success
and that l lack the gift without which
all is nothing-happiness.'
That is nonsense, " said Julie, inter
vening suddenly in tho conversation and
casting into the scene the light of her
golden eyes and of her pretty pink lips.
Il believe simply that you neglect your
self and that your hair is too long. Tai
ent, take my word for it, surmounts
every obstacle, and to be sure that you
possess it have only to SEQ and hear
you. AS for happiness, you shall not
want it hereafter, since you have me
now, and am happiness -
While she said these words which
seemed magical in tho clearness Of her
white teeth Julio had taken scat by
Johns side. At once she rolled gently
his cigarettes, and when they went out
together, arm i'll arm, nobody WAS AS
tonished, for, as everybody saw clearly,
they wero two friends who had been
mistaken i'll not knowing each other
earlier.
Outside the sun shonc and the breezes
played i'll the redeemed leaves. In Johns
room, turning up her sleeves to her ell
bows, she did tho housework with the
ability OF skillful princess and in an
instant gave to tho dcsolate lodging
place the air of Il palace. Then, while
putting the clothes in order, she said,
''Let us look for money!
Hayne thought she was making fun
Of him and thought unjustly, for she
soon found in fabulous folds IL So bill
and 81 i'll change and, without waiting
Tor the inevitable question, said with
an accent of certitudo:
There is always money in old
Clothes"
Thanks to genius, which always makes
something of nothing, Julio repaired
his desolate cravat, his absurd hat, his
frayed coat, so that he assumed ut once
the aspect of perfect man Of business.
And, giving to him tho 50 bill, go, >"
she said, walk in the sunlight -
IIayne felt the soft warmth of joy.
But when he looked at himself i'll the
glass of Il show window he saw that his
hair was not i'll harmony with tho ac-
quircd serenity of his face. lie went to
u hairdresser and had it trimmed.
The first man he met WAS the editor
of tho Sunday department. of a news.
paper, who was the prey of visible
anxiety. He took Johns hand and talk
ed to him et1usivcly, rs if he had liked
him always. He said:
Dear friend, l am cruelty embar.
raised. All explorer has just died in
Africa, and our condemnable biographi-
cal department. has not word about
him. Oh, if l could find man who
knew him and who could write the
article i'll two hours, would give him
500 for it.
"Well said Hayne, "that explorer
was my fathers best friend. [ know
his life as well rs l know my own
Then bring me the copy ut .. -
at his return home, after having
bought tho Indispensable book and the
map, Haync-oh, divine surplise!-
found his old desk open and we'll brush
ed, long pages of white paper, an ink
stand with fresh ink and Il new pale
green blotter bordered with Il pale green
ribbon, and two roses i'll u glass. 1t
was for these things that the good little