Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-06-30

rounds, as so many of my plays have
made the rounds before, and-no one
wants it,"
l had read many Of the old mans
plays and had not read one that 1 did
not like. At the dinner in the little
cafe | discussed them with their author,
and we argued as to their merits and
demerits. The old man frightened up
considerably under the influence of my
belief in him and confidence in his abil-
ity, and after the cigars he sat silent
for some time. Suddenly he stood up,
and, looking at me earnestly, said:
Il believe I've got it. 1t is my imag-
nation that is defective. All that |
have ever written has been the fancy of
my BRAIN My characters have been
my own creations; their words l have
spoken, their actions | have imagined.
[ have failed for lack of knowledge Of
nature-of human nature. | will write
another play-one more. / will con-
struct it from the incidents Of my own
life. | will be the principal character.
[ know what | would do under certain
conditions; | know what / have done.
Thus l can make my characters act as
! know they have acted; they will be
absolutely true to life. What do you
think of it?"
l was not there to discourage the old
man, but to hearten him up. told him
that l thought it was splendid idea
indeed, | thought it was. The old man
grew enthusiastic and wanted to go
home at once 10 begin on the new play
the play that was to succeed at last
Since that evening |. had seen very
little of Bernard Froebel. / had been
very busy, having regular employment
with the magazines. Therefore, al
though l knew that the old mans
finances must be at a low ebb, it was
with considerable of a shock that l came
to realize that he was probably starv-
ing.
could not work; my thoughts
strayed necessarily to the old man up
stairs. had had a good supper; it was
I
ing food. l could not endure the
thought. ! went downstairs and out
of the house. | hurried to nearby
restaurant and procured a nice game
pie, a pat Of butter, some rolls and a
bottle of wine. Armed with this went
to Froebel's room.
found the door locked. This was un.
usual. To my knock the old man came
close to the door and asked: "Who i,
there?"
lit is l, Froebel; let me in" cried.
"Unless it's important I wish you'd
excuse me-" he said, still keeping thu
door shut. I'm very busy"
"Oh, open, mani" cried; I've some
thing to say to YOU
Slowly be opened the door, and, bear
ing my burden of eatables, shamefaced
ly | entered. By the light of a smok,
kerosene lamp l noticed that Froebel'
eyes were red. He looked as if he nigh
have been weeping,
IT'S my birthday to-day" said, witt
an attempt at laugh, "and l want I,
celebrate l forgot all about it unit
just now, and then l felt it was no
fitting for me to celebrate alone. BE
sides, l sold an article to-day, so l wen
downstairs, bought some grub and cam
+ up here to enjoy your company. Com
on, old man, let us sat and drink an
5 be merry"
"Thanks-no-I do-not-care-to-
eat. You-will-eXcuse- he sale
haltingly, and with many a strang
glance toward the food. Il have-a
: ready-had-my - alb r supper, A
hearty y-supper-thank-you."
! knew he lied to save his self-rt
spect, but what could l do? The 0!
, man was trembling with weakness an
hunger. My presence seemed to worr
him. TO save the awkward situation
: sad, hurIiedly:
u Flows the new play getting along
This was familiar ground, and 500
the old man had sorted the manuscriI
and in a weak voice and with many
=, cough was reading passages from tI
, play to me. / cannot give the pla
! scene for scene, but, as / remember it,
was to be in four acts. 1t was, with ver
slight variation, the story of the ol
man't life-a very simple, kindly, 10
Z able life. The action was unstudied an
j natural; there was no hint of mel
drama, no element Of comedy-a quie
L quaint, simple play that touched u
o finer chords of human sympathy an
.t brought tears close to the eyes.
II As the old man read on could ii
q agine | saw him on the stage, acting Il
d part of his principal character, his gr5
II hairs, his furrowed face, his haltir
I. voice, his pathetic story, all appealir
y to the hearts and sympathies Of his a
l. dience, and, as he laid the manuscri
P down, / choked back the sob that TO
P in my throat.
e Il have not begun the last act yet
.e said Froebel "I-do-not-know-ho
.e to eud-it."
e why, TIL tell you!" cried, with
!" burst Of hopeful confidence. "Iu yo
Z last act make good fortune come TO yo
hero-yourself. Have the play accept
g and a great success, and have rich
pour I'm upon the long-disappoiut
h playwright so that, al last, he can lea
S, behind forever the misery and squal
r OF keen poverty; so that De can mo
/ into the country, fresh and green, b
.d a little home with trailing vines al