Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-11-30

was writing for syndicate at one dol
lar for thousand words.
"See here" he said, producing a
postal card, "here is an order for d
work OF fiction"
This was written on the card:
"Have you story of about 10, 900
words? We would be glad to read
same with view to publication. The
shop girl who works up to be a mil
lionaire's wife is popular. Also many
other plots"
"Well, L be blamedl" exclaimed
Southard. After pause he asked,
"What did you do?"
ooh, L struck out for cash, and
here is the reply L received" This
letter was produced:
Dear Mr.. Grant:
We want story OF 5000 words, and
your rate OF SIS is moderate. In fact
we should feel justified in paying cash,
while at II higher price we should reserve
payment until publication.
But we have never read your long stories,
and, as you know, many brilliant short
story writers have failed in the long story.
You see, therefore, that as a matter of
business, we conld not possibly guarantee
II.
By and by, when we are more firmly estab-
lished in the long story field we might up-
dertake to do so, but In starting the serial
we must reserve the right to read before
accepting. Very sincerely yours,
ANNA LOWELL Riley.
"What then?" asked Southland, AS
he handed back the letter.
81 wrote the story and got the S15." I"
fsHnuy tho anna did WON 10 m
shop girl work up to be millionaire's s
wife?"
ooh, that was easy enough, and 1
put in ALSO many other plots I gave
Miss Anna her fifteen dollars worth.
This is very funny to you, no doubt,
but have lived six months by work
ing for Miss Anna. She pays spot
cash for my short stories. After a
while she will do the same for my long
ones. L don't think l shall ever wait
for higher pay on publication. One
dollar in hand is better than FIVE in
any mans printing office"
Grant was almost gay and Southard
was sure that part of that fifteen dol
lars still lurked in his protege's waist
coat pocket. But Southland was not
gay. The idea of man such as Grant
writing for such compensation sad
dened him terribly. He thought it a
shame, and he determined to redouble
his efforts to get Grant chance where
he could do worthy work and receive
decent pay. He did not see Grant
ngaln for week, then when his pro-
tege appeared he was more woebegone
than ever. He WAS pale and distressed; ;
he was wan and tired. No questions
were necessary. When Grant had
flung himself into a chair, he said:
"The bottom has dropped out Of
everything. Even Miss Anna Lowell
Riley has turned me down. She has
sent back 30,000-word story that it
took me week to write She says it
is not breezy enough. What the dick
ems is breezy story? And what can
she expect for $30?"
''The Lord knows, Grant! But,
seriously, L should think a 80, 00U-
word story turned out in week would
not be worth cent, let alone S30
Why, man, $50 is lot of NOR ey."
THAT is why 1 am so cut up about
not getting it."
Further conversation developed the
fact that Grant was penniless. South
ard relieved his immediate wants,
modestly relieved them, for Southland
was not a prodigal in his benefactions,
and when he went out in The afternoon
he had Grant on his mind. One of
his errands was to magazine office
where he had been pressed to call as
soon as possible. He learned that the
editor had gone away for month for
his health, and left word for Southland
to write at once an article they had
discussed together a week or so be-
fore. This article was needed for a
number that was presently to go to
press, and the editor had gone away
confident that Southard would do it.
But Southland had made other engage
ments. In this he saw an opportunity
for Grant. He therefore engaged to
do the article or have it done. He
sent for Grant, and talking the matter
over learned that Grant knew the sub.
iect thoroughly. Together they
planned the article and determined on
arrangement and treatment. Grant
was delighted and went off relieved,
even buoyant.
The next evening but one Grant
appeared with the manuscript. South
ard read it,
"Do you mind my changing it O
bit?" he asked.
"No," said Grant, obviously, but
evidently he did mind.
every good. Then leave it with
me and come to luncheon with me to.
morrow. In the afternoon we will
take it to the magazine"
Grant did not like to be dismissed
in this fashion, but there was nothing
else for him, so he went away. South.
ard was in dreadful quandary. Here
was the article containing everything