The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-21
The Plot of the Fool

The Plot of the Fool.
They had been talking on general topics
for some time-the Author, the Girl, and
the Fool. The Fool sat before the open
fire, with his elbows on his knees, playing
with the sputtering camel. After few
minutes of silence the Girl asked the
Author:
DO you not find it difficult to write
your stories? How do you do it?''
Yes, it is hard; but I find my greatest
difficulty in finding plots
Then the rest is not so hard?"
mo, but still hard enough. Once
have my plot the other things seem to
come of themselves. The situations work
out naturally; the conversation is the
natural outcome of the situation; they
are what any reasonable person would
say under the conditions"
But it would seem difficult to me-"
went on the Girl, Ito change the point
of view for the different characters. II
is necessary, to make conversation, that
things must be looked at from different
directions
We'll. it is like this replied the
Author. Even 10 ourselves we look at
both sides OF the question more or less.
This faculty, developed, makes 1t easy TO
I often let different people represent my
haraters, and, by directing the onyersa-
ton, get many valuable hints"
Then even the most humble of us are
sometimes your ats paw?" half ques-
toned the Fool.
Yes, 1 find many people useful for my
purpose" was the reply.
And then. for my descriptions" she
went on, Il build or transport them bod
lily from plaes and things that I have
seen. The mind of the writer must al
ways be alert and in a receptive state, and
be able to take advantage OF what the
moment has to offer"
''I should not think that plots would be
diffiult," spoke up the Fool. after a pause.
There are dozens Of them in the every
day life about US"
'Indeed?" questioned the Author, with
some disdain in her Tone Perhaps you
an eluidate us; or it may be that you
would prefer to start a bureau for the
assistane of embarrassed authors. Plots,
characters, situations, ETC., furnished on
short notice; consult us before going else
where"
ut might be a good plan" was the re-
ply, apparently perfectly oblivious to the
sarcasm in her voice.
But suppose you try your hand at It."
put in the Girl, with touch of kindness
in her tone, Il am sure that it would be
interesting"
Yes, do" added the Author.
Take man, young, poor and ambi-
tious, with an ideal. He need not be
brilliant or an exception, most any ordi-
instant.
Yves - sugpested the Autbor
And also a girl" he continued. mo
story is complete without a girl. Let her
be ambitious, poor and beautiful. The
last two always go hand in hand, IN
stories. To make it more realistic still,
we will suppose that her mother is
widow, poor, and with no other support"
Yes, yes. go on" put in the Author
eagerly, as he paused. She had taken up
a notebook and was making a memoran-
dunn now and then.
I'VE will suppose that the man loves
the girl" he went on.
And does he tell her?" asked the
Author.
mo, why should he? If he married
her he would drag her down to a life OF
misery; that IS, poverty, they are the
same. And then there is the mother"
'And then?'
And then the other man comes. He
is rich. and, we will say, handsome. The
resolution of the poor man weakens; he
goes to see the girl and finds the other
there. He curses himself for fool and
goes away with new strength in his reso-
luton.
HE was a fool" broke in the Girl, I'm
pulsively. She had been standing at the
window, with her back to the others, and
drumming on the pane. idly. AS the
Fool had gone on, she had been drawing
a rim gon and off her finger irresolutely.
Yes, he was a fool'' acknowledged the
Fool, "but what would have become Of
his ambition, and her? And then, there
is the mother, too; we must not forget
her"
And them" put in the Author.
And then came the end, the author
must supply that" said the Fool.
Il must be going" said the Author,
putting her notebook into her reticule.
Thank you, Sir Plotter, for your good
ness I may take advantage of it some
day"
The Girl started to follow her friend,
then paused and hesitated
Yes, he was a fool" she heard him
mutter to himself. She turned again and
went to the door, there she paused again,
and looked back
Come, I must hurry" said the Author,
impatiently. WAS that not a foolish
on.
Yes, but then he is a fool" said the
Girl, with a sigh.-Chicago Tribune.