Iron County register., 1899-12-07
A POETS BREAKFAST.
MARIE BRONSON signaled the coach
~~~~A
VII man to stop.

lFI man TO stop.
Miss Marie,' said her governess, Sc
verely, what is your intention?"
"A harmless intention, mademoiselle.
want to walk over the bridge
Walk over the bridge, Miss Marie
But is it customary"
1T appears to be customary for some
folks to do SO, judging from the pro-
cessiOn we see, dear mademoiselle. Now,
don't forbid mel Only fancy, 1 have
ridden over this bridge all the days of
my life-every time have come down
town from home. And never once have
1 set foot upon its planks. Come, get
out. mademoiselle! Let US play that
we are going to work and have little
tin pals on our arms. 1t will be great
fun"
Il am quite sure your mamma would
not like it, Miss Marie
Mamma? Well, to tell the truth, ma
demoiselle, though perhaps 1 ought not
to do so, dear mamma used to walk
over this bridge every day in her girl
hood. She was not rich then. She had
a great deal more fun than l have, 1
think"
Mile. Baron shook her head disap-
provingly, but had no choice but to
leave the carriage with her young mis-
tress. 1t was early morning and the
State street bridge was thronged with
men and women fastening to their
tasks. They made an almost compact
body. and the impetus of their move
ment was irresistible. They pushed
along with an eagerness and impatience
characteristic of the most restless and
hard-working city in the world.
When Marie Bronson felt herself a
part of the throng and found herself
elbowed by hustling men who paid no
regard to her dainty personality, and
when the smoke of tug submerged the
bridge in its foul gloom and the bell of
the bridge keeper warned the crowd
that it must hurry yet faster if it did
not wish to be suspended over the ill
smelling river, she had feeling of dis
tinct amusement. The whole stress and
fume seemed a sort of a joke to her,
and she wished that she might be
thrown upon her own resources for once
and have chance to put her abilities to
the test. Mile. lie Baron, however, wGs
protest and fright, and at every other
step she summoned Thomas, the driver,
to keep close.
Miss Marie walked as slowly as the
crowd would permit. She was looking
with frank and warm interest into the
faces of the persons who passed her
persons who looked likable, many of
them, but about whose lives she knew
nothing. and whose feelings she fancied
she would find it difficult to understand.
So, scrutinizing the passers-by, she
gazed with astonishment into face
she knew-the face of Selfridge Ames.
He had also amused Miss Marie, because
he chose not to do the things which
were expected Of the young men of his
class, but to live bohemian existence,
amid heaven knows what surroundings,
and to declare with perfect nonchalance
that he intended to be poet. The i'm
.pertinence of the announcement had al
wavs touched Marie's risibilities.
-.Why, how do you do?'' she cried,
holding out her hand Il never see
YOU any more, Mr.. Ames."
The crowd swept her impatiently
aside, and she laughed at the jostling.
81 must turn and walk with you, Miss
Bronson. if we are to speak together
returned the young man.
They were pushed into the process
sion of hurrying work people, and ran
along together, laughing, to the scan
dal of mademoiselle, who made yet more
frantic gestures to the coachman to
keep close at hand.
what is the reason none of your old
friends ever see you nowadays"
II hear that my old friends laugh at
me-"
Marie blushed. "Yes," she confessed,
ssbut they like you none the less. But
YOU know it seems SO silly for any
one in Chicago to write poetry"
.'Time was when Bristol was as dirty
and as commercial as Chicago. Yet a
poet wrote there"
AZ have also heard that he starved"
"But I'm not starving. L am going
70 my breakfast now"
81 breakfasted an hour ago.
"You are fortunate. i make break
fast last till dinner.
"Then you must really be poet.
''Some of the reviews have been say
ing So" :.
.How egotistical you are! But don't
mind. 1 will even encourage your van
ity by admitting that have read both
OF your books"
"I hone you liked them?"
'T thought them beautiful didn't