Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-18
BY HOWARD FIELDING.

u. Il
Copyright, 1899, by Ho,1ard Fielding. 4
-s.x-eie.s-x.s-
No, there isn't" said I, and the an
swer was perfectly frank.
Whatever may be thought of the de-
gree Of Miss Woodruff's beauty, she is
certainly perfectly original creation.
Nobody looks or speaks or moves in the
least like her. When she walks along
the street. all the peoples heads go
round as II they were cogwheels in
piece Of machinery.
"Of course. as to her money" said
he. ''it's very unfortunate
laughed.
you know what mean. ~ he protest
ed. people will say that am seeking
money, whereas heaven knows that If
she were as poor as-as l am, by lingo,
1t wouldn't make the slightest differ
ence!
people will lie, whatever you do" l
replied, 80 don't let that worry you.
Money is a good thing. and Pm glad
you're to have some"
II wonder how it will seem ?" he said,
and then cautiously, "Hushv'
A shadow appeared upon the ground
glass panel Of the door. A hand was
laid upon the knob vainly and then
came loud, aggressive rap.
Its Crowley" whispered Blake.
"He's collector for confounded tailor!
See the villain stand there and waitw
The shadow fell darkly on the door.
Obviously Crowley was a person of
magnificent proportions.
II used to be good deal afraid Of
him." whispered Blake. Hes an Of
fensive beggar, with voice SO careful
" cultivated that he can dun man on
the ninth floor and make every word
audible to the engineer in the subcellar.
But those beasts won't bother me much
longer. Why, my dear fellow, with
this new happiness, this tremendous
inspiration, to help me, I'll write
enough stuff in the next three months
to pay every debt and live like prince
besides"
go right ahead and do 1t, then" said
!. Don't waste precious time talking
to me. I'll read q magazine till Crow
ley's feet get tired, and then I'll slip
out"
Presently heard his pen scratching
on the paper, and 1t was pleasant to
think that the words he was writing in
the first flush Of his happiness might
live for centuries in the hearts Of men.
| felt proud to be present on such an
occasion.
1t may have been two hours later
when rose to 60. Crowley's shadow
had vanished. Blake, with the tin Of
I his penholder pressed against his lips,
was looking upward to the ceiling and
through 1t to the clouds. There was a
fine light in his eyes.
Written much, old manY said.
NO." he replied. II haven't put any
thing on paper yet"
But l thought heard your PEN"
"That was while was writing lit
tie note to Emily" said he ~ can't 90
to see her this evening, and there were
q few things that wanted to say"
He folded half dozen sheets of pa.
per and put them into an envelope, up
on which he wrote an address.
Would you mind handing that to the
fellow in the passenger office down
stairs?" said he, giving me the enyel-
ope and half dollar to pay for the
message. Thank you. Goodby. Pm
going to work now"
The last glimpse had Of him he was
still looking aloft, with the expression
of cherub about to sing a new song.
On Thursday looked in upon Blake
again. He was drawing little profiles
of Miss Woodruff on sheet Of paper.
Tor Blake is clever with the pencil as
well as with the pen.
How does the story come alonp?" I
asked.
What story| he demanded.
1.-THE masterpiece you began when I
was here last" replied.
"Oh, that be hangedw he exclaimed.
ut was rot. threw it away"
Haven't you started another?"
well. I've been getting my ideas to-
gether," said he. There are one or
two big things that may start upon
when can get hold of them by the
right end"
Then we had nice long talk about
Miss Woodruff. and, having decided in
the course of about two hours that she
was an Incompatible angel, we adj
journed the meeting and went out to
play game of billiards..
Sunday forenoon Blake and took a
bicycle ride together. had never seen
him so happy or so full of fine fancies.
He told me that he had begun story
and asked me to come to his den the
next day and see what thought of the
Introductory chapter.
couldn't call on Monday, but 1
found the time Tuesday afternoon.
Blake had written about 1000 words
substantially as they were to stand in
the finished story, and want to say
here in strict confidence that they were