The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-09
When a Mans Famous.

chair with a violence that made that
piece Of furniture groan.
His young wife. who had come In os-
tensibly to look for her work-basket-
though she knew II wasn't there
looked up at him anxlously and said:
so tired. dear?"
Tired. can scarcely breathe!"
Why don't you rest for a few days"
II think will. must. in fact, no
matter what happens" He stretched
himself on the sofa and continues: The
edMor or the Review was here today. I
have promised him the first chapter OF
Messed Spirits for Friday. so that he
can begin printing II Immediately after
the holidays. Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday. Frlday--only four days. And
then-it makes me shiver TO think OF
It'll shall not have an hour TO myself
for month, at least. Then I've got TO
finish At High PRESSURE for the Jour
nal, correct the proofs OF Hard Luck
and see II through the press. Heavens!
1t makes my head swim"
His wife folded her hands-a sign
that she had something serious to say
and intended TO say it-and walked
over TO the sofa. Ferdinand" she said.
If you won't think OF yourself, at
least have some consideration for your
wife and children. You so TO bed at 2
and get up before 3; you know no
Sunday, no holiday. How long do you
think you are going to stand IL? And
what will become of us IL you break
DOWN."
The writer passed his hand over his
knitted brow you are right, quite
right, my dear Aniulka. For the
space of three whole days from this
moment swear ] won't touch pen,
.~I a., hot tnk
like. Where are the children? Let me
play with them" He sprang 10 his feet,
opened the door and called:
"Zofia. Marynia. Come here! Two
pretty little girls. four and five years
of age, came romping into the room.
Papa wants Malynia?" cried the
younger. who was not yet on good
terms with her RS"
Yes. my child. come and play with
papa. What shall we play?"
"Oh. frogs!" Zofia exclaimed, and
Marynia echoed:
"Oh. fogs. fiogs."
Good! Frogs II is. Down on your
hands and knees"
But they VIII ruin their clothes"
the mother objected. laughing
"Oh. bother the clothes. Come on,
girls. Hands and knees!"
Then there was a great hubbub OF
frogs jumping and croaking In soprano
and baritone, according TO age, mingled
with staccato remarks, such as:
Heavens. This Is immense. Three
days! No pen and ink! Nothing but
play!"
In the midst Of N all the door bell
rang.
Not at home," croaked the bull
frog and mot at home." piped the
froglings, and all three jumped higher
than ever.
The door opened. In the doorway ap-
peared a servant. who, for moment,
was stricken dumb by the strange
scene.
When ne recovered his wits he said:
1T was the postman, and he brought
these" holding out mass OF letters
and packages.
put them on the table and get out!"
cried the famous author, making a
spring for little Marynia.
The man obeyed and went off, shak-
ing his head.
A minute later. however. the writer
rose to his feet.
my old back hurts" he explained.
| Then he added, glancing at the table:
"All these letters must be answered,
so good-by to rest! Or shall leave
them till afterward? No. There may be
something OF Importance shall be
worrying about. then my vacation
won't do me any good. Better sacrifice
this evening to them and have 1t over.
TOO bad, girls, but 1t can't be help
ed"
"Oh. let the letters wait" his wife
pleaded.
mo. my dear Anulka, don't want
to have anything on my mind"
Laughing, he drove the children back
to the nursery, then returned and be-
gan to examine the letters.
Shall help your" Aniulka asked.
Yes. please"
Aniulka opened the first letter and
began:
% .Honored Master! know that your
every moment belongs to the public and
that your leisure hours should be sa-
cred
oh" groaned the author, pulling a
long face, but Aniulka calmly went on:
q" - but also know that your heart.
as great as your genius. embraces all
humanity and beats In sympathy with
every suffering. / am chairman OF the
COMMITTEE for the Relief Of Poor
Young Ladies Who Are Too Proud TO
Work. Our means are small. our needs
enormous. The situation, indeed. is so
desperate that the very existence of our
society--one of the most useful in the
city-is in jeopardy. But If you, honor
ed master, will bestow upon us, out OF
the fulness Of your portfolios, the man
uscript OF novel, or even short
story, we can offer II at auction
Enough "Markiewicz interrupted In
a rage. "The devil take them. Portfo-
lios? What portfolios? Do they think
I've got MSS. TO burn? Here am with
three or four editors screaming for copy
and they talk about portfolios! How's
the thing signed?"
"Eulalia Kuku.
May hawk ny away with her."
please don't he so cross. Ferdinand
the little woman mildly demonstrated.
''It isn't my fault. you know" He
caught her hand and kissed IT. For
give me. my treasure. But. look at IT,.
I'm worked to death already, and along
comes this Eulalia Kuku and wants me
10 write a novel for her! Well, let's have
.he next one" His wife rummaged
among the correspondence and pulled
ont a bulky package, the sight OF wbich
nearly made the author fall on his
chair Great Heavens he cried. "A
manuscript, But there is n letter at
tached TO 1t. 7 see Aniulka opened
the letter and began:
.Naster.the words which thou read :
%, arc a confession. Thou hast 'dwelt
In my heart and slept In my bosom. ~
Tho poct saith and thou art the fsther
ot nv oh - Ferdinan~l
Auiulka dropped tho letter and slared
az her husband with distended eyes. i.