The Norfolk weekly news., 1900-10-25
When 0 Mons FQn0uS.
He Belongs Not 60 His
Family, but to tho
World OF Cranks.
BY HENRYk SlENklEWlCZ.

: BY HENRYk sIENklEWICZ. i
@*@*@x@*@*%x@x@x@*@*@*%*@&@
Ferdinand Markiewicz, the literary
pride of Warsaw, flung his pen on the
table and threw himself back in his
chair with n violence that made that
piece OF furniture groan.
His young wife, who had come in os-
tcnsibly to look for her workbasket,
though she knew 1t wasn't there look.
ed up at him anxiously and said:
80 tired. dcar?"
"Tircd. can scarcely breathe!'
"Why don't you rest for few days?"
81 think | will. l must. in fact, no
matter what happens" He stretched
himself on the sofa and continued:
"Thc editor of The Review was here
today. | have promised him the first
chapter of blessed Spirits for Friday,
so that he can begin printing it imme-
diatcly after the holidays. Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, only
four days! And then-it makes me shiv-
er to think of it-I shall not have an
hour to myself for n month at least.
Then I,ye got to finish AT High Pres
sure for The Journal, correct the
proofs of Hard Luck and see 1t
through the press. Heavens, it makes
my head swim!'
His wife folded her hands, sign
that she had something serious to say
and intended to say 1t, 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 go to bed at and
get up before 8. You know no Sunday,
no holiday. How long do you think you
are going to stand it? And what will
become of us If 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
l swear | won't touch pen, and I'll
try to forget what ink looks like.
Where are the children? Let me play
with them" He sprang to his feet,
opened the door and called:
"Zotia. Marynia! Come here" Two
pretty little girls A and years Of age
came romping into the room.
Papa want Malylia?" cried the
terms with her "r's."
YES my child. Come and play with
papa. What shall we play?"
"Oh, frogsw Zofia exclaimed, and
Marynia echoed:
"Oh, fogs. fogs"
"Good! Frogs it is! Down on your
hands and knees"'
But they will ruin their Clothes" the
mother objected, laughing.
"Oh. bother the clothes! Come on,
girls! Hands and kneesw
Then there was great hubbub of
frogs jumping and croaking in soprano
and baritone, according to age, min
gled with staccato remarks, such as:
Heavens! This Is immense! Three
days! No pen and ink! Nothing but
play"
In the midst of 1t all the door bell
rang
"Not at homer croaked the bullfrog
and Not at home" piped the froglings
and all three jumped higher than ever.
The door opened. In the doorway ap-
peared a servant. who for a moment
was stricken dumb by the strange
scene.
When he recovered his wits, he said
"It 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 of. 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 goodby to rest. Or shall I leave
them till afterward2 No. There may
be something OF importance I shall bt
worrying about, then my vacation
won't do me any good. Better sacrifics
this evening to them and have 1t over.
TOO bad, girls, but 1t can't bt
helped"
"Oh, let the letters wait" his wife
pleaded.
"No. my dear Aniulka; don't wan
to have anything on my mind"
Laughing. he drove the children bacl
to the nursery, then returned and be
gan to examine the letters.
"Sball help your Aniulka asked.
Eyes, please"
Aniulka opened the first letter ant
began:
\ "'Honorsd master. I know that you