The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1900-01-05
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I fl POETS BREAKFAST. !


70 walk over the bridEs.r
walk over the bridge, Miss Marisl But is it
cnstomary3"
ct appears to be customary for some folks to
do 50, judging from the procession Ne see, dear
madsmoissIle. Nov, don't forbid mel Only
fancy, have ridden over this bridge al the
days Of my Hfs-eFsry tine have come down
town from home. And never once have I set
foot upon its planks- Come, get ont, made
mOisellsI Let rs play that no are going to
work and have little tin pals on orr arms It
win be great fun
Il am quite sure your mamma would not like
II, Miss Marie
Mammal Wen, 10 tell the truth, made
mOiseIles though perhaps I ought not 90 do 50,
dear mamma used 20 walk over this bridge
every day in her girlhOOd- She was not rich
then. She had a great deal more fun than
have, think
Nile. Baron shook her head disapprovingly,
but had no choice but to leave the carriage
with her young mistress. It was early morning
and the State street bridge was thrOnEsd with
men and women fastening to their tasks. They
made an almost compact body, and the Impetus
Of their movement was irresistible They
pUshed-alOnE with an eagsrness and impotence
characteristics 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 person
atty, and when the smoke Of a tug submerged
the bridge in its foul gloom and the bell Of the
bridge keeper warned the crowd that it must
hurry yet faster II It did not wish to be suspen-
ded over tbs iIl-smeIling river, she had feeling
Of distinct amusement. The whole stress and
fume seemed a sort Of joke to her, and she
wished that she might be thrown upon her own
resources for once and have a chance to put her
abilities to the test. Nile. le Baron, however,
was not amused. Her face wore a look Of pro
test and fright, and at every other step she sum
mOned 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 HkabIe. many
Of them, but about whose lives she knew moth
ing, and whose feelings she fancied she would
find it difficult to understand So, scrutinizing
the passsrs-by, she gazed with establishment
into a face she kneB-ths face OF Selfridge
Ames. He had also amused Miss Marie, be
cause he chose not to do the things which were
expected Of the Young men Of his class. but to
live a bohemian existence, amid heaven knows
what surroundings, and to declare with perfect
nonchalance that he intended to be poet. The
impertinence Of the announce ment had always
touched Marie's disabilities.
why, how do you dOl' 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 iOstling-
II must turn and walk with you, Miss BrOn-
son, If we are to speak together returned the
young man.
They were pushed int the procession Of hur-
rying work people, and ran along together,
laughing, to the scandal Of msdemoiselle, 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 nOwadays7ii
81 hear that my old friends laugh at me-
Marie bIushed. YES she confessed. "but
they like you none the less. But you know it
seems so silly for anyone in Chicago to write
poetry"
Time was when Bristol was as dirty and as
commercial as Chicago. Yet a poet wrote
there
'Ihave also heard that he starved"
But I'm not starving. I am going to my
breakfast G4E."
Il breakfasted an hour ago.
you are fortunate. I make breakfast last
till dinner.
Then you must really be poet"
''SOme Of the reviews have been saying So
How egotisticaI you arel But don't mind.
I viii even encourage your vanity by admitting
that have read both Of your books"
4 hoped you liked them7'
Il thought them beautiful. didn't see where
you found al that beauty, living here in this
awful city
The fact that it is awful gives me something
to write about. 1t Is the passion Of it that
thrills me-
Il know. I try to feel that way, too, and
have come nearer to doing it the last few minu-
tes than I ever did before In my life
81 am sOrry TO leave you, but this is where
breakfast"
what Not in that little pIaoei But is it
clean7"
clean enough. Cleaner than many finer
places"
DO you know what am going to dor
Il haven't an idea"
Il am going to breakfast With you. I am
hungry. We had horrid breakfast at home /
could eat nothing"
Miss MarieF shrillod mademoiseIle, in
alarm, You are not going in that terrible
placer
Indeed, yes, madsmOisells, and you also. If
it Is good enough for ny friend It Is good en-
ough for me, Is it mott"
But, Miss Marie, With a yOung manr'A
is it not nice that he Is young adsmOisellei'
''I thought you were proud. murmured Self
rlQ8es i nave Deen draining OF you u5eO4aE--g
and writing verses to you which, did not send
Had you no postage, then7"
II had no courage"
How absurdl Have you forgotten the motto
Of Jour city9-i
Miss BrOnsonl You tell me there is no need /
for the disoOuragsmentI have been feeling7'
Tut Do not talk about discouraging. Con
suit the menu What are re TO eat7 Red bOtsf I
It would Be adorable to have red hOts-'
Mon DieuF gasped madsmoiseIle.
You see that man over ths-e7 He plays the /
o0rEst at the Grand he IS wonderful cor
netist and the plsasantest fellow We often /
take our breakfast together
do not ak him now. Who is that man with 4
red hairT'
''Hei He is nobody, But be is dying Of love
for somebody who Is somebody. It is aromanee-
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