News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1900-10-03

talked over the interest of the college
publication, he advocated the forma-
ton of such a circle as the president
suggested.
To his great delight every member
of the board favored the plan, and
the circle was organized then and
there. There were six seniors. four
jupiors, three sophomores and two
freshmen. AS it happened, they were
nearly all above the average age for
students in their respective classes.
Some of the seniors had done consider
able writing during the college course.
All of the editors were ambitious for
the success of the paper, as it was the
college rule that all profits from it
should be divided proportionately
among the editors. This rule was after
ward modified so as to leave a portion
Of all profits in a sinking fund, to be
used for the development of the paper
itself.
Edward was very busy now, what
with his paper route, his special work
for the president, some of which con-
tinued even after the return Of his
secretary, and his regular studies. The
football team was latter him again."
and matters had taken a turn in such
a way that Edward was seriously
considering the possibility that he
might play again. Pearsons had not
come back, and, under President
Dovoo,e D,onoraDoout II uoc oycand-
ingly unlikely that the custom of hir-
ing nominal students would be con-
tinued. But the fascination Of attempt
ing something for publication attracted
Edward especially at this time, and
for several weeks he wrote one article
a week and submitted it to the other
editors for criticism. According to the
simple rules of the circle, these articles
became the property of the college pa
per only if they were accepted and
paid for by some other paper, and be-
fore being sent out they were subject
ed to the ~severest criticism and discus
sion.
1t would be almost q separate story
by itself to relate all the experiences
of that little circle of inexperienced
but p~ersevering literary aspirants for
publication. The history of it would re-
veal a great quantity of brain effort
/ apparently expended for nothing. 1t
was an event when one of the junior
editors proudly displayed a check for
So that he had actually received for
an article on college athletics he had
sent to a magazine devoted to outdoor
sports. The circle learned. several
months afterward, that he was so elat-
ed by his success that he wrote half
a dozen more articles for the same
paper, all of which were promptly re-
jected. But at the time of receiving
his check he was the most envied and
admired member of the circle, although
one of the sophomores, who boarded
at the same table with this selfsame
junior, said the juniors head was so
turned by his success that the girl who
waited on the table had to turn his
chair around in front of his plate be-
cause his mouth was in the back of his
head.
A mans first money earned with his
pen Is an event, however, that brings
with it a thrill that is distinct and
separate from every other he has ever
experienced. And one morning when
| Edward found in his letter box a letter
/ from the editor of a well known Pc
riodical in the east, ~inclosing a little
yellow slip Of paper good for $40, il
almost took his breath away. The
little note that accompanied the check
( was a complete surprise also. A per-
sonal note from the president of the
United States inviting him to dinner
would hardly have pleased or aston
ished him more. This editor was per-
haps a rare exception among editors,
but he had a kindly feeling toward
young writers and encouraged Edward
in a few words of discriminating praise
to work hard and develop the best
that was in him.
"Your article was accepted by two
of the three readers in the office on
J account of its practical value to farm
ers' boys, many of whom are among
our subscribers. You did not try to
tell about something in Africa or Ma
Mia that you eve saw, but you de-
scribed actual experiences that were
Of interest and value to you at the
time, and you evidently wrote for the
purpose of helping others who might
try the same thing that you tried and
! accomplished. For these reasons we
can use the article, for which we beg
you to accept the inclosed check" etc.
So the editor wrote, cautioning the
young writer against being too much
puffed up over his success.
Edwards first impulse was to show
the letter to Freeda. So that evening
he went wei to the hall, where Freeda
was now living again, and showed her
the letter and the check.
She was much pleased and proud Of
him.
what was the article about?"
"You remember that winter that !
had more than usual spare time on the
farm and I trapped the coyotes, skin
ned them and made the skins into car
rage robes, mittens and caps? l sim
ply told 1t Just as 1t happened and
drew q diagram Of the new trap |
made and sent 1t with the article. You
remember, Freeda, how you helped
dress the skins and how we studied