Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-05-09
A READY NNDE
COU.RTSHlP
George Ormsby was % when 1t
lawned on him that he had wasted

George Ormsby was % when II
dawned ON him that he had wasted
about twenty-four years of his life.
The realization came when he found
that he was in love. The particular
study which now revergad itself for
the snubbi7g 1t had received was Eng
llsh composition, an apparently harm
less and embarrassing feature of
scholastic life.
So long as he lived in the same town
with Madge Richardson everything
was smooth sailing. English compost
ton was not important; conversation
was easy. Madge being the chief part
In the performance.
The tragedy began with Ormsby's
office in Chicago. AT first blush this
appeared u bright light in the horizon,
but, on closer observation, it developed
into a Neritable electric storm.
ormsby did not say anything to
Madge on his departure. He want
ed to, but realizing his weak
conversational deficiencies and new
er having tested his epistolary
powers, he trusted they were bot
walt until he was gone and the absence
of his Allegrettis and theater tickets
had pleaded mutely for him while.
The first Sunday after his arrival in
Chicago he seated himself to write to
Madge. The letter began:
Chicago. Sunday afternoon.
MY Dear Miss Richardson:
take my pen in hand
There the epistle mired. The state
ment Was not even entirely true. for
most of his pen was in his mouth be-
Ing chewca meditatively.
AT this crisis an Inspiration came,
The letter WAS postponed until the next
day, when. as he returned from the Of
nee in the evening he purchased The
New Century Letter Writer." This was
the outward and visible sign of his in
spiration. He would copy the models
In the book and send them to Madge
They would make fine impression
and apparently We're In sufficient We
ricty for all emergencies.
Ne chose No. 1913, Upon writer's ar
rival in new home" When amended
With the correct address and signature
1t read:
My Dear Miss Richardson:
During the last few days have dis
arouse an intense longing for the familiar
Am working every day and until late in
ones which have already found place in
do H ne ta ral cannot am, see yours SO am
20 you; j am very pleasantly situated
here. My work is satisfactory my home
pleasant one. and all that | require to
make my happiness complete is some of
those who are dear to me.
have vague Impression that in the
M srs h,n Of goodby did not say,
heart TO say. If YOU will give me an OPP
portnnity by supporting your side of the
correspondence ] will try to tell 1t as we
60 along am anxious to hear all about
my good frlendS-yourself particularly
Hoping that You will not keep me waiting
long, am Very sincerely yours,
George Ormsby
The answer came i'm a little more
bright blue paper IN fashionable,
sprawling, Anglican script
My Dear Mr. Ormsby:
your letter reached me last Tuesday,
anu, you see, | am replying with the
greatest alacrity. Life is progressing here
YOU viii recall was Its custom during
your residence In the vicinity. All OF your
Old friends and acquaintances speak
pleasantly about YOU and would, know,
were aware that was writing to you
II gives me the utmost pleasure to know
only regret In that connection Is that
you may forget your old friends In the
lively diversion of meeting new ones.
Write me more OF your new life. am
ANXIOUS 10 near. Yours as ever,
Madge Richardson.
ormsby would have liked to respond
to some of the illusions in this rather
embarrassing letter. but could find no
model which oiled the bill. He was
Obliged To take Il new tack In following
the vagalies of the New Century Let
ter Writer. SO he copied out this:
Chicago October s.
My Dear Malgc:
You see, venture 10 call you by your
given name. If, In thus expressing myself
towards YOU, take undue liberty, l beg
n Isf.lp e,l,.
turn 10 the former address. | think of you
." often that seem to have known you a
very long time,
watched impaticntly several days for
your. letter and was forced 10 endure a
number of disappointments on that score
''nt last evening ! was made glad. You
brought me There is nothing so good for
the Inconsistencies of a stranger in a
strange land as word from old friends
the evening. but ] like my occupation
and m we'll and h.tDpy