The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-06-08

1
seemed the situation A ludicrous ex
posure of the false advertisement
would disgrace Andy and himself be
yond hope of redemption, their dis
tinguished references would fall upon
them Indignantly. their career in the
literary and publishing world would
END forever. He mathematical Scott
for suggesting the crazy scheme, and
himself for executing it and the
thoughtless spirit of enterprise which
had made them overlook the dishon.
esty Of the thing. And then he set
himself to the composition Of a sec.
ond lie to save the first.
He finished 1t on time and smiled
complacentiy at the result. 1t filled
only two sheets. and yet was impreg-
nable in its simplicity. He put the
statement in his pocket, and returned
to the office
When he entered he found three or
four men disposed on a row of chairs
at one end Of the single room. In
the opposite corner sat little old man,
very much out at elbows. stroking his
gray hair thoughtfully with a roll Of
blue paper. Scott was Mt his desk. A
stout. bearded individual disengaged
himself from the row of men in wait
ing and greeted Loring effusively.
'I'm Connors." he said, "Connors,
the literary critic Of the Daily Specta-
tor. Allow me to congratulate you,
Mr.. Loring. upon the recovery Of your
treasure"
"Whatr' gasped Loring.
"It's been found" explained Andy,
in a voice that suggested a man de-
livering his last speech on the scat
fold. THE poem. you know. the
epic-the Kipling. England you
know. 4 Despise Thee"
Hugh's Mortified gaze turned me-
chanicaliy toward the shabby person
in the corner, who thereupon arose and
leaned diff1dently against the wall,
shifting the blue manuscript from one
hand to the other.
This is Mfr. Zenker," went on Scott
II told him that I couldn't pay him
the reward until you returned"
Certainly not" Loring put in, hard.
~ knowing what he was saying. ats
absurd. There-there must be some
mistake"
Little Zenker coughed an apology
behind the roll of manuscript before
speaking. Then he said:
How do you know. sir, begging your
pardon, without read cut of the
poem? Will you look at 1t. sir?'
Loring did look at 1t. The manu-.
script was pen written in q neat copy
lists hand. 1t was properly signed
The three cantos were bound separ-
ately. 1t answered the description
as advertised in every particular.
"Of course" suggested Mr.. Connors
pompously. "the interest of the press
In your story determines at the res
toration of this gem to its rightful
owner. But IL any extracts from Mr.
Kipling's lines are available for pub
lication-"
by no MEANS" said Loring, who
had found his breath.
One after the other the reporters
started to 60 out; obviously there
was no meat In this business at pres
ent. But suddenly the Universe mar
turned to Zenker.
"Say, cap'n," he asked, where d
you hang out"
Mr.. Zenker bowed eagerly.
1.-THE Pelican Hotel, gentlemen" hi
replied, ION the Bowery, I can give
you, 1 dare say. some striking particu
lars of this incident. being an ole
journalist myself. But naturally an
not at liberty to speak without the
permission Of Mr.. Kipling's agents
here"
"Weli, I'll look you up anyhow,
grumbled the reporter. "Good-morn
Ing"
The representatives of the paper!
withdrew without a word about thu
statement, and Loring tore it up while
he stared ut Mr.. Zenker. Mr.. Zenkel
had red eyes and trembling chin
His clothes were shiny and dilapi
dated, and a genial odor Of alcoho
chung about them.
"When did you see our advertise
ment?" said Loring, sharply.
'At four o'clock this morning"
"And you've written that poem
since then?'
"Sirw The red eyes blinked Gun
ningly.
Let me read it." suggested Scott
Now Andy was the literary expert o.
the establishment. Before embarkins
with Loring he had been for years al
editorial reader In the biggest periodi
cal house in the country. He had no
finished the first canto of the poem
when he jumped from his chair in sur
prise.
1.-The very Dickens. It is KipIingr
he cried. Its the best stuff 1 evel
saw"
But 1t can't be Kipling," said Hugh
Its as much Kipling," quaveret
Mr.. Zenker, 'as the poem you adver
4 tised one hundred dollars for, gentle
men,"
The eyes Of the two partners flashed
messages between them.
Hes on" said the eyes Of Loring.
Hes worth buying" said the eye.
Of Scott. Mr.. Zenker, in the mean
time, steadied q trembling hand upoI
the back of his chair.
| Look here" Andy demanded. "dt
you write much of this kind? Be
cause II you do, wen waive the Kip
ling question"
| MY work is most irregular. sir,
the little man replied. most irregular
And do not get on well with editors
I am not favorite caller In publish
Ing Offices"