The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-06-08
H s.
The MADE III 0RUER KIPbING.
BY Edward Boltwood.
\ n his way up in the elevator
I Loring. for the twentieth
fIroo rood thu odrortisonao,,t

time, read the advertisement
in the morning Leader:
iLost-One hundred dollars reward
Of an unpublished epic poem in three
cantos by Mr.. Rudyard Kipling, called
England, I Despise Theer'
Lost by messenger between City
Hall and Twenty-third street. The
Ms. can be made of no commercial
value except by Scott & Loring, au-
thors' agents, literary brokers and sell
ers of manuscript on commission, st.
Louis Building, Room Ill.
When Loring burst into the Office.
Scott was already sitting at his desk.
ANDY" said Loring. II see It's in
print"
Eyes, and I wish 1t wasn't Well
get into trouble over that fake, just
as sure as the world"
Loring laughed as he whirled his
chair to the proper height. and sat
down opposite his disconsolate part
ner.
"Why, it was your own proposition"
he said, land better advertisement
couldn't be invented
81 know that, Hugh. But it's lie,
that's all It is. What IL Kipling ever
hears of it?"
HE isn't very likely to hear of it
in Australia. Besides, we can always
say that somebody has imposed upon
us. can't we? You wait until business
begins to pick up. After reading that
every editor in the city will want to
know what else we have for sale. And
as for the authors-well, agents that
keep Kipling poems on hand will have
more than they can do. Wen have to
hire nm extra Office before the week is
out"
Scott sighed and rolled his morning
cigarette between his fingers, but in
the act of striking match he was
interrupted by messenger boy. He
broke open the envelope. and then
tossed the Enclosure over to Loring.
Hugh looked at 1t eagerly:
"The McScribian Company present
their compliments to Messrs. Lorihg
& Scott, and will be DESTROYS of see
ing Mr.. Kipling's poem. mentioned in
this mornings Leader. They take the
liberty of adding that they are anxious
to secure any other works of cele-
brated authors which Messrs. Loring
& Scott may have in their hands for
disposal"
Loring snorted excitedly.
But what can we say to emp
asked Andy, helplessly, after the mes
senger had retired. I'VE haven't got
a manuscript that's worth a cent, and
you know it."
"Oh, don't worryr' Loring OK
claimed. 1.-THE authors will have that
ad. pointed out to them. as well as the
publishers. shouldn't be surprised
If Richard Harding-hello, here's an
otherr'
A second messenger. a note from
Doublepage & Harclure. Even SCOTS
heretofore doubtful eyes cleaned at
this.
"Now," he said, II guess they'll
pay some attention to us. Hugh. this
is immense. so long as we don't get
found out"
Never you mind about that. Come
in! It's probably the great American
novelist"
But the caller was not a novelist,
he was sharp-faced young reporter
for the Evening Universe.
"Came t. see bout this Kipling
poem," said he, glazing at Loring
through a pair of very thick eye
glasses. Course, it's matter 4 great
gen'ral interest. Anything y want
tell tn Universe?"
Hugh cleared his throat and glanced
at his partner, but the latter gentle.
man only rose hurriedly apd looked
out Of the window with an impressive
air of abstraction. The rapid spoken
man from the Universe pulled up O
chair and produced dirty notebook
"Youl see." faltered Loring. IL did
not read the poem-I-I-"
Don't want you t. recite It," the
reporter said. "Only few things mes.
airy for story. What's poem about
When was t written? How much e
t worth? What's style? Why'd Kip
ling d'spise EnglandT
Hugh interrupted him. under the
guidance of a happy inspiration.
"Tll tell you," he suggested. "this is
rather a delicate business matter.
Your1 Ioftar LOT M 1ro VIZ ,,n n n cort
of statement. I'll have 1t ready In an
hour"
30. k" assented the newspaper
man. you'll agree t give out nothin'
else t tn other boys? They'll all be
round"
"The same information will be Civ.
en- to all the papers" Loring declared
"in one hour"
Good" said the Universe. and
slammed the door.
What are we going to do?" cried
Andy. Those pirates are bound to
get up some kind of story. 1t will
ruin us-our reputation and all that
II know what I'm going to do
said Loring. "I'm going to get away
from here, run to the nearest hotel
and work out story. You hold the
reporters till ! get back. / can't think
here. it's impossible. Keep up your
nerve. my son. It's all right"
He jumped up from his chair and
into his overcoat and out of the office
before his astonished partner could
make an effective protest.
IF Mark Twain and Anthony Hope
come In" he called back from the cor.
ridor. tell 'em wen sell their stun
on ten per cent. commission"
But Hugh. In reality. did not feel in
q facetious mood. He crossed the
street to the Jefferson House. sat