The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-21
Billy Patterson's Luck
BY Charles G. Rogers.

,reappeared. That's every cent have In the
world" he added pathetically. The eyes OF
the young woman not being sympathetic, he
turned his upon those of the picture girl.
This action apparently still further nettled
the collector.
There were two gentlemen" she said,
emphasizing the last word looking for
room to-day. They are ready to pay 81 for
this shall rent to them from tomorrow.
OF course you understand If you can't pay
up She glanced significantly at Billy's
shabby trunk.
You're right said Billy "And that's It.
There's nothing in it. I've hung up every
thing except myself Perhaps in the morn
ing He glanced at large hook in the
ceiling, but when he turned his gaze at the
door again the material picture that had
been framed there had departed in wrath.
T Billy closed the door and sat YEARLY upon
his bed. He was only %. 1t seemed to him
that he had failed. His was bright, whole
some optimistic nature, with an acute sense
of humor, yet his stories were almost invari-
ably of a morbid and depressing character
and met with little If any successes.
/ After a time he sat up and stared at the
faded pattern Of the carpet, mentally COM
pairing it to the fowery design OF his ambi-
tons and his hopes when they, too, were
new and upon which. 1t seemed to him, the
world had tramoled until all the color was
quite gone Suddenly he tossed back his
lbead, laughing oddly and fixed a strained gaze
upon the large hook in the plaster Just over
This head.
| after ALL" he said harshly. ttwhat mat
ters? Nothing matters!'
/ He stood upon the bed and reached a hand
to the iron hook 1t seemed firm. He placed
a middle finger through it and put his whole
weight upon the hook. It held. He stepped
to the floor and with his glance measured the
distance from the surface Of the bed to the
floor. AS he turned again his eyes met those
of the girl in the picture upon the WALL The
blood flowed into his pale, face, and he trem-
bled as he leaned with clinched hands upon
the tables edge. Suddenly he turned and
flung himself, face down. upon his bed.
weeping with the bitterness OF regret and
shame.
| When at last Billy Patterson sprang up, he
kicked over his chair and paced the little
room like an innocent man in a prison cell.
t'My Cod he said, staring upward, will
the tide never turn?'' But he looked beyond
the iron hook this time straight into the eyes
of the girl.
| He flung up the window and took deep
draught Of the cold night air. In the deep
blue Of the velvet void over the great city OF
New York the golden stars were shining.
In frenzy of mingled courage and hope he
hurredly opened the half dozen Packages
| One by one he removed his rejected manu-
scripts, and one by one with increasing yio-
lence he flung the torn covers upon the floor
When, his hopes driven from cover TO cover,
as 1t were. he had flung down the last with
| an oath, he stood moodi1y staring, his gaze
unconsciously upon the one unopened pack
| age that some time before he had kicked
aside Suddenly aware that its fortune, good
or i'll, was still an unknown If not unguessed
| quantity, he picked it uD.
| 'tSmall need" he remarked bitterly ripping
| up the package. He laughed harshly as he
| drew cut what he recognized at a glance as
! his manuscript of the story of the woman
| and the snake. Then he started and stared
Instead of the customary editorial printed
| slip of courteous rejection there was-a letter.
| His fingers trembled as he opened it. His
eyes elistened as he read it.
l Dear Sir: We have pleasure in inclosing
you our check for $50 for your story, 'Prin-
cess Adele and shall be pleased to consider
| other stories Of the same nature from you.
| We return herewith the story. 1.-THE Woman
| and the Snake which we regret is not avail
/ able. 1t is too grewsome in character for
our use. We have persistently cut out Of
the service everything that does not lend
more or less cheer; and give satisfaction to the
| reader. Yours very truly,
l. ~ The Editors The Stellar Magazine.
| To Billy Patterson the lamp seemed to sud-
denly shine with new light, the dingy
little room grew radiant and the eyes of the
picture seemed to smile. Leaning across the
table, he took the frame in his hands and
kissed the pictured face of the girl.