Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-02-28

Wnen BURKE Philips LETT college he
said to himself, 81 will be a writer
So he obtained rooms near one of the
great publishing centers and provided
himself with books and periodicals
bearing on the subject, and began
what he intended should be his life
work.
He was a good scholar, and had an
easy way of putting words together,
and he wrote upon almost every con-
ceivable subject. If his knowledge was
sometimes superficial, his felicity OF
expression was such that the ordinary
reader never suspected it. Presently a
sketch was accepted and years sub
scription placed to his credit, then a
editor wrote that he would use several
of his stories and pay him upon pub
LEGATION.
But In the meantime there was an
increasing host Of Migrants, returning
manuscripts clamoring for more post
age stamps. Burke had several hun
dred dollars in a bank, and this he in-'
tended to bridge over to the time when
his pen would be strong enough to
earn him a living But in spite OF
hard work and close economy the end
OF his first year found his reserve de-
creased by nearly one-half.
But by this time he had established
himself as writer. Friends congrat-
ulated him and spoke of his future as
being assured. Every few days he saw
his name at the head of short story
or poem or essay, and occasionally his
blood tingled at finding his article
copied from one paper to another
Then came one of t. >se marvellous
showers that enters into the expert
ence Of nearly every young writer. He
received several checks by one mail,
and with these in his possession he
felt no misgivings for the future. He
was already stepping over the thresh-
old of success, he told himself; and the
very next day he went to the young
girl who had watched his work with
such loving interest and appreciation,
and whose faith in him had been even
stronger and more assured than his
own.
A cosy tenement was secured near
his former boarding place, and they
went to housekeeping in simple, un-
ostentatious manner. Burke worked
harder than ever, and his young wife
helped him all she could. She had
read a good deal and was a good critic,
and she assumed most of his copying
They had little company, and that was
lust as they would have it. A simple
breakfast, and then writing and copy
ing; a substantial dinner, and then
walk in the park, or visit to one OF
the great libraries, or an excursion
down the river; then back to tea, and
after that more writing and copying. |
and then a long delightful talk about
their plans and hopes.
The free subscriptions increased, and |
their tables generally looked like the |
counters of a country periodical store.
Some editors gave their papers. and
extra copies of the numbers containing |
articles: others offered free subscrip-
tons for the writer's friends; and
still others intimated that their papers
were graduating schools for young
writers, and that it was not necessary
for them to pay.
They liked the papers and magazines
and the letters from the editors were
preserved. And whenever
one of their stories or poems or
sketches appeared, they forgot for the
time being that it might not have
brought them enough to pay for the
postage it had consumed. But there
were grocery bills. and coal bills, and
rent; and at last Burke courteously in
timated to the editors that he would
prefer money to subscriptions.
But occasionally the mail brought
check, and the wife would seize it and
dance triumphantly about the room,
while the husband watched her from
his desk, pen in hand, and his face