The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27
e. R4CE
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mo, we want their sort Of work to be
deadly commonplace. That style carries
an air Of profound wisdom to our class
of readers. OF course" he added, snil-
ing a Howard's grimace over this notion
OF what was possibly expected OF him,
1--WE don't include your work IN any Of
the classes I've mentioned. You are to
start a new department. We like the
stuff you mailed to US and will feature
It big for the Sunday Magazine. BY the
way. would you like to look over the
proofs Of your matter?"
Howard said that he would, and mes
senger was sent for "a proof Of the Pax
ton page" Howard wondered at the word
page as he had sent not more than a
column and half of copy. But his
amazement grew when the proof was
brought to him. 1t was a page, indeed,
with a head that ran quite across II, and
Included a dozen or more illustrations
, and a big, bold picture of himself. He
read the matter, his cheeks growing red
der as he saw each of his paragraphs
pictured with gross misshapen carica-
lures. At one of these he paused indig-
nantly. He had written some verses,
dainty and tender, suggested by his sis
ter's enthusiasm over her future as a de-
signer. Playing upon the word, he had
fancied a young sweet-minded woman
going to the big city. her imagination
filled with designs but all that came OF
them, try as she would. was that she ever
designed the same old home-an honest
lovers heart-and was it's sole happy oc-
cupantl The illustration for this was a
scantily dressed woman on stage ogling
a stage box filed with men reciprocating
her glances.
'I should like" Howard said to Mr.
Carson, ito make couple of sugges-
tions."
GAS many as you like"
'eThis picture Of me-it's so-so-big
and
''And you're so modest" laughed Mr..
Carson, good-naturedly. '.As good-looking
a chap as you mustn't be afraid of seeing
his own picture. Wait until you see the
big posters. They're being put up around
town tonight"
"of me?" asked Howard. embarrassed.
Certainly. The famous White River
Advocate man. with a fac-simile Of your
autograph a foot high. GreatP'
Howard groaned and WINGED so woeful-
ly that the managing editor laughed
WELL" said Howard, 'Tll not protest
about the pictures of me. because I'm go
ing to insist that this picture is not used %
and he pointed to the illustration OF the
verses entitled Designs"
why, thought that was good; SOU
brettish, rather"
''Too much so. The reason insist. Mr.
Carson (the editor smiled curiously at
his repetition of the word INSIST Is that
the verses were suggested to me by an
enthusiasm Of my sisters"
my dear boy. that settles II. Of course.
I'll have that killed and a pretty face
dreamy sort Of thing, eh?-made for IT. %
Mr. Carson exclaimed heartily. Now,
let's go and see the chief"
The proprietor OF the paper, Mr.. Faux
ner, called Chief by some Of the staff
Boss by others, was hearty and blum
in his greeting; made many polite in
quiries about Howard's health, his fam
lily. the trip from White River, his living
plans. and was winning and gracious.
He. too, was frequently interrupted by
heads of departments-but none entered
without first sending in his card They
all seemed to try to copy Mr. Faulkners 3
bluff manner. and it was easy to see that
this affectation was to cover a genuine
feeling of uncertainty or actual fright.
Each stared at Howard suspiciously at
first, but when introduced by the chief
each affected the chiefs degree OF cor
diality. Now want to give you just