The leader., 1905-10-21

manuscripts from the bag in which the
little hand had been hidden, "but knew
there is no use sending things in by mail.
You always put such things in the waste
basket without reading them, don't
you?"
NO" he replied, ''unless they are un-
signed. But I'm glad you supposed we
did"
She permitted her eyelids to droop,
and then, ignoring his compliment, con-
tinued:
'Do you ever allow people to read
things to you-that they bring in?"
Sometimes, if they"
These are all very short" she inter-
rupted, and wouldn't want to read them
to you, only l think you will be more
likely to get their meaning if do. HIM!
"'There was once a sweet maiden
named"
Excuse me-" he broke in, with sad
sinking at the heart I'VE have decided
not to publish any more poetry that be-
gins There was once a sweet maiden
named Perhaps you have something
else, that will be in our line"
well, see how you like this one:
There was once young fellow from"
Il hope you will pardon me for inter-
rupting you again, but our rules bar out
all poems beginning There was once,a
young fellow from I'm very sorry"
"Oh, it's all right" she answered with
evident disappointment. Il really don't
care very much for either of those, any
way. This one many of my friends
think is very good:
"'There was an old woman who"
81 know you will think we have an alb
surd system here" he interposed, "but
the fact is we don't print anything be-
ginning There was an old woman
who" paz3
Her cheeks were very red now, and
the hands which held up the manu-
scripts trembled. But she was as brave
as she was beautiful, and, taking long
breath, she asked:
do you care to hear any of the 9TH
ers?
'Yes, would like to, very much"
well, then, this is one that wrote
in letter to a friend. 1t is founded on
fact: There was fond wife who"
"But that has the same fault have
had to find with the others Here, just
moment, please. I'll make a little list
AS he wrote he spoke aloud the words
that were jotted down.
1--WE don't print any poems that be-
gin:
"'There was young man
The was an old woman-'
"'There was sweet maiden
"'There was glad grille
"There was gay dandy
There was proud father
''The fact is" he ended, that we have
shut out limericks altogether. But can't
you write something else? I'm sure it
would be good"
NO." she sadly answered, Il don't
seem to be able to have any ideas when
try to write other kinds of poetry"
Then why write poetry?"
'Well-you-you see, don't really
have to write. Only hoped you might
find at least one of these good enough to
publish, because
Because what?''
"oh, it was awfulIy foolish, know,
and You will say that have no right to
think of such thing, but there was
challenge in it."
Some one had told you that you
couldn't get anything printed, sup
pose," the Sunday editor said, noticing
how beautifully rounded and how soft
her chin was.
"Yes,1 she answered. taking care not
to look into his eyes, "and-and I'm
afraid it's going to be very serious for
me if you refuse toto reconsider the
matter"
They looked at each other, then, for q
long time without saying anything.
The Sunday editor vas the first tospeak.
eIf it is going to be as serious as you
look. he said I'm afraid I'll have to
break our rule.
Her face was suddenly transformed