Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-09-07

! oesioesf never write for publication;
! wrote II for you"
Il will waive all rights ia the val
entine poem and sign a statement to
this effect" replied Miss Martha, by
return mail. Far be it from me to
stand in your literary light Send the
anthology man your-my-verse with
with my blessing. Let me know when
your name gets into print"
She felt quite happy over this bril-
liant piece of strategy; she was so
much amused, in fact. that she took
several friends into her confidence. She
felt she must have some one to share
her curiosity as TO what John Drouet
would do under the circumstances.
II don't believe he conceited
enough TO send the verse" was her
view Of the matter. "and yet he's so
serious-minded that he may not see
he joke
That ne did see tie joke-also a way
10 improve twas proven by Miss
Martha's next communication from
him.
Many thanks for your kind offer"
he wro,e. briefly Il have written the
anthology man that you control all the
verse / have so far written. and that
he must deal directly with you"
Next day came a letter from the
high-named compiler of anthologies.
Dear Madame: have been in
formed by John Drouet. whose poetry
you so warmly recommended to me.
that you control his entire poetical
output, and that must deal directly
with you In regard to including Mr..
Drouet's name and some specimens
of his work in my proposed Anthology
OF Chicago Poets May / ask for some
of said specimens with duly signed
and witnessed copyright release, by re-
turn mail?"
The girl laughed until she cried upon
first receiving this letter. but the laugh
ter faded as she realized the awkward
situation in which she had been placed.
To send Drouets simple verse, on the
one hand. would be to expose him to
cruel laughter and harsh criticism
should the proposed anthology" ever
crystallize into stern fact and Drouet's
| contributions come TO the notice Of his
other fun-loying friends. To withhold
the verse, on the other hand. would
look extremely strange after her
hearty recommendation OF the same.
She fell back upon strategy again.
Il ar nf Mr.
Drouet's writing without his explicit
consent she wrote to the anthology
compiler.
"Mr. Drouet's consent is given, by
| implication. In the letter OF which |
forward you a copy" was the anthol
ogy mans reply. He Enclosed copy
OF Drouets statement to the effect that
Miss Martha Cunning must be directly
dealt with il the verse was TO be OBJ
/ tanned.
Consent by implication is not sum
cient." the girl wrote back, in desper-
alton. Il am not on good terms with
Mr.. Drouett at present. and must have
an affidavit stating his willingness to
have the verse published before can
treat with you further"
She believed the matter ended. and
again laughed with her friendly con-
fdautes over Il. The return mail, how
ever. proved her once more mistaken.
Il have written Mr.. Drouet of your
decision" the indefatigable anthology
man informed her. II hope to send you
the required affidayit tomorrow. Please
/ forward specimens OF Mr.. Drouets
poetry promptly upon its receipt"
THE thing is getting uncanny, the
girl frowned, uneasily. Il must end
| IT,"
call on your anthology man, some
how. and I'll coneede you the victor IN
our tilt" she wrote Mr.. Drouet. III
Won don't end the matter at once III
really send him the verse.
DO SO. at your pleasure" was Mr..
Drouet's polite answer. Only, II you
40 I shall feel constrained, in the in
,erests OF my artistic reputation, 70
tell him how the verse came into exis-
tence and for whom II was written.
This viii make good, live copy, don't
4
you think
81 yield. and humbly," so the girl
wrote him. after another week OF an
thology bombardment. Tell me what
I shall do to purchase peace from this
troublesome compiler.
Write him that we have formed
close unrtnership. literary and per
sonal" was Mr. Drouet's suggestion
"snd that no verse will hereafter be
published signed by my name only.
And tell him to leave out your name
also. because long before his book Is
readv for publication you won't answer
TO that name at all"
Nv the time the girl had been res
cued from the indignant tears into
which the reply had plunged her, mat
ters had been suite comfortably ar
ranged between them And the girl IN
the arst flush OF her engaged happiness
and p,ty for all non-engaged mortais'
I .~.h,logxr rnmniler that she