The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1905-07-20

much amused. In tact. that shs took
neveral friends into her confidence. She
felt she must have some one to share
her curiosity rs to what John Drouse
would do under the circumstances.
Il don't believe he conceited
enough to send the verse;" vas her
view of the matter. land yet he's 20
seri0us-minded that he may not see
the Joke"
That ne did see tho joke-also . way
to improve ft-was 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 lha. you control all the
verse have SO far written. and that
he must deal directly with you"
Next day came letter from the
high-named compiler of anthologies.
Dear Madame: l 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 maif?" IL
1 The girl laughed until she cried upon
first receiving this letter, but the laugh
| ter faded as sshe realized the awkward
situation in which she had been placed.
To send Drouet's 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' 8
contributions come to the notice of his
other fun-loving 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.
II cannot send you anything of 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 I
forward you copy was the anthol-
ogy mans reply. He inclosed copy
of Drouet's statement to the effect that
Miss Martha Cunning must be directly
dealt with If the verse was to be oh.
| tanned.
Consent by implication is not sum
Gent" the girl wrote back, in desper.
alton 81 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-
| fidantes over it. The return mail. how
ever, proved her once more mistaken.
81 have written Mr.. Drouet of your
decision" the indefatigable anthology
man informed her. Il hope to send you
the required affidavit tomorrow. Please
forward specimens of Mr.. Drouet's
poetry promptly upon its receipt"
"The thing is getting uncanny," the
girl frowned, uneasily. II must end
| it,"
Call off your anthology man, some
how, and I'll concede you the victor in
our tilt" she wrote Mr.. Drouet. IF
you don't end the matter at once I'll
really send him the verse;"
do so, at your pleasure" was Mr..
Drouet's polite answer. "Only, If you
do. I shall feel constrained, in the in
terests of my artistic reputation, to
tell him how the verse came into exis.
tence. and for whom it was written.
This will make good, live copy, don't
you think?"
"1 Weld, and humbly.' SO the girl
wrote him, after another week of an
thology bombardment. Tell me what
shall do to purchase peace from this
troublesome compiler"
"Write him that we have formed q
close partnership. literary and per.
sonal." was Mr.. Drouet's suggestion,
"and that no verse will hereafter be
DuOl1SneO SlSueu Wy Ivy AouC VAAy
And tell him to leave out your name
also. because long before his book is
ready for publication you won't answer
to that name at all"
By 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 first flush of her engaged happiness
and pity for all non-engaged mortals,
wrote the anthology compiler that she
! und Mr.. D-ouet had together decided
,ot to allow the publication of any OF
his verse at present, but that later s.iey
would be glad to subscribe for copy
Of the book Chicago Record-Herald.
HE WANTED A LARGE WORD
Man Prayed at Revival That the
King Be Annihilated-Real-