The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1906-08-09
Der
Masterpiece
Dy MAIZE X. kAvN
D. MAIZE X. kAvN



conalng through re ball Fred Dick.
s0n stopped 90 examine the long en-.
vrlcrc tying oa the hall rack, III one
corner WAS printed 'Baricrs Pub
lishing Company" lie smiled IN broth
erly derisicn.
-Oh. Msrre~' he called. Il guess
this IL yonr manuscript. Back from
Rarbers," he added maiiciousiy.
Marge went TO the door OF her room
and called down irritabIy;
"wegl. you needn't publish it"'
mo: II would be better II they did
fung back her brother.
"its funay.- he muscd. ''bnt the
things you don't want published are al
ways getting into print. and the things
YOU want 10 see IN print end Up IN the
masterpiece trunk" This IN reference
TO an old box IN which his sister was
wont to deposit her eirusIons after they
had gone the rounds.
Marge came downstairs. digging her
heels yicjously into ths carpet at each
step.
"whcre Is ltY' she asked
With an obvious desire 10 be as an
moving Ms possible her brother replied.
"Mhere's whatf'
Marge treated him 10 an eloquent
silence. suddenly she spied the en-
yelope and pounced upon It, Then she
flung into the sitting room and Hoped
angrlly down on the rug before the
6re.
For half an hour she sat there, read
Ing and tossing aside the pages. The
loud ticking Of the clock on the mantel-
piece sounded with increasing mo-
notony through the long. conscientious
perusal. Finally she sighed.
1T wasn't any good" she confided to
herself. ''It was too long and TOO
prosy, and the idea was old. Still,'
she added In self justification, i've
seen Just ~ bad stuff as that pub
lished."
Her mother entered the room, Narge
looked up at her with grieved eyes.
"It came back" she said In cxplana-
tion OF the pile Of paper at her side,
"and they'll keep coming back as long
as | stay here. I'm tired Of the city.
II ! could get away into the country
where could be absolutely alone day
In and day out could collect my
thoughts"
Her brother chuckled irreverently.
II could collect my thoughts" she re-
peated. my brain is just seethlng
with IDEAS, but the moment ! begin to
write somebody Interrupts and when
get back to my work the inspiration Is
gone, And" she added somewhat bit
terly, 'here I'm elbow to elbow with
tlir crr. fass...rs s~ss--~-~.-seas ~'sf : NJ g.r
10 practice. It's always material
things that receive the first considera-
tlon--lt's the coal or the gas or some
tbing-all the time lf could get out
4 into the country for couple OF
months, for a month even, where no.
body knew me, where there was moth.
ing 10 remind me Of the Interest ana
the water taxes. where could feel for
once In my life that writing was a rec
I rcatlon and not grind, ] could write
a story that would be worth while !
know could"
Mrs. Dickson stood silent during her
daughters TRADE. The look Of sympa'
thetIo understanding in her eyes gavo
place to harmonious twinkle. "Marge
II very young" she reflected. 'and she
certainly was never meant to be a
writer"
Margc had been stenographer 10
successful author, but had lately re
signed her position. elccting TO sup
port herself and keep the family u
! iuxusy by writing. Mr.. Bergen wrote
little stories without beginning or end
for which he received fabulous checks
II was easy. She could do It too. Sh'
had written" but her stories had al
come back. aud now she demanded tt
60 away.
Mrs. Dickson sighed. You wer'
such good s,enographer." she said
but stopped abruptly at sight OF ne
daughters face. sha took refuge un
der cover OF the previous question
"I don't see how we can manage u
dear. she said gently. There are =
many bills TO be met nnd soon the N
surance money falls due. We might lie
that stand for month or so,' she saio
| avoiding her sons eyes.
rWe can't do that" he said with al
perity. "Marge can write here as we
as in the country. She rattles on abou
the artistic temperament and It's re
ou,rements' and the proper environ
ment' and NIL such nonsense. lv
heard her at II time and again. Nov
don't know anything about the al
tistlc temperament and ] don't wai
| 10. but ND 10 date I've furnished "
requirements and the environment
| ana that is where the artistic temper
| men,' has got TO sit up and take motto
As far as can see. the artistic ten
| perament IL a constitutional inabll''
| 10 turn brains into money. II Mari
| had had any sense she would ha'
| stuck TO bsr typewriting and steno
| ropay. She was good stenoRrapher
| The g.rl's eyes filled with tears.
| sAnd." her brother went on, II isr
| loo late ye, You can write your ma
pr,.eces On the side" be added ,
| mosouslv. "Tsll you what Marge''
con,.nced more gently, why don't y
70 70 wors for a couple Of months o.
sa~s saorga for this tripr
Mra D.c.sou brlgessnsd u ne "
sessio,
.sr, i'rs ,cs, ny sYscc.' ss'd Mar
d.sesafsle,Ssr,
ras.e va, moments dead sileh'
Then her irolhsr streie cat " 7
rasm sna slammed the dcof
II -nsa't mind him. dear" said b
mother. .'Mes are sl Ike that
ri
shortly after lunch next Cay the .
rang ana Mn. DlcksoD opened the do
snall ,,ay eonfrA,ed her
! ssrh,.r's a Telephone fer Miss bss