Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-04

- %S1 5Y HEN | was just lot OF witness
being woven together and
MAJ bound with thongs-I mean De-
WV fore had assumed the DEFINITE
shane of a useful waste basket
and was Just an inconsequential strip Vh
bound twIgs-I had no idea what important
things were 70 DO consigned TO me- "haI
startling secrets l was destined 10 holu'
and, also. on the other hand. what humlila-
ton 1 was to endure by being made the re-
ceptacle for so many triviauties ana 50
much rubbish. But that was years ago
l have come to know things now. nave
become wise to the world. 1 have learned
TO ACCEPT the important concerns and the
trivial things with true philosopher
equanimity 1t may be said that I have
had my days of dignity and vanity, my
sentimental periods my times of humila-
ton. all In proportion, Just such things
are served out to the superior creatures or
life. I have been gently handed ana again
I have felt the brutal kicks of Nl-temper
and isappointment-the latter are respon-
slble for the caving In of part or my CIR
conference.
And sadder knowledge than all the rest
have gained. l know that when have
been sufficiently kicked and knocked about
and crushed l will be thrown in the ash
can and later carted away and burned. But
such IS life even for many of those who do
their duty faithfully and as best they can
There were hundreds of US finished and
turned out Of the big factory at the same
time. Some OF the lot-smaller baskets
than and a little finer grained-went to do
service In the boudoirs of young ladies';
others fell into the hands OF young gentle
men and graced their dens. and still others
al sfz Nd in my social class 80
may be permitted that term. served beside
the desks of business men. How do know
all this? Wen. I became the property OF
an editor. That should be sufficient ex-
PLANTATION. In that sanctum of information
l came TO learn lots Of things one is not
supposed to know.
I was a proud, new waste basket then.
all unacquainted with the possibilities of
my future. On the first morning l was
placed beside his desk the editor came in,
pulled OF his oyercoat. glanced AT me, say
Ing That's better" then kicked me gently
TO one side and began running through his
mail. I really did not know what my mis-
sion was in life, what was to be used for,
but presently began to understand. What
a shock It was when the blue pencil man
shoveled into me a lot OF torn envelopes.
inky proofs, letters, etc. Then In a little
while l received quite jolt. The editor
dropped a large bundle Of manuscript into
me. together with pathetic little letter.
saying as he did so, Poor devil, but can't
use emf That was my first sentimental
experience.
| was instantly interested in the bundle.
and on investigation found II was a couple
Of love stories. They didn't seem SO bad
TO me and l wondered why the editor man
could not use them. Then I glanced at the
letter. IT said: Dear Sir 1 inelose two
short stories which I hope may be avail
able for publication In your paper. Please
read them carefully. I am poor young
man. out OF work, sick, hungry and abso
lutely discouraged. If you don't take these
stories l don't know what / shall do. for
I'm all in. Since l have been sick all
can do Is 10 write. / hope you can use
these stories ana help out a poor. discour-
aged mortal. II not available throw them
in the waste basket ! have no stamps
TO send for their return"