The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1906-02-23
Ole Understrapper
TOriginaI.J

PROPRIETOR, t1uWdfu GdTuudul, CdpIlal-
ist and litterateur; two readers and a
young man named Arthur Otis, who
did odd jobs in the making up" that
were not considered Of sufficient i'm
portance to take up the time of the
others. The last named was the first
Of the lot to take a wife and was strug-
Cling along on a starvation salary. He
was a quiet, inoffensive young fellow
and not considered Of sufficient talents
to make his way to a better position.
One day Mr. Farnham laid a manu-
script novel on Otis desk and said:
There's a novel by Donald Fox. l
want you to go over it and get it
ready for the printer Mr.. Farnham
usually gave his orders, to Otis espe-
cially, without comment, but today he
was very much pleased and added:
eve must begin that in May. I've
been keeping place for it. Anything
by Fox will increase the circulation so
per cent. 1t ought to. 1t cost 10 cents
word for the serial right alone This
is the best thing, in my judgment, he's
ever done; a new departure; not bit
in his usual style"
Otis never made reply to anything
the head Of the concern said. He took
the manuscript and began to work
upon it Immediately. The next day he
took it to his chief and pointed out
what he considered a defect, suggest
ing that it be referred back to the au-
thor to be changed. Mr.. Farnham
scowled, examined the pages referred
to and told Otis that he was not en-
ployed to tell eminent writer's how to
write novels. Otis pocketed the snub
and sneaked back to his desk.
When Otis had concluded his work
he laid the manuscript on Mr.. Farm
hams desk and remarked:
Il see, sir, that the work is not fin
ished.'
''Mr. Fox has promised to have it all
in by the required time We shall not
be delayed
But, sir" said the clerk, as a shade
Of anxiety passed over his face don't
you fear that if anything should hap
pen to Mr. Fox
"Wellw said manager in icy tones.
"Could any one else finish it?'
"No, but Pm going to take the risk"
In due time the story appeared, and
IT'S reception was far. beyond what the
manager had looked for The criticisms
were fine, all critics noting the new
departure Of the author. It suggested
the case Of "The Cloister and the
HEARTH by Charles Reade, which is
unlike any Of it's authors other works.
Mr.. Farnham was jubilant.
One day when the story had been
running six months Otis noticed gen
tleman, who, he was told was the
celebrated Donald Fox, talking with
the manager. After the visitor had
gone Mr.. Farnham brought package
to Otis desk
'"The closing chapters Of Fox's great
novel; he said "Prepare them for is
sue.'
The next morning Otis stood by his
chiefs desk waiting permission to
speak
"Well?" said the manager.
Have you read these chapters Of
MI. Il OK uOFcl!
''NO."
'They are entirely unlike the rest
The public will not believe Mr. Fox
wrote them. They are very abrupt"
1t was on the chiefs tongue to tell
his subordinate to attend to his own
business, but the last words changed
the impulse. Since the author was to
= 10, e.. Il
it would not be to his interest to close
it abruptly.
Leave it," said the chief
For the next few days Otis sat at his
desk surrounded by a cyclone. From
what he overheard he judged that Fox
had confessed that he had hired a lit
erary man who had done some good
work to write the story at cents a
word. The author had been taken i'll
and died when the work was about
twO-thirds finished. Fox had hurriedly
written the last chapters himself
AS soon as he gathered this informa-
ton Otis walked humbly to the chiefs
desk.
Would you like, sir, Mr. Fox's novel
lier chapters? ?"
Like it? We're in the biggest hole''-
He stopped short. He remembered
that Otis had warned him of this very
possibility.
WAS there any understanding with
Mr.. Fox as to the length Of the story?"
asked Otis.
Farnham looked at the young man
with amazement. None of his en-
ployeeS had ever dared ask him about
the terms of his contracts before
''Do you know your business?
Eyes, sir. But
well do it, and let other peoples
business alone"
1--WE understood that Mr.. Fox was
to get 10 cents a word and that he sub
let the work for 5 cents a word, but
don't know how long the story was to
be-
''We1l, sir, why should you know?"
''Because-the fact is, Mr. Farnham.