The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1907-05-08
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EDOnlestieDifficnIties
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Copyright, 1908. by w. R. caldwelLl
"What's thatT exclaimed Mrs. Blair
as a loud thud in the hall smote upon
her ears.
ats only the mail carrier throwing
IN one Of my rejected stories, of
eourse," replied her husband resigned
iy. springing up from the breakfast Ia
BILE and disappearing into the hall.
Presently he returned with fat en-
velope. which he tossed beside his
plate, and a magazine. which he pro-
ceeded to open and glance through.
(which one is it this timer" asked
his wife sympathetically.
'The mining story sent OF last
Thursday."
"only FIVE days agol 1 don't believe
they even looked at itw
"oh, yes. they did. They probably
saw at a glance that they didn't want
It ana were Kind enough to ship 1t back
promptly. Perhaps it was too long or
too short or Stay, let me see what
the editor does say" tearing open the
envelope and glancing over a printed
slip.
1--WE have read the inclosed manu-
script with interest and regret that 1t
dees not seem precisely adapted to cur
present needs and therefore return It.
HIM, h'ml This does not imply any
lack of merit No, of course not. In
fact my dear, it's the same old story in
the same old way"
He slammed the contemned manu-
script upon the table and resumed his
study Of the magazine.
"Yet plenty of writer's do get in." he
continued. "Here are eight short sto-
ries in this number of Ramper's, and
thousands of others are published ev-
cry month. 1t seems as If everybody
wrote for the press nowadays"
even the lawyers" said his wife
with glimmer of fun in her eyes.
"Well, even lawyer doesn't disdair
an occasional twenty or thirty dollars
for few hours spare work"
Twenty or thirty dollars! You are
coming down rapidly in your prices
Last year it was forty or fifty, and the
year before it was a hundred or So"
1.-THE law of supply and demand, my
dear. If had made hit like the au
thor of 'AIr. Jiggs of the Oyster Bed.
my prices would be advancing at cor
responding rate. But what 1 was go
ing to say Is this: How do all these
| writers get in and why in the mischief
can't get in too? Jerusalemw
The expletive was addressed to the
maid, who in setting cup Of coffee
beside his place had splashed some Of
the hot contents over his hand and
upon the tablecloth. He glared at hel
savagely while she awkwardly apollo
gized and mopped up the fluid with g
napkin.
Mrs. Blair frowned at him, as II Il
say, Don't seold herT and then OBJ
served kindly to the maid: "Nevel
mind, Mary. The cloth would go IL
the wash tomorrow, anyway. Now
will you please set finger bowl OF
the table,"
Mr.. Blair returned to the magazine
"Here Is another story by that new
writer, NJ. Conway, and 1t seems t.
start of well. 1 wish could meet him
or, more likely, her, for most of the
new writers seem to be women. II
say to him, or her: Sir, or madam, how
in the world did you do itl How die
| you get In? Was 1t by influence Oh
cheek or n personal acquaintance witt
the editor? Won't you kindly inform
me how 1t was accomplished? Tell m,
how to get In and I'll promise to whacl
up half Of my first years profits"
A loud crash interrupted his remarks
and, glanclng up, he beheld the mait
standing helplessly over the fragment!
Of a cut glass finger bowl.
well, what ne1t?" he began, but
his wife hastily interposed. "Nevel
mind, Mary. A little clean water won't
hurt the rug, and you can sweep VI
the glass after breakfast"
When the maid had Withdrawn Mrs
Blair said to her husband, you mus
be careful not to speak 30 sharply OIL
well lose her, and l don't know where
we could get any one to take hel
place."
"All right" returned Mr.. Blair. "But
there's one thing 1 will insist upon
She must keep out of my den. Sht
was in there again this morning"
"Yes. She asked my permission t.
lock at your dictionary"
1.-THE dictionary Now, what
AS If in answer to his unfinished
question the maid entered, blushingly
handed her mistress note and quietly
withdrew.
With a muttered exclamation Of
amazement Mrs. Blair glanced through
the note and then read 1t aloud:
Dear Madam-I regret to inform yol
that eur DleaSant connection ~ mistress
and maid will terminate on the 10th inst.
when my month is up. This does no
imply any lack Of Kindness on your part
but simply that am engaged In NOR,
remunerative and congenial employment.
Trusting you may soon flnd anothe
maid who will prove available, an
very respectfully yours,
IN. CONWAY FLANNERTY."
"Great Scott NJ. Conway-our maidF
gasped Mr.. Blair.
They gazed blankly at each other {
moment and then roared with laugh
ter.
Finally, "Yeu'd better give it up, M
dear" said his wife chokingly as sh,