Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-04-23

aZine no one was more sur
prised than Benton himself.
Of course he had received the editors
acceptance and a week or two later a
very satisfactory check, but the full
realization of what it meant did not
come to him until after months of
waiting he saw with his own eyes his
OWL work under his own name. 1t
was the first time, and Benton felt a
certain responsibility.
Many a man has had the same feel
ing on the birth of his first child, and
Benton was simply experiencing some
of the pride of fatherhood. For a time
he struggled with the desire to adopt
literature as a profession, but as the
weeks passed and he failed to find
himself heralded as q genius saner
thoughts prevailed. Wooden goods were
in demand, and so were his services as
a salesman. Some months afterward
he received this note:
My Dear Mr.. Benton-At the request of
the Hillside Dramatic club I write to ask
your permission to use your play, Maids
and Widows" at our midwinter enter
tainment for the benefit Of the orphans
home of this place. We have all read
your comedy with great interest and ap-
probation and think it just what we need
grant our request, believe me, very cor
daily yours.
ELIZABETH RANKIN VAN CLEAvE.
Benton felt very much gratifed when
he received this note. He was appre-
ciated, after all. He at once indited
the following reply:
My Dear Miss Van Cleave-It will af-
ford me the greatest pleasure to give you
permission to use my play for the benefit
of the orphans home. 1t is always graft
flying to find ones work appreciated. and
1 assure you that the Dramatic club has
my best wishes for a successful repre-
sentation of Maids and Widows" Very
sincerely yours,
JOHN AUSTIN BENTON.
He wondered if the members of the
club would gather about Miss Van
Cleave and regard the signature of the
we'll known author and playwright
with awe, and he began to think Of
writing a four act tragedy. One morn
ing he was agreeably surprised to find
another letter in the handwriting of
Miss Van Cleave.
"Thank you SO MUCH" she wrote.
''for letting us use your play. We have
had two rehearsals, and everything
seems to be going nicely. Will you
please tell me if Alice is supposed to
fall in love with Henry at the break
fast table, or is it when they are on
their way to the golf club? 1 am to
play Alice, and l do so want to make a
success of the part.
"By the way, I find my aunt, Mrs.
Baker. is an old friend of your moth
er's. Is it not strange how small the
world is after all?
DO you consider it necessary for
Henry to kiss Alice in the last act. as
the book says?"
Benton whistled as he perused this
note. He remembered having heard of
his mothers friend, Mrs. Baker, and
this must be her niece. the beautiful
Miss Van Cleave.
That evening he wrote the following
letter:
Dear Miss Van Cleave-In my opinion
Alice did not fall in love with Henry at
the breakfast table. That would be ask
ing too much of any girl. Eleven o'clock
and the golf club is a different matter.
Under the circumstances 1 should con-
slider it necessary for Henry to kiss Alice
He really could not help it, you know. for
Alice is a charming girl.
I am glad that the play is progressing
well and wish you every success. Sin
cerely yours. JOHN A. BENTON.
On Tuesday evening Benton received
a note from Mrs. Van Cleave inviting