The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-01-22
THE TOP ROUND
Of THE LADDER.

4 HGHpAtAH HVAi~ AACAAAol EAG lutCiAuEQ "
eschew the drudgery OF editorial work
and strike at once into authorship. But
one man In her native village was suf-
ficiently intellectual TO secure her
friendship, Curtis Forster, young
physician who had studied his profess
sion In town and returned to practice
1t In the country. He was plodding
and practical He strongly advised her
to choose role offering greater chances
Of success, that Of wife and mother,
with himself for the husband, and
when she refused begged her II she
were unsuccessful to consider the offer
still open.
She had met with some success by
writing stories for the country papers
and began in her new field with others
more finished, 1t is true, but the same
simple work that had SO pleased her
neighbors. Occasionally she would dis
pose of one OF them to magazine,
but at the end Of year after figuring
up her net proceeds she had gained
but twentieth OF her expenditures.
She had brought with her from the
country a bit Of editorial work, which
had remained in the bottom OF her
trunk. Feeling that she should make
an effort to add something to her IN
come for the next year even II 1t were
not by her chosen creative work, she
took out this manuscript, smoothed the
rumpled pages and looked 1t over. 1t
consisted OF series Of selections from
the most affecting scenes in the works
of washington Irving, to each of which
she had written brief introduction,
admirably initiating the authors style.
1t WIS accepted, and the book made
a hit. The authors income for the
year from this source was equal to her
expenditures. Her publisher suggest
ed the writing Of another similar book
made Up OF extracts from the humor
Of a noted author.
The publishers suggestion was ac-
companied by so handsome an offer
that she accepted. The second book
was more popular than the first ana
the proceeds derived many times lar
ger. Then commenced scramble
among publishers for the works OF
Camilla Deming. Success is crafty
ing In any form, and the young author
was very much delighted with hers.
She did not now consider her work
simply editorial At any rate. she saw
in it an opening for her own creations.
She had long had on hand q novel
which from time to time she had sub
mitted TO publishers, then revised and
submitted again. always with the same
unavailable" Selecting one
of dozen publishers who were now
bounding her for her work, she placed
1t In his hands, and It was published
Immediately.
About this time she received a note
from Dr. Forster congratulating her
on her progress. She replied tn a
vein Of exhilaration, giving with
naivete the remark Of her
last publisher. you will soon be at
the top Of the ladder II you don't mar
ry." Forster replied, Marry and turn
the ladder upside down"
The novel was a success. Though
not as successful as the two previous
books, still 1t sold we'll. Camilla wait
ed before entering upon any new work
TIL this fact had been established,
then went to her publisher for a con
ference. He told her that there was
a demand for work like her previous
ones and suggested that che take up
and extract scenes as she
had done with Irving.
Somehow the advice fell on Camilla
like a wet blanket. She was at turn.
Ing point In her career. what should
she do2 She felt the need Of some ona
ii whom she had confidence to assist
her in seeing the problem ia its true
light. Packing her belongings, she took
! train for home Arriving there, she
sent for DIR. Forster. stated her case
and asked his advice. He took a copy
If each Of her three books and prom
sed to see her when he had carefully
read them. In few days he called
upon her with his report, which sha
we'll knew would be the plain, unvar-
1ished truth:
1.-THE gale OF your first two books
Tas based on the genius Of another.
in order to secure that
which they were sure Of selling, 50
battered You that they partly con-
'inced YOU that your success was
argely due to your own effort. Your
lovel Is pleasing, but not a work of
,enius.9
Camilla drew long sigh--the sigh
t one bitterly disappointed.
Camilla" the doctor went on.
what is this you lament-that you
re not pre-eminent in creating inagi-
AIRY beings who are intended to move
eforo us like real people. enact their
riumps and weep at their failures7
t. Isl noble field. I admit. field In
Thlch there have been but few real
masters, but there IS q nobier one. IN
the characters are real and come
rom the great Creator. II IS q field
ito which would myself gladly en-.
y # You would consent 70 enter it
18th me. II you will abandon tho
ctitious and take up the real. your
haraeters VIII be a husband who
dores you and children whose being
not the fanciful emanation OF your
rain. but a part Of yourself The
,ene Of your romance VIII be a real
ONE; the hopes. fears. success, fail
res Of your story those OF an actual
nited family"
Before be had finished the doctor
nd advanced and taken her IN bis
ms When be had concluded. Gu