Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-12-10
.lHE AUDACITY OF
BOB SMITHSON,
BY MARTHA c. HurcAlNs.


ert commonly called Bob Smithson.
manufacturer of drainpipe. entered
simultaneously with the poStmau. Bar.
~ took lctter from the latter, tore Il
open, scowled ana threw il in waste
basket
Evidently" said Smithson. you
don prize your correspondent"
oh, these women! They are con.
tinually writing me 10 know what
some OF my characters mean by such
thing. or how interested they are I'm
thetStory, or how and when will Il end
IN the magazine or something else. all
OF which means that they wish to gct
me 10 attend function they're about
To give and show me of as their init
mate friend"
Smithson picked the note out OF the
basket and read II.
Would you object TO turning this
lady over to me?" he asked. 81 might
personate you"
Not In tho least"
she seems to be quite fascinated
with your character of Edwin Os-
trundcr."
her party. Follow It up. pcrsonatc me
II You like, and you will bc lonizcd."
And so It turned out. week later
the audacious Bob Smithson was pres
eut mt a musical rs Edgar Barry. who
had recently risen into prominence
through story that had made n hit.
The worst feature about Smithsons
performance was that he circulated
report that nc had drawn the much
admired Edwin Ostrandcr from him.
self
1t didn't take long for the fasclnnt-
ing literary manufacturer not OF ro-
mdnccs but Of drainpipc. TO fan I'm
love with Alice Beardslcy. who gave
her whole heart 10 the dcccycr. Bob
proposed To her without realizing what
he was doing, aud the young lady.
carried away 10y her feelings, accepted
him without taking time TO think about
IT, Then Bob awoke the morning aft
CT IL had happened TO n realization OF
his situation He wrote out ten con
fCssions and tore them all up. He
started six times 10 go and make
verbal confession and backed out ev-
l y
rung the doorbell.
Bob had told Miss Beardslcy that ne
wrote in "A room at the Authors club
! He told her this, intending TO post
Barry, who really did write there, so
| that if any notes came Barry would
| know and act accordingly At II
O'Clock In the morning three days after
| SmhthsOn's proposal. while Barry was
| putting some master touches TO the
! character OF Edwin Ostrandcr. the door
opened and n servant In the clubs
! livery announced.
"a lady in the reception room to see
, you, sir"
! "a lady! What LADY,"
"Shc says tell i'm I'm his fancy"
My fanceew
| The Authors club Is quiet place.
! Probably that IS because authors have
| no money TO spend I'm clubs 30 one
was about The lady. taking advantage
| Of this. had followed the servant TO
! MIR. Barry's workrooms and now APP
! pcarcd, trembling at the open door.
| On seeing the author she started
Il beg your pardon" she said. 81
! was looking for Mr.. Barry"
II am Mr.. Barry"
mot you. The Mr. Barry"
II am Edgar Barry"
| II am looking for Mr. Barry, the nov
| cllst"
81 write-ot least, try TO write
novels"
Meanwhile the lady had stepped
across the portal much bcwlldcrcd A
servant approached ana announced.
"Mr. Smithsonw aud I'm another mo
/ ment Mr. Bob Smithson entered
ooh, Edgar" cried the lady what
does it all meanW
Bob Smithson stood the picture OF
/ despair. lie shivcrcd and shook lie
/ took out his handkerchief, drew il
/ hastily across his brow. thrust it back
into his pocket, tried 30 stammcr some
| thing and at last looked npDcalingly.
. p.iiI.ly. at Barry.
"NNhat i5 b. EODE asked the latter.
"Tcll her"
"Thc lady who
eyes; for heavens sake sraightcn
It out"
"AiIss Barry hcsitated Smithson
put in "BcarlsIcy IF ever there vas
au angel ON earth. and if over there
was q devil aud % fOol"
"iIoid ON. Bob, This is going 90 come
o1t al right Don't make So amy
worse Miss Bc1rdslcy. SOU are cu-
gagged 10 my esteemed friend SIR
smithsou, ! believe"
or thought ! wo3 Engaged fo NIr
Parry the novelist" Then turning