The San Francisco call., 1909-06-13

mll61As FANldAttc1 AAAc bAN-
turesoue and poetic Pole put
ting aside the manuscript OF
HE latest ballad for q second glass OF
the thin cleret at his elbow and in
curing with an arch OF his fine brows
~ he might proceed with the manu-
facture Of third cigarette.
The sir In the low rooted attic
study was already blue with tobacco
smoke Though its fumes ] watched
two newspaper artists who were di-
Viding the last or p large bologna be
tween them and discussing the repre-
hensfble lack OF discrimination mani
tested by & former acquaintance who
had lately fallen heir 10 a lucrative po-
sition as editor OF monthly maya
Eine and promptly Inaugurated a
wholesale return OF the accumulated
drawings and manuscripts which OBJ
struoteo the sanctum.
One OF these knights OF the pencil
who lived in q dilapidated eyrie on
Russian hill. and the chum who shared
his hoDse keeping convenIences there
while substituting as dramatic on a
popular weekly, now came in to ac-
company him home. Not finding an
unoceupied chair he sat Turkish fash
ion upon a packing box at the foot Of
the couch and gratefully shared my
remaining cheese sandwich while tell
ing me OF his contemplated departure
for New York. where a broader field
awaited him.
Personally had experienced such
difficulty in filling the local field that
could scarcely conceive Of spreading
myself equsbly, as it were. over the
great eastern metropolis. but my en-
thusisstic informant assured me that
he expected 10 meet with little grave
opposition. Tales Of Gotham possessed
FOR me the fascination OF fairy stories.
I pushed aside the tin bread box cover,
which had done duty as a serving tray
snd leaning my arm upon the pine
table eagerly lent ear
A year ago the prospect or such in
spring companionshlp would have
seemed too good to be true An iso-
lated railway hamlet was not condu-
cive TO towering talent Here in san
Francisco. where a kindly disposed
aunt had procured tor ne clerkship
st s. per week. 7 had been so fortu-
nate this month IS TO have an article
accepted by sunday editor and il
lustra ted. with discernment and feel
ing. by one OF these rising artists The
aspiring dramatic critic at my left had
hintcd that home was woman's
sphere. bat stili. since he was TO leave
the west. accompanied by two other
contributors to our metropolitan
weeklies. he would give me a note Of
introduction 10 one OF his mana geriaI
associates and speak 70 him privately
regarding :he advisability Of aGording
really talented women an opportunity
TO prove their mettle and perhaps
partly hll the gap which would soon
make itself felt IN the local realm I
had rented a typewriter and begun two
new pieces OF work Several letters
or cougratulation had come to me
from former school friends. and the
ADiADAtlE f-ANAcA WAS 70 meet at
dinner an o.d lady who was distantly
related 20 the city editor OF A morn
ing daily. what might not result
from such ar inhuentiat acquaint-
snce? The oppressive exigencies OF
bread winning had been effectively
offset by contact with half a dozen
congenisi spirits who had crossed my
path. peroeptibly Tightening ray dark
- hours and keeping alive those ex-
hilarating potentiaiities which had ac-
companied my advent into the snetrop-
oils. Only = scarcity or chairs and
teacups prevented the fronl gathering
them all here At one time Yet there
flashed upon me already the eGulgence
OF an unsought glory
"A salon, indeed: IN this eoncourse
o. friendship and genius and admira-
tion which is mutual mademoiselle.
you have surely the hearts desire. We
al have it. Even my poor tribute ot
wine is nectar in this company"
ITO the Saion!'