The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28

He felt that he had been writing for
years-so much of himself had he put
into his work.
"They don't really look like East Siders
but they are awfully funny and they're so
delightfully."- sketchy. They don't look as
If you'd been horribly conscientious about
them. They're so spontaneous"
do you know, dear" said Ned. not
seeming to have heard her remarks, '"if
they don't take this story I'm going down
to Keths to see whether I can get an
engagement to sing ballads
Il didn't know you sang ballads" said
she.
Il don't, but they are easy to learn.
Don't you think 1 have a good stage
presence?"
you could stand before kings said
she, unconsciously quoting something she
had heard somewhere.
We'll, 1 don't suppose there'n be many
kings. there, but at least l have several
strings to my bow. We won't starve.'
In less than an hour he had done Il
illustrations and then he put on his hat,
and while his wife made a funny little
package of the illustrated story he
washed his hands, whistled gayly to the
canaries, shifted the honeysuckles and
looked buoyantly out at the feecy clouds
hecking the deep blue June sky.
We'll, dear, you may expect me in an
hour But walt; let's have some lunch
before l start"
He looked at his watch. ITS 1 o'clook.
l imagine most of the editors will still
be out to lunch. Wen go, too, and I'll
blow in my last penny on 1t. 1t won't be
more than bite, my dear"
ooh, won't it be romantic and bohem-
ian, dear?" said Nelly, with a delicious
little wrlggle of her body. "Oh, I'm 80
glad l married you. And I'm so glad
your father cut you off because 1t
brought out all that was big and noble
In you. 1 think those are the best IL
Illustrations 1 ever saw. You'll probably
rival Gibson himself before very long.
Eyes, only it's easier to do East Slders
than it Is to do handsome girls-like you,
for instance"
In a few minutes they were tripping
down the stairs like a new Paul and Vir-
ginia and were soon seated in a pic
turesque and exceedingly bohemian lunch
room, where they spent their last cent.
Then Nelly, full of life and hope, ran
back to her canaries and her honeysuckles
and Nsd bent his steps to the editorial
rooms of one of the leading magazines.
Yes, ne Is in and will see you II you'll
wait few minutes"
MY time is very precious" said Ned.
'Tell him he'd better see me now"
Very well, SIR" said the boy and de-
parted with the message
In a minute he came back and said,
Follow me, please"
Ned followed him to the editorial rooms
and saw an intellectual looking man talk
ing to a lady who was rising to go.
I'm sorry we can't take it but we are
only taking what We are positively COM
PEELED to accept"
He bowed the lady out and then shook
hands with Ned.
Haven't we met before?" said he.
Never" said Ned shortly. He did not
want to hold any more conversation than
was necessary. He had como to sell his
story not to exchange "reminiscences.
The Edwin Msrryfield of set purpose
who was in the editorial room was a diff
ferent fellow from the genial, loving hus-
band of the honeysuckled, canary haunt
ed bower.
II have here a story which l have
myself Illustrated"
"Oh, Will you leave it," said the editor,
fumbling among his papers to show that
he was busy.
''You evidently don't understand the
circumstances" said Ned This morning
my father absolutely cut me Off l am
newly married. l intend to live. / have
written this story and Illustrated 1t my
self and | want 1t read-now. If not by
you, then by one of your rival editors. -
The editor saw that he was dealing
with no ordinary man and he motioned
Ned to seat and began to read. Sheet
after sheet dropped from his hand and in
half an hour he had finished the story.
tits a good story. The public Is in
terested in the submerged TENTH
THAT is not the point" said Ned cold
ly do you accept it?''
The editor hestated. Ned arose.
Yes, we will take it,
Good. Now, will you look at the pic
tures?
"I don't think we would care to illus
trate it," said the editor.
well, I don't care to divorce it from
its illustrations" said Ned calmly, reach
ing for the manuscript. II will take 1t to
some editor who wishes to have a harmo-
nous whole"
LET me see the pictures said the edi-
tor, realizing that this was no ordinary
man who sat in front of him.
He took the pictures and looked at them
one by one.
"Thev are unusual" said he.
Certainly. 1t In unusual Ear me to