The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-28
THE FATAL CONFINEMENT
BY Nellie NJ Jerauld. Camp Walton. Fla.

Morris Erdman was known IN liter
airy circles as q young author Of great
promise. His sketehes and ronances
were read with great pleasure and sell
dom did he hear anything but words O.
braise from the critics. He was con-
slant contributor to the best daily pa
pers ana the monthly magazines
He had been deeply in love for sew
eral years with the beautiful Margaret
Mason and now that the long. thick
envelopes had ceased coming from the
editors and In their place the slip OF
blue paper and a request for something
more from his pen. he decided that he
would put the question to his beloved,
and when Margaret shyly whispered
yes" he urged an immediate marriage.
Il Will write the most wonderful
story, my dear one. for VIII pour our
my heart OF love; the story viii make
me famous for every one loves love"
They were married and he com
menced anew his literary labors, now a
work Of love, and the wonderful story
was written In which he expressed his
complete happiness; he gave utterancs
to his. every feeling and humor spar
kIed IN every sentence The story was
entitled. "Ccntentment."
when Erdman read the finished
story he was filed with delight and
astonishment; he had felt that he could
write something very good but this
was perfect. Even his wife was very
enthusiastic ard said as she threw her
arms about him: Ny dear Morris,
you become more talented every day;
know a great future awaits you"
Norris Erdman sent the story to the
editor who published his best works
BY return mail Morris received large
check from the editor and letter say
ing that the story was a wonderful
production, that the authors position
was now assured, and begging for
hther contributions and, in fact. en-
closed d contract binding Erdman tc
write for this mans publications for
a year and offering what to Erdmsr
seemed q large amount
But Erdman had too high an opinion
p of his own ability to bind himself tc
any one editor, for the press through
out the country was filled with hatter-
ing praise concerning his story, ~Con-
tentment.~ and requests for stories
and articles from his pen were pouring
in with every mail
Again Erdman sent a story to the
editor who had published his Content
nent'', and his establishment and cha
grin was great when he received ths
following note from the editor:
Morris Erdman.
Dear Sir: Your latest Ms. am re-
turning. 1t is good, but not nearly 81
say that am astonished that yo-
should send me anything like this. Tn;
public expects great things from yor
now. Do not disappoint them.
Erdman was discouraged; he had
written as Interestingly as he could
He told his wife nothing OF his trouble
but decided to send the story to an
other editor. .a54o
THIS editor returned the story with
/ a note expressing his indignation tina
Erdman should have sent the famous
story, "Contentment," to another edi.
tor and then insult him by sending
such stuff as the Ms. which I am en-.
closing"
Erdman was hopeless. what shall
/ do now?" he asked himself. HI
thought that he would write some
thing entirely new, which he did ant
sent TO the second editor. For som
time he heard nothing from IL and b.
hoped It had been accepted then n
received the story with these words
Worse and worsei Our readers ex
pect from Morris Erdman something
as good as 'Contsntment.'
Morris became gloomy: That stor.
viii KIN me, They viii have to forge
it before they viii again publish any
thing from my pen"
Several unhappy months passed 70
the Erdmans. Everything he wrot
was promptly returned and the littl
money he had saved had been open
and misery reisned IN his home.
He tried In vain to write something
acceptable, but failed
Tt was because 1 was ideally happ.
and can't marry every time 1 wan
to write something" he said. dolefuI1y
He had to pawn his furniture, piec
by piece. to get food and their hous
at last contained nothing but the bed
For chairs they used boxes.
Then Morris went to the editor VIII
had published "Contentment'' and ask
ed his advice
I must DO something for we ar
very near starvation"
The editor listened gravely and the,