The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1911-02-24


They be hanged! Nicest town
incest climate-best fishing--nicest
girls. Why. you1l own the whole show
in week. All you've got TO do is 10
steal an editorial or two on our rels'
tions with Japan. and the boys will do
the rest"
There was further protesting and
arguing, but in the end the Eagle
man carried his point, and that was
how Mr.. Clarence Thorpe. author and
journalist. came TO be occupying the
editorial chair of the village paper
when Miss Nellie Lees poem ap-
peared.
The poem was first read with sur
prise then with ridicule. then with
indignation. Ii was an insult 10 ser.1
a parrot obituary 10 the Eagle" Mr..
Thorpe was about 10 return IL TO the
major with some caustic observations
when Fate stayed his hand. Al.
though Miss Nellie's name did not ap-
pear as the author. her father had
given her credit in his letter. She
might be one of the nice girls the
editor had mentioned. The poem
would not bear publication. even as a
burlesque. but why hurt a nice girls
feelings?
Mr.. Thorpe laid aside the manu-
script and took a walk A boy told
him in which direction 10 walk 70
pass Major Lees residence. He didn't
know exactly why he wanted 20 pass
II, but he walked on. The major was
sitting on the veranda with his cigar,
and Providence ordained that sum
mer shower should begin to fall at
that moment.
Come In, sir-come under shelter
till It's Overt" called the old soldier.
and the invitation was taken advan
tage Of
The two discussed politics and
other things and exchanged names
The major received the impression
that Mr.. Thorpe had selected the vii
lage in which TO pass a month or so
and perhaps gather material for an
other book. This gave him an open
ing to relate the death OF the parrot
and the construction of the poem. and
TO add In his blunt way:
Yes; mailed the poem 10 our paper
last night I've been told that the edi
tor is an ass. but perhaps he'll see the
beauties in these verses. II he doesn't
III call at his Office and make IT my
business TO find out why he isn't run.
ming sawmill."
The Eagle" was TO be issued In
three days. II the poem did not go In
the major would keep his word. But
Mr.. Thorpe was determined that II
shouldn't go In. He would dodge the
major He would even bribe the office
boy 10 lie.
On the day the paper was TO be is.
sued, he encountered the man OF war
on the street and was taken home
with him for another talk on the YER
anda. On this occasion he was intro
duced to Mrs. Lee and daughter, and
two hours had passed very pleasantly
when a boy brought copy Of the
Eagle" II was hurriedly opened by
the major No poem
Nellie. my hat and camel" he shout
ed. I'm going down there and call
that editor a fool"
Away he went in spite OF protesta-
tions, and after he was outside the
gate, Miss Nellie said:
"Oh, do SO hope he won't find the
editor in! II was an awful foolish
thing TO send such a poem as that.
Mr.. Thorpe, can't you help me to get
1t back? | want TO get 1t without
father knowing It."
Mr.. Thorpe promised TO see what
could be done. The major found the
editor out, and that lie brought the
office boy 90 cents. The next day II
was so cents more, and the next and
the next Then the major gave up the
quest. His emotions over the death
OF Poll had begun TO wane.
Every two or three days Mr.. Thorpe
occupied seat on the veranda for
time, and then he began 10 be invited
to dinner. The editor returned from
California, but still Mr. Thorpe lin
gered. 1t was at the END OF three
with trip now and then 10
the city, that he major said 20 him:
Yes, go In and win her II you can.
Hang you, you rascal. found out
that you suppressed that poem on me.