Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-15

loathsome, legend-"Ihe edi-
tor regrets
"As II he ever saw the story
The despised and rejected contribu-
ter-one r. A. Cator-snatched pen,
dipped # furiously in the ink. and wrote
as follows:
Dear Sir-By to-nights post q short
story OF mine reached me. with the
usual formula-your regrets. But facts
lead me 10 the conclusion that you can
not possibly have read the story. Then
why regret? I posted IL this morning
at 1890 Presumably it reached your
table about o'clock. since personally
addressed to you. And at $50 II was
again in the post-with your regrets
From slight knowledge Of editors and
their ways. I consider the chances are
ten to one agaist the possibility that you
read the story between $3.50 and 5, when
YOU put the office and IT'S cares behind
YOU. Don't imagine I wish 10 quarrel
with your method Of conducting bust
ness: but considering the fact that I
was introduced 20 you by a certain we'll
known novelist can't help feeling the
irony Of having my story returned un-
read-your regrets accompanying 1t,
Next time won't you detain the MS
day or two. to give your reply some
vague connection with possibility? with
apologies for having troubled you 10
consider my work-an error that SHAH
not occur aFain-believe me, yours
faithfully. r. A. GATOR"
Now the editor Of the magazine in
question-The Crown, 10 be precise
was something new IN editors one
pictures them a collection Of dust-dry.
middle-aged creatures. who drink ink,
eat foolscap and brandish blue pencils
The pilot OF the The Crown didn't NJ
that picture one scrap.
He Was Young.
He was young. a jovial soul and,
though not actually an Adonis, tolerably
good looking and Invariably Wen groom
ed. Above ALL he had a sense OF humor
Cynics have observed that editors are
better of without H. but that's a matter
of opinion.
Having degested r. A. Gators in
furiated epistle. the editors sense Of
humor turned up trumps. and he in turn
put pen to paper and wrote thus:
Dear Mr. Cator-A thousand apol-
ogies' Having been a free lance once, I
ought to have known better than to
strain your powers OF credulity in such
a careless manner. To be strictly
truthful. though, this statement viii
doubtless surprise you-that did
read your story. And II was with real
regret / decided II wasn't quite suitable
for the Crown
Having just gone to press with the
next number. I returned TO the office
after lunch, and. by some extraordinary
fiuke, no callers came Your story was
the first Of a pile on my desk and /
read II, with many others ] admit.
sorrowfully that such a thing could
not have happened once in twelve
months and 1t was thoughtless Of me
20 return your MS in such an ap-
parently heartless manner Am ] for
given? II so. send along some more
stories, and come up one day-Tuesday
afternoon is best for us-and we can
discuss some ideas, Yours truly,
RICHARD SCALE"
About a week later Richard Scale
bade farewell to a laxative caller with
a sigh Of relief Sitting down in his
chair Of office. he tapped a formidable
pile OF short stories with a blue pencil.
1T a cigarette. elected a stream Of
smoke and sighed again profoundly
Cupid though he did not know It, was
perched on his shoulder
Life" pondered Richard Seale-the
next number weighing on his mind
Life is sad. ! must go to a musical
comedy tonight. Let me"
A small bright-eyed boy entered alb
ruptly.
"Yes?" inquired the pilot Of The
Crown.
"A lady, sir-see you. sir--if she
can" He thrust forward a strip of
pasteboard
Miss Rosalind Ames" read the
editor, iiclsing the card with a nico-
tine stained forehnger, and indicating
with a nod that he would see Miss
Ames.
She Was Pretty.
She was pretty; in fact, she was very
very pretty. one glance told him that
uuch. the next showed him that under
her assured manner she was very ner-
Nous Much experience had helped him
10 read humanity with swiftness and
accuracy.
Good afternoon" said he kindly
I'm sorry ! had to keep you waiting
To-dsy's rather busy, and"
Please don't apologize" begged Miss
Rosalind Ames The walting-room
proved most amusing and instructive.