The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1918-07-04

In June two very important events
took place. The novel was finished,
and Stephen, his sophomore year at an
end, came home from college. He had
been invited by some classmates to
spend part of his vacation with them
on the Maine coast, and his guardian
had consented to his doing So But
the boy himself had something else to
propose.
Say" he said, 1--WE been thinking
good deal while I've been away this
last time. Now, the way I look at It,
this college course of mine isn't worth
while. And the kind of work want
to do doesn't need university training
l want to be down on the street. as the
governor was. II this rubber company
business hadn't knocked us out l In
tended as soon as was Of age to take
that seat of his and start In for my
self. Well, that chance has gone, but
mean to get in some way, though
have to start at the foot of the ladder.
Now, why can't / leave college and
start now? 1t will be two years gain
ed, won't it2'
Captain Elisha seemed pleased, but
he shook his head.
How do you know you'd like it?
he asked. you've never tried"
mo, never have, but I'll like 1t,
all right. know / shall. It's what
I've wanted to do ever since was old
enough to think of such things. Just
let me start in now, right away, and
III show you. I'll make good, you see
If don't"
That evening the captain made 9
definite proposal to Stephen. 1t was
briefly that, while not consenting to
the latter's leaving college, he did con-
slider that a trial of the work in
brokers' Office might be a good thing.
Therefore If tn" -oung man wished he
could enter the employ Of friend of
Sylvester and remain during July and
August
The novel, the wonderful tale which
Captain Elisha was certain would
make its author famous, was finished
that very day in June when Stephen
came back from New Haven.
The advance copy. the first one, was
ready early In September, and the au-
thor, Of course, brought 1t Immediately
to his friends They found the dedica-
ton especially interesting, ITO @. w.
and e. W., consulting specialists at
the literary clinics, with grateful &C.
acknowledgements" Probably Captain
Elisha was never prouder of anything,
even his first command than of that
dedication.
And the story, when at last 1t appear.
ed for sale, was almost from the be-
ginning success, and, most important
of all perhaps. 1t sold and continued to
sell. There was something In 1t, Its
humanity, its simplicity, Its clearly
marked characters. which made a hit
Pearson no longer needed to seek pub
fishers; they sought him. His short
stories were bid for by the magazines,
and his prices climbed and climbed.
He found himself suddenly planted In
the middle of the highway to prosper
ity.
The novel being out Of the way and
Its successor not yet far enough ad-
vanced In plot or general plan for much
discussion, the Literary clinics" were
no longei as frequent. But Parsons
visits to the Warren house were not
discontinued. All summer long he had
been coming out once and usually twice
a week. Captain Elisha had told him
not to stand on formality, to come any
time, and he did. On most of these
occasions he found the captain at
| hona huf ~ opIy Carolina uao thara
he seemed quite contented. The cap
tain was planning a glorious Thanks
giving. At least 1t would be glorious
to him, for he intended spending the
day and several days at his own home
In South Denboro. He would not leave
Caroline, of course; she was going with
him. Steve would be there, though he
would not come until Thanksgiving
day itself. Sylvester also would be Of
the party. He seemed delighted at the
opportunity. Pearson was asked and
had accepted. His going was SO far
settled thing that he had commissioned
Captain Elisha to purchase a stateroom
for him on the Fall river boat. for. of
course, the captain would not consider
their travelling the entire distance by
train. A day or two later Pearson an
nounced that he had decided not to
go.
"HeyT Captain Elisha could scarce
ly believe he had heard correctly. you
can't go-to South Denboro?"
mo"
"Why not, for the land sakes7 Come
here! Let me look at you"