Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1921-12-15

wouldn't be here when she came,
would I? I'll thank you to notice
there's some value to my time, myself !;
and I'll just politely ask you to ex-
cuse me, prayl"
With a proud air, she crushingly
departed; and returned to her own
home, far from dissatisfied with what
she had accomplished. Moreover, she
began to expand with the realization
of a new Importance and she was
gratified with the effect upon her
parents, at dinner that evening, when
she informed them that she had writ
ten a poem which was to be pub
lished in the prospective first number
of the North End Daily Oriole
written a poem?" said her father
''Well, declare! Why, that's remark
| able. FlOrencew
''l'n glad the boys were nice about
| it," said her mother 81 should have
feared they couldn't appreciate It,
after being so cross to you about let
ting you have anything to do with the
printing press. They must have
thought it was very good poem"
'Where is the poem, Florence?" Mr..
Atwater asked. Lets read it and
see what our little girl can do"
Unfortunately Florence had not a
copy, and when she informed her ia
Their of this fact, he protested himself
greatly disappointed as we'll as
anxious for the first appearance of the
Oriole that he might felicitate him
self upon the evidence of his daugh-
ter's heretofore unsupported talent.
Florence was herself anxious for the
newspapers debut, and she made her
anxiety so clear to Atwater & Root
err Owners & PropreitOrs," every
afternoon after school, during the fol-
lowing week, that by Thursday fur
Their argument and repartee on their
part were felt to be indeed futile, and
in order to have little peace around
there they carried her downstairs. At
least they defined their action as
carrying" and, having deposited her
in the yard, they were obliged to
stand guard at the doors, which they
closed and cOntrived to hold against
her until her strength was worn out
for that day.
Florence consOled herself. During
the week she dropped in on all the
members of "the family''-her grand
father uncles and aunts and cousins,
her northumberland in each instance,
after no prOtracted formal prelim-
inaries, lightly remarked that she
wrote poetry now; her first to appear
in the forthcoming Oriole. And when
Great-Aunt Carrie said, "Why, Flor
ence, you're wonderful l couldn't
write poem to save my life. I never
could see how they do it," Florence
laughed made deprecatory little side
motion with her head, and responded:
''Why, Aunt Carrie, that's nothing! 1t
just kind of comes to you"
This also served as her explanation
when some of her school friends ex-
pressed their admiration, after being
told the news in confidence; though to
the teachers she said, smiling ruefully,
as in remembrance of midnight oil,
"It does take work, of course !?
When opportunity offered, upon the
street, she Joined people she knew
and even rather distant acquaint-
ances-and walked with them a little
way, and with unaffected directness
led the conversation to the subject Of
poetry, including her own contribution
to that art Altogether, If Florence
was not in a fair way to become a
poetic celebrity 1t was not her own
fault but entirely that of the North
End Daily OriOle, which was to make
its appearance on Saturday, but failed
to do so, on account of too much en-
thusiasm on the part of Atwater &
Rooter in manipulating the printing
press. 1t broke, had to be repaired;
and Florence, her nerves upset by the
accident, demanded her money back.
This was impossible, and the postpone
ment proved to be an episode; more
over 1t gave time to let more people
know of the treat that was coming.
Among these was Noble Dill, Flor
ence's Ideal. Until the Friday follow
ing her disappointment she had found
no opportunity to acquaint this being
with the news; and but for an encOun-
ter, partly due to chance, he might
not have heard Of 1t. Mr.. Dill was
twenty-five but that was his only per-
ceptible distinction. He was kind,
usually, and not unpleasant in appear
ance or attire; yet he had neither
beauty nor that look of power which
is said to joggle women from their
natural pOise, He was the most every
day young man in all the town; and
Florence's selection of him to be her
Ideal still awaits a precise explana-
ton. Nevertheless, it had happened;
and a sentimental enrichment of color
in her cheeks was the result of her
catching sight of him, as she was on
the point of opening and entering her