Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-03-18
THE FIRE OF GENIUSl
BY LEE VERNON HAMMOND. |

1lle winding stretch of roadway in
MillFille known as the Circle contained
four homes, the diversity of which
made that residential presentation err
ratio and incOngrGous. Fully One-half
of the six hundred feet frontage was
taken up by me home of Robert Ed
son, wealthy retired business man,
who lived entirely to himself, had come
from the city to settle down in bache-
Tor solitude, but luxury. who made fire.
GEent long pleasure tours and was
therefore very little at home.
Next to 1t was the modest home of
VIII Blake. who was a grizzled assist
ant In the local bank. and with whom
Il younger brother, Nelson Blake. lived.
Adjoining that was the mere she'll of
q small cottage occupied as q lessee
by a young widow, Mrs. Eunlee
Woods, and her two-year-old boy.
bright. precoclous youngster popularity
uickuamed Buster.
II is with Nelson Blake that we have
10 do. and never was there a more low
able fellow. He was twenty-five,
sturdy and erect, but only of late
years. From ten TO twenty he had
been a weakling. and that period had
compelled sedentary life devoid OF
play and companionship. Then slowly
he had ouigrown his physical ailments.
bat ambition and effort had expert
eHced 81 setback. He accepted a posi-
ton a night Waterman at manufae-
turing plant and now had held ii for
three years.
WHY don't you try something bet
terf' his siSter-in-law had often asked
him.
Tell YOU Martha. he would reply.
''os you know. have an idea there is
some kind Of place for me In htera-
ture."
But suddenly 8 new element OF in
SEPARATION came into his life. The du-
ties of Nelson al the plant comprised
his taking a comfortable seat near the
burglar alarm. and making only two
rounds OF the place during the hours
q dark.
Little Buster had been always IA
vorite with him. How far his pretty
mother ,yaS one. too. Nelson never al
lowed himself 70 think. Nelson's In
terest IN mother and child. however.
led 10 his practically adopting little
Buster. 1t must be- quite & hindrance
and cara for you TO have the dear little
fellow On your hands at the places
where you 20 0Qt sewing, be remarked
o. Mrs. NJ Gods, enc day.
III is a double burden in a way.
yes she admitted
Tive "a suggestion TO make" ven
tured Nelson. You know have the
whole day 10 myself All / do is lit
Tie writing our garden is shady and
roomy and pleasant. Buster makes 3
capital chun. He likes me and Ike
h.m and We always GET on famously
together, Let ME relieve you of h
responsibility while you are compelled /
to he away from home"
The arrangement was made and II
had due reward In store for the ac-
eommodating Nelson Little BuStcc
Wonl3 troop after him and join him in
the rustic bower and play at his side.
One day Nelson was reading over
aloUd one Of the little skIts he had !
composed when he CHANGED 10 observe
Buster.
"Ei-Sah,' he bahhle1. when Nelson /
was reading Of FIRE episode in his /
S'ory. Coco! Make sparks " aud he
acted forth terror and shudderinz. (
And on another occas.e" when Nell /
son read OF a weeping lady ami her
Strrows, little Buster drew down his 1
expressive face. Poor lady ky E" he i
incurred. Make tears come shore" /
So time drifsed en- pleasantly for
author ana audience, until in one week /
the latter bad three stories returned
from as many Publishers. somehow
the occurrence greatly dampened asp-
ration and hope. Nelson made a fraS- !
{c resolve. He gathered an bis mann
scripts together and carried them into
tie garden to 3 SraSS}eSs spot nesr the I
fence of his rich neighhor nj the right.
lie placed then, on the ground.
LAST story Buster ,0 he told his lii I
t.e companion. "lm going To read il.
Then @e viii set fire 60 the heap aad I
am going g. forget au about writing
ara 80 % the city and Try TO earn s
living"
He read his latest EFFORT. 3 sweet.
pathetic l,t}e mle. hsartSoae and
wholesome he added the serial 10 the
pile sad s,rues a natch.
"tie3 oH sounded forth a raan4a. (
tory Yolce. ana looAng W. Nelson con.
frongei v.eh Mr. Edison on the other
side "i the lo, line fence. "Yoa needn't I
burn those stories AZ yours. III give
yoa one hundred dollars splece fur i
them. Im whimsical fellow. SIS YOU
ve1 aooe' aa3 can AFFORD extensive
fauc-eS- There's Nert In that scrae1 4
you }u>r read. You've 20, the writing .
bug, and j hes,eye II you can broaden
yo0r field nj information. you1l hin il. +
Anyhow IT'D take the stories. ana *
Sy o,d caret4ksr' IS about 70 leave.
III give you his 500 az one hundred
dollars q moath and free access 10 nay
library. I'm going ou whole wears
Fst1wr .ax-e..s.-f $50,